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Three Quick and Healthy Work Night Dinners.

Three Quick and Healthy Work Night Dinners.
Carly Jacobs

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.

Just a little break from my India series to bring you a few recipes and a giveaway.

I have another delicious giveaway for you petals, but first let us all talk about how busy we are. All of us. Sometimes we all like to sit around playing the ‘I’m more busy than you.’ game but generally speaking we’re all pretty much run off our feet. I sometimes find myself so busy that I will eat porridge for dinner for like, four nights in a row. Not good. This is why I like to have a few back ups at home for when I really couldn’t be arsed cooking anything fancy but my body is about to shrivel up from a severe lack of vegetables.
I always keep Birdseye SteamFresh Vegetables and fish fillets in my freezer for those kind of days. I like to get a little creative in the kitchen so I’ve put together three quick and easy dinners to make with SteamFresh steamer bags. Hopefully these little recipes will save you from too many takeaways!

Thai Coconut Curry Fish Burger

Serves 1

What You Need

1 Birdseye Thai Coconut Curry fish fillet

1 bag of Birdseye SteamFresh veggies

1 super grainy and delicious bread roll (this one is from Bakers Delight – it’s their 14 grains and fancy things roll)

Handful of baby spinach

A few slices of tomato

Oven chips (optional, but burgers are just begging to be served with chips don’t you think?)

What You Do

1. Heat the fish fillet in the microwave for 5 minutes. Drain off the sauce (it’s a tad too much for a burger!) and place fish fillet, tomato and lettuce on the grainy bun.

2. While you’re arranging your burger, pop a bag of veggies in the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Drain off the excess water and serve them up!

3. Add a handful of oven fries if you’re feeling a little cheeky.

ย Lemon and Parsley Fish and Vegetable Pasta

Serves 1

What You Need

1 Birdseye Lemon and Parsley fish fillet

1 cup of cooked pasta (wholemeal, white, gluten free – whatever tickles your fanny… I mean fancy.)

1 bag of Birdseye SteamFresh veggies

What You Do

1. Heat the fish fillet in the microwave for 5 minutes.

2. Heat the veggies in the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Drain off excess water.

3. Serve veggies and fish (with sauce!) over a cup of cooked pasta. Perfection.

Garlic and Spring Onion Fish with Brown Rice and Vegetables

Serves 1

What You Need

1 Birdseye SteamFresh Garlic and Spring Onion fish fillet

1 bag of Birdseye SteamFresh veggies

1 cup of cooked brown rice (I’m so lazy that I even use those heat up rice cups!)

6 halved mini Roma tomatoes

What You Do

1. Heat the fish fillet in the microwave for 5 minutes.

2. Heat the veggies in the microwave for 2.5 minutes. Drain off excess water.

3. Serve veggies and fish over rice. Add tomatoes.

Now for the giveaway! One of my lucky readers has the chance to win…

1x $250 Coles voucher
1x $100 Kikki K voucher

All you have to do is answer this question in the comments below…

If you had a whole hour to spare (and now dinner takes less than ten minutes you might be able to wrangle it!)… what would you do with it?

Seriously. No kids. No extra work. No deadlines. What happens in your own fantasy hour?

P.S After 10 days in India I am FANGING for some fish and vegetables.

72 Comments

  1. JicyJac 11 years ago

    Oh an hour all to myself! With 3 kids it’s been a long time since I’ve had a spare hour, I don’t quite know where to start. One little thing I really miss since having kids is reading the Good Weekend magazine out of The Saturday Age cover to cover with a coffee. I have about 6 months worth of them stacking up waiting to be read. I would love to pop out to a cafe with the latest issue, and read it. The whole thing. Without interruptions. Hopefully the issue has a stories by Amanda Hooten and Mark Dapin.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      JICYJAC! You naughty sausage. You won the Cardio Tennis comp! YOU HAVE TO SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY!!!! I tried emailing, facebooking, commenting. You comment all the time! HOW IS THIS WIRE CROSSING POSSIBLE?????

  2. Jasmine 11 years ago

    Read a book. Seriously. So simple, but so appealing. A few weeks ago my internet went down for an entire 7 days/nights, and I have no words for how it all felt. At first I was in a total panic, but after a couple of days I was really getting into it, and while I was relieved when it was all back up and running again … I was also a little sad, too. I waste way too much time online (all while feeling like it’s stuff that ‘has to be done’ – responding to emails, checking orders for my online business, ‘me time’ that involves hitting refresh on facebook and tumblr ..). I read ten books in that time, and it was awesome.

    Although now the weather is warming up I’m also thinking it would be nice to just go for some evening walks and check out the Christmas lights …

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      It’s amazing how many people said read abook!

