1. Introduction
When you’re struggling with meal planning on busy days, it’s reassuring to have recipes that can be made easily with just a few ingredients. In this article, we’ll introduce simple recipe ideas that are perfectly balanced nutritionally using just 5 basic ingredients, along with cooking tips you can implement right away. These dishes are perfect for busy days as they’re quick to prepare while remaining deliciously simple.
2. Practical Points and Examples
- **Chicken Stew Made with “Chicken Breast, Carrots, Potatoes, Onions, and Canned Tomatoes”**You can easily make a nutritious “Chicken Stew” with just these 5 ingredients. Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, and cut the carrots, potatoes, and onions into appropriate sizes. Simply sauté the ingredients in olive oil in a pot, add the canned tomatoes and water, and let it simmer. Even with minimal seasoning, you can enjoy a deep flavor profile from the acidity of tomatoes and the sweetness of vegetables.
- **Quiche-Style Omelet Made with “Eggs, Spinach, Bacon, Milk, and Cheese”**This “Quiche-Style Omelet” can be easily made in a single frying pan and is perfect for breakfast or lunch. Simply sauté the bacon and spinach lightly, add the mixture of eggs, milk, and cheese, then cover and cook. While easy to make, it’s quite filling and nutritionally balanced with spinach and cheese. Once cooked, cut it up for an appetizing presentation.
- **Japanese-Style Mapo Tofu Made with “Tofu, Ground Meat, Green Onions, Ginger, and Miso”**This “Japanese-Style Mapo Tofu” using tofu is a dish that pairs perfectly with rice while using minimal ingredients. Mince the ginger and green onions, and stir-fry them with the ground meat in a frying pan. Add miso and a small amount of water, then add the tofu cut into bite-sized pieces and simmer. This miso-flavored mapo tofu offers a comforting taste that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
3. Tips and Techniques
When cooking with few ingredients, the key is to keep the seasoning simple to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Also, using ingredients that keep well in the refrigerator means you can prepare meals even when you’re running low on fresh ingredients. It’s also nice that using fewer cooking utensils makes cleanup easier.
4. Summary and Next Steps
Recipes that can be made with just 5 basic ingredients are invaluable on busy days. During your next shopping trip, stock up on simple, easy-to-store ingredients and incorporate them into your weekday time-saving recipes. These simple yet delicious dishes will make your daily meal planning more enjoyable and sustainable!
