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How to Make Easy and Healthy Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Crispy golden brown pork chops ready in less than 10 minutes! These easy pan-fried pork chops come together quickly, are bursting with flavor, low carb, and make for a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ease of Making: Medium

This pork chop recipe is prepared on the stovetop and uses thinly sliced boneless cuts that sear in a hot skillet with a beautiful golden-brown crust. It’s served on top of garlic mashed rutabaga mixed with spinach, a combo superfood side dish that is also a great low carb option to use instead of potatoes.

Pork often gets a bad rap for being unhealthy, but choosing the right cut provides some health benefits. Some cuts can be high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and calories, but if you’re looking for a healthy option, always choose lean cuts such as tenderloin, loin chops, and sirloin roast. 

Lean cuts of pork are high in protein, low in fat, and have more B-Vitamins than other types of meats. B-vitamins that contribute to boosting energy by helping with metabolism and energy production. Pork also delivers iron that helps carry oxygen and potassium that helps regulate blood pressure. It provides all these essential nutrients, while still being about lean as chicken.

How to Cook Pan-Fried Pork Chops

  • Keep the seasoning simple and season both sides
  • Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat
  • Add oil and add the chops
  • Sear on each side for 3 to 5 minutes
  • Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145F
  • Set it aside for a few minutes before slicing the pork

Meal prep tips for Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Mashed Rutabaga and Spinach

Pan-frying is a quick and easy cooking method to get the maximum flavor on proteins and sear in the juices. 

Pork chops are known for being classic comfort food, less expensive and fatty than beef, and relatively easy to prepare. However, lean cuts can often be tough due to its lower fat content. Therefore, using the right cooking technique is key.

Marinating your protein overnight can help tenderize lean cuts just like these pork chops and actually help speed up the cooking process.

Add oil to a hot pan (medium high heat). Prior to placing the pork chops in the pan, use paper towels to wipe off any excess marinade. This will help get a good golden brown sear and avoid it from steaming in the pan.

Add the pork chops to the pan and let them cook and sizzle. Cook on the first side for 3 minutes before flipping it over. You want the meat done and cooked all the way through, but because they are so thin, it should be quickly cooked. 

Pair them with a comforting side dish just like the garlic mashed rutabagas and spinach medley or check out our:

Pork chop side dishes:

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Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Mashed Rutabaga and Spinach Recipe

Crispy golden brown pork chops ready in less than 10 minutes! These easy pan-fried pork chops come together quickly, are bursting with flavor, low carb, and make for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2

Ingredients

Pork Chop and Marinade

  • 4 each small boneless pork chops (thinly sliced about 3 to 4 oz each)
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Rutabaga and seasonings

  • 1 each small rutabaga
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 2 each garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil note: can use butter for more flavor

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise en Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, large saucepan, skillet, tongs, fork/potato masher
  • Marinate the pork chops with the seasonings. Preferably overnight, but at least 30 minutes prior to cooking
  • Peel the rutabaga and cut into chunks. Peel the garlic

Cooking Method:

  • Place the rutabaga in a saucepan with water and 1 tsp of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low medium and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until it is fork tender.
  • Meanwhile, add oil to a pan on medium high heat and sear the pork chops on each side for about 3 to 5 minutes until it is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 145F
  • Once the rutabaga cooks, drain it completely. Add the olive oil and seasonings and mash with a fork. Once it is mashed, mix in the spinach
  • Serve the pork chops on top of the mashed rutabaga. Eat and enjoy!

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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs Recipe

Kebabs are one of the tastiest dishes stacked with tender marinated meats and bright colored veggies. Not only do bell peppers and cherry tomatoes add great flavor to this dish, but they are also full of essential nutrients that are good for your health. Bell peppers and cherry tomatoes are great sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium. A diet rich in vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancers. The fibers help keep your digestive tract working properly. Along with being full of nutrients, they are low-calorie and deliver a satisfying bite.

Ease of Making: Easy

What I love about kebabs is that there are so many ways to make them and so many flavors from all over the world that you can incorporate. They are easy to make and can be cooked on a grill, in the oven, or in an air fryer just like these chicken kebabs. Serve them with your choice of sides such as a salad, in a pita, on top of a bed of rice pilaf, or additional veggies. 

