Busy (Lazy) Meal Lifesavers
I prepare a nice dinner once a week, that’s about it, all the other meals are what I call my lazy meals. The interesting thing about that, busy (lazy) meals are the ones I enjoy most. Busy (lazy) meals allow me to be creative in using the plants I have prepped and ready to go in my refrigerator.
So what exactly are these favorite busy (lazy) meals?
Let’s dig in by starting out with my favorite… POTATOES!
Potatoes
Potatoes are loaded with vitamins C and B-6, iron, potassium, magnesium, as well as 4 grams of protein.
Hashbrown Potatoes The kind that come frozen in a bag. Yup, easy, huh! Please note, the ONLY ingredient you want to see listed on the bag is potatoes! We don’t consume oil. Why? Because it harms our endothelium! Sorry, I promise not to digress any further on this, but just in case you want to learn more about why we don’t want to consume any type of oil, watch this video from Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. So, back to the hashbrowns, all you’re going to do is either thaw the portion you want to eat ahead of time or do a quick thaw in the microwave, then sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder, and a few grindings of black pepper. While you’re prepping your hashbrowns, preheat an electric waffle maker or panini grill on medium high setting, then take the seasoned hashbrowns and distribute evenly on the heated surface then lower the lid. Leave the lid down for at least 10-15 minutes so the potatoes begin to form a crust, this will prevent them from sticking. Continue to cook hashbrowns until they have a nice golden, crunchy crust, this could be anywhere from 20-30 minutes. Be sure and check them every 10 minutes or so. Serve with my Homemade Tomato Ketchup and a bowl of greens.
Mashed Potatoes I eat close to 10 pounds of potatoes each week. Yes, 10 POUNDS! Potatoes provide a plethora of possibilities. Top them with sauteed mushrooms, any non-dairy cream or bean soup, or stew. My favorite mashed potato topping is Non-Boeuf Daube Provencal, I dream I’m back in Mollans sur Ouveze every time I make this. It also pairs nicely with a French Cabernet, just sayin’.
Baked Potatoes Yes, you can eat potatoes as a meal! Baked potatoes with a side of grilled or steamed vegetables is heavenly or load them right on top of your potato. For convenience, I prepare Crispy Air-Fryer Baked Potatoes and top them with Dairy-Free Cashew Sour Cream. The key to this plate of goodness is the toppings. I also go with a Creamy Cheese Sauce. Once you start in on this cheese sauce, you’ll be awake at night dreaming of what you else can put it on!
Potato Wedges Who says Air Fryer Potato Wedges can’t be eaten as a meal? I like to keep this meal simple, 5-Minute Homemade Ketchup for dipping along with a side salad.
Sweet Potatoes
Yams, jewel, Japanese, whatever variety you prefer, these spuds are packed with vitamin A, C, B-6, manganese, potassium and niacin.
Sweet Potatoes My favorite is a traditional baked sweet potato and when I’m feeling really ambitious I make Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be added to any soup or stew, layer them in lasagna, or as a base in Sweet Potato Fudge Brownies.
Pot-Roasted Vegetables This is a staple in my house. I roast up potatoes and carrots every Sunday and then enjoy them throughout the week. Sometimes they never even get re-heated because they’re so delicious cold! Follow my Roasted Root Vegetable recipe to get on the roasted roots bandwagon.
Soup
Any chopped veggies added to vegetable stock, nutritional yeast and your favorite herbs.
Asian Veggie Soup 2 cups of water, 1 or 2 tablespoons of Chicken Style Seasoning Blend or 1 teaspoon mushroom powder, an assortment of chopped fresh vegetables such as onion, celery, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, and zucchini. Feel free to add a starch such as cooked black beans, edamame, brown rice, pasta, or any other cooked grain you have available. Heat to boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook until the veggies are tender. Season with tamari, siracha, fresh herbs or anything else you enjoy in a bowl of soup. There you have it, a hot meal in 10 minutes.
Bowls
Buddha bowl, protein bowl, hippie bowl, loaded bowl. Whatever you want to call your bowl, just make sure you load it up!
Buddha Bowl Whatever you want to call this bowl of goodness, just eat it, and eat it often. Start with a bowl of chopped up greens, remember variety is the spice of life so load up on those green leafy’s from spinach to arugula to kale. Add a grain, a bean, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and roasted sweet potato. Sprinkle in some seeds, grated carrot, purple cabbage ribbons, and don’t forget the Plant-Based Bacon Bits. Drizzle on a Salad Dressing and you’ve got a hearty meal ready in minutes. Oh, and don’t forget to add fruit. Remember, we want to eat the colors of the rainbow.
Chipotle Style Burrito Bowl I like to call it a Baja Bowl. Seriously, I could eat this every day! This recipe was so popular the folks over at PlantPure Communities asked if they could feature it in their Global 10 Day Challenge. If you like beans, rice, avocado and cilantro, you’re going to LOVE this!
Wraps
Savory or sweet, you can wrap almost anything and everything.
Veggie Wrap There are no rules when it comes to wraps. If you can stuff it, you can roll it! Here’s an easy guide on How to Create the Perfect Veggie Wrap. I love the texture of roasted sweet potatoes smeared in with my greens and seeds. Nummy!!! As an alternative to a hummus, try my Any White Bean spread. Any if you have a hankering for tuna flavor, this Un-Tuna Salad will satisfy your craving. Be creative with how you stuff your wrap. In addition to whole wheat wraps, try whole wheat pita, or tortillas to capture the essence of a sandwich. Speaking of sandwiches, why not layer the goods between two slices of bread? See, it’s that easy!
Sweet Snack Wrap Now that I think about it, this Banana Walnut Wrap is breakfast AND lunch worthy. All you need is a tortilla, banana, peanut butter, nuts or seeds, and if you’re really jones-in for trouble, throw in some mini dark chocolate chips. Roll it up, cut it in half and ooh-la-la, meet your new addiction!
Pizza
Pre-made crusts…I’m not too proud. Pita bread and tortillas make for a delicious crust too.
Pizza Let’s settle this once and for all, pizza is a food group, right? This is absolutely one of my favorite busy (lazy) meals. All you need is a pre-made pizza crust, tortilla, pita or flatbread, and you’re on your way to pizza heaven. Top it with marinara sauce and all the usual toppings. My favorites are sauteed mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, along with banana peppers, grilled zucchini and eggplant. With all these veggies there’s no need to even think about cheese! But if you insist, try this Pizza with Tofu Ricotta. You can toss your pizza in the oven or a preheated gas grill over medium heat. Serve with a green salad on the side.
Time-Saving Tips
Wash and chop produce as soon as you get home from the grocery store and store in clear storage containers.
Invest in a good knife, be sure it’s sharp at all times, then learn how to use it correctly.
Cook big batches of beans and grains and freeze them in small storage containers.
Master mise en place, in French this means preparing and laying out every ingredient in its place before you begin cooking.
Keep your kitchen organized and decluttered. Your cabinets were made for storage, not your countertops. Keep your countertops clear of junk, clean, and ready for the next meal!
So there you have it, my busy (lazy) meals when I don’t have time to cook or don’t feel like cooking.
Enjoy them on weeknights, weekends; breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Your house, your rules! Did I mention these are all nutrient-dense?
Enjoy!
