COLUMN: 5-ingredient weeknight noodle bowl, and more

I find that as the semester goes on, my motivation to cook nutritious meals decreases. It’s just easier to grab a slice of pizza — after all, I still have two papers and a textbook module to read.  

Nonetheless, I can manage something that only takes five ingredients and about 15 minutes, like my recipe for an easy weeknight Asian-inspired noodle bowl. You can swap out the sauce or add more ingredients to make it your own.  

Here are some recipes for quick, weeknight meals: 

Noodle bowl 

Ingredients 

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 

1 ½ tablespoon olive oil 

8.8 ounces wide brown rice noodles (or one box of Simple Truth Organic Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles) 

12 ounces broccoli slaw (or one bag of Kroger-brand broccoli slaw) 

1/2 cup bulgogi sauce 

Directions 

1. Follow the instructions on the box of brown rice noodles to cook, boiling for about five minutes. 
2. While the brown rice noodles are being prepared, add olive oil and minced garlic to a large frying pan over medium heat. When garlic begins to sizzle, stir occasionally to prevent burning.  
3. Once the garlic is golden-brown, add the broccoli slaw. Sauté over medium heat for five minutes.  
4. Add the bulgogi sauce to the slaw mixture and cook for another three minutes. 
5. When the rice noodles are done, combine the contents of the frying pan with the rice noodles.   

Greek rice bowl 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup cooked brown rice 

• 1/3 cup prepared protein of choice (beans, chicken breast, tofu) 

• Feta cheese, to taste 

• 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives  

• 3/4 of an artichoke heart  

• Cherry tomatoes, to taste 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 

• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (optional) 

• Mediterranean herb blend, to taste  

Directions 

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, heat, and enjoy.  

Spring mix salad  

Ingredients 

• 2 cups spring mix 

•  1/2 small green apple, thinly sliced 

• 1 handful dried cranberries 

• 1 cup chopped walnuts 

• 1 handful shredded sharp cheddar cheese 

• Poppy seed dressing to taste 

Directions 

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, toss, and enjoy.  

Quesadillas 

Ingredients 

• 2 tortillas 

• 1 pat of butter to grease the pan 

• 1/4 cup black beans 

• 1/4 cup rice 

• 1/3 cup cheese 

• Guacamole as a garnish 

Directions 

Heat a frying pan on a medium stove setting and grease with some butter. Add one tortilla and top with rice, beans and cheese. Place the other tortilla on top, and after about two minutes, flip. Cook until both sides of the tortilla are golden brown, then remove from heat and enjoy.