Meal prep tips for Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

The Air Fryer is great for meal prep. It is the perfect size for roasting veggies and cooks large portions of protein. Therefore, you can batch cook multiple food items without having to pre-heat the oven and waste all that oven space. 

The air fryer essentially is like an amped-up oven. The difference is that it has a fan and it utilizes a more compact space to facilitate fast cooking. The fan circulates the air around making food items crisp which is similar to what you could get from deep frying, minus the extra added fat. With normal baking ovens, there is a lot of humidity, so it’s difficult for an outer crisp to occur. 

Sometimes using a leaner cut of meat such as chicken breasts can result in dry tough meat. Which is why marinating your meats prior to cooking is a good technique to prevent it from drying out and making it chewy. Marinades have acidic components that help tenderize meats and make them juicy. They also help reduce the time of cooking. 

This recipe’s marinade incorporates some flavor spices such as paprika, cumin, turmeric powder, and minced garlic which all offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help boost immunity.

If you’re using wooden skewers be sure to soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent them from scorching.

Layer the ingredients on the skewers and place them in the air fryer basket.

Side salads and pita bread with dip make great side dishes for kebabs.

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
  • 1 each red bell pepper
  • 1 each small red onion
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

Chicken marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey note: you can use agave nectar or sugar
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp juice of a lemon

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: skewers, cutting board, knife, air fryer (or oven)
  • If using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 10 minutes
  • Cut the chicken into 1.5 chunks. Mix together the marinade and marinate the chicken overnight or at least 30 minutes prior to cooking
  • If using the oven, preheat oven to 425F
  • Cut the bell peppers and red onion into chunks

Cooking Method:

  • Assemble the kebabs using skewers. Layer the chicken with the veggies.
  • Place in the air fryer and cook at 360F for 15-18 minutes (until internal temperature is 165F). If using the oven, cook for 20-25 minutes, until the outer edges are golden brown and chicken is cooked through an internal temperature of 165F)
  • Serve with your choice of sides and sauces. Examples: salad, pita, couscous, rice pilaf, or tortillas, etc

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Easy Air Fryer Steak Kebabs Recipe

Kebabs are such a fun and great meal that you can enjoy with friends or family. Everybody loves eating food on a stick, especially kiddos! It’s also a great way to pack flavor and healthy ingredients together on a skewer. 

Ease of Making: Easy

Kebabs are traditionally cooked on a skewer over a fire or baked in an oven so that it can roast.  Roasting is one of the healthiest ways to prepare your meals because it results in minimal losses of vitamins and nutrients.

Advantages of roasting:

  • Good quality meat is tender when roasted
  • Vegetables maintain their heart-healthy fiber and vitamins and minerals for fighting disease
  • Food is more appealing because it has a desirable texture and color by turning crispy and golden brown
  • Unlike stovetop methods such as sauteing or stir-frying, It is a cooking method that allows you to be hands-free and requires minimal involvement in the cooking process

Using a roasting pan in an oven is usually the best way to roast food because it allows the oven heat to reach as much of the surface of food as possible and allows the air to circulate. 

However, if you don’t have a roasting pan and don’t want to wait to heat up your large oven, then an air fryer will do perfectly. It has a basket that holds food similar to a roasting rack and the fan allows the air to circulate the heat evenly around the food giving it that golden brown crisp.

Meal prep tips for Air Fryer Beef Kebabs

  • Cooking beef kebabs in your air fryer not only saves you time, but cleanup is also incredibly easy, and it also tastes amazing.
  • Make sure to measure your air fryer to check that your skewers you are using actually fit inside of your air fryer. 6 to 8-inch skewers tend to fit best in most air fryers. And if you are using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to keep them from burning
  • When cutting veggies, make sure they are all the same size chunks the meat so that they all cook evenly. Use a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers and even add fruit such as pineapple
  • One of the best cuts of beef for kebabs is the Sirloin cut. It is relatively tender, lean, and fits into a balanced diet. In addition, it is budget-friendly. Other good beef choices are flat iron, strip steak, and even tenderloin.
  • Sometimes using a leaner cut of meat can result in dry tough meat. Therefore, marinating your meats prior to cooking is a good technique to prevent it from drying out and making it chewy. This marinade combines pantry friendly items such as Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, dijon mustard, and spices such as oregano and garlic powder. One of the tasty components that result from marinating meat is getting that distinct flavor from a good golden brown crust when the protein cooks. Adding a sweet component such as honey yields in that delicious crust when cooked at high heat.
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Air Fryer Beef Kebabs

