Hi Hungry Girl,
I've been doing more cooking at home, which is great and I love it. But sometimes, I just do NOT have the energy. Do you have any no-cook meal wisdom I can turn to in a pinch?
Thanks,
Cook Me Not in Cook County
Hi Cook Me Not,
I get it! While we’re in quarantine mode, I'm loving all the extra time in the kitchen, but I'm also loving all the extra time OUTSIDE the kitchen. (I have hobbies other than food!) Here are some no-cook meal ideas that are so versatile, you can basically make them with whatever you have on hand…
Salads & Slaws
The great thing about salads and slaws? You can add ANYTHING. What’ve you got in the fridge or pantry? Teriyaki sauce, leftover chicken, chili beans, canned tuna, peanut dressing… Throw it over a salad or into a slaw! (Not everything at once, of course!) Salads are perfect impromptu meals, and I like to mix up a big bowl of slaw ahead of time… Slaw soaks up more flavor the longer it sits in the fridge.
The Essentials: salad greens or bagged slaw mix (broccoli or regular), dressing or sauce, some sort of protein
Fruit & Yogurt Bowls
Strawberry Chia Yogurt Bowl
These can be as simple or as creative as you like. When it comes to fruit, use fresh, frozen, or canned… Just watch out for added sugars. My yogurt of choice is fat-free plain Greek -- sometimes I’ll sweeten it with a Truvia packet. (No yogurt? Try cottage cheese!) Have fun with mix-ins and toppers too: powdered peanut butter (
get it on Amazon), crunchy cereal, chocolate chips (why not?)…
The Essentials: whatever fruit & yogurt (or cottage cheese) you’ve got on hand
Overnight Oats
Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats
Everyone loves slow cookers because you just dump everything in and switch on the pot. Overnight oats are like that, only with nothing to switch on and no chance you'll overcook ‘em! Just mix up 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats with 1/2 cup liquid. (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk.) Flavor it up with your choice of sweetener, extracts, etc., and pop it in the fridge for the night. Pro tip: Make a bunch of single servings at once, and you’ll have ready-to-eat breakfast for days.
The Essentials: old-fashioned oats, any kind of milk, sweetener
Lettuce Cups
Scoopy Asian Chicken Salad
Think of lettuce cups as little handheld salads, with the ratios tipping in favor of the toppings! Add a scoop of chicken salad, a pouch of seasoned tuna, last night's leftovers... If it's something you'd eat cold, you're probably gold. Cabbage leaves work too! Lightly steam ‘em for less crunch.
The Essentials: a head of lettuce (iceberg works great), dressing or sauce, some sort of protein
Sandwiches & Wraps
Spicy Black Bean & Avocado Turkey Wrap
It’s all about the better-for-you bread. I like whole-grain tortillas, light flatbreads, whole-wheat pitas, and lavash.
These 50-calorie flatbreads are my latest favorites! Then reach for some deli meat, cheese, and tasty condiments. Try out new flavor combos, like tuna + honey mustard or turkey + BBQ sauce! Bonus points for extra veggies: cucumber slices, alfalfa sprouts, and more.
The Essentials: light/whole-grain bread of some sort, flavorful spread, stackable protein
Tune In for the Superfoods Episode with Joy Bauer!
It’s a very special edition of the Hungry Girl podcast… Our 100th episode! Lisa celebrates with friend &
TODAY contributor Joy Bauer! They discuss Joy’s latest book --
Joy Bauer’s Superfood!: 150 Recipes for Eternal Youth -- as well as all things superfoods. Listen in for…
⭑ the best foods for immunity
⭑ the top foods consumed by those who live the longest
⭑ Joy’s personal go-to foods for optimal health
… and so much more!
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