A Week of 30 Minute Meals!

This week's meal plan consists of five quick and easy 30 minute dinners and one delicious dessert so you can spend more time sitting in the sun.

By
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
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Published April 23, 2021
Sara Bir
"What's For Dinner?" with Fish Tacos pictured behind the caption.

Simply Recipes

The fresh start of spring always offers hope in a concrete sense.

If you garden, perhaps you’re tilling, or putting seedlings in the ground. Maybe you’re enjoying relaxing afternoons outside without the weight of coats, boots, and scarves. Either way we have more hours of sunlight and more time to spend on our patios, porches, balconies, and yards. 

With all this extra sun, spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up vitamin D. These 30 minute meals make quick work of dinner to help you make the most of the warming weather. Who says dinner can’t be both fast and delicious?

  • Spanish Tortilla

    spanish tortilla
    Elise Bauer

    Think of this as a fabulous rustic torte of potatoes and eggs—there are no tortillas involved. Do as they do in Spain and try leftovers on a sandwich. For a touch of spring add spinach or asparagus!

  • Ginger Chicken with Almonds

    Ginger Chicken with Almonds
    Elise Bauer

    This quick little stir-fry gets a little sweetness from a dab of mango chutney. Serve with bok choy and bell peppers and a side of rice. Dinner is ready in 30 minutes!

  • Easy Croque-Madame

    Classic Croque Madame Ham and Cheese Sandwich
    Sheryl Julian

    Knife-and-fork sandwiches make dinner fun and casual. Don’t let the name throw you; this is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, topped with an egg.

  • Easy Fish Tacos

    A table is set with a plate with fish tacos. Corn tortillas layered with fish, avocado, cabbage, cilantro, cheese and lime.
    Sally Vargas

    Choose cod, tilapia or halibut to whip up these healthy fish tacos and a side of slaw in less than 30 minutes. Don’t forget the toppings!

    Continue to 5 of 6 below.

  • Grilled Chili Lime Flank Steak

    Flank Steak Marinade Recipe
    Nick Evans

    This recipe does require 2 hours to marinade but only a few minutes of hands-on time and the actual steak is cooked in about 10 minutes. Slice it and serve it alongside cilantro rice or serve it in fajitas or salad.

  • Weekend Baking: Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

    Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe
    Aaron Hutcherson

    There’s nothing wrong with boxed mixes, but you can make brownies from scratch with just a little more effort. And a swirl of peanut butter makes them especially dreamy!