Going back to basics: plain & simple meals
Published on 24th May, 2022
Sometimes it is easier to just go back to basics and not overcomplicate cooking, especially when youâre short of time or donât feel motivated to cook. Here are some plain and simple low carb recipes:
Roast Chicken Breast & Buttered Greens
Cook time: 25mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
This recipe is super simple and straightforward. You can easily make it your own by adding some extra spices of vegetables, but for a simple dish this is as easy as it gets!
Ingredients
- 1 Medium Chicken Breast
- 70g Broccoli
- 84g Asparagus
- 2 tbsp Butter
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan (390°F/350°F fan).
- Whilst the oven is preheating, prepare the vegetables by chopping the broccoli into florets and chopping the bottom of the asparagus off.
- Place the chicken breast in a piece of tin foil with 1 tbsp of water, then wrap the tin foil around the chicken breast and loosely cover. Place the chicken on a baking tray in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until fully cooked.
- 5 minutes before the chicken is ready, place the broccoli in a saucepan and the asparagus in a separate one. Boil the kettle and fill both saucepans with boiling water.
- Bring the water to a boil and cook the vegetables for 5-8 minutes until tender.
- Place the vegetables on your plate hot and add 2 tbsp of butter over the top to melt, serve with the chicken when cooked.
Carbs 4g
Fat 25g
Protein 37g
Calories 388kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Veggie Omelette (v)
Cook time: 10mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
An omelette is so versatile and perfect for when you are trying to use up ingredients in the fridge. This recipe is a vegetarian one which uses mushrooms, tomatoes and edamame beans for protein. You can add in some extra low carb vegetables, or different variety of beans and flavours to mix it up.
Ingredients
- 1 Medium Tomato
- 50g Mushrooms
- 2 Eggs
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 tsp Olive Oil
- 20g Edamame Beans
- 20g Spinach
- 20g Cheddar Cheese
Directions
- Start preparing the vegetables, by slicing the tomato and mushrooms.
- In a bowl whisk the eggs and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil over a medium heat and cook the tomatoes and mushrooms until softened, then add the edamame beans and the spinach. Cook until wilted, then add the eggs over the top and allow to cook through.
- Grate the cheddar cheese and sprinkle over the omelette, then place under the grill for 5 minutes.
Carbs 8g
Fat 14g
Protein 19g
Calories 240kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Chilli con Carne
Cook time: 300mins
Prep time: 10mins
Description
This is a staple in many peopleâs households and this simple recipe is perfect for a family-friendly dinner or a meal you can batch cook and save as leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Why not try pairing with a dollop of homemade guacamole or a side of cauliflower rice?
Ingredients
- 900g Beef Mince
- 800g Tinned Chopped Tomatoes
- 1 Medium Onion, chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp. Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp. Dried Oregano
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 2 tsp. Cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 240g Cheddar cheese, grated
- 120ml Sour Cream
Directions
- Brown the mince in a large frying pan then add to the slow cooker (you may have to cook the mince in batches).
- Then to the slow cooker add the rest of the ingredients (except for cheese and sour cream) and stir to mix well.
- Either cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Serve topped with the grated cheese and a spoonful of sour cream.
Carbs 11g
Fat 35g
Protein 8g
Calories 397kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Steak with Tomatoes and Mushrooms
Cook time: 15mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
Steak lovers this one's for you. Tomatoes and mushrooms are the perfect side to steak, cook it as you like it and serve it up in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 Medium Steak
- 75g Cherry Tomatoes
- 60g Mushrooms
- 1 tbsp Butter
Directions
- Allow the steak to reach room temperature before heating a pan to a medium heat.
- Melt the butter in the pan then sautĂŠ the tomatoes and mushrooms.
- Add the steak and cook to preference; for rare, allow about 3 minutes on each side, until the steak is âsealedâ. Add another minute for medium, and 2 minutes for well done.
Carbs 5g
Fat 17g
Protein 33g
Calories 307kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Easy Creamy Tomato Soup (v)
Cook time: 45mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
Another great option if you want to batch cook for the week. Tomato soup is warming and delicious, and this easy recipe can easily become a staple.
Ingredients
- 180g Plum Tomatoes
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 150ml Boiling Water
- 150ml Double Cream
- 1 tbsp Fresh Basil
- 2 tbsp Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 tbsp Greek Yoghurt
Directions
- Start by preparing the ingredients. Dice the tomatoes and crush the garlic. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan (390°F/350°F fan). Add tomatoes and garlic to a roasting pan and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 25 minutes.
- Remove the tomatoes from the oven and pour into a large pan. Blend using a hand-held blender or electric blender.
- Place the pan on the hob over a medium heat. Add the boiling water and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the cream and basil and stir.
- Serve garnished with basil leaves, seeds, yoghurt and cracked black pepper.
Carbs 8g
Fat 55g
Protein 9g
Calories 564kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Pan Fried Salmon with Buttered Asparagus
Cook time: 6mins
Prep time: 2mins
Description
With only 4 ingredients and taking less than 10 minutes to cook this recipe will be a winner for those short of time or donât fancy cooking much.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 80g Asparagus
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1 Medium Salmon Fillet
- 1 Lemon Wedge
Directions
- Season the salmon then heat 1 tbsp. butter in a frying pan and fry the salmon for 3 minutes on either side until cooked.
- Trim the asparagus then heat 1 tbsp. butter in a separate frying pan and fry the asparagus for a few minutes.
- Serve the asparagus with the pan-fried salmon topped with a squeeze of lemon and the remaining 1 tbsp. butter.
Carbs 3g
Fat 35g
Protein 33g
Calories 463kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Creamy Chicken Stew
Cook time: 35mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
This stew uses basic ingredients but the flavour definitely isnât basic! Another great recipe for the family, or to save as leftovers throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 300g Chicken Thighs
- 1 Medium Red Onion
- 2 Vegetable Stock Cubes
- 1 x 400g Can Chopped Tomatoes
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 100g Spinach
- 200ml Double Cream
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 300g Carrots
Directions
- Start by dicing the onion, crushing the garlic and slicing the carrots, then add them all to a non-stick pan along with the oil and chicken thighs. Cook for around 10 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and stock cubes to the pan and bring to the boil, season with salt and pepper.
- Add the spinach to the pan and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the cream to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes, then serve.
Carbs 18g
Fat 48g
Protein 24g
Calories 599kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
Chicken wrapped in Bacon with Green Beans
Cook time: 30mins
Prep time: 5mins
Description
A simple but delightful meal, the soft cheese in the chicken makes sure it doesnât go dry and pairing with salty bacon is a pleasure to your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 Medium Chicken Fillet
- 2 Bacon Rashers
- 1 tbsp Soft Cheese
- 70g Green Beans
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan (390°F/350°F fan).
- Cut a slit down the middle of the chicken breast and spread 1 tbsp of soft cheese inside.
- Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around the chicken breast then place in tin foil. Loosely wrap the tin foil around the chicken and place on a baking tray in the oven. Cook for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- 5 minutes before the chicken is ready, place the green beans in a saucepan with boiling water and cook until tender.
Carbs 4g
Fat 23g
Protein 47g
Calories 409kcal
You can also find this recipe on our extensive recipe system, sign
up now for access to thousands of delicious recipes.
