Simple recipes for everyday life: delicious food without much effort
Kira Zabe
August 21, 2024
Mealtime shouldn't be complicated - it can be simple, delicious and stress-free. If you're looking for simple recipes to enrich your everyday life, you've come to the right place. In this article, we present some delicious dishes that can be prepared with little effort. Whether you're looking for quick dinner ideas or want to prepare a meal for guests, you'll find the inspiration you need here.
Key ingredients for simple and delicious meals
To make simple yet delicious meals, there are some key ingredients you should have in your kitchen. Here are some of them:
Spices:Spices are key to adding flavor to simple dishes. You can experiment with spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and herbs such as basil, oregano and parsley.
Olive oil:Olive oil is a versatile and healthy oil that can be used in many simple recipes. It can be used for frying, sautéing or salad dressings.
Citrus fruits:Lemons and limes are great ingredients to add freshness and acidity to dishes. You can use them to season salads, meat or fish.
Vegetables:Fresh vegetables are a must for healthy and simple meals. Choose seasonal vegetables and prepare them in a simple way, e.g. by steaming or roasting.
Legumes:Legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber. They can be used as the main ingredient in salads, soups or as a side dish to other dishes.These key ingredients can serve as the basis for many simple recipes and are affordable and readily available. Try out different combinations and discover your own taste.
Breakfast recipes for stressful mornings
Mornings can be hectic and there's often not much time for a proper breakfast. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on a nutritious and delicious start to the day. Here are some simple breakfast recipes that you can prepare in just a few minutes:
- Quick oatmeal with berries
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats1 cup almond milk (or another plant-based milk)A handful of fresh berries (e.g. strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)Honey or agave syrup to sweeten (optional)A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Heat the rolled oats and almond milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil.Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft.Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl.Garnish with fresh berries and sweeten with honey or agave syrup to taste.Optionally sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon.Enjoy your quick and healthy breakfast!
2. Avocado toast with egg
Ingredients:
1 slice of wholemeal bread1 ripe avocado1 eggSalt and pepper to tasteFresh herbs to garnish (e.g. coriander or parsley)
Instructions:
Toast the wholemeal bread.In the meantime, cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and mash the flesh with a fork.Spread the mashed avocado evenly over the toasted bread.Heat some oil in a pan and fry an egg.Carefully place the fried egg on top of the avocado.Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh herbs to taste.A simple and delicious breakfast is ready!
3. Yoghurt with muesli and fruit
Ingredients:
1 pot of natural yogurtA handful of muesli (e.g. oat flakes, nuts, dried fruit)A handful of fresh fruit (e.g. bananas, berries, apples)Honey or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
Instructions:
Pour the natural yogurt into a bowl.Sprinkle with muesli and fresh fruit.Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.Enjoy your simple and healthy breakfast!
Recipes for an evening meal
After a long day at work, you may not want to spend much time in the kitchen, but you still want to enjoy a delicious dinner. Here are some simple recipes for a quick yet delicious meal:
- Stir-fried vegetables with rice
Ingredients:
Vegetables of choice (e.g. bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, broccoli)1 cup cooked ricesoy sauceGinger and garlic (optional)Salt and pepper to tasteOil for frying
Instructions:
Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the vegetables.Add ginger and garlic to taste and fry.Add the cooked rice and stir well.Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.Continue frying until the vegetables are cooked and the rice is hot.A quick and healthy dinner is ready!
2. Pasta with tomato sauce
Ingredients:
200 g pasta of your choice1 tin of chopped tomatoes1 onion, choppedGarlic cloves, choppedolive oilDried herbs (e.g. basil, oregano)Salt and pepper to tasteParmesan cheese to garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.Heat a little olive oil in a separate pan and sauté the chopped onion.Add the chopped garlic and fry briefly.Add the chopped tomatoes and dried herbs.Season with salt and pepper and allow the sauce to simmer until it has thickened a little.Drain the cooked pasta and add to the tomato sauce.Stir well and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.A simple and delicious dinner is ready!
3. Grilled chicken with vegetables
Ingredients:
Chicken breast filletsVegetables of your choice (e.g. peppers, zucchinis, mushrooms)olive oillemon juiceSalt and pepper to tasteFresh herbs to garnish (e.g. rosemary, thyme)
Instructions:
Marinate the chicken breast fillets with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and the desired herbs.Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.Grill the marinated chicken and vegetables on a grill or in a grill pan.Turn regularly until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are lightly browned.Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.A simple and delicious dinner is ready to serve!
Snacks and desserts that require little effort
Sometimes we just want to treat ourselves to a snack or enjoy a quick snack or dessert. Here are some simple recipes that require little effort:
- Hummus with vegetable sticks
Ingredients:
1 tin of chickpeas2 cloves of garlic, choppedJuice of one lemonolive oilSalt and pepper to tasteVegetable sticks of your choice (e.g. carrots, cucumber, peppers)
Instructions:
Rinse and drain the chickpeas.Place in a blender with the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.Puree until smooth.Serve the hummus with vegetable sticks.A healthy and delicious snack is ready!
2. Simple fruit salad
Ingredients:
A selection of fresh fruit (e.g. apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi)Juice of one lemonHoney or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)Fresh mint to garnish
Instructions:
Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl.Drizzle the lemon juice over the fruit to prevent oxidation.Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.Stir well and garnish with fresh mint.A refreshing and simple dessert is ready!