  3. Heather 11 years ago

    kudos to you for making frozen food look appetizing! We had a lot of frozen veggies and fish when we were younger, and while it wasn’t very glamourous at least it was quick and healthy. If I had an hour free I would go for a walk in the sun, find a nice place to have a picnic and crack out some cheese and crackers and a book. That or watch 3 episodes of Community back to back ๐Ÿ˜›

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I’ve always had these in freezer. Great for low-carb eaters.

  4. Lauren Cass 11 years ago

    Fish is the best and its true that the frozen kinds are getting tastier. I’d leave every electronic device I own at home and wander through the domain and park myself somewhere with a bottle of wine and some tunes in the sun. Might even go past my fav gelato place on the way and pick up the biggest cup of gelato they have and not share it with anyone! Om nom nom!!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Do you have a Tasti Delite in Sydney? ROCKS MY WORLD.

  5. Chris Lloyd 11 years ago

    Brilliant, Ms S! I now have three new recipes to add to my culinary list of things I can cook without having to entertain a toddler by putting together pieces of Duplo with my left foot and keeping itty fingers away from the stove with my right knee while chopping an onion and performing amazing song and dance routines to keep said wee one from collapsing in a tiny toddler tantrum because dinner takes more than four seconds to make. With that spare hour I would finally teach myself the Thriller dance from the web tutorial I have been secretly watching over the last year after the baby is in bed.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      BEST USE OF AN HOUR EVER!

  6. Alex 11 years ago

    An hour? Since it’s Christmas time I cannot think of anything better than tucking into a bottle of champers with the man.

    On a side note – how much are you going to love veggies when you get back? I am the same when traveling and I FELL on a salad when we returned from Thailand. x

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      It’s ALL I’VE EATEN!!!! I’ve told Mr Smaggle that we aren’t having Indian takeaway until June 2013. He’s heart broken.

  7. Kim m 11 years ago

    Man, what I couldn’t do in an hour to myself!!! I would go down to the beach and walk for half an hour and sit and read for half an hour while seeing, hearing and smelling the beach, heaven!!! Ps, I’m sure your family will be so glad to have you back they will be happy to cook you some fish and veg!!!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Thanks love! Been back a week and only just getting back into the swing. x

  8. Kirsten Jones 11 years ago

    Sleep. I would definitely sleep. Thanks.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Me too! Provided that I could actually sleep.

  9. Emma 11 years ago

    I would have lunch with my best friend, she lives so far away that I find it hard to see her very often, and because we are both planning our weddings at the moment time is a rare commodity!
    That Lemon and Parsley meal looks delish, and the cherry tomatoes from the last recipes are staring at me yumyum!

  10. Sugandha 11 years ago

    Oh man…way too much to do. Take the dogs for a walk – get in some exercise!! SLEEP ๐Ÿ˜€ Sit on the deck in the evening light with some wine and a magazine. SO MANY THINGS.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Exercise I do anyway… go with the wine!

  11. maddi 11 years ago

    being a procrastinator i often have stressy hours of doing random stuff, but if i could take away the stress, i would spend the hour watching bridesmaids (yes i know i would only fit in half of it) while making choc-chip cookies. or reading smaggle ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I freaking love that movie and you’re too sweet. x

  12. Nessbow 11 years ago

    If I had a whole free hour, with no interruptions, I’d be slipping into my silky PJs and heading outside to lounge in my comfy chair and read a juicy book. It’s so rare that I get to read more than a few pages at a time, so it would be such a luxury to be able to tear out a whole chunk of a book at once.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Silky PJS!!!! Haven’t had those in years.

  13. Michelle V 11 years ago

    As a mum of three aged 8 and under
    “Me” time’s scarce, any wonder?!
    Given an extra hour, I’d catch up with friends
    And my sisters too – with them, fun never ends!
    We’d go to Coles and shop up a storm
    (It’s our favourite pastime whether it’s cool or warm!)
    Or maybe a dance-off on the Wii
    Then eat our Birds Eye and sing karaoke!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      FAR OUT. THIS BLEW MY MIND!!!!!!

  14. dannii 11 years ago

    Wow, one whole hour. I would read or just sit uninterrupted with a peppermint tea and just enjoy.
    I love the fish recipes. Will definitely be trying these out.
    <3 Dannii

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Ah! Peppermint tea! I always need reminding about that.

  15. LIz 11 years ago

    I’d take a bath, with candles, bubbles, scented oils – the works! Then I might invite my man in, because the only thing better than ‘me’ time is ‘us’ time ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. katie winter 11 years ago

    an hour all for myself would involve tea, one of the handful of books i’ve started &left in a pile next to my bed &most likely some serious facebook lurking.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I have too many bedside books to read. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for summer!

