Quick Weeknight Meal Ideas that are Healthier than Takeaways

by Rohit Bumrah Writter

After a long and hard day at work, cooking for working professionals can be a hassle. It can get hectic, and takeaway seems an easy option. Are you the kind of person who doesn’t want to be in the kitchen for hours to cook a delicious meal? Our selection of 30-minute meals will help you to cook delicious recipes without toiling the entire evening in the kitchen. Here are some smart hacks to save time!

Get some meal prep done for the week when you have extra time during the weekends. You can easily make batches of steamed brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal and store in airtight containers. Use Daawat quick cooking brown rice, one of the best brown rice brands in India. You can also make hummus, and other dips, and store in sealed containers. Check out these 30-minute meal ideas that apart from being nutritious and delicious, can be cooked in a jiffy to sort your weekday meals:

• Vegetable Stir Fry in Honey Miso Sauce

In a bowl, mix soy sauce, red chili flakes, brown sugar, honey, miso paste, pepper, salt, and cornstarch. Chop some broccoli, bell peppers, shitake mushrooms, and snow peas. Sauté minced garlic and ginger in sesame oil. Add the vegetables and stir fry them for 10-15 minutes until tender. Slowly stir in the sauce and cook for another 10 minutes. Finish with some freshly chopped coriander. To make the spiced rice, add star anise in boiling water. Add rinsed brown rice and steam as per package instructions. Ladle the brown rice in a bowl and top it with the stir-fried veggies. You can also serve this with the best brown rice dish like fried rice.

• Fettucine in Basil & Tomato Sauce

Cook the Fettucine pasta in salted boiling water. In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil. Add a sprig of thyme, chopped sundried tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and finish with chopped, fresh basil leaves. Finish with a grating of parmesan and serve hot with a side of garlic toast.

• Cheesy Avocado & Greens Quesadilla

In a skillet, sauté some garlic and add a handful of baby spinach. When the spinach is wilted, add fresh ricotta and cheddar cheese. Add salt and crushed pepper to taste. Toast the tortilla in a grill pan. Add the spinach mix, chopped ripe avocados, and fold into halves. Press the top with a spatula and cook until the cheese starts melting. Cut into triangles and serve hot with Italian gremolata.

• Souvlaki Veggie Wrap

Slice zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and portobello mushroom into thin strips. Brush the veggies with olive oil, salt & pepper and roast in a grill pan. Cook until veggies get the char marks. Grill cubed halloumi slices in the pan. To make the tzatziki dip, mix some Greek yogurt, lime juice, zest, chopped mint, a pinch of salt and pepper with a fork. Warm the pita bread in a toaster oven. Add the veggies, and halloumi in the pita and drizzle the tzatziki dressing. This wrap is served street style with an assortment of dips.

These recipes are quick to make and taste a lot better than takeaway dinners, apart from being healthy for sure. These recipes are healthy and made with wholesome ingredients to let you indulge in a soulful meal without any guilt.