Erica's Top 5 Simple Weeknight Dinners
Dear mang'Oh family,
One of my favorite times of day is cooking the evening meal for my family. I love to listen to music or a podcast, and unwind with the chopping and prepping. However, I've learned this about myself: if I'm rushing around for dinner without a plan, it no longer becomes enjoyable and turns into just another frantic and stressful task to get through. Who's been there with me?? When I have planned something healthy and simple to prepare beforehand, that act is transformed into something joyful and calming.
For me, I make my plan for dinners at the beginning of the week and make sure I have all of the ingredients on hand. I select dinners that are quick, delicious and healthy - I save the fancy and decadent stuff for the weekends. Here are my current favorite recipes that are on repeat in my kitchen. Let me know if you try them and how you like them!
1. Easy Veggie Enchiladas
These are SO GOOD and so simple. I like to prep and roast the veggies earlier in the day so dinnertime is a breeze. I serve them with avocado, cilantro and a big green salad. And - they are great in the morning as leftovers with a few fried eggs!
2. Vegetable Barley Soup
This barley soup is comfort food and it's so full of flavor. My kids love this one. I like to serve it with a loaf of crusty bread. Sometimes I substitute the barley for Israeli couscous.
3. Mediterranean Hummus Bowls
These are always a hit at my house. I serve with warm pita and my family's favorite homemade dressing: 2 parts olive oil, 1 part apple cidar vinegar and a generous sprinkle of garlic salt. Oftentimes, I just use store bought hummus for a really quick night. Like all of my grains, I make the quinoa in the instant pot while I prep the other ingredients.
4. Instant Pot Dal with Split Peas
This instant pot dal is a recipe I've just recently discovered and I'm so happy I did. I love to serve it over rice and with a side of greek yogurt. The pickled red onion is delicious, and even my four year old loves them.
5. Pasta with Pistachio Sauce
I cook one pasta dish every single week. There is nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of pasta, a fresh green salad and a glass of red wine. This pistachio sauce is so easy and heavenly.I hope you enjoy these recipes and that you find preparing them a lovely part of your day. Even cooking can be a part of our yoga practice when it is done with presence, mindfulness and gratitude.Happy cooking!Erica