Kebabs are such a fun and great meal that you can enjoy with friends or family. Everybody loves eating food on a stick, especially kiddos! It’s also a great way to pack flavor and healthy ingredients together on a skewer.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean top sirloin
  • 1 each yellow bell pepper
  • 1 each small red onion
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

Beef marinade:

  • 3 tbsp worchestershire sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar note: you can use honey, agave nectar or white sugar

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: skewers, cutting board, knife, air fryer (or oven)
  • If using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 10 minutes
  • Cut the beef into 1.5 inch chunks. Mix together the marinade and marinate the beef overnight or at least 30 minutes prior to cooking
  • If using the oven, preheat oven to 425F
  • Cut the bell peppers and red onion into chunks

Cooking Method:

  • Assemble the kebabs using skewers. Layer the beef with the veggies.
  • Place in the air fryer and cook at 400F for 8-10 minutes. If using the oven, cook for 10-12 minutes, until the outer edges are brown and beef is cooked through
  • Serve with your choice of sides and sauces. Examples: salad, pita, couscous, rice pilaf, or tortillas, etc

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Meal Prep Salmon With Butternut Squash Noodles

This Baked Salmon with Parmesan Butternut Squash Noodles is easy and simply perfect for a light and refreshing weekday lunch. It’s a great low carb meal with minimal ingredients that you can make in less than 20 minutes.

Easy of Making: Easy

When it comes to eating healthy, it’s all about including a balance of proteins, veggies, smart carbs, and healthy fats. This meal delivers a powerhouse of nutrients that will help you meet your health goals.

Salmon is a great source of protein that will help you keep full longer. It is also rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 Fatty acids which may promote weight loss and decrease belly fat. Salmon is also high in B Vitamins which is important in helping the food you eat into energy, creating and repairing DNA, and reducing inflammation that can lead to heart disease. It is also tasty, versatile, and widely available. 

This baked salmon is paired with a superfood medley of butternut squash spirals, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Butternut squash is a low calorie, low carb, a sweet, and nutty ingredient that makes a great addition to many savory recipes and is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent cellular damage and reduce inflammation which may reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. 

To add flavor and pack it with even more nutrients, we mixed it in with arugula that has a distinctive peppery flavor and a great source of calcium and folate. The addition of tart flavors from the cherry tomatoes pair well with the savory and nutty flavors of this recipe.

So not only is this recipe tasty, but it is also packed with nutrients to help you meet a healthy and balanced diet.

Meal Prep Tips for Baked Salmon with Parmesan Butternut Squash Noodles:

How to pick the right salmon:

There are several types of salmon, such as pink salmon, red salmon, and Atlantic salmon. Any of these types can taste delicious in the oven. 

You do however want to make sure you choose a filet with firm flesh when you are buying at the store. When you gently press the fillet with your finger, it should spring back. You also want to avoid any fish that are dark around the edges or brown/yellow discoloration. And be sure to smell the fish. It should smell like saltwater or the sea smell and not have a strong fishy smell.

Baking salmon delivers soft, juicy, and tender salmon on the inside with crispy edges. 

The key to evenly cooking the fish is to let it sit on the counter for a few minutes until it comes to room temperature, otherwise, other parts of the fish might overcook while the other parts are still raw.

How to use frozen salmon:

If you are using frozen fish, be sure to let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight and also allow it to come to room temperature before baking.

The great thing about salmon is that you don’t need a lot of seasonings to make it taste good. However, you don’t want to add salt too early, otherwise, it will draw out the moisture if left for an extended period of time. For best results, salt the salmon right before you place it in the oven to cook.

Fish cooks fairly quickly, however, cook time will vary depending on the thickness. The thickest part of the salmon should look opaque and the layers within the salmon should flake apart easily.

