Complete Meals In Minutes : Over 700 Great Recipes by Cooking Light

If you’re looking for quick, tasty, and nutritious recipes that don’t involve countless hours spent in the kitchen, look no further than Cooking Light Complete Meals in Minutes. This cookbook offers a variety of options that cater to your available cooking time, whether it’s just 15, 20, or 30 minutes. With this resource at your fingertips, you’ll be able to find the perfect recipe in no time.

Quick & Easy Asian Stir-Fry with Rice Noodles + Homemade Gnocchi & Raspberry Cheesecake

Some of the most delicious street food I’ve ever eaten was in Asia. The markets were filled with the enticing aroma of food centered around a staple ingredient: noodles. Learning to cook noodles properly can result in a quick and easy dinner that is surprisingly delicious.

Preparing the Noodles

To begin, soak rice noodles in hot water for 12 to 15 minutes to soften them. If you don’t have a wok, a large frying pan with sloping sides will work. Heat the pan and add chicken breast, thinly sliced. You can flatten the chicken by gently rolling over it with a rolling pin, making it even thinner and crispier. Slice the chicken into strips and finely slice garlic.

Next, slice broccoli into bite-sized pieces. The dish typically consists of one-third noodles, one-third vegetables, and one-third chicken. It’s essential to have everything organized and within reach before cooking. Heat olive oil in a pan until it starts to smoke, then add the chicken strips. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken starts to sear. Add the garlic, spreading it along the sides of the pan to make it crispy. Add the broccoli and soy sauce for seasoning. Remove the chicken and wipe the pan clean.

Finishing the Stir-Fry

Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in the pan and add the soaked noodles. In a separate bowl, whisk two eggs and pour them into the pan, spreading them at the side. Mix in the cooked chicken, broccoli, and garlic with the noodles and eggs. The eggs will help bind the dish together. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Making Potato Gnocchi

An alternative to noodles is making potato gnocchi. Start by scooping out the inside of baked potatoes. Mash them using a fork or a potato ricer until light and fluffy. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and a beaten egg to the mashed potatoes, forming a soft dough. Incorporate thyme flowers for fragrance and taste. Cut the dough into small pieces and shape them into pillow-like gnocchi.

Cook the gnocchi in boiling water until they float to the surface. Sauté them in olive oil for a crispy texture. Add fresh pepper and garden peas for flavor. Finish with grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of lemon zest.

Simple and Impressive Cheesecake

In contrast to savory dishes, a simple yet impressive dessert is a baked cheesecake. Cream softened cream cheese with sugar until creamy. Gradually add beaten eggs and flour, whisking to incorporate air and prevent separation. Add lemon zest and fresh raspberries, being careful not to crush them completely.

Grease a cake tin with butter and pour in the cheesecake mixture. Tap the tin to eliminate air pockets and ensure even distribution of raspberries. Bake the cheesecake at 180 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until it is slightly souffléed and has a beautiful golden color.

These dishes showcase how impressive and delicious simple cooking can be. Whether you choose to make a stir-fry with rice noodles or a potato gnocchi dish or a baked cheesecake, these recipes offer budget-friendly options that are sure to impress. Remember, simplicity is often the key to creating mouthwatering meals.