Several weeks ago, I posted about how excited I was to have discovered I could make a mean Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco. Delicious and light, it was a perfect new addition to my summer meal rotation.
Thing is, my new recipe discovery sort of ended there. I have made CLCTs more times than I care to admit this summer. They really are delicious, and simple to make, and easy to make a lot of for dinners the rest of the week.
But I fear I’m in a cooking rut.
I have a small folder on a shelf where I tuck away recipes and ideas I find in magazines (how retro of me in a Pinterest world, I know). I’ve rifled through the cuttings and blurbs in that folder several times now, and I can find zero inspiration for a new go-to recipe.
Which is where you come in. What are you eating this summer? What’s the simple (minimal ingredients, a single pot or two at most) dish you love right now? Links to or emails including the recipes appreciated!
Cooking chicken masala in Palolem, India. Like I do.
Great pic-that looks like a ton of fun!
My favorite go-to right now is quinoa with smoked sausage, sliced bell peppers, feta, and a quick dressing of 2 tsp honey, 2 tbsp ground mustard, & 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar! It’s so easy & it makes a ton! You can sub any meat & veg with quinoa too & it’s always yummy! Got it off Cookinglight.com which is my source for inspiration.
One other thing I love that is seriously the easiest but most delicious thing ever for when you need some comfort food: put a bottom round in the crock pot, dump a jar of sliced pepperoncinis, hot cauliflower mix/giardiniera, and 10 oz beef broth mixed with a packet of zesty Italian dressing seasoning. Cook on low for 10-12 hours. Serve on a bun with provolone or mozzarella! You’ll eat happily for days! 🙂
Oooh, thanks! I definitely need more quinoa in my life – gonna look into that. No slow cooker, though – do they make tiny ones for tiny apartments?! I’ll look into that… 😉
I have a similar folder. One simple recipe I’ve been enjoying this summer is tortellini salad. Boil the refrigerated tortellini per instructions, but throw in a cup or two of corn at the end (the last two or three minutes…I’ve been scraping mine off the cob since it’s in season, but frozen would work too). While it’s boiling, chop a generous cup of cherry tomatoes in half, chop some scallions (as many as you’re in the mood for, really). Combine 1/3 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup parmesan, 1 TB Worcestershire sauce, and some minced garlic cloves (preferably in a blender), and pour over combined ingredients, stir, top with basil if you feel like it. Serve warm or cold.
Also, quiches are easy to make. Buy the premade pie crusts, line a pie plate with it (get a good glass pie plate). Pick your fillings (broccoli and cheddar, bacon if you’re feeling meaty is good option/wilted spinach, red peppers, artichoke hearts, and swiss is another good combo). Combine 4 XL eggs and 1 cup milk and some salt (1/2 tsp ish). Pour over the toppings (use about a cup of broccoli, or wilt about 3 cups of spinach down to a cup) that you placed in the crust. Bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes till the center is just barely not jiggly.