You come home tired, and there’s only one thought in your head: “What can I cook quickly?”
Sandwiches, scrambled eggs, defrosted pizza. But imagine that in those same 15 minutes you can create a dish that your family will love.
And you don't need a multicooker or a bunch of pots for this. Just one frying pan and a couple of basic products.
Let's start with pasta. Yes, the regular kind that you have in every home. Boil it until half-done, then put it in a frying pan with tomato paste, cream and a pinch of red pepper. Add a handful of grated cheese and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
A couple of minutes and you have creamy pasta, just like in an Italian trattoria. Top it with fresh basil or parsley from a bag (they keep in the refrigerator for weeks).
Do you like meat? Chicken fillet, cut into thin strips, is fried for 5-7 minutes. While it is cooking, mix honey, soy sauce and crushed garlic in a cup.
Pour this mixture over the meat, add broccoli or green beans (frozen vegetables always save the day) - and in a couple of minutes you have Asian stir-fries with a bright taste.
And if you want something unusual, try "lazy" paella. In the same pan, fry rice with onion and garlic, pour in broth (cube + water), add frozen seafood and smoked paprika.
Cover and wait 10 minutes. The rice will absorb the flavors, the seafood will steam, and you will have a Spanish dish without an hour of effort.
Vegetables are also heroes of quick dinners. Cut zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes into circles, put in a frying pan, pour olive oil and sprinkle with Provencal herbs. Bake under the lid for 10 minutes, and then sprinkle with cheese.
Done! The vegetables will release juice, the cheese will melt – and here you have ratatouille that you won’t be ashamed to serve to your guests.
And don't forget about eggs. Omelet with what's in the fridge: sausage, cheese, leftover vegetables from yesterday. Whisk the eggs with a spoon of milk, pour into the frying pan, add the filling and keep on the fire until the edges set.
Roll it up and the dish looks like something from a brunch cafe menu.
The secret to success is in the multi-layered flavors and the right sequence. First, fry what takes longer to cook (meat, onions), then add vegetables and sauces.
And don't be afraid to replace ingredients: if you don't have cream, use sour cream; if you don't have chicken, even cooked sausage will do. Cooking is about freedom, not strict rules.
Cook quickly, eat with pleasure, and have fewer dirty dishes!
