In this article i would like to try something a little different, they say the biggest human commodity is time and the one thing money cannot buy, weeknights can often be demotivating when it comes to cooking time, tired from the day you just had can you really be bothered, but a nourishing meal is just what your body needs to help it recover from the stress the modern day life can bring, help bring down the cortisol levels, help your muscle repair, and feed your brain ready to fire on all cylinders tomorrow.
I am going to write easy one pot meal recipes that you can make for your whole family any weeknight to help the team to be nourished and give them all the nutrients that they need. There will be no long recipes here more of a throw this, cook this style with as little steps and fuss as possible.
The all important pot
Having a oven safe pot that can be used on a gas burner is a big plus for recipes i am going to write in this article, also having one that does not take hours to scrub clean, means for time for rest and recuperation. I personally can not recommend Le Creuset dutch oven style cooking pans, they can be pricey but the last a lifetime, are easy to clean, and have a perfect tight fitting lid for recipes these ones. I recommend spending the money if can it will transform your cooking experience for life, or alternatively find a cast iron pan similar that will do the job.
Recipe instructions
For all these one pot meals, cook on a medium to high heat, have your oven set at 170 celsius before you start and if there is need to boil something (technically it wont be a one pot meal but pretty close) have a full kettle boiled ready to go, always use olive oil and be sured to get your body requirements for healthy brain feeding fats. If you are in real shortage of time these days you can buy a host of frozen diced vegetables like onions, garlic ect. Not perfect but much better than a takeaway. For all recipes at the last 8 to 10 minutes open the lid and place in green vegetables put the lid back on and back in the oven for a super way to add some green to your evening meal. I will keep the recipes to the point and quick to ready trust your cooking skill, have fun and feel the force of a good cooked meal and your body rejuvenates.
Season with salt and pepper as go through the cooking process
Simple but almost probably the most important step to all these dishes is to season with salt and pepper from start to finish, and remember taste, taste, taste so the whole family can enjoy for all your efforts in the kitchen. Also remember to try to add a little love to every meals as well you really can taste the love.
EASY CHICKEN ONE POT RECIPES
Chicken cacciatore and pasta. .Brown skin off boneless chicken thighs remove, cook diced onion celery, followed by garlic and Italian herbs, add chopped tomatoes, olives, capers and chicken stock, place the chicken back in, the lid on and in the oven for 40 minutes. Serve with your choice of cooked pasta .
Chicken, chorizo, chickpeas and potato. Brown boneless skinless chicken thighs remove, cook diced onion then garlic, add sliced chorizo, add a tin of chick peas and diced potatoes, now add tin tomatoes and chicken stock, add back the chicken lid on in the oven for 40 minutes.
New age apricot chicken. Brown boneless skinless chicken thighs and remove, cook diced onion carrot and celery, add tin tomatoes, diced dried apricots, a good 200ml of cider vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar, lid on and cook for 40 minutes. Serve with basmati rice.
Chicken, bacon and parmesan. Crispy up diced bacon remove, brown boneless skinless chicken thighs remove, cook diced onion and garlic and 2 tablespoons of flour, add a little chicken stock and a little cream, add the chicken, lid on cook for 30 minutes, take the lid off add grated parmesan and cook for 5 minutes with the lid off. Serve with your favourite pasta
EASY SEAFOOD ONE POT MEALS
Salmon, asparagus ,lemon and dill. Place salmon fillets, baby spinach leaves, slices or lemon and asparagus spears, 150ml white wine and 150ml cream into the pot, place on heat bring to a gently simmer without put the lid on place in the oven for around 15minutes depending on how you like you salmon cooked, Serve with boiled baby potatoes.
Prawn jambalaya. Fry sliced up sausage, add chopped onions and chillies and garlic and cook, add 3 tablespoons of cajun spice, prawns and uncooked rice, now add 1 and 2/3 the volume of water to rice, stir lid on and in the oven and cook for 40 minutes, stir in chopped parsley
Salmon and chick pea curry. Mix your favourite curry paste with greek yoghurt, marinate the salmon, in the pot add tinned tomatoes, tin chick peas and little cream and a big spoon of mango chutney, stir all together place the salmon on top, lid on and in the oven for 25 minutes, serve with naan warmed in the oven
EASY RED MEAT ONE POT MEALS
Beef nachos. Fry beef mice of and remove, cook onion, chillies, garlic, add cajun spice and tin tomatoes, add back the mince, lid on and in the oven for 45 minutes, serve with warmed nacho chips and sour cream.
Greek lamb meatballs. Mix lamb mice with salt and pepper, a little cinnamon and cumin, and oregano, roll into small balls and fry, add tinned tomatoes and a good spoon of greek yogurt and the zest of a lemon, lid on and in the oven for 50 minutes, serve with flat bread and a quick greek salad
Sausage, butterbean, caramelised onion. Brown off the sausages remove, add lots of sliced onion and cook for 10 minutes until they start to go golden brown, add tin tomatoes, chicken stock and tinned butter beans, put back the sausages, lid on and in the oven for 35 minutes. serve with a spoon of sour cream
VEGETARIAN EASY ONE POT MEALS
SHAKSHUKA. Fry onion and garlic, add tinned tomatoes and fresh herbs, now add tinned mixed beans, cook for 15 minutes on the stove, take of the heat and crack fresh hens eggs onto the top of the bean mix covering the top of the pan, place the lid on and place in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how you like your eggs, serve with sourdough
Butternut, sage, parmesan. Diced butternut and fry off in batches then remove, cook diced onion and garlic, add chopped sage, now add back the butternut, lid on and in the oven and cook for 20 minutes, take out 2/3 of the min when cooked and mash with a potato masher and add a good knob of butter, add back the remaining mix, serve with your favourite pasta
Weather for dinner or for breakfast i hope you find some inspiration in these delicious recipes, from classic to creamy, with minimal ingredients these recipes are a great way to free up your time while nurturing your whole family. I hope you enjoyed with format of recipes, please let me know in the comments below or if you want a specific recipe please feel free to comment. peace