6 Healthy Recipes You Can Make in Less Than 30 Minutes
We all know the importance of eating healthy. However, preparing your own healthy meal can be daunting, especially if you’re not an experienced cook or you lack the time. But you can get started with these easy-to-prepare meal and snack ideas.
Once you get the hang of preparing these healthy dishes, it can be easier to plan your meals, saving you time and money in the long run.
Snack ideas
Snacks are often associated with heavily processed and unhealthy foods. But the good news is that there are quick and easy ways to ensure that you always have something healthy to eat.
Greek Yogurt with Honey and Muesli
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp raw honey
3 Tbsp muesli
Directions:
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Scoop Greek yogurt into a bowl. You can enjoy yogurt on its own or put toppings.
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Add three tablespoons of muesli to Greek yogurt.
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Add honey.
You can mix and match your toppings, depending on what you like. Add fresh or frozen fruit, granola, bee pollen, nuts, coconut, honey, or maple syrup.
Other dairy-free options include coconut, almond, or cashew yogurt if you’re sensitive to dairy.
Whole Wheat Toast with Tomato
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
1 slice whole grain bread
1 piece tomato
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp feta cheese
Directions:
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Toast bread.
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Slice tomatoes as desired, in half or slices, then pan sear on a hot non-stick pan without oil to achieve the grilled effect.
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Arrange tomatoes on toast
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Add no more than one tablespoon of feta cheese.
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If purchased cheese is not in olive oil, add olive oil. Else, omit it from the recipe.
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Drizzle balsamic vinegar (optional).
Hummus and Whole Wheat Pita
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
½ piece whole wheat pita
¼ cup hummus
Directions:
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Scoop two heaping tablespoons of hummus and enjoy with a toasted pita.
You can substitute pita with whole grain or gluten-free crackers, rice crackers, sprouted grain, almond flour, or homemade crackers.
Meal ideas
Your main dish should be enough to not only satiate your hunger but also provide your body with the nutrients it needs.
Lemon Dill Baked Salmon
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Makes 3 servings
Ingredients:
425 grams salmon fillet
2 ¼ tsp ghee (melted)
1 ½ garlic (cloves, minced)
1 ½ Tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
¾ lemon (zested and juiced)
1/8 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
3 cups mixed greens
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C).
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Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the salmon in the middle.
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Mix the melted ghee, garlic, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sea salt in a small jar. Pour it over the salmon. Fold the foil’s edges, so the fish is sealed in a pouch. Then bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.
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Remove the salmon from the oven and serve with mixed greens.
If you don’t have ghee on hand, you can substitute it with butter, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
Herb and Garlic Quinoa
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Makes 5 servings
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups quinoa (dry, uncooked)
2 1/8 cups water
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ¼ cups parsley (finely chopped)
2 ½ garlic (cloves, minced)
Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
Directions:
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Combine the quinoa and water in a pot. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover. Let simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove the lid, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
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Mix the quinoa, olive oil, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and enjoy!
You can cook a big batch and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to four days or freeze it for up to one month. If you store it in a freezer, squeeze out all the air and flatten your freezer bag to reduce freezer burn and optimize storage space.
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
227 grams chicken breast
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
1 ½ tomato (medium, diced)
¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
1 garlic (cloves, minced)
1 Tbsp basil leaves (chopped)
1 ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ tsp balsamic vinegar
Directions:
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Preheat the grill to medium heat. Add the chicken breasts, season with sea salt and black pepper, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes per side or until cooked.
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In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Then season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
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To serve, top the chicken breasts with the bruschetta mix.
You can serve it with grilled or roasted vegetables, quinoa or rice, or your favorite salad. If you love cheese, sprinkle with feta, goat cheese, or shredded mozzarella before serving. If you don’t have access to a grill, you can bake the chicken breasts in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes.
Which of these recipes are you looking forward to trying?
