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When I think about the simple meals I make when my fridge looks empty, I go straight to the things I can pull together from whatever I already have at home. A can of black beans, a little rice, frozen shrimp, or a few vegetables I forgot were hiding in the back.
These dinners come from the nights when I’m not in the mood to grocery shop but still want something warm. They use the basics most of us keep around, and they’ve helped me out more times than I can count.
The Meals I Make With Whatever I Can Find
On nights like this, I’m not looking for anything complicated. I just want a dinner I can start with pantry staples and a few seasonings. Beans, rice, pasta, onions, garlic, frozen vegetables, or leftover chicken if it’s there. These meals come together even when the fridge looks bare, and they make it easy to get something on the table without overthinking it.
1
High Protein Dill Pickle Chicken Salad
A tangy, crunchy chicken salad made with Greek yogurt, dill pickles, and everything dill seasoning. High protein and ready in about 25 minutes.
Smoky Shrimp Pasta with Angel Hair and Sweet Onions
This smoky shrimp pasta with angel hair and sweet onions is made with wild Argentinian red shrimp, smoked paprika, and olive oil. Light, quick, and easy to bring together.
Ground Beef with Lemon and Parsley (Low Histamine-Friendly)
This ground beef with garlic and lemon is cooked with parsley, cilantro, and a homemade ginger and spring onion paste. Served with white rice for a low histamine meal.
These NYC diner-style home fries (no onions) are made with russet potatoes and butter. Crispy in some spots, soft in the middle, and perfect for weekend breakfasts.
These oven-roasted parmesan-garlic carrots are tender inside and crisp on the edges. Made with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan for an easy side that works for weeknights or holidays.
This Mexican chicken and black bean soup has tomatoes, cumin, garlic, and pulled chicken. It’s hearty, easy to make, and perfect for dinner or meal prep.
These honey garlic herb butter roasted carrots are baked until golden and tossed with warm butter, herbs, and honey. A simple side for the holidays or everyday dinners.
Crispy cilantro lime chicken quesadillas filled with Oaxaca and Monterey Jack cheese and chopped chicken thighs. Served with cilantro jalapeño lime sauce.
Hi, I’m Olga! I love cooking from scratch with simple, fresh ingredients. The recipes here are inspired by the flavors I grew up with and the places I’ve traveled to. My hope is to share some of my favorite dishes and inspire you to try something new in the kitchen.
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