Here are a few of my favorite weeknight dinners-all come together in 30 minutes or less!
Sausage, Pierogies, Onions and Peppers. (5 ingredients if you count the oil). One 12 inch skillet. Serves 2-4. Use pre-cooked kielbasa or andouille sliced on the diagonal (one hot dog sized sausage per person) and Mrs. T's pierogies (any variety). Slice one onion for every two people (white, yellow, red or sweet) and one pepper for every two people (any bell or large chili-think poblano or carmen). Add 1-2 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or sunflower to a skillet. Add onions and peppers, then pierogies. Saute 5-10 minutes on medium to medium high until pierogies start to brown. Toss in sausage and cook until sausage poufs. May use zucchini in addition too the other veggies or to replace one.
Caribbean Black Beans and Rice. Serves 2. Cook Jasmine rice according to package directions. Use 1-2 tbsp coconut milk for the fat. Heat up a 15oz can of black beans. Stir in one finely diced jalapeno, scotch bonnet, or habenero pepper (depending on heat tolerance), one chopped clove of garlic, and 1tsp cumin powder. Add 1-2 tbsp tomato paste. Add about 7oz diced mango (canned or fresh) and a handful of chopped fresh cilantro (may sub 1tbsp dried). Serve beans over rice with any leftover mango or other fruit on the side.
Simple Sesame Noodles. Serves 4. From the Pioneer Woman Cooks (link opens in a new window). I recommend udon noodles.
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. Serves 2-4. Used jarred red peppers to skip a step and eat even faster. Roast 2 large red bell peppers or 2 large sweet chili peppers such as carmen or lipstick. These are often called Italian sweet peppers under a broiler on high until the skins start to blister and turn black. Rotate and repeat. When all sides are roasted. Remove from oven. Cut off the stems. Blend peppers, 1/2 c. vegetable stock, 1/2 c. fresh basil (or 1 tbsp dried basil), 1 garlic clove, and a little salt in a blender or food processor until it's the desired consistency. Pour into a little stockpot and heat. Cook pasta (any type) according to package directions for al dente. When pasta is almost done, add 1/2 c. heavy cream to the sauce. Serve sauce over pasta. May choose to add a little more basil for garnish.