Print Recipe

Baked Salmon with Parmesan Butternut Squash Noodles

This Baked Salmon with Parmesan Butternut Squash Noodles is easy and simply perfect for a light and refreshing weekday lunch. It’s a great low carb meal with minimal ingredients that you can make in less than 20 minutes.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 2

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 12 oz salmon
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Squash Noodles

  • 10 oz butternut squash noodles
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, sheet pan, parchment paper, skillet, tongs
  • Pre-heat oven to 400F
  • Mince garlic, slice cherry tomatoes in half
  • Marinate the salmon with the seasonings and olive oil. Place on sheet pan lined with parchment paper

Cooking Method:

  • Place salmon in the oven and bake it for 10-15 minutes
  • Add olive oil to a skillet on medium high heat. Saute the garlic and butternut squash noodles for 3 to 5 minutes. Add seasonings and continue to stir until butternut squash is tender
  • Add fresh tomatoes and arugula
  • Top off the noodles with shredded parmesan cheese
  • Serve the salmon on top of the noodles. Eat and enjoy!

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Easy Caribbean Chicken And Rice In The Oven

Oven-baked chicken and rice was a staple growing up in my household. I mean who doesn’t love baked chicken? My parents would whip up mouthwatering baked chicken thighs seasoned in a tasty rub served on top of fluffy soft rice. 

Ease of Making: Medium

This recipe adds an island flair using Caribbean spices such as allspice and cayenne pepper. It is served on top of turmeric-infused rice pilaf with sauteed aromatics such as onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. 

And my favorite part of the dish is pairing it with diced pineapple. The sweet and tart flavors of the pineapple pair well the savory and spicy flavors of the Caribbean species. 

This is definitely a dish that is vibrant and full of flavor and a great twist on chicken and rice. 

Meal Prep Tips for Caribbean Chicken with Turmeric Rice Pilaf

Many recipes normally start with searing chicken on the stovetop and rendering out the fat to get it crispy and golden brown.

For this recipe, there is no need for that extra step because the seasoned chicken will roast in a hot oven and the oven will do all the work. 

If you want to keep it low fat, remove the skin or you can use boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken thighs in this recipe. Just be sure to reduce the amount of time you cook the chicken by about 10-15 minutes. Use a thermometer to make sure that the chicken has cooked to an internal temperature of 165F,

What rice should I use?

Long grained white rice is what you normally would use for rice pilaf, but you can also swap it out for brown rice or barley which are great whole grain options. If you want to keep it low carb, then use cauliflower rice as an option.

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Caribbean Chicken with Turmeric Rice Pilaf

This recipe adds an island flair using Caribbean spices such as allspice and cayenne pepper. It is served on top of turmeric-infused rice pilaf with sauteed aromatics such as onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (can use fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 4 each leg quarters
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground all spice
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Rice Pilaf

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grained rice (for low carb option: use 4 cups of cauliflower rice)
  • 2 cups water (omit if using cauliflower rice)
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 2 each cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, roasting rack, oven, sauce pot, spatula
  • Pre-heat oven to 400F. Marinate the chicken with the seasonings and coat with olive oil
  • Dice the onions and bell pepper. Chop the onions and mince the garlic.

Cooking Method:

  • Place the chicken in the oven for 35-45 minutes. Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the rice pilaf. Add oil to a pot on medium high heat.
  • Add the onions to the pot and saute until it softens and turns translucent, then add the garlic, bell peppers.
  • Next, add the rice and seasonings. Mix well until the rice is toasted and fully coated with the seasonings. Then add the green onions.
  • Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, reduce the leat to low heat and let it simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender. (Note: If you are using cauliflower rice, omit the water. Just saute the cauliflower rice on medium high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until it is cooked and tender)
  • Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork.
  • Serve the chicken with the rice pilaf. Top it off with fresh pineapple. Eat and enjoy!

Video

Easy Caribbean Chicken with Turmeric Rice Pilaf. This dish hits all the right spots with notes of sweet and savory flavors, coupled with a delicious rice side.

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How To Make Salmon Cakes In A Skillet

These crispy salmon patties are a healthy meal prep protein option. Canned foods often get a bad rep, however canned salmon can be very nutrient-dense. One serving can provide up to 16 grams of protein, heart-healthy fats, and multiple micronutrients. 

Ease of Making: Easy

Growing up we used a lot of canned tuna, so using canned salmon in this recipe is a great switch. Eating salmon has been linked to anti-inflammatory properties, brain, heart, and bone health and due to its high protein content helps you stay feeling full longer.

