Time is of the essence…and money apparently. After a long hard day at work and once you get home, you want to smoothen out your wrinkles and not toil in front of the stove cooking up a satisfying meal. One-pot meals are life savers with rustic and bold flavours and the best part, you’re only left with one dish to wash. You can also make a big batch and take it for lunch the next day or freeze it and warm it up when your limbs aren’t willing to move at all. One-pot meals to the rescue!
1. Spaghetti
Who doesn’t like a good bowl of spaghetti? Seriously who? That’s right no one! A good, saucy bowl of spaghetti in bed with an entertaining sitcom is as comforting as a fluffy dog licking your nose as you fall asleep. This meal is super simple to whip up and will take all in all less than 30 minutes.
In a big casserole:
- Stir in a generous amount of finely chopped garlic in olive oil
- Add in one can of tomatoes
- Throw in a few leaves of basil
- Add one packet of spaghetti
- Add 45 cups of water
- Boil until the spaghetti is al dente, or as you like it, and the tomatoes have mixed with water to form a thick-ish sauce.
Enjoy!
2. Noodle Soup
A light and refreshing bowl of soup, which is also fulfilling is probably the best way to end the night. This dish is inspired from the Vietnamese PhÓ, which is a versatile noodle soup dish. For this meal, take inspiration from everything that’s in your fridge and go with the flow.
In a big casserole:
- Fry one finely chopped onion, ginger and chilly (according to taste) in oil
- Add a cinnamon stick and star anise (you can remove this later if you like)
- Add a vegetable stock/chicken stock cube
- Add 45 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil
- Add shredded carrots, zuchhini, bean sprouts, broccoli and any other vegetable you fancy. You can even add shrimps, fish or chicken
- Add rice or egg noodles with a splash of soy sauce
- Simmer till the noodles are cooked and enjoy!
3. Rice and lentils
Otherwise known as khichdi, this one-pot meal is the ultimate North Indian comfort food and so simple to make. It requires very few ingredients very simply your favourite dal, rice and some basic spices…and a dollop of butter, if you’re feeling unusually indulgent.
In a pressure cooker:
- In a spoon of oil, add finely chopped onion with cumin, garlic and ginger
- Stir in rice with your favourite dal, which has ideally been soaking for at least an hour
- 4 cups of water, less or more, depending on the quantity of dal and rice and also the consistency you’re looking for
- Pressurize until cooked, and relish!
4. Corn Chowder
A chowder is a thick soup with a bite to it, whereas soups are more appropriate as appetizers. Chowders, though, are filling yet light enough for a dinner or a lunch meal, if you like to keep a one arm distance from the post-lunch lethargy.
In a medium pan:
- To olive oil, add finely chopped onions and red pepper and saute until translucent
- Add garlic and chilli, to taste, and mix in a chicken/vegetable stock cube
- Stir in a tablespoon of flour until a flour roux is formed
- Add 3 cups of water and diced potatoes, boil till potatoes soften
- Add corn, cream and a bayleaf and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it all comes together
Viola, enjoy!
5. Pulao
This dish is yet another ultimate Indian classic, which is ever so versatile that you can really style it up the way you want. What makes it a household favourite, though, is how quick and simple it is to make and you can either eat it on its own or pair it up with dal, curry or yogurt.
In a pressure cooker:
- To some olive oil, sautejeera, sliced onions, and garlic.
- If you have a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and a bay leaf lying around, throw that in as well.
- Add whatever vegetables you want, really go nuts carrots, beans, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini anything!
- Add the rice and double the quantity of water and pressurize till done.
Enjoy!
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