This time of year can be hectic, so when you need to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes without any fuss it can feel like a challenge. Let us help!

Some tips for easy meals:

• Invest in a slow cooker or instant pot
• Keep precut stir fry veggies handy
• Rely on frozen/steam in bag veggies and grains like quinoa/rice/cauliflower rice
• Stock up on pantry items like pasta sauce, salsa, canned beans, canned tuna/salmon, etc.
• Keep essentials stocked: Onions, potatoes, garlic have a long shelf life and are featured in a lot of recipes

Here are 5 of our quickest recipes for those nights when minimal effort is needed:

Mexican Chicken Salads

2 lbs. organic chicken breasts or thighs

1 jar salsa of choice

1 packet of taco seasoning (We like Siete Foods brand!)

Optional toppings/Salad Mix ins: Black beans, cooked quinoa, avocado

Directions:

Place chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in your crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours or until chicken is easily shredded. Place on top of mixed greens and add whatever toppings you’d like!

Chicken Sausage, Potatoes and Brussels Sprout Hash

2 packages organic chicken sausage (precooked)

½ pound baby potatoes, cut in half

1 bag pre-cut brussels sprouts

¼ cup olive oil

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 T. grainy mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix olive oil, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper together and toss potatoes and brussels sprouts to coat.
• Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring once halfway through cook time
• Meanwhile, cut precooked chicken sausage into bite size rounds
• Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the chicken sausage and heat through.
• Serve Brussels sprouts, potatoes and the sausage in one bowl!

Cauliflower Gnocchi with Turkey Bolognese

1 bag frozen cauliflower gnocchi (You can find at Trader Joe’s or Walmart!)

2-3 garlic cloves minced

1 jar low sugar pasta sauce (we like Primal Foods brand)

1 lb. ground turkey

Directions:

• Heat a small amount of olive oil in a medium sized pan. Add the frozen gnocchi in a single layer and let cook for 5 minutes or so until browned. Flip over and brown on the other side adding the minced garlic at this step. If gnocchi sticks a bit, add several teaspoons of water to the pan
• Meanwhile, brown the ground turkey in separate pan.
• Once cooked, drain the fat and add the pasta sauce to the same pan as the meat, heating together.
• Serve gnocchi topped with the Bolognese and your favorite easy side veggie!

 Salmon Burgers

2 cans wild caught Alaskan salmon

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Gluten free if desired)

1 egg

1 T brown mustard

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 T dill relish or ¼ teaspoon fresh dill weed

Directions:

Mix all ingredients, adding more breadcrumbs if necessary, until mixture is moist but holds together. Form cakes and pan fry until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes per side). Serve with your favorite steam in bag veggie!

Peanut Stir Fry

1 lb. ground turkey

½ cup no sugar added peanut butter

2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos

1 tbsp honey

1 bag precut stir fry veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, etc.)

1 white or yellow onion, diced

1 tbsp olive or coconut oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground turkey, breaking into pieces as it cooks. Remove from pan.
• Dice (in large pieces) the onion. Place in the same pan you cooked the turkey in.  Add a dash of salt.  Stir well and allow to cook for 2-4 min.
• Add in the precut stir fry veggies and a dash of pepper and salt. Allow to cook.
• While cooking, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, and honey in a bowl. Mix well.
• Add to the pan and allow the peanut sauce to coat the vegetables.
• Add the ground turkey in and allow to heat through.
• Enjoy!