And yes, canned salmon can be higher in sodium, however, pairing them with fresh veggies such as this corn and arugula salad can lighten it up and make it part of a healthy balanced meal.

Arugula has a distinctive peppery taste unlike other salad greens adding another flavor component. Adding other sweeter tasting veggies such as corn and red bell peppers can complement the flavors. Arugula is actually part of the cruciferous family such as Brussel sprouts and broccoli and is known to have high cancer-fighting agents. This high fiber salad option is low in sugar, calories, carbohydrates, and fats and has vital nutrients that help support the immune system. 

Meal Prep Tips for Pan-Fried Salmon Cakes with Corn and Arugula Salad

One of my favorite things about cooking is the ability to be creative and take food and transform it by simply adding a few ingredients and changing the flavor profiles. Take this canned salmon, for example. Canned fish often has a really fishy profile, but making them into salmon cakes with other ingredients can definitely upgrade a simple can of salmon. 

First, be sure to drain the can before placing the salmon into a mixing bowl. Then you’ll want to add your choice of veggies. I like to use bright colored veggies such as red bell peppers, red onions, and green onions. 

Then, you will want to include some sort of binder such as breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and dijon mustard to keep the patties packed together to keep it from crumbling when you pan fry them in the pan. Add your choice of seasonings and spices and mix it all together until it forms a paste-like texture.

You can use your hands to form the patties into balls and then flatten them in the pan, but a great tool to use is a small 2 oz ice cream scoop. I use this tool anytime I have to scoop and portion out for recipes. It saves time from having to roll it into a ball and it evenly portions out your serving sizes. 

Place the portioned out balls into the hot pan and use your spatula to flatten them out into patties. Have a plate lined with a paper towel to help drain the excess oil. Afterward, serve them on top of fresh greens with other veggies such as sweet corn.

Print Recipe

Salmon Cakes With Corn and Arugula Salad

These crispy salmon patties are a healthy meal prep protein option. Canned foods often get a bad rep, however canned salmon can be very nutrient-dense. One serving can provide up to 16 grams of protein, heart-healthy fats, and multiple micronutrients.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 12 oz canned salmon
  • 2 each eggs
  • 1/4 cup diced red bell peppers
  • 1/4 cup diced red onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp bay seasoning
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
  • 4 cups arugula salad
  • 4 tbsp choice of salad dressing recommend vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, mixing bowl, mixing spatula, flat spatula, saute pan
  • Dice red onions and red bell peppers into small pieces. Chop green onions
  • Drain canned salmon
  • Defrost corn if frozen, drain corn if canned

Cooking Method:

  • Place the canned salmon in a mixing bowl and crack two eggs. Mix well until eggs are incorporated.
  • Next, add the peppers and onions and seasonings. Mix thoroughly.
  • Then, add the mayo and dijon mustard and mix.
  • Finally, add the breadcrumbs and mix until the mixture forms a paste like texture.
  • Add oil to a saute pan on medium to high heat. Using a 2 oz scoop (or a large spoon), scoop out the salmon mixture into the pan. Make sure to not over crowd the pan.
  • Then, using a spatula, flatten the round salmon mixture into flat patties. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it is golden crispy. Flip it over to cook on the other side for about a minute until golden crispy.
  • Remove the patty from the pan and place it on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
  • Serve salmon cakes on top of a bed of arugula salad with corn. Add any additional fresh veggies to your preference and top it off with your choice of dressing. Eat and enjoy!

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Homemade Short Rib Noodle Soup Recipe

Pho, pronounced ‘fuh’,  is a hearty and comforting soup full of goodness and also has an array of health benefits. It originated in the early 20th century in Vietnam and has become a popular meal in America. The two most commonly known types are beef and chicken and served with hot broth and noodles.

Ease of Making: Easy

Traditionally, pho is cooked with lots of beef bones, extra veggies,  and cooks for a long period of time in order to create the rich broth and cozy blend of flavors that we all love.

For most of us cooking at home, we may not always have the time to make it all from scratch. So here is a version using the Instant Pot as a shortcut. 

The great thing about making pho at home is that you can really make it your own with your choice of noodles, choice of proteins, and pile it on with lots of fresh garnishes such as basil, green onions, freshly sliced white onions, bean sprouts, and lime. 

