Being a parent is really hard. If anyone disagrees, put them in charge of a house with a toddler for an entire day, and they’ll come back running with a changed mindset newfound respect for you. Keeping a balance between work, parenting, taking care of the house, completing chores, running errands, and cooking, are all overwhelming tasks regardless of what anyone says. And if you’re doing even one of them successfully, you deserve a hug and a cookie! However, to add to your stress, most children are fussy about food and often throw a tantrum. There there, friend. Well, obviously, one cannot do much about a situation like this. But we do have a tip- work smart, not hard. One-pot/instant pot recipes are super easy, require very little attention throughout the cooking process, and can be super delicious. This way, you can save time, energy and can focus on other tasks at hand.
Some Easy One Pot Recipes That’ll Keep the Tantrums Away
Why single pot meals, you ask? Well, the simplest answer is that they’re super convenient. Not only are they easy to make, but they don’t require a lot of prep time either. Probably one of the biggest wins for single-pot meals is that they can be extremely delectable even if you don’t have all the ingredients. Usually, you can invent your own recipes and come up with your own ideas. Even if you lack one or two ingredients, you can simply substitute them, and it won’t be too different. So you aren’t pressured to follow the cookbooks to a T. There’s an unfair rumour that states that one-pot recipes are not lip-smacking enough. Well, we’re here to debunk that myth! With the following dishes up your sleeve, you’ll be the next masterchef in your child’s eyes. The upside? You can multitask like a pro when you cook these because one-pot recipes hardly need your constant presence. Cook something new and awesome every day, and keep your children looking forward to more of your delicious creations. Isn’t that what we all hope for? So here you go, a list of dishes you can prepare easily, in a single pot:
- Chicken Parmesan: Don’t we all love a little Italian dinner? Perfect for a weeknight, this dish will be ready to serve in minutes as it is made in an instant pot.
- Vegan Paella: Here’s a yummy vegan option to treat your taste buds! This Spanish recipe is packed with flavour and nutrients that’ll be a hit with your kids.
- One-pot Pad Thai: This one is an absolute favourite. Packed with Asian flavours, it is one of the easiest dishes on this list. It’s a dish from Thai cuisine that will leave you and your loved ones asking for more.
- One-pot Mac and Cheese: You will never find a person who does not love mac and cheese. Be it your kids, your partner, parents, or anyone else- mac and cheese is a family favourite. If you had a long day, are craving some comfort food, give your kids a break from the boring veggies, and indulge a little in the cheesy goodness. Now that you know about the one pot version of it, it is going to be all the rage!
- Single Pot Veggies and Spaghetti: We care about your family’s health, so we want you to eat your greens too. It’s all about balance, isn’t it? This may sound bland and boring, but trust us, it is packed with goodness and flavours. This is the perfect companion for days you’re feeling a little under the weather. If your child is a little sick and moody about food, this will certainly cheer them up. All kids love spaghetti. You can trick them into liking vegetables through this dish.
- Peanut Sauce Noodle Soup: once you taste this, there’s no going back. We sear by the flavours of this dish! Have a bowl of this nutty, soupy goodness on a rainy afternoon; it’ll fix all your blues and transport you to your happy place.
- Chilli Chicken in Instant Pot: Who knew chilli chicken could be a one-pot dish, right? Try this spicy, saucy, tangy dish with noodles or flatbread. Your kids will love the burst of flavours in their mouths!
- Vegetarian Thai Curry: A little on the fancier side, this is perfect for evenings when you have guests over, and you want to impress them, but you’re too tired to work exceptionally hard. How’s that for a little magic?
All of these recipes are extremely easy can be made in a single pot. You can play around with the flavours and concoct stuff that your kids like. All the dishes mentioned in this article are extremely delicious, and as you read through the recipes, they can be made super quickly. Moreover, they don’t require a lot of prep time. And to top it off, since these are one-pot recipes, you don’t have to worry much about the cleanup process after the cooking is over. These are total win-wins!