Stir-frys are always a great choice for simple and healthy meals that come together in minutes.

In fact, usually the rice takes longer to make than the stir-fry itself. If you are short on time, consider trying frozen brown rice or instant brown rice. (You can also make your own brown rice in large batches and then freeze for later use).

Then gather up all of the vegetables you have, along with some protein and have a flavorful dinner on the table in minutes!

(Beef & Basil Stir-Fry from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything)

Stir-Fry Tips and Steps: 

1. Prepare rice, grain or pasta if using
2. Prepare all ingredients (slice, chop, etc) so they are all ready to go
3. Heat pan and oil in pan (you can flavor oil with garlic and ginger)
4. Add ingredients by length of cooking time, adding ingredients that take longest first*
5. Add sauce (can be as simple as a splash of soy, fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, etc.)
6. Serve immediately

*If your stir-fry includes meat or seafood, consider cooking the meat, removing from pan and then cooking the vegetables so you don’t over cook your meat

Stir-Fry Recipes to Try:

Shrimp & Snow Pea Stir-Fry 

Sauteed Baby Squash with Basil & Feta

Chicken & Leek Stir-Fry

Spicy Asparagus-Tempeh Stir-Fry

Brown Rise Stir-Fry with Kimchi, Pork & Tofu

Grace Young’s Best Stir-Fry Tips

I hope you all are enjoying my simple & healthy meal ideas. The whole purpose is to give you meal ideas that are delicious and nutritious while at the same time satisfying your family and going from the kitchen to table in less than 30 minutes.

Todays meal, Sausage & Peppers, is one that you can go in many different directions with. Richie loves it over pasta, I’m a huge fan of it stuffed in bread, but you could also serve it over brown rice or even use it as a pizza topping or in a calzone.

Serve with a fresh side salad for a complete meal.

The process is fast and simple:

1. Prepare grain component if necessary.
2. Grill or saute sausage, slicing after grilling or before sautéing.
3. Saute peppers, onions and other vegetables, sliced into bite size pieces.
4. Top with “extra flavor” if desired.

Grain:

• brown rice
• whole grain pasta (or a whole grain/white blend)
• sub roll
• on pizza dough or wrapped in it for a calzone

Protein:

• chicken sausage
• pork or blend sausage
• veggie sausage

Vegetables:

• bell peppers
• onions
• mushrooms
• spinach (thrown in at the last minute to quickly wilt)

Extra Flavor:

• marinara sauce
• roasted or canned tomatoes
• parmesan cheese
• smoked mozzarella cheese