Quick and easy lockdown recipes to try at home

Working from home, self-isolation and social distancing are either becoming harder or easier for some South Africans.

Trying to adapt to the new normal is something not easily achieved. Nestlé is here to help – they have come up with three hearty, easy-to-make lunch recipes for the duration of the lockdown period.

Let’s take a look:

We’re pretty certain the panic buying resulted in copious amounts of 2-minute noodles!

Here is a hearty recipe to get them into your tummy.

Chicken Stir-fry

Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

• 2 packets Maggi 2-minute noodles (chicken flavour)
• 1 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha sauce
• 1/2 tsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 200g boneless chicken breast, sliced
•  salt to taste
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tsp roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp spring onion, chopped
• 1 lemon, quartered

Method

1. Cook Maggi 2-minute noodles according to the directions on the pack but don’t add the flavour sachet. Drain and set aside.

2. Combine the soy sauce, sriracha sauce and vinegar, and set aside.

3. Heat oil in a shallow frying pan or wok. Add the garlic and chilli flakes. Stir fry for 10–15 seconds.

4. Add the onion and fry for a few seconds before adding in the chicken slices. Fry until the chicken turns white in colour.

5. Add the sauce mixture, salt and Maggi 2-minute noodles flavour sachet along with 1/4 cup of water.

6. Cook until the chicken is almost done then add the broccoli and bell pepper. Stir fry for less than a minute. Add the boiled noodles and mix well. Remove from heat.

7. Serve stir-fry garnished with roasted peanuts, spring onion and a squeeze of lemon juice.

For those carb-conscious and clean eaters, chicken is always nutritious.Try this quick chicken recipe – it’s easy to prepare and delicious.

Braised chicken with lemon and garlic

Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 6 people

Ingredients

• Whole chicken, cut into pieces (save time by buying a multipack of chicken pieces)
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced
• 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 11/2 cups Nestlé Ideal evaporated milk
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C. Pat chicken pieces dry with a paper towel.

2. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Brown chicken pieces by cooking them for 3–4 minutes per side. Remove from saucepan and place chicken into a roasting pan.

3. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and zest, garlic, evaporated milk, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken.

4. Cook chicken for 20–30 minutes, occasionally basting it with the cooking liquid.

5. Serve the chicken with the sauce and your choice of a side.

Desk eaters beware, this could get messy. A quick, easy and delicious meaty bun to keep you going.

Sloppy Joes

Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup carrots, pulsed
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 500g beef mince
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups tomato purée
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• pinch cayenne pepper
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 hamburger buns

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add carrots and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the onion and celery and sauté until onions are translucent.

2. Add the garlic, cook for 30 seconds then remove from heat and place in a bowl. Set aside.

3. Brown the mince in the pan and season with salt. Drain most of the liquid from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon.

4. Return the vegetables to the pan, with the mince. Add the tomato sauce, purée, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and sugar. Mix well then add thyme, cayenne and black pepper. Leave it to simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Serve with toasted hamburger buns.

TIP: You can freeze any leftover mince for up to three months! Or make it the night before and reheat for lunch.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/195121/healthy-friday-powerful-health-benefits-fresh-ginger-recipe-suggestions/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/258914/essentials-buy-21-day-lockdown/