Category: Dinner

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi

Renee Leave a comment

This Parmesan Fried Gnocchi is a totally delicious side dish that’s ready in minutes. Serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish with a salad or veggies for an unbelievable dinner.

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Given that I spend large portions of my day thinking about food, I’m always surprised by how many people I know who don’t cook. Maybe they never learned how because there’s always been someone in their house to cook for them. A parent and then a partner usually. It’s not that they aren’t interested in food, but they just have no intention of making anything for themselves. I do not understand these people.

There’s another group of people who tell me they don’t cook very much because they just don’t have time. This I can relate to. There are so many evenings when time just gets away from me. If I cooked dinner, it would be about 10 pm before we actually ate. Thank goodness for Just Eat. If I want to be able to make dinner every day, I find that I really need to set myself up for success.

Trying to make every single thing from scratch on a Monday night is a sure way to end up hating yourself. In my opinion, there’s absolutely no shame in taking a little help from the grocery store. Use your favorite bottled salad dressing as a marinade for chicken, for example. Or dress up some microwavable steamed veg with some dried herbs from your pantry.

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

If your meal needs a quick carby side dish, this Parmesan Fried Gnocchi will be your new go to. It’s the perfect substitute for roasted potatoes which would take ages to chop and cook. Use your favorite store bought gnocchi, and add flavor with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and dried herbs. People will forget about everything else on their plate.

All you have to do is heat a skillet and drizzle in some oil. I used garlic oil for a little extra hit of flavor, but use whatever you have on hand. Then add the gnocchi straight from the package and keep tossing it in the hot oil until it starts to get crispy. Grate over some parm and sprinkle in some dried thyme and oregano, or just use Italian seasoning if you have it. That’s all there is to it.

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Life gets crazy, but you are totally worth the effort. Take it easy on yourself. Make something simple like Parmesan Fried Gnocchi. Put your feet up and be awesome.

Recipe adapted from Kitchen by Nigella Lawson.

Looking for more kitchen shortcuts? Set your week up for success with Transformer Chicken that you can prep ahead of time at the weekend.

Fiery Halloumi Salad | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Fiery Halloumi Salad

Renee Leave a comment
Fiery Halloumi Salad | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

This Fiery Halloumi Salad is an easy, healthyish dinner with homemade sweet chili sauce. Pan-fried halloumi makes a bed of greens so much more awesome. Go on, eat a salad, and actually enjoy it.

As you read this, I will be heading back to work after a little over two weeks off. It’s never easy to get back into the swing of things. I know I’m lucky because my husband’s been back in work since last week, but still, it’s hard not to feel a bit mopey.

Fiery Halloumi Salad | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

It’s been two glorious weeks of not being stuck behind a desk. Of staying in my pajamas as long as I want. Having plenty of time for all the things I really want to do, like take pictures of my food and share it with you. Two glorious weeks without whining teenagers or late trains or having to wear high heels.

I’m grateful to have a job because it allows me to help people. It also allows me to buy all the food I want and travel from time to time. I’m very lucky in many ways, and I don’t want to forget that. But just a few more days of peace and quiet would be nice.

Fiery Halloumi Salad | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Being back at work means we all need more quick and simple dinner ideas, and this time I’m even giving you leafy greens. Of course, it wouldn’t be awesome on 20 if I didn’t somehow also ruin the health factor by adding something delicious. This Fiery Halloumi Salad is awesome because it’s easily just as much cheese as it is salad. You know you can’t stay mad at me for long.

We’re making up a simple homemade sweet chili sauce with sliced red chilies, honey, and lime juice. We slice up a block of halloumi and fry it in a hot, dry pan. We drizzle our favorite salad leaves with a bit of nice olive oil, lay on the hot cheese, and drizzle over some heat with our sweet chili sauce. Then we eat, feel smug about having a salad, but actually enjoy it because cheese.

Fiery Halloumi Salad | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

I hope your transition back to work has been smooth and as stress-free as possible. I hope you’re having something awesome for dinner tonight, like maybe this Fiery Halloumi Salad. It’s gonna be awesome.

This recipe is adapted from Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson.

And just in case you can’t get enough salad, maybe try this Bacon & Egg Salad.

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread

Renee Leave a comment

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread is fiery and filling.With just five-ingredients, it’s great for any time of day. Quick homemade flatbread is combined with creamy yogurt, perfectly fried eggs, sweet mango chutney and spicy red chili. This combination is totally awesome.

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Are you on a new year’s resolution healthy eating kick right now? I probably should be, but I’ve had enough failure at this to know better. I’m learning to accept that I eat what I eat. I don’t have time for all the guilt that comes with dieting. You know I’m feeling guilty about plenty of other things. I’m letting this one go.

At the same time, I’m very pro fresh start. January is such a great opportunity to dig deep and make changes. One of the things I’ve been trying to change lately is the impact I make on the environment. I’m trying to waste less and also to consume more mindfully. I think we’ll be trying to eat less meat this year. But as a pathological vegetable hater, that can be tough.

Eggs are a great way to get your protein and also eat something really really good. Is there anything more dreamy than an oozing egg yolk. It’s like the most primordial indulgence.

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

This simple Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread is adapted from a Jamie Oliver recipe from his book 5 Ingredients. This book is nothing but super simple recipes, and the layout is gorgeous. I can’t wait to cook through some of these recipes.

We start by making a simple flatbread with self-rising flour and yogurt, working in a bit of oil if needed. Just mix everything together in a bowl, give it a few smooshes on the counter to bring it all together, roll it out and whack it in a hot pan. It cooks up in about three minutes.

I also prefer this dish when everything is warm, so I fried my eggs. Additionally, I microwaved the yogurt and mango chutney just for a few seconds so they weren’t fridge cold. But that’s totally up to you.

