One-Pot Meal

Like everyone else in the world, we lead very busy lives and our schedules can get pretty wonky. To avoid the trappings of expensive and unhealthy take-out, we have invented what we like to call our "one-pot" meal.

The one-pot meal doesn't require a lot of planning or skill in the kitchen and cooks in about 25 mins. And the great thing about it is that you can substitute any meat/beans/tofu, starch, and veggies that you have on hand. And, leftovers are great reheated for lunch the next day!

And bear with me, we don't measure in our kitchen so everything is an approximation.

Sausage One-Pot Meal

Prep time: 5-10 mins
Cooking time: approx. 15 mins
Total time: 20-25 mins

INGREDIENTS
(makes approx. four servings)
1 tbsp olive/peanut/sesame/coconut oil
1 pkg (about four) Italian sausages
1 small onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (or more)
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
1 bell pepper (any colour) chopped
1 pkg sugar snap peas
1 can beans or lentils (drained and rinsed)

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil into a large pot.
2. Cut raw sausage into rounds, add to pot, and cook.
3. Add onions, garlic, celery, carrots, pepper, and snap peas to pot and sautee.
4. Add beans or lentils, combine and cook until beans are hot.
5. Add barbeque sauce
6. Serve and enjoy!

Now this is just a basic recipe, but the beauty with this is that you can experiment with different herbs and spices or sauces. Try a peanut, soya, or tomato based sauce. Switch up the carb with rice, quinoa, couscous, whole wheat pasta, rice noodles etc. Or, omit the carbs all together.

You're only limited by your tastebuds and your imagination.

Other variations we like:
Use ground turkey and peanut sauce, top with crushed peanuts.
Use leftover boneless skinless chicken breast and barbeque sauce.
Use shrimp and soy sauce, top with cashews.

There you have it a healthy and budget friendly meal! (Oh yeah, and did we mention you only have ONE POT to wash?)

Pura Vida!

Marisa and Shane