  17. Fifi 11 years ago

    An hour on the balcony with my book and a glass of wine and BAM – i feel like away I’m on holidays. Reading outside is one of my top 5 things to do ever. Even better on these steamy early Summer evenings.

    PS Fish with brown rice and vegetables – yum. x

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      It’s awesome. I’ll make it for you one day.

  18. maddove 11 years ago

    Probably spend it on Pinterest and Facebook. I aim high!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I just started using Pinterest on my phone. BIG MISTAKE,

  19. Katrina 11 years ago

    I’d get a lovely relaxing massage from my lovely man and follow it with a bubble bath complete with candles, a good book and a glass of chilled wine. Bliss!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I actually did that on the weekend!

  20. Nightlace 11 years ago

    With an extra hour to spare, I’d pull out the Noisy Kids Remote Control. After setting it to ‘mute’ and lighting a decadent candle, I’d be off to lay on the couch, ready to dream about secret rose gardens and warbling streams.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      You should sell those. You’d make a mint.

  21. Lisa 11 years ago

    I would sit in an air-conditioned room with my iPad and watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians! And for the 15 minutes left over I’ll be daydreaming what my life would be like if I was a Kardashian =)

  22. Tracy Boulter 11 years ago

    Run a nice hot bath, soak in the tub with candles burning listening to my favourite relaxation tapes.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I’m such a candle bitch. Love it.

  23. Sue GP 11 years ago

    EASY! A glass of wine or cup of coffee with my husband. With 3 kids (1 with Extreme Anxiety, 1 with Aspergers and one who just wants to be loved) a full time job, house renovations, 2 dogs, 4 chickens and part time study I seriously cannot remember the last time he and I sat down uninterrupted to talk.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I wish I could actually do this for everyone!

  24. Carly Findlay 11 years ago

    I would run a hot bath, put in my favourite bathing album (I like Angus and Julia Stone), pour some Moscato and read Shop Til You Drop magazine in the bath for 15 minutes. then I’d put on my pyjamas and watch an episode of Offspring on DVD. With more wine. Perfect hour.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      SHOP is my favourite guilty pleasure mag! It thought I was the only one!

  25. Erin 11 years ago

    Sunbathe on a hot beach with a cold beer

  26. LeahB 11 years ago

    Pop on a face mask, stick my feet in the foot spa, and write a letter to someone I love ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      A letter? Beautiful idea!

  27. Louisa | Mrs Notable 11 years ago

    with an extra hour I would grab a mag, a strong, sweet cup of tea and head out to my little courtyard and take my sweet time!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Outside! Need to get there more!

  28. Rebel Without A Pause 11 years ago

    Read Smaggle and giggle while drinking tea that is still hot. BLISS.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Oh how lovely! Cheeky flatterer. x

  29. always Josefa 11 years ago

    one hour ? i would tear open a bag of chips, grab the remote, lay in bed and watch some trashy reality TV – nothing more nothing less – no interruptions, no mummy – just me

  30. Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo 11 years ago

    Eyebrows. Oh my GOD, my eyebrows.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      As in you’d get your eyebrows waxed?

      • Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo 11 years ago

        As much as can be done in an hour… OMG MY EYEBROWS! This is why I have a fringe…

  31. Anonymous 11 years ago

    Spare hours are delicious (just like your recipes it seems!). I would spend it alone, not a soul to interrupt me, and I’d write stories. Nothing would make this introverted constantly interrupted mother happier at the moment. An accompanying cup of tea and a piece of chocolate would be the cherry on top.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      They are actually regular staples! Even before I got offered the post.

  32. Amy 11 years ago

    Lame I know, but I would visit my mum with a bottle of wine and simply catch up! I seem to have less and less time to do that. Something I definitely want to change!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      OH I love this one! Me too!

  33. JessR 11 years ago

    Watching an episode or two of offspring with a glass of wine, my best girlfriends (one featuring the lovely Dr Chris Havel of course) #winner

  34. Jonni 11 years ago

    I’d run a bath, then take in a paperback, a cup of earl grey and a couple of nice choccies to enjoy while soaking ๐Ÿ™‚
    or….. maybe just catch up on lots of music with naughty words in it (and some bad dancing!)

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Just had a bath myself. ๐Ÿ™‚

  35. Maudie27 11 years ago

    I would kidnap my neighbour’s kittens and hole up with a cup of tea for an hour of hardcore kitty lovin’.

  36. Sarah wayland 11 years ago

    I’d just work on being quiet. Not flicking through my phone, checking my email, putting on washing or saying yes to work I want to say no to. I’d just sit still, take some breaths and relax my clenched jaw. Oh and maybe some chocolate.

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