Dinner In A Minute, Please!

 

You’re exhausted, it’s been a busy day, and you’re tempted to just call for takeout and open a bottle of wine. We get it. But we also know how that’s going to feel tomorrow morning. The good news is, we’ve got some ideas for making your weeknights speedy, easy, and deliciously healthy!

  1. Quinoa – This ancient grain is nutritious, easy to cook, and pairs well with almost everything. It only take 10 minutes from start to finish, then you can combine it hot or cold with whatever protein and veggies you’re having for dinner, and viola!– a delicious meal in minutes.
  2. Casserole – Trust us, they don’t have to be dense, tasteless bakes. There are ways to make this easy prepare-ahead dish delicious. Try a gratin, or layer some leftovers with onions, beans, parmesan, and a few spices and throw it under the broiler.
  3. Salad – This can be a delicious fast dinner, not to mention  light and nutritious to end the day. Clean out the refrigerator and  mix whatever greens you have with a protein and any combination of vegetables and beans, or eliminate greens altogether and mix corn with your favorite Mexican flavors. 
  4. Two Pot Spot – Have some time, but don’t want to do fancy dicing, sifting, or layering? Try something like ratatouille, where you can dump a whole bunch of veggies together on a baking tray, roast them, and serve over quinoa, grits, rice, or even fold into an omelet. You’ll keep the clean up to a minimum and have a dish you can eat in multiple ways.
  5. Stir Fry – While you will need to do a bit of chopping, this delicious dish cooks in under 10 minutes. Using rice you prepared during the weekend, or grating a cauliflower to use as rice, will make dinner prep even quicker.

Chefs In The Field

A chance to sit at candlelit tables in the field, enjoying delicious food, and counting 16 veggies toward your challenge? Yes please!

On Sunday night we had our third dinner at Hope Farms, with four incredible chefs cooking veggies straight from the field. Chef Tommy from Fig & Olive cooked a pig over the coals, transformed peppers into paella, and our VegOut! October Ambassador Erin O’Leary Stewart grilled eggplant & baked cakes with root veggies. We also had the two chefs behind the upcoming restaurant Musaafer cooking intricate dishes inspired by their homeland.

We often think of going out to eat as a tax on the stomach – rich food, bread, and lots of wine – but it can be both delicious and healthy! We totaled 16 different vegetables during this farm dinner. That’s half of your challenge right there!

So next time you want to dine out, consider a farm dinner, farm to table restaurant, or a local spot that places emphasis on regional vegetables.