Easy Dinner Recipes- After a long and tiring day, the last thing you want to do is spend time toiling in the kitchen to rustle up dinner. But you come home to a family looking forward to an enjoyable meal with you, so what now? Let's face it, this is not a one-off situation. When you finally manage to get done with your numerous chores for the day, put down your email and unwind after a busy schedule, the daunting question suddenly strikes you – what's for dinner?
In most families, dinner is that time of the day when everyone sits together and shares the day's events over a hearty meal. Even though it's an important meal for the body before it goes into slumber, most of us opt for the most convenient (and not always the healthier) option – order in, or worst still, fill up on junk (especially those living on their own).
Is preparing weeknight dinners a Herculean task for you? Well, all you have to do is plan smart; have your basic ingredients at hand and choose recipes that are easy yet inviting at the same time.
(20 under 20 - Quick Dinner Recipes)
If you're pressed for time (and aren't you always), turn to our incredibly smart tips to rustle up delightful meals in a heartbeat | Quick Hacks To Plan A Meal –
1. You can set up nightly themes to get rid of the monotony such as Taco Tuesday, An Evening in Italy or Build Your Own Burger Night.
2. Tired of asking “what's for dinner?” Turn your fridge into a menu planner by listing down dinnertime meals.
3. “Look for recipes that use diced chicken cubes instead of bone-in dishes, since they require lesser time to cook”, advises Head Chef Tara Joshi, Chatter House.
4. Take time out of your busy schedule and make a trip to the grocery store to keep your kitchen cupboards stocked.
5. Make breakfast for dinner. What's the best thing about eggs? High in protein and quickest to cook. Whip up an omelette or some scrambled eggs with sausages on the side, and you're good to go.
6. Nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat suggests, “Dinner doesn't have to be served hot. Cold meals like healthy salads and whole grain sandwiches take lesser time to prepare, add nutritional value.”
7. Spend time over the weekend to plan your meals for the week to come, even mix things up a little and add new recipes to your repertoire.
8. Embrace your leftovers. Instead of just microwave-ing and serving, revamp them into something completely new.
9. Precook parts of the meal to save time during the week, like blanching greens or stewing tomato sauce.
10. Cooking Indian tonight? Dr. Shalini Singhal recommends, “Include lots of vegetables and protein such as pulses in your diet. If possible, wrap up dinner at least 2 hours before you sleep.”
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The Weeknight Eats
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If you're tired of your usual go-tos, then ward off those hunger pangs after a busy day with our 10 best dinner recipes from all over the globe. We have something for everyone - from Chinese cuisine to Italian, and even Thai. Nosh on our American classics like crumb fried chicken, get healthy with a sizzling steak or spice things up a little with Burmese khao suey.
Brace yourself: These all-star dishes will actually have you looking forward to cooking, instead of dreading dinnertime. So make room on your daily bucket-list for these weeknight winners that will leave everyone craving some more.
From mouth-watering pasta ideas to simple stir-fries, we've got you covered all week long. Stop contemplating and start cooking these best dinner recipes!
1. Chicken Steak
Fire up your grill! A healthy and hassle-free recipe that is versatile enough for a busy weeknight or last minute weekend get-together. Chicken steak is an American cutlet like dish with large and tender chicken pieces marinated well, bursting with flavours of spices.
Just the perfect chicken recipe to can cook for a lazy weekend dinner!
2. Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Delicious red sauce pasta, slow cooked in tangy tomato sauce. Serve this authentic Italian tomato and basil pasta with some garlic bread and create memorable family meals over a bowl full of happiness. This is a great recipe for brunch or to pack for your kids tiffin box. Enjoyed immensely by adults and kids alike.
A go-to, quick and easy dish to prepare in absolutely no time!
3. Vegetarian Khow Suey
Garnish this one-pot meal with fried garlic and peanuts. With a generous squeeze of lime, you'll have this Burmese delicacy bursting with authentic flavours in no time.
Explore this Burmese delicacy bursting with authentic flavours.
4. Garlic and Egg Fried Rice
Got 15 minutes to spare? Yes, that's all it takes to whip up this weeknight dinner superstar, a fantastic fried rice recipe that's just perfect. Got some leftover rice from last night? Here's the best way to just toss it with some egg and garlic to cook this delicious and fulfilling fried rice.
A takeaway from the Chinese cuisine, garlic and egg fried rice work wonders with kids.
5. Chinese Chicken Manchurian
A Chinese favourite, this sweet and spicy chicken preparation is sure to please your family. Made from authentic Chinese flavors, this dish is a must try! Chicken manchurian is a dish relished by all age groups as a starter dish at parties. Fried chicken balls cooked in a spicy sauce batter and served with steamed rice. So skip the take-out and cook up a storm in your kitchen.
A traditional Chinese dish that can be made at home by some simple ingredients and method.
6. Low-Fat Pepper Chicken Dry
Looking for a low calorie meal that doesn't disappoint? Marinated in pepper and turmeric, enjoy the best of this spicy Andhra-style chicken recipe created specially for the calorie conscious. Garnished with whole red chillies, low fat pepper chicken dry is a spicy recipe that will best be served as a side dish on a party menu and guaranteed to draw recipe requests.
Enjoy the best of Andhra style chicken marinated in pepper, turmeric and cooked it subtle spices.
7. Spaghetti in Pesto Sauce
Looking for a meal in minutes? It doesn't get easier than this! An Italian dish that boasts of rich flavours of pesto sauce. Spaghetti in Pesto can be cooked in under 30 minutes with a tasty blend of cheese, herbs, nuts and garlic along with cherry tomatoes and a hint of clove making a fantastic combination. Dig into some spaghetti over a bottle of vino and unwind.
Pesto sauce is a popular ingredient from Italy with basic ingredient as basil which keeps the flavour of the dish fresh for long.
8. KFC Style Crumb Fried Chicken
Who doesn't love fried chicken? While the recipe of the original KFC fried chicken is a trade secret that nobody knows, but we can definitely know how to dish up some fried chicken at home. Give your kids a real treat by re-creating this quintessential snack at home. Crunchy, crispy and absolutely delicious - make your own version of this American classic in the comfort of your home. Tip:
Spruce this fried chicken up with a zingy dip and relish away.
9. Ginger Garlic Chicken
Our mouths are watering just thinking of this perfectly cooked chicken coated with cornflour mingled in a tangy tomato sauce with a kick of garlic and ginger. Prepare for dinner parties as an easy and quick chicken dish to savour on!
Mouth-watering chicken dish with tangy tomato kick for your next dinner party at home.
10. Thai Curry
Impress your guests with this delightful curry, cooked with coconut milk and loaded with greens. Authentic thai herbs such as kaffir lime, lemongrass stalk and galangal are used to get the distinct flavour of thai curry. Spicy, simple and nothing short of spectacular, make this for your next dinner meal and relish with friends and family.
A delectable Thai curry to pair with rice for a whole meal.
11. Coconut Chicken Curry
A delicious blend of spices, chicken and coconut. This chicken recipe gives a southern style creamy chicken curry simmered in coconut milk and mild spices. Prepare for a dinner party and pair with rice or chapati.