Anyone else feel like cooking is time-gulping? Don’t get me wrong, the act of cooking itself is usually simple. But getting to know all the ingredients, techniques, and the never-ending list of “essential” utensils? That’s a recipe for frustration. (Seriously, two separate cast iron pans for dosas and chapatis? Who knew?)
The 4 quick & easy meals with just 5 ingredients are enough to wow your fam. These easy recipes are lifesavers and are perfect for kitchen newbies like me, or busy professionals who simply can’t spend hours prepping, cooking, and cleaning.
1. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients:
- Pasta (your choice)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, cut the cherry tomatoes and sauté them in a pan with olive oil/ butter until they soften.
- Add the heavy cream to the tomatoes and let it simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in freshly chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the creamy tomato basil sauce and serve immediately. Enjoy the rich, creamy flavors with a hint of freshness from the basil!
2. Aloo Jeera (Cumin Potatoes)
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Cumin seeds
- Green chilies
- Turmeric powder
- Fresh coriander (cilantro)
Instructions:
- Peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes.
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they start to crackle, add finely chopped green chilies.
- Add the diced potatoes, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Stir well to coat the potatoes with spices.
- Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and serve hot with roti or rice.
3. Chickpea Curry with Rice
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Chickpeas (canned or pre-cooked)
- Onion
- Tomato
- Curry powder
Instructions:
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions and set it aside.
- Finely chop the onion and tomato.
- In a pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the chopped tomato to the pan and cook until it becomes soft and blends with the onions. Add curry powder and stir well to combine.
- Add the chickpeas to the pan along with some water to create a gravy. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adjust the salt to taste.
4. Chicken Biryani
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Basmati Rice
- Biryani Masala (store-bought biryani spice mix)
- Yogurt
- Onions
Instructions:
- Rinse 2 cups of basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add the rinsed rice. Cook until the rice is about 70% done. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the chicken with biryani masala and 1 cup of yogurt in a bowl. Let it marinate for 30-45 minutes.
- Thinly slice 2 large onions. Heat some oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the sliced onions and cook until they are golden brown. Remove half of the onions and set aside for later.
- Add the marinated chicken to the pot with the remaining onions. Cook over medium heat until the chicken and the sauce is cooked.
- Layer the parboiled rice over the cooked chicken in the same pot. Top with the reserved fried onions.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
Additional Tip:
- Serving the biryani with a side raita or a cucumber salad can enhance the taste of the meal. You can substitute the chicken with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, and cauliflower, for a vegetarian option.
There you have it. These 5-ingredient family-friendly meals are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. They prove you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create a healthy recipe. So next time you’re short on time but still want to wow your family and yourself, give these recipes a try!
