What Are Your 5-Minute Meals?
By: Meg Galvin,
SparkPeople Blogger
8/2/2010 5:15 AM
: 189 comments
: 33,112 Views
We all have those nights when even the simplest of recipes are too complicated, when cooking seems impossible. Instead of dialing the pizza shop or driving thru for burgers, what do you do?
Do you thaw out a frozen pizza, top it with veggies and serve it with fruit? Serve whole-wheat pasta with sauce from a jar and lean ground turkey, plus a salad? Top a bag of prewashed greens with leftover chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or canned tuna, plus whatever vegetables you can scrounge up?
Resident fitness expert Nicole turns to organic boxed mac-and-cheese on busy nights. While the water is boiling, she dices half a block of firm tofu and heats frozen broccoli in the microwave. Once the pasta is ready, she adds the tofu and broccoli, then prepares the mac-and-cheese according to directions.
One of the moms on our team keeps a frozen pizza on hand for those nights when her son and daughter are starving and just can't wait to eat. Alongside a slice goes a salad and fruit.
SparkRecipes and dailySpark editor Stepfanie has a five-minute, five-ingredient meal for busy nights: prewashed spinach, jarred tomato sauce, eggs, whole-wheat bread, and goat cheese or fresh basil. She toasts two slices of bread, pours half the jar of sauce into a small sautepan, heats it until simmering, then stirs in the spinach. Once wilted, she carefully cracks in twos eggs, covers the pan and allows the sauce to poach the eggs. When the eggs are done, she spoons one egg and half the spinach and sauce into a bowl and serves with the toast, which she spread with a bit of goat cheese (or cream cheese). She adds a bit of fresh basil on top. Between 300-400 calories and incredibly satisfying, she says.
At our house, we have plenty of go-to meals. The boys love flatbread pizzas with everything from herbs, smoked salmon and light cream cheese to the more traditional peppers and mozzarella. Grilled ham or turkey sandwiches with cheese, frisee (or another green) and tomatoes are another favorite on busy nights. (We use nonstick spray and an indoor grill/panini press.)
We've told you how we create healthful meals from a box or a can, but now we want to know how you get dinner on the table on your busiest nights. Share your best meals in the comments below. What is your best five-minute meal? (The best ideas might be used in the forthcoming SparkPeople cookbook!)
Do you thaw out a frozen pizza, top it with veggies and serve it with fruit? Serve whole-wheat pasta with sauce from a jar and lean ground turkey, plus a salad? Top a bag of prewashed greens with leftover chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or canned tuna, plus whatever vegetables you can scrounge up?
Resident fitness expert Nicole turns to organic boxed mac-and-cheese on busy nights. While the water is boiling, she dices half a block of firm tofu and heats frozen broccoli in the microwave. Once the pasta is ready, she adds the tofu and broccoli, then prepares the mac-and-cheese according to directions.
One of the moms on our team keeps a frozen pizza on hand for those nights when her son and daughter are starving and just can't wait to eat. Alongside a slice goes a salad and fruit.
SparkRecipes and dailySpark editor Stepfanie has a five-minute, five-ingredient meal for busy nights: prewashed spinach, jarred tomato sauce, eggs, whole-wheat bread, and goat cheese or fresh basil. She toasts two slices of bread, pours half the jar of sauce into a small sautepan, heats it until simmering, then stirs in the spinach. Once wilted, she carefully cracks in twos eggs, covers the pan and allows the sauce to poach the eggs. When the eggs are done, she spoons one egg and half the spinach and sauce into a bowl and serves with the toast, which she spread with a bit of goat cheese (or cream cheese). She adds a bit of fresh basil on top. Between 300-400 calories and incredibly satisfying, she says.
At our house, we have plenty of go-to meals. The boys love flatbread pizzas with everything from herbs, smoked salmon and light cream cheese to the more traditional peppers and mozzarella. Grilled ham or turkey sandwiches with cheese, frisee (or another green) and tomatoes are another favorite on busy nights. (We use nonstick spray and an indoor grill/panini press.)
We've told you how we create healthful meals from a box or a can, but now we want to know how you get dinner on the table on your busiest nights. Share your best meals in the comments below. What is your best five-minute meal? (The best ideas might be used in the forthcoming SparkPeople cookbook!)
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Comments
But I love these sort of ideas! My favorite quick meal is microwave a sweet potato, cut up into chunks thrown in with some black beans and either some red bell peppers in a whole wheat tortillar! (usually I spice it with some chili powder, pepper and a little paprika!) - 10/5/2011 9:55:22 AM
While I appreciate and value candor as well as respect the fact that we are entitled to our opinions I was rather shocked (okay REALLY shocked) by your comment on a blog that is seeking to help folks in today's demanding and hectic culture (right, wrong, or indifferent).
Before committing these words to a comment here I read/re-read the invite to share our "five minute meals" as well as the contributions of our fellow Sparkers. I then made a point to go to your Spark Page and read a bit. After a significant amount of thought I decided that responding was an imperative for me...
I have put two other posts on this blog that may not meet the EXACTING standard of five minute meals but, in my opinion, DO meet the spirit and intent of the invitation to share our "five" minute meals...I looked at it from the perspective that they also did not say "consecutive minutes" and, more specifically, how do we STRIVE to be healthful in our meal preparation despite the demands life places upon us.
I have found that "sparking" one another with little ideas and words of encouragement both here on SparkPeople as well as our friends, family, co-workers outside of SparkPeople to be what has provided me with the "grit" to continue this healtful life journey when it just seemed too annoying, difficult, time consuming, etc., etc., etc. to do so.
