3 Easy, Delish Recipes to Try While Social Distancing

Confession: I don’t particularly enjoy cooking. And I’m definitely not a food blogger (photography is definitely more my happy place). BUT! I am a mom who is cooking way more than usual because of social distancing/self-quarantine. And I have a feeling you are too! So I’m here to help – Mrs. Doubtfire-style – with 3 easy, delish recipes to try while social distancing. You literally cannot screw these up!

Loaded Salad

My first of the easy recipes to try while social distancing is a filling salad. My hubby is generally a “double the meat” kind of guy when it comes to recipes…the manlier, the better. But this is still one of his favorites! We always have leftovers for lunch the next day.

You will need:

1. One package of spring mix
2. One 9-oz package fresh tortellini
3. 1 lb chicken tenderloins
4. Your favorite meat seasoning – I’ve used Old Bay, Lemon Pepper, or Garlic Salt
5. 1tbs Butter (optional)
6. 1 15-oz can kidney beans
7. 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chick peas)
8. Croutons
9. 4-oz package crumbled feta cheese
10. One package cherry tomatoes
11. 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
12. Cucumber, sliced
13. Bacon bits

Directions:

1. Boil water, and cook tortellini according to directions on package.
2. While the water is boiling, prepare your chicken by trimming any fat and seasoning it with your favorite meat seasoning.
3. If you have a George Foreman, grill your chicken for 4-6 minutes. Otherwise, melt butter in a pan and pan sear your chicken until lightly browned.
4. Once your chicken is cooked, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
5. Drain kidney beans and garbanzo beans.
6. In large salad bowl, dump spring mix, beans, croutons, feta cheese, tomatoes, seeds, cucumber, bacon bits, chicken and cooked tortellini.
7. Serve with your favorite salad dressing!

This recipe is wonderful because you can add pretty much whatever you else you may love in your salad! The possibilities are endless. The main thing that make this salad wonderful is the protein in the base: spring mix, tortellini, chicken and beans.

Grilled Fish Packets

My husband does the grilling in our house, so this recipe is extra easy for me. LOL. But even if you’re the grill-master in your home, you will find this easy recipe a quick favorite!

You will need:

1. Four pieces of white fish: we love Mahi Mahi or Grouper. If frozen, needs to be thawed
2. Salt, pepper
3. Favorite fish seasoning – we love Old Bay (optional)
4. 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
5. 14.5-oz can whole kernel corn
6. 1 lb asparagus, yucky ends chopped off
7. 8-12 sprigs fresh dill
8. 8 strips of bacon, cooked (I cheat and cook it in the microwave!)
9. 1/2 small onion, sliced
10. 4 tbs butter
11. 1 box couscous

Directions:

1. Get your grill heating up!
2. Lay out four large pieces of foil on your counter.
3. On each piece of foil, lay a piece of fish. Season with salt, pepper, and favorite seasoning
4. Top each piece of fish with equal amounts diced tomatoes, corn, onion and asparagus. Use the entire cans/pound. Add 3-4 sprigs of dill per piece of fish, 2 bacon slices per piece of fish. Top with 1tbs of butter per piece of fish.
5. Wrap fish and toppings in the foil. You will want an additional piece of foil wrapped around them to keep juices from getting everywhere.
6. Grill for 20-30 minutes.
7. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, prepare the whole box of couscous using directions on box.
8. Finally, serve your fish and veggies over your prepared couscous!

This is another one that you CANNOT mess up! If you would like to add or subtract something to each packet, it’s easy to do!

Shrimp Chowder

Everybody I have ever fed this to has been highly impressed by it….and it’s almost embarrassingly easy to make.

You will need:

1. 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (I use frozen so it’s already done for me!)
2. 14.5-oz can whole kernel corn, drained
3. 10.5-oz can cream of mushroom soup
4. 10.5-oz can cream of potato soup
5. 10-oz can of Rotel tomatoes & green chilis (can use mild or original)
6. 8-oz Veleeta cheese
7. 1 stick of butter
8. 1 pint half & half

Directions:

1. Melt butter and velveeta cheese together in microwave.
2. Put all ingredients in crock pot, stir, and cook 3-4 hours on low.
3. Serve with garlic bread or rolls!

Wait….was that really only three steps?! YAAAS IT WAS. You’re welcome!

Bonus: More Favorite Recipes

Okay, so I know three recipes ain’t gonna cut it for the next month while we’re inside. Here are links to some more of my family’s favorite recipes! They’re all easy and delish, I promise!!

1. Rachel Ray Great Turkey Goulash
2. Cheesy Zucchini and Turkey Casserole
3. Instant Pot Sour Cream Pork Chops
4. Instant Pot Easy Beef Stroganoff
5. Favorite Pot Roast
6. Instant Pot Mississippi Roast
7. Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
8. 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajitas
9. Mongolian Stir Fry
10. Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Grilled Chicken

Nicole Bielenin Photography specializes in photography of the early years in the Florida Panhandle including maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography. Based in Baker, Nicole travels to surrounding areas including Pensacola, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Niceville, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and other 30a communities. 

I love to travel, and also work with families outside of this area! If you are looking for a Northwest FL family photographer, I would love to start planning your own family session! To see more of my portfolio, please click here.

Your experience begins with a style guide and complementary consultation call, if desired, to plan your family’s wardrobe. It ends with a full digital gallery of gorgeous images full of love and life. Even more special, I offer packages and à la carte artwork including a variety of exclusive fine art prints, albums, and other heirloom tangibles. 

If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click here or email me directly at nicole@nicolebieleninphotography.com.