Easy, baked southwest stuffed pepper recipe with ground beef. Bold, savory flavors are served on top of a bright and colorful cilantro sweet potato and cauliflower rice.
Easy Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Category: Dairy Free
Pumpkin Cranberry Oat Crumb Bar
This Pumpkin Cranberry Oat Crumb Bar can easily lift your spirits with the satisfying flavor of something sweet, spicy, and warmth.
Ease of Making: Medium
The texture is hearty with the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, and aromatic pumpkin spice. This dessert combines the best flavors of fall with pumpkin puree, dried cranberries, and vanilla extract.
Homemade oat bars are a nutritious, customizable, and cost-effective snack option that offers convenience and a sustainable alternative to store-bought bars. They are a great way to satisfy your hunger, boost your energy, and support a healthy lifestyle.
Making oat bars at home allows you to customize the recipe to suit your taste and dietary preferences. You can experiment with different flavors, textures, and add-ins like chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or spices. Oat bars can also be tailored to accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan options.
Oat bars are often made with nutritious ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and natural sweeteners. Oats are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy choice for a snack. Store-bought granola bars or energy bars can be quite expensive, especially if you consume them regularly. Making oat bars at home is a cost-effective alternative.
Meal prep tips for Cranberry Crumb Oat Bar Desserts
- Bring the butter to room temperature so that it is easier to cream together with the sugar
- You can use either dried fruit or fresh cranberries with this recipe
- Finely chop the walnuts so that they are easier to fold into the batter and no one gets a big chunk of walnut in their bite
- Cool the crumb bar before trying to cut them
- You can also freeze them and reheat them when you are ready to enjoy them
Pumpkin Cranberry Crumble Cake
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- spoons
- mixer
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice (or ground cinnamon)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 each eggs
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350F
- In a bowl, add the softened butter and sugar and whisk them together until creamy
- Next, add the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract and whisk it together
- Then, add the pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the flour in batches and continue to mix it all together
- Afterwards, add in the rolled oats, cranberries, and chopped walnuts
- Grease a baking dish and pour in the batter
- Place it in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the center is fully cooked. Test it with a toothpick by inserting it into the center of the cake. If cooked, it should come out clean
- Allow it to cool before slicing into bite size squares
How to Make Instant Pot Beef Ragu
Tender, melt in your mouth, shredded beef that is comfortingly satisfying for the cooler weather. Make this instant pot beef ragu recipe to warm the body and soul.
Ease of Making: Easy
Here’s a savory and rich beef ragu simmered in diced tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasonings, and fresh herbs that is perfect for the fall comfort meal. Enjoy it over a bed of pasta or mashed potatoes.
This is the perfect dish to batch cook for the colder weather. It is quick and easy to make but tastes like it’s been simmering all day long. Make it a weekly staple for your family dinners or bring it to holiday gatherings and make it the new family favorite.
How to Cook Beef Ragu in the Instant Pot
It’s easy to make a tender roast in the Instant Pot, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps:
- Turn on the Saute Setting and start browning your meat followed by adding the aromatics such as onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle in the seasonings.
- Add any liquid. In this recipe we used diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and dry red wine.
- Close the Instant Pot and seal it.
- Press the meat/stew setting and set your timer.
- After it finishes cooking, carefully release the quick release for the steam (following the manufacturer’s instructions).
Meal prep tips for Instant Pot Beef Ragu
How much meat can you cook at one time?
For a 6 quart size, you can fit 4-6 lbs of meat. However, you will need to take into consideration the other ingredients such as the cooking liquids and additional veggies. For this recipe, we kept it around 2 to 3 lbs.
Does the meat need to be completely covered in liquid?
You normally will need at least one cup of liquid. The protein itself already contains water that will sweat out, and there is additional moisture from the vegetables.
What can you serve with Beef Ragu?
We love to eat it with egg noodles, but you can also serve it with veggie noodles such as spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash for a low-carb spin on this recipe. Creamy polenta is also a nice change from pasta or you can serve it on top of mashed potatoes or fluffy rice pilaf.
What to do with leftover beef ragu?
This Instant Pot beef ragu freezes really well and can keep up in the freezer for up to three months. However, you can also make sandwiches with the leftovers or add them as a topping to your baked potatoes.
