When you want something comforting yet exciting, these four fun dishes are just right. Easy to cook and full of taste, they make dinner time something to look forward to.
A Handful of Tasty Dishes to Try
Do you find that you struggle to come up with meal ideas when you walk in the door after a long day at work? Do you tend to stick to the same meals over and over simply because they are easy and you don’t have to give much thought to them? While it’s great to have those few staple recipes that never fail you, repeating the same dishes over and over can get real boring real fast. Sometimes all it takes is a little meal inspiration and a few ideas to get your chef juices flowing. Here’s a look at four fun and tasty dishes that you can whip up after work and thoroughly enjoy devouring.
So, the next time you’re scratching your head trying to come up with that perfect weekday meal, you may want to give one of these tasty dishes a go.
Fried Rice
Here’s a recipe that is extremely versatile, and can make use of any leftovers and fresh veggies you may have in the house. Fried rice is simple, quick, and can pack a real punch of flavor. It’s also great to have as leftovers, so go ahead and make enough for a couple of nights.
You’ll find no shortage of fried rice recipe variations online, but some of the most common include chicken teriyaki, vegetable fried rice, cauliflower fried rice and sweet potato fried rice. Each of the recipes start with the same base and then add different flavors and ingredients from there.
Quick Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Heat oil in a wok or wide pan on high heat.
- Add eggs, scramble quickly, and keep slightly soft. Push to one side.
- Add onions, green chilli, and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté till fragrant.
- Toss in veggies and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes.
- Add rice, salt, pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar. Mix gently on high heat.
- Finish with chopped coriander. Switch off heat.
Serve hot with raita or ketchup. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Slow Cooker Recipes
Another fabulous solution for busy weekday nights is to use your slow cooker. With a slow cooker, you can throw all the ingredients in the pot in the morning before you leave, and then you’ll come home to a fabulous restaurant-quality meal. There are full websites and recipe books dedicated to slow cooker dishes, so again you’ll have no problem finding ideas. You can do such things as mutton stew, chili chicken, macaroni and cheese and so much more.
Slow-Cooker Chilli Chicken Recipe
- Prep chicken: Toss chicken with soy sauce and black pepper.
- Sauté in slow cooker: Set the slow cooker to high and drizzle oil. Add garlic, ginger, onions, and bell peppers. Stir for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken & sauces: Put the chicken in, along with ketchup and chili sauce. Stir well.
- Cook quickly: Cover and cook on high for 20 minutes, stirring halfway. Chicken should be cooked through.
- Thicken sauce: Mix cornstarch and water, pour in, and cook for another 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle spring onions on top and serve immediately with rice or noodles.
Tip: Slice chicken small and use high setting for fastest results. This method gives a near-stir-fry taste with slow cooker convenience.
Eggs Offer Endless Option
If you’re looking for a meal that is not only tasty, easy, and quick to prepare, but is also healthy, then allow eggs to be the focal point of the dish. Eggs offer an excellent source of protein, which not everyone gets enough of. And because they are so versatile, you’re bound to find recipes that appeal to you.
Quick Omelet Recipe
- Beat eggs: In a bowl, whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Heat pan: Place butter or oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Cook omelette: Pour the egg mixture into the pan. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes until the edges start to set.
- Add fillings: Sprinkle your choice of vegetables, cheese, or herbs on top.
- Fold & serve: Fold the omelette in half and cook for another 1–2 minutes. Slide onto a plate and serve hot with bread or toast.
Tip: For a fluffy omelette, whisk eggs longer and add a splash of water.
While you can go the standard route of a fried egg sandwich, omelet, or even scrambled eggs, there are also other recipes worth trying. Great examples include quiche, frittata, egg-drop noodle soup (use ramen noodles to make the recipe quick and easy), and even baked eggs.
Not Your Typical Burger
Then we have burgers, which tend to be a real crowd pleaser. You can throw them on the BBQ, in the oven, a frying pan, or in one of the electric grill presses. Making your own burgers is always the tastiest and healthiest way to go, and they are extremely fast to throw together. This also gives you the ability to add your own seasoning and spices. Don’t forget to play around with ground chicken and turkey to give a healthier twist to the typical burger. Chicken sliders add an extra fun touch, especially for parties or quick weekday meal.
Simple Mini Chicken Burger Recipe
Prepare chicken patties:
- In a bowl, mix minced chicken with onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and chili powder.
- Divide into 6 equal portions and shape into small round patties.
Cook patties:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked.
Assemble burgers:
- Slice mini buns in half and lightly toast if desired.
- Spread mayonnaise or ketchup on buns.
- Place lettuce, a cooked chicken patty, tomato slice, and cheese (optional).
- Cover with the top bun.
Serve:
- Serve immediately while warm.
Tip: You can add a dash of chili sauce or mustard to make them extra tasty.
Don’t Forget That the Tools Make a Difference
No matter what recipe you opt for, whether it’s one of these or your own, keep in mind that having the right kitchen tools will make preparation a whole lot easier and faster. Things such as good quality knives and a durable chopping board like a walnut chopping board, a food processor, hand mixer, slow cooker, and excellent pots and frying pans will make a massive difference.
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