Meal Prep Tips for Instant Pot Short Rib Noodle Soup

Traditionally, pho is served with super-thinly sliced meat that is placed in the boiling hot broth right before you eat the meal. If you decide to go with this route, it will be easier to thinly slice the protein if you freeze the protein for about 45 minutes in the freezer and then slice it. However, for this recipe, we will be cooking the meat and bones in the Instant Pot with the broth. The bones and flavors from the meat will add to that rich flavor broth that we enjoy from traditional pho.

Pho is traditionally made with thin rice noodles, but if you’re looking for a pantry friendly ingredient, then you can use spaghetti just like in this recipe.

Now the important part of getting the “pho” broth flavor is making sure you use the spices normally used in pho. Star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and coriander seeds. Now if you don’t normally use all these ingredients in all your daily cooking and don’t want to waste money on ingredients for a one time use, then be sure to at least have cloves and cardamom in the recipe. 

Lastly, the garnish toppings are what make the soup and make it feel and taste fresh against all the richness from the broth, meat, and noodles. 

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Short Rib Noodle Soup

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time50 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces short ribs
  • 1/4 cup diced green onions
  • 1/2 each sliced white onions
  • 3 each whole garlic cloves
  • 1 each lemongrass stick
  • 4 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 cups chopped bok choy
  • 4 each whole fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 each whole clove
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 oz dry spaghetti pasta

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment:cutting board, knife, instant pot, saucepot
  • Dice the green onions, slice the onions, chop the bok choy into bite size pieces
  • Boil pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside

Cooking Method:

  • Place all the ingredients in the instant pot (but not the pasta). Close the lid and place the valve in the sealing position.
  • Cook on high pressure setting for 35 minutes.
  • When it has finished cooking, let it do a natural release for about 10 minutes before carefully switching the valve to a quick release. Carefully remove the lid.
  • Serve the soup on top of the noodles. Garnish with more fresh basil and other fresh veggies such as bell peppers.

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How to Make Homemade Ramen in Under 20 Minutes

Ramen is easily one of our favorite dishes at PrepYoSelf, especially heading into fall. As the weather cools there’s nothing better than a warm bowl of ramen noodle soup.

Even better, our Easy Shrimp Ramen is loaded with healthy ingredients with powerful benefits like the antioxidants in mushrooms and vitamins in bok choy. Antioxidants can help protect you from free radicals that may cause heart disease and cancer. Cruciferous vegetables like Bok Choy, have also been known to decrease your risk of heart disease. 

Our easy-to-make ramen recipe combines the ease of pre-made broth and the flavors of traditional ramen. This recipe is easy to whip together for any cold day of the week or to make ahead as a grab and go option. 

Ease of Making: Easy

How to Cook Ramen

When it comes to ramen, the broth is everything. You really want to focus on making the ramen broth pack the biggest flavor punch possible. You can do this by combining fresh, flavorful ingredients and letting them simmer together. For this recipe, we use a pre-made chicken or vegetable broth for the sake of time but if you want to make your own ramen broth these are the steps you would take:

How to Make Ramen Broth

Generally, there are three types of ramen broth. One made from the broth of chicken carcasses, one from pork bones (called Tonkotsu), and the last a combination from chicken and dashi stock. 

Steps:

  • Pick your stock base
  • Add in your aromatic root vegetables like ginger, garlic, and green onion
  • Simmer the stock base, root vegetables and cold water for around 3 hours
  • Add your dashi and other ingredients like miso, shoyu or shio

What To Add To Shrimp Ramen

Making your own ramen bowl is truly a customizable experience and can satisfy even the pickiest eaters. While we love ours with green onion, mushrooms and bok choy, you could also add these to spruce up your shrimp ramen:

  • A soft boiled egg 
  • Meats – think lean slices of pork, beef or chicken that will cook quickly but still remain tender. 
  • Vegetables – practically any vegetable can work in ramen. Try it out with broccoli, carrots, or snap peas. 
  • Spices or Hot Sauce – If you want to make your ramen spicy, try adding some sriracha or red pepper to the mix for an added kick. 

Meal Prep Tips for Shrimp Ramen

  1. Storing your ramen – store your prepped broth and noodles separately so the noodles don’t get soggy in the fridge.
  2. Freeze your broth – feel like making a ton of broth ahead? Ramen broth freezes wonderfully. We like using muffin tins to freeze individual portions we can easily grab and heat up in the microwave.
  3. Mix up your toppings – There’s nothing worse in meal prep than the same dish over and over, try new veggies, toppings, and sauce mix each time you make this to switch it up. 
Print Recipe

Easy Shrimp Ramen

Our easy-to-make ramen recipe combines the ease of pre-made broth and the flavors of traditional ramen. This recipe is easy to whip together for any cold day of the week or to make ahead as a grab and go option.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion
  • 1/2 cup white onion sliced
  • 4 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cups chopped bok choy
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 package ramen noodles (3 oz) (discard flavor packets)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, sauce pot, skillet/wok, spatula
  • Slice white onions into thin strips, slice mushrooms, chop green onions, chop the bok choy into bite size pieces

Cooking Method:

  • First, boil the chicken broth in the sauce pot and add the soy sauce. Add the ramen and boil for about 2 minutes until it is tender. Remove the ramen from the chicken broth and set it aside in bowls so that it does not continue to cook.
  • Then, add olive oil to a skillet/wok on medium high heat. Saute the green onions and white onions until they soften and turn translucent. Next, add the sliced mushrooms and saute until they soften.
  • Then, add the chopped bok choy and saute until they soften. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
  • At the end, add the shrimp and pour in the broth and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the shrimp fully cooks.
  • Then, pour the soup mixture on top of the ramen noodles. Sprinkle with sesame oil to your liking.

Video

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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

Our Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is the perfect mix of a sticky and sweet sauce coupled with deliciously crispy and healthy fried chicken. We use chicken thighs in this air fryer recipe but you could easily adjust to chicken breast or wings if you’d like. Our chicken teriyaki marinade is made up of classic Asian flavors like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and honey. All of which combine to provide the perfect teriyaki taste for your dish.

Ease of Making: Medium

We’ve paired our teriyaki chicken with one of our favorite sauteed bok choy recipes, that is loaded with minerals and vitamins. Most notably Bok Choy is high in Vitamin C, K and A. This antioxidant rich vegetable may also reduce your risk of heart disease, fights inflammation and has anti-cancer properties.

Another great side dish for teriyaki chicken is our cauliflower fried rice, which is low in carbs but high in flavor. This recipe combines similar flavors and ingredients of the marinade and would go well with any piece of teriyaki chicken you make in the air fryer. 

How to Cook Teriyaki Chicken Using an Air Fryer

Teriyaki chicken is easy to conquer in the air fryer. All you have to do is place your marinated chicken in the air fryer and press the chicken setting on your fryer to cook.

How to Prepare Bok Choy

Many of you may be wondering, “what is bok choy?” If you’re not familiar with this cruciferous vegetable, it is in the same vegetable family as some more common veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and kale. This group of vegetables is most known for their cancer fighting qualities, low caloric value and high densities of vitamins K, C, E and fiber. 

How to Cut Bok Choy

Bok choy may look like a strange cousin to your average head of romaine lettuce but prepping this vegetable isn’t much different. 

  1. First, you’ll want to rinse your bok choy
  2. Remove the thick white stems by cutting them off with a knife
  3. Gather your bok choy leaves and cut into 1-inch strips

Meal Prep Tips for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

  1. Marinate your meat for extra flavor and tenderness. By making your teriyaki marinated chicken ahead, you can have your meat soak up all the sauce for an extended amount of time for extra flavor. 
  2. Save some sauce. If you make your meat marinade ahead, save some on the side to brush your chicken with after it has cooked for a sweet and sticky glaze.
  3. Remove the fat from chicken thighs. If you’re looking for a recipe a little lower in fat, try removing the skin from your thigh.
Print Recipe

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken With Sauteed Bok Choy

Our Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is the perfect mix of a sticky and sweet sauce coupled with deliciously crispy and healthy fried chicken. We use chicken thighs in this air fryer recipe but you could easily adjust to chicken breast or wings if you’d like. Our chicken teriyaki marinade is made up of classic asian flavors like soy sauce, ginger, garlic and honey. All of which combine to provide the perfect teriyaki taste for your dish.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 2

Ingredients

Teriyaki Chicken

  • 4 pieces chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (or coco aminos)
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Bok Choy

  • 4 cups chopped bok choy
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, air fryer/oven, skillet/wok
  • if using oven: pre-heat to 400F
  • Marinate the chicken with all the seasonings for at least 30 minutes

Cooking Method:

  • Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook on the chicken setting. (Note: if using the oven, cook for 35-45 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F)
  • While the chicken is cooking, add olive oil to a skillet/wok on medium high heat.
  • Add the green onions and saute until they soften. Then add the bok choy and season with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Keep stirring until the bok choy softens. At the end, drizzle with sesame oil and mix well.
  • Serve the chicken with the bok choy. Eat and enjoy!

