Welcome to our latest column - The food section. I'm so excited about this column because not only am I a foodie, I'm also one that loves to get inventive in the kitchen. I'm one of those people who can't follow a recipe and I keep changing things up. The good thing is, I'm happy to let you in on most of my discoveries.
Today's piece is for people like me - working moms (or dads) who want to put wholesome meals on the table but just have minutes to spend in the kitchen. Zomato has put too much of a dent in our wallets so here's what I came up with:
5 meals that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes (with mostly pantry staples). And yes, I have timed them. These recipes work really well whether you're cooking for one or trying to feed a family.
Stir fry
This is a pretty hearty meal that's actually great when you've got those random half bell peppers or one carrot lying around in your veggie tray. The great thing about a stir fry is it's so versatile and easy that you can make it differently each time and it still tastes amazing. The prep time is a little long, but once you start, it moves so fast you'll be done in no time.
Here's my go-to recipe for chicken stir fry. If you don't have chicken, however, you can substitute it with tofu, cottage cheese, beef strips or even just go veg! I tend to use leftover chicken that's too little for its own meal.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
This was actually my dinner yesterday because it's SO easy and yummy too. You barely need anything for this, it comes together so fast and it's the absolute comfort food.
This recipe always works well for me, however, I don't have the recommended cheese so I go with parmesan or cheddar based on what I've got. This meal is heavy on the garlic though, so probably not the best meal for date night!
Note: if you're a shellfish lover, shrimps are absolutely delicious in this recipe. Leftover chicken can also be shredded and added in for some extra protein.
Chicken and Veggie stew
Okay, so there is a small chance that this recipe may go over by 5-7 minutes, but; you don't have to stand in the kitchen waiting. The great thing about this is that it goes around for a few meals and also freezes really well. So if you're one to get bored easily, you could freeze half and it kind of compensates for going a bit over on the time. This recipe is my invention so I don't have a link for you, but here's my method:
Marinate 1/2 kg chicken with 2 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste,
½ teaspoon turmeric powder,
½ teaspoon cumin powder, and
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Set this aside while you do the rest.
In a pressure cooker:
Add 3 tablespoons of oil and finely minced ginger (1 inch) and garlic (6-8) and 4 peppercorns. Once the garlic is starting to brown, add 2 sliced onions and fry on high heat till translucent.
At this point, I like to put in a soup cube to speed things up. If you don't have it, add a dash of salt.
Now add in your frozen or fresh mixed vegetables and saute for about a minute before adding in the chicken.
If you didn't add the soup cube, you can now add a cup of chicken stock with one cup of water and 2 cloves.
Pressure cook this on medium-high heat for 3 whistles and switch it off.
At this point, it's perfectly done and ready to be devoured. I, however, like to add in a touch of Worcestershire and dark soya sauce because I like a pungent dark stew. That's completely optional!
Your meal is ready ☺️.
Meatball curry
This one is completely impossible to do in under 30 minutes. However, frozen meatballs save the day because they are so quick and easy to make. If you're not a fan of spice, don't let the word ‘curry’ scare you. It's not at all spicy. Here's my method.
In a deep frying pan:
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
Fry 1 inch stick of cinnamon, 1 bay leaf and 3 cloves for about a minute on medium to high heat.
Now add 1 finely chopped medium sized onion and saute till translucent
Add in 2 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.
Now add in 2 medium chopped tomatoes (substitute with tomato paste to speed things up), ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder and ½ garam masala powder (adjust to spice level) and salt to taste.
Mix this all well and fry till the tomatoes are mushy (or till the water bubbles up if you've used paste).
Now add in your meatballs and coat them well.
Pour in a cup of water and turn the flame to medium-low and cover and cook for about 12-15 minutes.
Once done, add a bit of water if necessary and coconut milk (can be substituted with regular milk) to thicken the gravy. Adjust this to your preferred consistency.
Do not bring this to a boil, just mix it well and switch off the flame. Done 😃
Pan grilled lemon butter fish
This is number one for me because it's so delicious, healthy and a hit every time! It comes together in minutes and here's how I do it.
Use any white fish filet. Tap dry it and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter, 4 pieces of garlic minced and whatever dried herbs you have. Saute this on low heat till the raw garlic smell goes away.
Now add in your fish filets and saute on each side for 4-6 minutes depending on what fish you've got.
The fish will release water which makes your sauce. To thicken up the sauce, remove the fish from the pan, add a pinch of all-purpose flour or cornflour into the sauce and stir well. Now add the fish back in and coat it well. Your fish is done. Garnish this with some chopped up spring onions, crushed peanuts and lemon zest for some extra flavor.
Enjoy!
There you have it! My ultimate go-to recipes for days when I barely have any time.
Before I leave you, I have 5 time-saving kitchen hacks that help me ensure these meals come together so fast:
Use a chopper: Onions are a pain to cut, especially when there's so much. Snip off the ends, halve them and chuck them in a chopper. Your veggies are chopped in a minute.
Peel beforehand: Garlic can be a pain to peel, so while sitting down to watch something or relax, peel a bunch of them and refrigerate in an airtight container.
Use good pans: I recently got gifted a new pressure cooker and my cooking time nearly halved! My old one gave me such a hard time.
Frozen food: I always have meats and veggies in the freezer. Frozen peas, corn or mixed vegetables. Frozen food cooks quicker and is very convenient when there's no time to get to the shops
Assorted packs: If I am going the fresh route, I look for packs of mixed vegetables or fruits. I find it cheaper and faster than buying the vegetables individually.
I hope this article helps you and your family.
Do you have some quick recipes up your sleeve? Comment below.
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