Here are several ideas for eating fast at home:
Fancy grilled cheese: If you have bread, cheese and leftover chicken you can make a grilled cheese that will be high in flavor and nutrition. Spread the inside of the bread with a little basil pesto or a bit of marinara sauce for an Italian flavor. Grill the bread in half butter, half olive oil.
Mini-pizzas: Make pizza on English muffin halves or flour tortillas. Spread a thin layer of tomato paste or marinara sauce. Sprinkle with dried basil, oregano and garlic powder (garlic salt for tomato paste). Add leftover chicken or vegetables, spinach or olives. Top with mozzarella. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Substitute any cheese for mozzarella if you need to.
Frittata: Almost everyone loves a frittata. You will need 2-3 eggs per person and an appropriate-sized oven proof skillet. Whisk eggs with about 1 Tablespoon milk, yogurt or sour cream per 2eggs. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat a bit of olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add eggs to skillet and stir gently for 10-15 seconds and do not disturb after that. Sprinkle with anything that suits you: pasta, potatoes, vegetables of any kind, leftover meat (either chopped or shredded), olives, and cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the uncooked egg surface and do not stir. Set the frittata in a 300° oven to finish. Remove after 15-20 minutes or when the fritatta is firm. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, cut into wedges and serve with fruit or green salad.
Grilled chicken salad: Buy a ready-cooked rotisserie chicken. Shred 2 cups of chicken and serve on top of a bagged salad (field greens or romaine), sliced peppers, chopped green onions, grape tomatoes (and any other veggie options) and healthy salad dressing (Penzey’s has great mixes for oil-based and creamy dressings at Penzeys.com, or you can make a quick vinaigrette with oil and vinegar).
There are countless fast, nutritious and tasty options. Try a wide variety until you find a dozen or so that suit you. It will be SO much better than eating out!
