Some may fudge the $10 for the condiments or spices they require, but if you set up your kitchen with the basics, these 10 yummy meals won’t break your budget or waste your time.

Kitchen Sink Bean Salad

Marinate can of black eyed peas in balsamic vinegar while chopping the rest.  Add:  chopped carrots, celery, raw beets, string beans or avocado, daikon or radishes, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, pinch of thyme, salt and pepper—to taste.  Dress with splash of lemon, and flax or olive oil to the vinegar.

Tilapia

Five single women said their favorite dish was tilapia.  Registered Nurse Angil Tarach-Ritchey says, “When I was a single woman in my forties, one of my favorite healthy meals took 10 minutes was parmesan crusted baked tilapia, northern beans, and a salad. Brush the tilapia with olive oil and coat with a mixture of parmesan, with lemon pepper and salt to taste, and broil. Tilapia cooks in 5-8 minutes.”

Pepper Steak Fry

Charlene Davis lists the full ingredients and directions for this quick and hearty steak dish on her Busy Mom Blog.  Mix together steak sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch and beef broth; set aside. Heat oil in skillet and brown meat for 2-3 minutes. Add pepper strips and stir with meat for another minute or two. Pour steak sauce mixture over the meat and peppers and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Serve with instant rice. Serves 4.

Tempeh And Red Pepper Bake

Pamela Rice, organizer of the Veggie Pride Parade NYC suggested this one years ago.  Cube tempeh and roasted red peppers.  Toss in (cold) baking dish with a combo of lemon juice, low salt tamari sauce and canola oil.  Bake for about 7 minutes to heat then broil to make crunchy for a few minutes.  Serve over instant brown rice.

Egg In A Basket

Simple, fast and tons of energy. Author Renee Adams has this simple, fun comfort food idea. Put some butter, olive oil, or margarine in a skillet on med heat.  Cut a hole in the center of your favorite slice of bread and brown in the skillet.  Crack an egg (or two whites) into the hole, on the skillet. Add garlic powder and/or paprika, if desired. Top the cooked egg with the browned cut out circle and serve with cut up fruit.

Chicken Provencal

Cube boneless chicken and brown with quartered canned artichoke hearts and black olives in olive oil. Stir with rosemary and a pinch of oregano.  Serve over rice or alongside tubetti pasta.

Do share your quick meal recipes!