If you want some extra heat, bring the fire with some sliced red chili. Go for as much or as little as you can handle.

Egg & Mango Chutney Flatbread | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

There are lots of different textures and flavors going on here. We couldn’t decide whether this dish was more breakfast or dinner, which says to me that you should eat it whenever the hell you want.

Here’s to a delicious year, friends.

***This post contains an affiliate link. That means that if you click it and buy something, I make a small commission, but you pay exactly the same.

Top 19 of 2019 | How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Top 19 of 2019

Renee Leave a comment
Top 19 of 2019 | How to Be Aweome on $20 a Day

I’m so excited to share the top 19 recipes of 2019. You know how much I love a list, so I always look forward to this. Let’s see what you’ve been cooking up this year.

Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatloaf | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

19. Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatloaf – I hope my Thanksgiving tradition is finally starting to find it’s way into other people’s homes.

Spaghetti Quesadilla | How to be Awesome n $20 a Day

18. Spaghetti Quesadilla – I haven’t eaten this in forever, and that’s making me sad because this is my favorite way to use up leftover spaghetti bolognese.

Frito Chili Cheese Wrap from Awesome on 20

17. Frito Chili Cheese Wrap – Another delicious thing I’m sad I haven’t eaten lately. Someone send me some Fritos from America so I can remedy this.

Chili with Gnocchi from Awesome on 20

16. Chili with Gnocchi – It’s the perfect time of year for this big pot of goodness.

Buttery Nipple Milkshake | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

15. Buttery Nipple Milkshake – Perfect for when you can’t decide if you want a cocktail or dessert.

14. Spam Mac & Cheese – I was surprised to see this one on the list. I was also surprised by how much I still liked this when I made it recently.

13. Mint Brownies – Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with the pop of minty green in these fudgy brownies.

Chicken & Goat Cheese Pasta | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

12. Chicken & Goat Cheese Pasta – This recipe makes a huge batch of pasta, so perfect for feeding a crowd.

Chicken Parmesan from Awesome on 20

11. Chicken Parmesan – I still remember when my husband said this was the best chicken he’d ever had.

Passion Fruit Green Tea | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

10. Passion Fruit Green Tea – Takes me back to Taiwan every time.

Brown Elephant Cocktail from Awesome on 20

9. Brown Elephant Cocktail – If you’ve never tried Amarula, you definitely need to change that in 2020.

White Cheddar Fondue | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

8. White Cheddar Fondue – You can’t go wrong with a big bowl of melty cheese.

Amaretto Sour | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

7. Amaretto Sour – I love that this doesn’t need a store-bought sour mix.

Parmesan Fried Gnocchi from Awesome on 20

6. Parmesan Fried Gnocchi – The best five-minute side dish ever.

Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

5. Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail – Another one of my holiday traditions conquering the world.

Whipped Ricotta | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

4. Whipped Ricotta – I love how you guys are as crazy about cheese as I am.

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day

3. Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels – Party food extraordinaire.

Peanut Butter Fudge from Awesome on 20

2. Peanut Butter Fudge – Always a favorite.

Classic Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies | How to be Awesome on $20 a Day
  1. Classic Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies – Another classic recipe that reminds me of my mom.

This list is making me so hungry for 2020. Let me know what kind of recipes and posts you’d like to see more of in the comments. And don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram or use #awesomeon20.

Pork Puff Pastry Pockets - How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Pork Puff Pastry Pockets

Renee Leave a comment

These Pork Puff Pastry Pockets feature ground pork and onion plus gravy and cheese, all wrapped in flaky pastry. They’re a delicious way to reimagine leftovers.

Pork Puff Pastry Pockets - How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

It’s Boxing Day here in the UK, and I still haven’t exactly figured out what that means other than most people get the day off, and all the shops have early morning sales in the style of American Black Friday. For me, it’s yet another excuse to stay in my pajamas all day, but with the added bonus that I don’t have to cook because the fridge is groaning with leftovers.

Of course, this year we’re away for Christmas, so it’s not my kitchen. It’s strange not to have any responsibilities. For some reason, I can’t seem to just relax and enjoy it. Maybe it’s because I’m a crazy control freak. Maybe it’s just because I’m mildly obsessed with cooking and hosting. I actually really like it. It’s not in my nature to just be a guest. I’m old and set in my ways.

Pork Puff Pastry Pockets - How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

Because of my obsession with cooking and testing new recipes, trying to figure out how to use random leftovers has become a bit of a game. Quite often we just throw stuff in the microwave and eat it again exactly as is. But occasionally I make things like Pork & Onion Hand Pies, and then I have just ground pork with onions hanging around in my fridge. This time, I wanted to take my leftovers in a slightly different direction. That’s how these Pork Puff Pastry Pockets were born.

I’m going to share the recipe for what we’ve actually eaten, but I also hope this inspires you to just grab things from your fridge, stick them inside a sheet of store-bought puff pastry, and have an automatically awesome dinner. There are few things in life that can’t be improved with puff pastry. Serve it with some steamed veg and a bit of extra gravy for a quick and tasty dinner.

Pork Puff Pastry Pockets - How to Be Awesome on $20 a Day

If you want to save yourself even more time, you can easily cook up the pork and onion ahead of time. Even mix in the gravy and cheese, and stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to wrap and bake. Bake all four at once, or two now and two later. Or use half the pork mixture for something else, like homemade pork pies. There are so many possibilities.

So if you’re staring down a fridge full of leftovers right now, give them new life. Pork Puff Pastry Pockets are just the beginning. Happy eating, friends. It’s gonna be awesome.

Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram. Tag me or use the hashtag #awesomeon20. I love seeing what you’ve made.

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