30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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Sorry if this has been discussed before! I’m looking for recipes that I can throw together after work. I’m usually at work between 7 and 5 and rely on my in laws to cook for me and my husband. I’d like to do more and try cooking more often rather than the odd dinner party at the weekends.

So, any ideas for desi/non desi meals with minimal prep and cooking time?

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Desi or non-desi?

I find a lot of non-desi meals can be made in less than 30 minutes.

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Where do you live?

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

i sense a cold war raging in your home…:cb:…j/k

i think 30 minute recipes do NOT include preparation times. i believe you are asking for western recipes…right?

try 30-minute Rachel Ray Recipes :slight_smile:

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Haha, this is all in aid of avoiding a cold war by trying to cook for everyone :slight_smile:
ill check out Rachel ray recipes, thanks! Anyone have any desi recipes? Does anyone batch cook masala and re-use when needed?

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Well wht I do is marinate chicken in advance thn make masla n steam chicken in it , it takes 30 mins n u r one :)

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

TLK, I live in Yorkshire, England

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Buy Jamie Oliver's 30 minute recipes.

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Ok I just wanted to know if you are in Pakistan or elsewhere.

SO you can do italian, stir fry, baked chicken and fish kind of stuff. You can have Kabab's ready to be fried also

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

If you have a pressure cooker then most of the desi stuff can be made in 30 mins.

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

As long as the meat is thawed, I can have kichri, kheema & tamatar ki chutney on the table in 30 minutes flat…yes, I am the Hyderabadi Rachel Ray :hypo:

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

that! yeah…i LOVE Hyderabadi Kheema khichRii! :cb: j/k

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

:emmy:

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Cook things over the weekend and freeze in small portions. I use to work long hours and that is what we did, cook over the weekend for the week. Quick things to make fresh are daal (soak the daal before you leave in the morning), sabzi (aloo bhujia, palak aloo, mix vegetables, aloo matar carrot bhujia), keema (leave it in the fridge a day before for defrosting), pulao, noodles. They are so many things you can make in 30 mins.

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

For quickest gravies, make onion paste if u have pressure cooker. You can fry onions n store them too for rice etc.

Chicken Karahi is very quick. You can also marinate chicken beforehand n use some onion paste n yogurt to make gravy. Meatballs is another option

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Invest in a slow cooker. Put tough cuts of meat or chicken (whole or pieces) with piece and veggies and turn it on before you leave for work. Or have masala for meat, chops ready the night before and ask your inlaws to put it the oven for you.

Lasagna, keema, puff pastry samosas, egg rolls, kababs of all kinds can be frozen. You can even freeze marinated chicken and fry it. Haleem and Nihari taste awesome. You can freeze individual portions in the freezer.

Organization is key for working women.

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Baking is the fastest! Baked fish, chicken cutlets, oven bbq.... all takes 5 mins to prepare and max 25-30 mins to cook!

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

for me, every meal is 30 mins. if i can't eat it in 30 mins, its too much!

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

u can make daal chaawal(boiled rice)...the easiest desi food
moong/masur daal takes only 8mins in pressure cooker.....

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Re: 30 minute meals that actually take 30 minutes?

Thanks for all the replies!
In the last week I've made grilled chicken, fish and chips and tried a couple of desserts too. I've realised I'm too tired after work to make a full handi in half an hour but will be trying some Jamie Oliver and Rachel Ray recipes during the week and more complicated dishes during the weekend!

Khatti, your recipes look delicious!