Instant Pot Beef Ragu
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- spatula
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs boneless beef chuck roast (cut into 2 inch chunks)
- 4 each garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup white onion (diced)
- 1 each small carrot (diced)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 each bay leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on the saute setting on high heat
- Season the beef with salt and pepper and add oil to the Instant Pot
- In small batches, add the beef and cook on all sides until evenly browned (about 3 to 4 minutes). After each batch has browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside for later.
- Next, add the onions, carrots, and garlic. Stir it all around for 2 minutes
- Then, add the tomato paste and stir for another minute. Afterwards, pour in the wine and scrape any of the browned bits from the bottom of the pot
- Finally, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasonings, ground cinnamon, and bay leaves
- Carefully add the beef chunks back into the liquid
- Turn off the saute setting and select the manual setting to adjust the pressure to high and set the time for 30 minutes. Make sure the valve is in the sealed position
- After it has finished cooking, follow the manufacturer's directions for quick-release of the pressure
- Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and use two forks to shred the meat. Place it in a deep serving dish and pour the remaining sauce on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Serve with fresh pasta, rice pilaf, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with additional freshly chopped basil
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
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:
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.
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!
Video
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.
Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- Air Fryer
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
- If using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 10 minutes
- Cut the chicken into 1.5 inch 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
- 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
Video
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
Easy Air Fryer Steak Kebabs Recipe
Air fryer steak 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 Steak Kebabs
- Cooking air fryer steak kebabs is not only a time saver, 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.
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.
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean top sirloin
- 1 each yellow bell pepper
- 1 each small red onion
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Beef marinade:
- 2 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar note: you can use honey, agave nectar or white sugar
Instructions
- 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
- Assemble the kebabs using skewers. Layer the skewer by alternating 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 to an internal temperature of 145F
- Serve with your choice of sides and sauces. Examples: salad, pita, couscous, rice pilaf, or tortillas, etc
Video
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
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 chicken and rice 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 sautéed 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 and Rice Recipe
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.
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.
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- roasting rack
- sauce pan
- spatula
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (can use fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 4 each leg quarters
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground all spice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 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 white onions (diced)
- 2 each garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400F. Marinate the chicken with the seasonings and coat with olive oil
- 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 saucepan 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.
Notes
Note: After the chicken cooks, you can split the recipe in half and shred half of the chicken meat, and use it as your protein for a lunch salad or in a sandwich.
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
How To Make Salmon Cakes In A Skillet
This crispy salmon cake recipe is 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 recipe 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 this salmon cake recipe on top of fresh greens with other veggies such as sweet corn.
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.
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- spatula
- saute pan
Ingredients
- 12 oz canned salmon
- 2 each large eggs
- 1/4 cup red bell peppers (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onions (diced)
- 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp 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
- Drain canned salmon and defrost the corn if frozen or drain the corn if canned
- 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 well
- 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 (about 1/4 cup), scoop out even portions into the pan
- Then, using a spatula, flatten the scooped 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!
Video
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
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 for your short rib noodle soup.
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.
Instant Pot Short Rib Noodle Soup
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- mallett
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4-6 pieces short ribs
- 1/4 cup green onions (diced)
- 1/2 each white onions (sliced)
- 3 each whole garlic cloves (peeled)
- 1 each lemongrass stick
- 4 oz shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cups bok choy (cut into chunks)
- 2 each whole fresh basil leaves
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 each whole clove
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 oz dry spaghetti pasta
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the instant pot (but not the pasta). (Note: Crush the lemongrass with a mallett prior to placing in the pot. )
- Close the lid and place the valve in the sealing position. Cook on high pressure setting for 35 minutes
- Meanwhile, boil pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside
- When th beef 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.
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
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 homemade 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 This Homemade Shrimp Ramen Recipe
When it comes to ramen, the broth is everything. You really want to focus on making the shrimp 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 homemade shrimp ramen recipe 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
- Storing your ramen – store your prepped broth and noodles separately so the noodles don’t get soggy in the fridge.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1/4 cup green onions (diced)
- 1/2 cup white onions (sliced)
- 4 oz mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cups bok choy (chopped)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 package ramen noodles (3 oz) (discard flavor packets)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 /4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- First, boil the chicken broth in the saucepot and add the soy sauce. Add the ramen noodles 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
If you love this recipe, check out these other recipes we know you’ll love too:
Southwest Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes