The number one reason that I love Spoon is because I love to try new recipes, but like most college kids, I don’t have the time. I was super excited to eat only recipes that I found on Spoon University for the week because 1) It made choosing what to eat much easier, and 2) I was excited to find some new go-to meals. This week made me realize how easy it is to make healthy meals, even if you don’t have a lot of time or a large budget. Always remember that the beauty of cooking is the ability to make adjustments to recipes based on what you do and don’t like. Here is what I ate for a week when I used only recipes that I found on Spoon:
Monday
Breakfast: 2 Ingredient Pancakes
If you haven’t made 2-ingredient pancakes, it needs to be the next thing you try. I topped mine with almond butter and strawberries, which I would highly recommend, or you can mix it up with your own favorites. I am always looking for new recipes that are super quick and easy to make and this will definitely be my new go-to.
Lunch: Open-faced Homemade Hummus and Veggie Sandwich
I have made this recipe before and it’s one of my staples because it’s the perfect lunch to eat between classes. It’s easy to throw together and should be a go-to for hen you’re trying to stay healthy. Feel free to switch it up with your own favorite vegetables.
#SpoonTip: You can make hummus in a blender if you don’t have a food processor.
Dinner: Easy Shrimp Scampi With Zucchini Linguini
I’m going through a zucchini noodle phase and was really excited to try a new variation. You definitely need to try this recipe because I am obsessed. It was so easy to make, but still so flavorful and made you feel like you were eating a gourmet meal without doing much work.
Tuesday
Unfortunately on Tuesday and Thursday, I have class from 8am-11am, so it tends to be more of a brunch and dinner situation.
Breakfast/Lunch: Sriracha and Egg Avocado Wrap
I never thought about making eggs in a mug before, so I was excited to try out this recipe. I decided to skip out on the Sriracha since I am not a fan of spicy, but it was still delicious. It was so easy to make and the perfect way to switch up the classic eggs for breakfast.
Dinner: Sweet Potato, Kale, and Roasted Chickpea Bowl
This is the perfect dinner for when you are trying to be healthy, but want to be satisfied. It was super flavorful, plus you can always add in extra of your fave veggies (I added mushrooms and would definitely recommend). If you aren’t vegan, feel free to add in chicken for some addedprotein.
Wednesday
Breakfast: Avocado Toast
I love avocado toast, but am not willing to spend $7 each time I want to get my fix. Avocado toast is so easy to make and I was feelin’ fancy, so I decided to spruce mine up with feta. It’s surprisingly filling and always remember, you can never have too much avocado.
Lunch: Banana and Blueberry Smoothie
I ate breakfast pretty late, so I was just looking for an easy, between class pick-me-up and this smoothie was perfect. I love smoothies, but personally have never been good at making up my own combinations. This recipe was super simple, yet refreshing and will definitely satisfy your smoothie craving.
Dinner: Zucchini Parm Burger
I don’t know why zucchini just became popular in the past year or so, because it is one of the most versatile vegetables out there. I am obsessed with everything parm, but as a pescatarian, the only option is usually eggplant. This new recipe is amazing, whether you eat meat or not, and will definitely satisfy all of your Italian desires.
#SpoonTip: If you are only cooking for yourself, feel free to halve the recipe like I did but it still made four, delicious burgers.
Thursday
Breakfast/Lunch: Mushroom, Onion, and Spinach Omelette
This spinach, mushroom, onion, and cheese combo is perfect and is so veggie-packed it will keep you full for a while. Feel free to get creative and switch it up with any of your fave ingredients. Plus, definitely use the oven at the end because it was a complete game changer to perfectly melt the cheese.
Dinner: Caramelized Onion and Hummus Sandwich
Finding flavorful sandwiches without meat isn’t easy, but this recipe definitely fits that category, and it’s so easy to throw together for a quick and filling meal. Unfortunately I forgot to buy vegetable broth, but will definitely be trying the carrot soup to accompany this sandwich in the near future.
Friday
Breakfast: Hearty Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito
I loved the first breakfast wrap, so I really wanted to try another recipe. This one was filled with a lot more veggies, but was equally tasty. The added vegetables definitely kept me full longer, so I would recommend choosing this breakfast burrito if you want to be sustained for longer.
Lunch: Healthy Avocado Quesadilla
This article definitely lives up to its name because this will become your new favorite lunch. First, it is probably the cutest thing you will ever eat and second, because it is the perfect mix of flavors. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, make your own hummus using one of these recipes.
Dinner: Baked Salmon with Carrot Fries
I have made potato fries and sweet potato fries, but I have never thought to try carrot fries. Cooked carrots have never been my thing, so I was pleasantly surprised when I loved this recipe. Also, the salmon was so easy to make and the perfect recipe when you want to make a gourmet meal at home.
Saturday
Breakfast: Baked Egg in Avocado
I have seen this recipe so many times and was excited to finally try it. Full disclosure, I completely failed at this one, but it was probably my own fault for not using a smaller baking dish. #SpoonTip: Do not try to put the avocado on a baking sheet, because it will fall, and make a mess.
Aside from the fact that half the egg spilled out, this avo-egg combo was still delicious.
Lunch: Sweet Potato Toast
I couldn’t decide if I was in the mood for more sweet or savory, so I tried the arugula-avocado-feta and the peanut butter-banana-honey. Personally, I didn’t think the sweeter one would be my thing, but it was amazing. I would highly recommend making both of these and if you’re feeling fancy, try out your own combo.
Dinner: Veggie Filled Zoodles
Zoodles give you the feeling that you are eating pasta, minus all the carbs. I loved this recipe because you can always make changes based on what veggies you have or what you are in the mood for. I added onion, mushroom, and asparagus, which is a combo I would definitely recommend.
Sunday
Breakfast: Sweet Potato and Fried Egg Hash
This was perfect for Sunday morning because I wanted to go to brunch (of course), but decided it was better to cook at home and save money. All of the ingredients are some of my favorites, so it was the perfect mix and it’s a hangover cure that won’t make you feel sick from grease for the rest of the day.
Lunch: Almond Butter Toast with Apple and Honey
I love apples with nut butter, and I love toast with banana and nut butter, but I never thought about making toast with apple and nut butter. The apples with honey tasted just like fall. I didn’t have peanut butter at the time, so I used almond butter and it was equally delicious. Next time you reach for the banana to make your toast, definitely opt for apple instead.
Dinner: Sweet Potato Shrimp Bowl with Garlic Butter Shrimp
If you at all like shrimp and sweet potato, you need to make this right now. The extra butter from the shrimp melted into the sweet potato and created amazing texture and flavor. Honestly, if you’re only going to try one recipe from this entire article, make this one because it was by far my favorite.
Now choose your own recipes and get cookin’.