Too busy to cook…well then don’t. Just make a few simple healthy dishes that only require fresh veggies, canned beans and some spices. Let’s remember what my theme is: small spaces cooking. Not only am I cooking in a small kitchen, I don’t always have time nor the space to create a seven course meal. You can be just as impressive making a colorful salsa, dip or fresh salad that will also feel like a meal. I’m going to showcase a few quick simple and overall healthy dishes you can make in a flash and once again no fancy gadgets are needed nor do you need a huge kitchen! Isn’t that great?
The first dish is one I just posted on Facebook. It’s a Southwest Corn and Black Bean Salsa. It is one of my favorite things to whip together. The main ingredients are corn and black beans. Add some shredded red cabbage, a few tomatoes and some colorful chips and that’s really about it. Seasonings are lime juice salt and pepper. To add some earthiness, toast some pine nuts if you wish but I usually don’t add them since I have a light nut allergy.
For a larger group a Taco Scrape just might be the perfect dish. Still no cooking is involved but the flavors will knock you out. A lot of people are familiar with this dish. My Mom and all her friends would make it for every single summer party. I think I was born in the era of dips, scrapes and party finger foods. A taco scrape is nothing more than a layer of refried beans, followed by a layer of cream cheese and sour cream mixed with taco seasoning and then topped with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and cheese. Avocado and other toppings are optional but always welcome. Use your favorite chips to dip or even fill up a flour tortilla with the dip and proceed to chomp away.
Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of the next dish but it is easy to describe. Many times I just want a huge salad for dinner but lettuce, spinach and a few vegetables is really boring. Boost your salads by making a Sashimi Cobb Salad. After placing your mixed greens into a large bowl, top with fresh sashimi, shrimp, hard boiled egg slices, kalmata olives, and some mini broccoli chunks. For dressing I always use lemon juice. Just a few dashes is all it takes. I will add a photo in the next week so everyone can see what a beautiful salad it is.
As promised my Sashimi Cobb Salad. Make it! Share it! Enjoy it!
So there you have three quick dishes that can turn into a meal. They all taste great and none of them will make you feel guilty for eating them.
Happy Simple Cooking!
