Jul 30, 2023, Posted by: Arlo Beaumont
The Charm of Quick and Simple Meals
Just yesterday, as the sun was setting and the Melbourne skyline was bathed in hues of orange and red, I found myself pondering, "Arlo, where can I find simple, quick to make, healthy recipes?" Now, I've spent quite a good part of my life around food. Cooking and experimenting in the kitchen wasn't just a chore, it was a beloved pastime. With kids like Phoebe and Felix who constantly keep me on my toes, quick-to-make healthy meals are a godsend.
And that's why I decided to dive headfirst into this topic, to bring you a comprehensive guide on where and how you can access simple, quick, nutritious meals that don't compromise on a foodie's penchant for flavour. It's not just a question of convenience but an essential part of balancing our fast-paced lives with a healthy intake. So, let's embark on this delectable journey together!
Dialing-Up the Interwebs: Cooking Websites and Blogs
The internet is a treasure trove of recipes brimming with variety and flavor. Cooking websites and food blogs are the new-age cookbooks, replete with a plethora of easy, quick, and healthy meals that can satiate even the most discerning palate.
For instance, BBC Good Food, Allrecipes, or Epicurious are popular haunts for those scouring for easy, step-by-step recipes packed with nutritious elements. Many have a 'Quick and Easy' section devoted to those who crave the convenience of speedy preparations. What's great about these platforms is that they often offer a feature to rate and review recipes. This gives you some assurance regarding the outcome of your culinary efforts, especially since perfection in cooking is an elusive pursuit!
Harnessing the Power of Mobile Apps
Next on the list are mobile apps. In a day and age where smartphones and tablets are becoming as ubiquitous as a morning cup of coffee, mobile applications are a natural progression of cooking guidance. Think of these as your personal digital chef, guiding you through the process, one tidbit at a time.
Apps such as Tasty, Yummly, and Cookpad are designed to make your dwelling in the kitchen a breeze. They have filters that can customize your search for quick, healthy recipes according to your dietary preferences, food allergies, cooking time, cuisine, and more. With interactive visuals and video tutorials, mobile apps could be your go-to source for express cooking. Handy, ah!
Cookery Books: The Old Faithful
While digital solutions seem to be taking over, let us not forget our trusty old cookbooks, which have seen many of us through disastrous first trials and triumphant results eventually. Sometimes nothing beats flipping through a hardcover book, eyes scanning the colorful pictures, and hands brushing over the glossy pages of a communal dish.
There's something tangible about cookbooks that make them reliable. Jamie Oliver's "5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy food" or Elizabeth Barbone's "How to Cook Gluten-Free" are examples of some cookbooks that focus on healthy, quick recipes. They offer you tried and tested methods, proven over time, to create wholesome, nutritious meals.
A Pinch of YouTube: Cooking Channels for the Win
Ah, the wonders of YouTube! It would be remiss of me not to mention this video sharing platform where you can find a course on anything! And of course, cooking is not an exception. Cooking channels abound on YouTube, each with its own flavourful spin, catering to a diverse, global audience.
Channels like Gordon Ramsay, Tasty or Laura in the Kitchen offer a variety of recipes, from the elaborate to the simple, from the time-consuming to the quick, from the unhealthy to the super nutritious. One of the perks of this platform is the visual guidance. Watching someone explain the technique while they cook can be a lot more instructive and reassuring than reading a recipe.
The Instagram Treat: Feeding Your Eyes and Belly
Instagram, more so known as a social media platform, has managed to carve its own niche in the world of quick and easy cooking. Not only do the pictures make your tummies rumble, but the recipes that accompany them are often simple, quick, and lusciously healthy.
Accounts like @weelicious or @CookingLight not only cater to your gastronomic cravings but also to your dietary needs. Majority of posts have the recipe in the caption itself, helping you whip up something quick and extraordinary, in what feels like no time!
The Personal Touch: Community Cooking
For my final tip, I want to talk about something that I hold very close to my heart - community cooking. Being in Melbourne, I often find myself participating in local community cooking classes or events where neighbours and friends share unique, family-secret recipes that are often simple, quick, and incredibly healthy. It's not only a fun scavenger hunt for unique recipes but also a beautiful way to interact with your community. Plus the kids, ahem, Felix and Phoebe, love it!
So there you have it folks! These are some of the top haunts to find simple, quick, and healthy recipes. I hope it inspires you to embrace the culinary arts with a renewed passion, making your kitchen an adventurous and loving place. In the end, remember, it's not just about the food on the plate, but the love with which it's prepared and shared. Ciao and Happy Cooking!
Author
Arlo Beaumont
Hello, my name is Arlo Beaumont, and I am a passionate chef with expertise in cooking and creating innovative recipes. I enjoy exploring various cuisines and experimenting with new ingredients to create delicious dishes. I love sharing my culinary knowledge and experiences by writing about recipes and cooking tips. My goal is to inspire others to develop their skills in the kitchen and to discover the joy of cooking.