You’re too busy to cook after a hectic day or night shift, but don’t want to eat fast food several times a week. You know you should prepare healthy meals, but don’t have the energy to shop and actually make them. You would like a home-cooked meal, but sometimes cooking after a 12-hour shift is the last thing on your mind.
If this sounds like you, or somebody you know, we’d like to share a few hassle-free recipes that are delicious and easy to prepare.
Recipe #1: Chicken Kabobs
Kabobs are very easy to make on the grill or in the oven, any time of the year. If you love chicken, this is a perfectly simple, yet delicious and nutritious recipe. (Beef lovers can also substitute lean beef sirloin.)
Ingredients:
-4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cubed
-1 large green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces
-1 onion, cut into wedges
-1 large red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces
-1 cup barbeque sauce (substitute with any of your favorite marinades)
-Skewers
Directions:
Preheat grill for high heat. Thread the chicken, green bell pepper, onion, and red bell pepper pieces onto the skewers alternately. Lightly oil the grill grate or baking pan. Place the kabobs on the prepared grill or baking pan, and brush with barbeque sauce. Cook, turning and brushing with barbeque sauce frequently, for 15 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear.
Recipe #2: Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Whether you pronounce it as “bru-sketta” or “bru-shetta,” this Italian favorite is a wonderful way to capture the flavors of Italy with ripe tomatoes, fresh garden basil, and a touch of garlic. To speed up the preparation, you can use a food processor rather than hand chopping. This recipe is great for lunch or an appetizer for dinner.
Ingredients:
-6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
-6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
-Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
-1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
-1/4 cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Prepare the tomatoes first. Parboil the tomatoes for one minute in boiling water that has just been removed from the burner. Drain. Using a sharp small knife, remove the skins of the tomatoes. Then, cut them in halves or quarters and remove the seeds and juice from their centers. Cut out and discard the stem area.
2. Make sure there is a top rack in place in your oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
3. While the oven is heating, chop the tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Slice the baguette on a diagonal, about 1/2 inch thick slices. Toast on a griddle for 1 minute on each side. Take a sharp knife and score each slice 3 times. Rub some garlic in the slices and drizzle half a teaspoon of olive oil on each slice.
5. Top each slice of bread with the tomato mixture and enjoy.
Note: This recipe is also delicious served with cottage cheese on the side.
Looking for additional quick, hassle-free recipes? Check out these valuable resources right at your fingertips.