TRUST me I get that less processed, freshly, and THOUGHTFULLY prepared food is the better/best way to go, the REALITY is that it is not always possible. I do the best I can with what I have at any given moment. Some days that is close to perfection other days not so much! (Okay, pretty darn bad!) That being said, I continually evaluate and, as appropriate, I congratulate or forgive myself and strive to improve and move forward at the same time.
I wish you well on your journey towards/in healthful eating and living! I hope you reach your weight, eating, and exercise goals.
And, if I misconstrued the intent of your message I apologize...your post may seem harsh because all I can see are the words not the intent, circumstances, voice tone, body language, etc. that might mitigate the your comment's seeming intensity. - 10/6/2010 8:42:01 PM
Chop about a cup of fresh garden tomato add 1 t. olive oil, some fresh rosemary or basil, salt and fresh chopped garlic. Yum, yum - 8/10/2010 10:52:39 PM
My favorite on-hand desperation dinner is tortellini stir-fry. Take one package frozen tortellini and cook it according to package directions. Take 2 packages frozen stir-fry veggie mix and toss it in a skillet. Add a little garlic if you are feeling fancy. Stir-fry the veggies until done then add in the cooked and drained tortellini. Cover with a bottled stir-fry sauce to your desired sauciness and heat thru. If want you can top each serving with some peanuts or toasted sesame seeds.
I'm also big on making up double batches and then freezing up a nights worth to have on hand for desperation nights. - 8/10/2010 9:15:19 PM
take 1/3 of a can of non fat refried beans, put on a flour tortilla, add some fresh cilantro, and microwave for about 45 seconds; top with n.f. sour cream and some salsa... eat and enjoy! - 8/9/2010 1:48:40 AM
serving of lettuce (sometimes a mixture of lettuce and spinach)
1/2 cp tomatoes
1/2 cp mushroom
oz mozzarrella cheese
1/2 cp black beans
2 TBS vinegarette (make my own)
turkey (1 serving)
Fills the plate, my eyes and my tummy all while being healthy and nutrient rich coupled with fun to eat because of the different textures and colors. It also doesn't throw my calories out of whack . YUMMY! - 8/8/2010 11:10:13 PM
QUICK AND EASY BROCCOLI SALAD
12 oz bag of broccoli flowerets
1/4 C Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt
1/4 C Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil
1 -2 Packets of Truvia
1/4 C Golden Raisins
Combine Yogurt, Mayo, Truvia
Pour over Broccoli and Raisins and mix thoroughly. Serve.
1 Cup/100 grams Serving = Approx 67 calories
You can add walnuts (or nut of your choice), but recalculate the calories
- 8/7/2010 11:40:31 AM
nice light meal in the summer. - 8/6/2010 7:42:50 AM
2 eggs cooked in micro egg cooker (35 sec)
chunky jalapeno hot sauce 2 Tbsp
OOH soooo good and quick!!
- 8/5/2010 3:32:29 PM
Add either meat substitute (crumbles, burger, or chik'n meal starters) or cooked beans
Add rice and possibly some sauce (red sauce, soy sauce, salsa) depending on what I have and what I'm in the mood for
I never make this dish the same hense the name. And my kids Love it! - 8/5/2010 12:51:52 PM
"Fried Egg" Sandwich - "Fry" an egg with Pam spray, breaking the yolk at the end so it cooks up somewhat hard too and isn't so messy (although one of my daughters likes it runny, so personal choice) & sprinkle with pepper and a little salt. While it's cooking, toast 2 slices of whole grain toast and then spread with lite mayo. Simple, yet delish! Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Fish Tacos - takes just a bit longer than 5 min., but not much if you have everything pre-cut or packaged. Spray your frying pan with Pam, and "fry" your favorite fish until done, sprinkling with Mexican seasoning. (Sometimes I will dip the fish in beaten egg whites & Panko bread crumbs or even use fish sticks baked in the oven - gasp!) Meanwhile, get out the shredded cabbage, diced red onion and sliced avocado if in season and mix a little pre-made salsa with lite mayo for an easy sauce. Heat the corn tortillas directly on the gas burner and serve with salad and fruit.
Open-faced Tuna Melt - Top whole grain bread with drained tuna (packed in water), sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and place in the toaster oven or under the broiler for a quick minute to melt the cheese.
Loaded Baked Potatoes - Microwave the potatoes and get out the leftovers to put inside. The possibilities are endless! Low fat or lite cheese and sour cream on top of most anything is a must!
Super Easy Chili - Ok, this may be more like 15 min., but pretty quick anyway. Brown ground meat and chopped onion, drain fat and rinse under hot water in a colander if you want to be really good. Add cans of kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans (all drained), rotel tomatoes, (& sometimes corn), tomato paste, chili powder, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until lightly boiling. Serve topped with low fat shredded cheese and sour cream. (Leftovers are great on those baked potatoes the next day!)
Enjoy!
- 8/4/2010 5:16:53 AM
Natural peanut butter and homemade jam spread on a slice of stoneground wheat bread.
Enjoy with a banana and a glass of milk.
This has been my favorite fast meal since I was tot! - 8/3/2010 1:09:21 PM
Second choice would be a reduced fat peanut butter on toasted whole wheat.
Now, if I have 15 minutes...that expands the options. If I have 30 minutes I start getting really creative! LOL
- 8/3/2010 11:43:49 AM
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