If you have been following along with this blog for a little while you know I love to cook. I love to meal plan and I love to only make one meal! My kids have very different tastes and appetites. One will try almost anything and always asks for seconds, the other one will judge a meal as soon as she looks at it and would live off of yogurt tubes and fruit if given the choice. Needless to say, I am always on the hunt for new recipes that will be tasty, easy to make and satisfy us. I recently have been experimenting with a couple of recipes that have been a huge hit in our house and I wanted to share..so here goes!
QUINOA BOWLS
Ingredients
- 2 cups of quinoa
- 4 cups of veggie broth
- desired toppings chopped up
- our favourites are:
- avocado
- corn
- baked sweet potatoes
- cucumbers
- carrots
- red peppers
- desired sauces
- hummus
- tatziki
- guacamole
Method
1. Prepare quinoa according to package instructions (usually 1:2 ration quinoa to the broth)
2. Prepare toppings by chopping up into smaller chunks
3. Create a buffet-style meal prep and allow everyone to add the toppings that they desire.
Why this was a hit...
The best part of this meal is that it is customizable for each family member. My son loved it so much he had two helpings and have different toppings both times. This meal is also very simple to make and most of the toppings can be prepped in advance. My favourite part was how simple the clean up was...just a few bowls!!
NAAN PIZZAS
Ingredients
- mini naan flatbreads (usually 3 per person is 1 serving)
- 1 jar of Pizza sauce (tomato or pesto)
- mozzarella cheese
- desired toppings
- our favourites are:
- peppers
- olives
- onion
- mushroom
- broccoli
- prosciutto
Method
--> Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1. Spread our naan on a cookie sheet
2. Place sauce on naan first
3. add desired toppings
4. cover each mini pizza with cheese
5. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is nice and golden brown.
Why this was a hit...
This has been one of our go-to meals for a long time now and it never disappoints. It is quick and easy to make and each individual pizza can be customized to each family member. There is minimal prep and clean up! We love this one on a Friday night!
VEGAN ALFREDO
Ingredients
- 3 cups of mushrooms (I like to use a mix of portobello and cremini) --> this can be any veggie you choose
- 2 cloves of garlic (or a tablespoon of garlic salt)
- 2/3 cup of cashews
- 1 2/3 cups of water or almond milk
- 3 tablespoons of thyme or parsley (your taste)
- 3 Tbs of nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp of dijon mustard
- 1/2 an onion diced
- 1 Tbs of olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 box of pasta (or amount appropriate for who you are cooking for)
Method
1. Place the cashews, water, nutritional yeast, mustard and garlic in the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Place a large frying pan over medium heat. Add half the oil and fry the onion until golden.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms (you may need to cook them in batches) and the remaining half of the oil. Cook until lightly golden.
4. Add the thyme and the Alfredo sauce from the blender
5. While the mushrooms are cooking cook the pasta according to packet directions.
6. When you add the sauce to the pan take a spoonful of the pasta water and stir through the sauce. Heat until warmed and then remove from the heat.
7. Drain the pasta and add to the pan with the sauce, mix together and serve.
Why this was a hit...
This recipe is so fast and easy. You can make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it so it is ready to go when you need it. I love customizing the veggies and meat we put in it, sometimes it is mushrooms or mushrooms and bacon or lots of veggies. On nights when we don't have a ton of time I usually just pick one veggie to add. This recipe also has minimal prep and clean up!
Have you downloaded my free E-Book all about meal planning? If not click here to get it for FREE! I hope that the kids and adults in your house love these recipes! If you use one post and tag me!! @mountainmamawellness