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Mango Glazed Salmon with Red Pepper Couscous

Mango salmon is one of our favorite summertime dishes. Combining omega-3 rich salmon filets and our mango glaze, your taste buds will no doubt be wanting more. This recipe also calls for asparagus and couscous, giving you a perfectly balanced meal with healthy carbs, fats, and protein. The mango flavor pairs perfectly with salmon as the sweetness of the sauce balances the heartiness of the fish.

Asparagus is one of the best vegetables to pair with salmon because you can toss them both in the oven for the same cooking time and come out with a nicely timed meal, all on one sheet pan. Other vegetables that go well with salmon in the oven are green beans, squash, and peppers.

Easy of Making: Easy

Benefits of Salmon

Salmon boasts a wealth of nutritional benefits including B12, Vitamins A and D and Omega-3 fatty acids. While Vitamins A and D have been proven to help boost immunity and B12 keeps your body making DNA and nerves happy, the true hero of salmon is the Omega-3s. Omega-3s help keep the cardiovascular system in check, reducing artery inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

Salmon is also a fantastic option for your daily protein intake, providing high protein counts and low saturated fats. Protein is essential to the body to prevent muscle loss, and protect your bones, among various other benefits. 

Meal Prep Tips for Mango Glazed Salmon with Red Pepper Couscous

Choosing the right salmon filet:

Whether you’re shopping at your local fish market, or grocery store there are several tips for picking out the perfect filet of salmon to make for this recipe:

  1. Feel: Touch the salmon with your finger and check to make sure the flesh bounces back and does not leave a sign of your fingerprint. 
  2. Smell: Pick up your package and check for any smells that appear to be off. While salmon can have a fishy smell, ensure that your chosen package doesn’t smell spoiled or rotten. 
  3. See: Salmon should have a bright orange-red hue. Any salmon that starts to lose its color is likely past its prime. Another thing to look for is moisture, avoid any filets that appear to be dried out. 

How Long to Bake Salmon

The exact timing for your salmon will depend on the thickness of your filet. We recommend starting with 10 minutes in the oven and then checking every minute thereafter. Salmon can overbake and dry out quickly so it’s important to keep an eye on it. The perfect salmon will flake to the touch of a fork or finger and be an opaque pink on the outside and slightly translucent in the center. 

Tip: When salting your salmon before baking, only do so right before adding to the oven. Doing too far in advance can draw out the moisture in the dish and leave you with a dry fish.

Print Recipe

Mango Glazed Salmon with Red Pepper Couscous

This mango-glazed salmon recipe is quick and easy and full of flavor. It's the perfect busy weeknight meal.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Mediterranean
Servings: 2

Ingredients

Salmon and Asparagus

  • 12 oz salmon
  • 6 oz asparagus
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp Saucy Lips Tangy Mango Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Couscous

  • 1/2 cup dry couscous
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup diced red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Pre-Cook (Mise En Place):

  • Gather your equipment: cutting board, knife, sheet pan, parchment paper, basting brush, sauce pan, spatula
  • Pre-heat oven to 400F
  • chop green onions and dice red pepper
  • Place salmon and asparagus on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Marinate salmon with hoisin sauce and mango sauce. Drizzle olive oil on the asparagus and mix well

Cooking Method:

  • Place salmon and asparagus in the oven for 10-12 minutes
  • Meanwhile, start cooking the couscous. Add oil to a heated sauce pan on medium high heat
  • Add green onions and green pepper to the sauce pan and saute until they soften.
  • Then, add water and bring it to a boil. Add the couscous and stir well. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and let the couscous absorb all the water (about 7 to 10 minutes)
  • Once the couscous is cooked, fluff it with a fork.
  • Remove the salmon and asparagus from the oven and serve with the couscous. Eat and enjoy!

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