19 Jul 2021

If you’re somebody that has no idea how to use a microwave (e.g. pushing 30 seconds over and over again) or don’t know the difference between a saucepan, frypan and a skillet, then you’ve come to the right place, because same.

Freshly moved out of home, I was buying my own groceries and hoping my roommate wouldn't judge me for the boxes of pizza pockets and pastizzis I had in the freezer. I was quick to realise that there was more to meals than frozen goods but coming home after a long day at work and having to cook? Nah fam, wasn’t about that life either.

I’m not suggesting meal prepping for your weeknight dinners because let’s face it: boring. You wanna change it up. You want a bit of spice here and there. You wanna indulge in some of your favourite meals. So here are my top five filling (and somewhat healthy) dinners to whip up and enjoy in less than 30 minutes.

Homemade pizzas

This is one of my faves because A. I can’t get enough of pizza and B. I think it’s a lot healthier than the takeaway stuff. All you need for this is: 

  • A wrap or lebanese bread
  • Pizza sauce
  • Ham, chicken or fried tofu
  • Whatever vege floats your boat - I normally go for onion, capsicum, tomatoes and olives

Pop some olive oil on top, sprinkle with cheese, shake some herbs or spices and pop her in the oven for 10-15 minutes and you’ve got yourself a great din dins (+ make some leftovers for next day's lunch).

Pies in your pie maker

Do yourself a favour. Go to Kmart, invest in a $20 pie maker and your dinners will get a whole lot more exciting. Literally whatever you want within shortcrust and puff pastry, wait ‘til they’re golden and then you’re golden. I usually love shredding a roast chook, chopping up some spinach and brown onion, tossing in some cheese, gravy, spices and *chef's kiss*. Out comes a beautiful pastry that even your favourite bakery couldn’t even compare to. I make 12 at a time and freeze ‘em for lunch. Plus, you don’t just have to make pies in them! Desserts, quiches, eggs, you name it and you could probably cook it in there.

Chicken schnitzel

I love a good schnitty - it is so versatile and can be matched with anything. For a quick dinner, I chop up a couple of chicken breasts, coat it in flour + panko crumbs and spices. Cook it in heeeeaps of oil (again, somewhat healthy). I usually pop some rice in a cooker, chop up cucumber, onion and tomato and have it with a side of greek yoghurt and wallah, a scrumptious meal!

Stir fry

A dish that you’ll never get tired of. I normally chop up a chicken breast or fried tofu, cook and mix it in with a classic MasterFoods sauce packet, add some frozen vege and have some rice on the side. Got leftovers? Separate them into containers and whip one out when you’re feeling hungry - a succulent meal will be waiting for you.

San choy bow

What’s generally an entree is now a full-blown meal for me. Get iceberg lettuce cups prepared, pork mince (you can also use any other mince as well as mushroom or tofu, along with garlic, onion, bean sprouts, peanut oil, soy sauce and peanut oil. I honestly eye-ball everything at this point - measure with your heart. Cook until it’s done, pop it in a lettuce cup and it’s ready for you to enjoy!

I have more but these are the ones that were on a constant rotation, I could always rely on filling me up and are not dummy proof. Suss these ones out and see how ya go!