3. Banana ice cream
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional)Chocolate chips or chopped nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Peel and slice the bananas.Place the banana slices in a sealable plastic bag and freeze until firm (about 2 hours).Place the frozen banana slices in a blender and blend until a creamy consistency is achieved.Add peanut butter if desired and blend again.Pour the banana ice cream into a bowl and garnish with chocolate chips or chopped nuts as desired.A simple and delicious dessert is ready!
Meal planning and cooking in small batches for greater convenience
Meal planning and cooking in small batches can save you a lot of time and effort. Here are some tips on how you can simplify your cooking routine:
Create a weekly meal plan:Plan in advance which dishes you want to prepare in the coming week. This will save you time when shopping and you will always know what you are going to cook next.Use leftovers:If you cook larger quantities, you can use the leftovers for later meals. For example, you can use leftover chicken for salads or sandwiches the next day.Cook in batches:Prepare larger quantities of certain dishes and freeze them in individual portions. This way, you always have a quick and tasty meal to hand when you're short on time.Simplify your ingredients list:Choose recipes that require few ingredients to simplify shopping and preparation. Also use ready-made products or pre-cut vegetables to save time.Use kitchen appliances and cooking utensils that make your life easier:A pressure cooker or Instant Pot can cut down on preparation time, while a good knife block and chopping board make cutting ingredients easier.
By planning your meals in advance, using leftovers and cooking in batches, you can simplify your cooking routine and bring more convenience to your everyday life.
Conclusion: Simplicity in the kitchen
Our simple recipes are perfect for people who don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen but still don't want to miss out on delicious food. From hearty pasta dishes to healthy salads and sweet desserts - we have something for everyone.
Whether you're an experienced cook or a beginner, our recipes are easy to follow and quick to make. It's time to simplify cooking and focus on the joy of eating. Leave the stress behind and enjoy delicious dishes without much effort. Try it today!
Get ready to pleasure your taste buds and try out our simple recipes. You'll be surprised how much flavor you can achieve with little effort. Enjoy your meal!
More clarity when shopping: How Open Food Facts and the Smantry app make nutrition transparent
Many foods look healthy at first glance – but what's really inside them? Are the nutritional values balanced? How processed is a product? And what impact does it have on our environment?
This is exactly where the Smantry-App comes in: It uses the globally open database Open Food Facts, to give you immediate clarity when scanning your items. But what's actually behind the colorful labels like Nutri-Score, NOVA or Eco-Score, that you encounter in the app?
Let's take a closer look at the background.
Open Food Facts: From the Idea to a Global Database
The journey began in 2012 with the founding of Open Food Facts – a non-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and makes food information freely accessible worldwide. The goal from the beginning was to provide consumers with scientifically substantiated information.
What started as a small project has now become a global platform with millions of products. And it is precisely this data that the Smantry-App uses to give you a clear overview directly on your smartphone.
An overview of the most important scores
1. Nutri-Score – how healthy is my product?
Since 2016, the Nutri-Score has been legally established in France – and it has quickly spread throughout Europe.
- A (green) means: very balanced.
- E (red) means: unbalanced, enjoy in moderation.
The rating is based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats – but also on positive factors such as fiber, protein, and the proportion of vegetables.
👉 So in the Smantry app, you can see at a glance whether a food item fits into your everyday life – or perhaps should be on the table less often.
2. NOVA-Score – how processed is it?
Not only the ingredients, but also the degree of processing plays a significant role for health. This is exactly what the NOVA-Score (integrated into Open Food Facts since 2018) shows you:
- 1 = unprocessed or minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit, plain yogurt)
- 2 = ingredients such as vegetable oils, sugar, flour
- 3 = processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, canned goods)
- 4 = highly processed products ("Ultra-Processed Food"), often with additives, flavors, and industrial processes
👉 With the Smantry app, you can instantly tell if a product is still 'close to nature' – or if it falls into the category of being highly processed.
3. Eco-Score (soon to be Green-Score) – how sustainable is my shopping?
Since 2019, Open Food Facts also includes an environmental assessment: the Eco-Score. It takes into account, among other things:
- CO₂ emissions from production and transportation,
- Packaging and recyclability,
- Origin and seasonal factors.
The rating is – similar to the Nutri-Score – from A (very eco-friendly) to E (less sustainable).
By 2025, this will become the Green-Score, which will take into account even more detailed data and thus provide you with even better guidance for sustainable consumption.
👉 For you in the Smantry app, this means: You can see not only whether a food is healthy for you, but also whether it is good for our planet.
What this means for you as a Smantry user
Currently, you can scan your products in the Smantry-App and view many details. The scores themselves are not yet integrated – but the integration is planned.
This means: Soon you will be able to see not only the nutritional values of a product but also how healthy, processed, or sustainable it is – all directly in your app.
Conclusion: Your Smart Nutrition Compass
The colorful labels are much more than pretty symbols. They are your quick compass in everyday life – whether you want to shop with health consciousness, reduce highly processed products, or pay attention to the environment.
With the Smantry-App you already have strong support for more transparency while shopping. And with the planned integration of the scores, it will become even more valuable – your smart nutritional compass for the future.
Cooking with the Future: Augmented Reality and Smart Interfaces for Your Recipes
That’s exactly what augmented reality (AR) and smart interfaces bring to the table. They project digital information where you need it most: into your cooking environment. This makes it easier to stay organized, cook more efficiently, and even reduce waste – because less stress in the kitchen often means fewer forgotten or spoiled ingredients.
And here’s where Smantry comes in. The app already helps you keep track of your pantry, avoid food waste, and stay in control of your kitchen. With upcoming features like leftover-based recipe suggestions, you’re already stepping into the smart kitchen future today.
👉 Bottom line: The kitchen of tomorrow is here – and it’s efficient, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!