Must-try Tasty Recipes for Lunch or Dinner

I regularly search online for new simple and healthy recipes to try at home. While I’ve found many that I’ve tried, enjoyed, and added to me extensive recipe list, there a few that have become my favourite go-to recipes for any day of the week. Here are a few of my favourite tasty recipes for lunch or dinner – Try one or more out and let me know if any make it to your favourite list!

---

Spring Pea and Basil Soup

This is a recent favourite of mine. Pea soup is a regular for us, especially when we don’t have much time or just feel like something quick and easy. We usually fry up some garlic and onion, and then add frozen peas. Let simmer for a while, salt and pepper, and puree. Done! Sometimes, while frying up the garlic and onion, we add some bacon, which adds a lovely flavour to the soup.

And so, when I discovered this Pea Soup with Basil, it was a must-try. The basil goes so well with the peas, but it’s important to get the mix right. You’ll have to test it out and see what works for your taste buds, but I find that adding double the recipe’s basil works best for me. Be sure to take the time to blend the soup properly so that it’s nice and smooth.

Spring Pea and Basil Soup by once upon a chef

---

Lemon, Garlic, Rosemary Roasted Chicken

This is a wonderful roasted chicken recipe that’s awesome on the weekends. I grew up having Sunday lunch at my grandparents with a delicious roasted chicken. So I decided to start a similar tradition on Saturdays at home, and being a lemon-lover, this recipe has stuck. So easy, and super tasty!

I tried a few different chicken recipes, and I liked the amount of lemon used in this one. Using the lemon zest also adds an extra zing!

Additional tip: To really pack the chicken with flavour, add some of the basting mixture under the skin above the breast. I carefully add some of the mixture, as well as some fresh rosemary springs. I found a video that helps illustrator what I mean by under the skin >> watch video here.

In terms of sides, there are so many options, so pick something you like. Some side suggestions: Roasted carrots, roasted potatoes, simple salad, or an avocado salad.

Lemon, Garlic, Rosemary Roasted Chicken by divas can cook

---

Spaghetti Vongole (Spaghetti with Clams and White wine)

Having moved to Italy over 3 years ago, this recipe has been one of my absolute favourite Italian discoveries. It’s a classic Italian recipe that is especially popular in the southern region of Campania. If you’re a seafood lover, this is a great recipe to try!

There are just a few ingredients – Spaghetti or Linguine, garlic, chilli, parsley, clams, extra virgin olive oil, dry white wine. With so few ingredients, be sure to pick quality, as that’ll really make your dish sing. This recipe is, in my opinion, a wonderful symbol of Italian cooking – Simple, fresh and beautifully balanced.

Note: There is a bit of preparation in cleaning the clams, which is very important, otherwise it can ruin your entire dish and make it sandy. In a nutshell: Buy fresh clams. Before cooking put your fresh clams in a bowl of salt water – make the water taste like sea water. Leave them in the bowl for about 3 hours – this makes them release the sand. Then, drain the water and sand out, rinsing them very lightly.

Tip: You can keep the clam shells on when you served the dish, and just deshell while you eat. Or, you can take some extra time after they are cooked, like we do, and scoop all of the clams out of their shells, adding them back to the pasta – this makes eating the dish a little smoother.

Invite some friends over for lunch, and enjoy with a glass of quality white wine. Italian cooking at it’s finest!

Spaghetti Vongole by Silvia Colloca

---

Quinoa Vegetable Soup with Kale

Cookie+Kate is one of my absolute favourite recipe resources. While on a journey to discover different ways to eat quinoa, I stumbled upon this tasty soup recipe of hers and it was AMAZING!

It’s got quite a few ingredients, but they’re simple and natural, likes onions, garlic, celery and so on. This soup is not pureed so it takes a little more effort to chop and prep everything, but the actual recipe is easy. And, you can make quite a big batch, and enjoy it over a few meals.

If you want a nutrient boost, this is the soup for you. It’s rich in nutrients, wholesome and delicious! For me… when I eat a bowl of this goodness, it warms my soul 🙂

Quinoa Vegetable Soup with Kale by Cookie+Kate

---

Curried Carrot Soup

Pureed veggies soups are easy to make and wonderfully nutritious. Recently I discovered this soup recipe, and was intrigued by the combination of curry and carrot. Being a curry-lover I thought mmmm, this could be a winner… And yes, it definitely was!

I do think though that, this combination of flavours may not be for everyone, but we certainly enjoy it. I never ever made pureed carrot soup, but this worked out really well and has become a favourite.

Curried Carrot Soup by EatingWell

---

Zucchini Basil Soup

During winter time, I’m often on the hunt for new (and easy) soup recipes. pureed soups have become one of my absolute favourites because they’re so easy to make. You also don’t need to worry too much about chopping and balancing out the sizes of the ingredients, as you can just throw it all in and blend away!

I hardly ever cook with zucchini, so when this recipe popped up I thought, mmmmm why not!?

It was so easy to make, and I was truly blown away by how smooth and creamy it was, even without any cream or milk. Some people like zucchini and some don’t, but this soup is totally worth a try! Also, to keep it simple, I just left off the zucchini twirls. But, if you have time, go right ahead as they’ll likely add a lovely fresh crunch.

Tip: Sprinkle some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the top for some added flavour.

Zucchini-Basil Soup by epicurious

---

Ready to try one of these recipes?

I hope one or more of these tasty recipes stood out for you. If you decide to try one of them out, I’d love to hear from you. Either leave a comment below, send me an email, or share your creation on Instagram and tag @livethewonderful.life – These recipes are hassle-free and tasty, so I hope you give one or more a try! Happy cooking!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]