First on the list is a simple pasta dish that can be made in minutes. Begin by cooking your favorite pasta, and while it’s boiling, chop up some garlic and parsley. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic in olive oil until fragrant, then stir in the parsley. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve some of the cooking water and drain the rest. Add the pasta and a bit of the reserved water to the garlic and parsley mixture, and toss everything together. If you like things spicy, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This dish is quick, easy, and tasty – perfect for when you want a comforting meal without too much fuss.
Another great recipe when returning from vacation is a hearty soup. One classic option is chicken noodle soup, which can be made in a slow cooker while you settle back into a routine. Begin by adding chicken breasts, chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Pour in some chicken broth, and cook on low for several hours until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken, shred it with a fork, and return it to the pot along with your choice of pasta noodles. Let everything cook together for another half hour or so, then serve with crusty bread or crackers. A hot bowl of soup is just what you need after a long day of unpacking and getting back into the swing of things.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you could also opt for a homemade pizza night when you return from vacation. This recipe requires a bit more time and effort, but it’s sure to be a hit. Begin by making your own dough (there are plenty of easy recipes online if you’ve never done this before). Once the dough is ready, roll it out into a round shape and place it on a pizza stone or baking sheet. Top with your favorite ingredients – tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, meat – and bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes. The beauty of homemade pizza is that you can customize it to your heart’s content, so feel free to get creative. Plus, the act of kneading dough and shaping it into a pizza can be a therapeutic way to ease back into a cooking routine after being away from the kitchen for a while.
Last but not least, don’t forget about breakfast! One easy recipe option is overnight oats, which require almost no effort on your part. Simply combine rolled oats, milk, sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup), and any toppings you like (such as fresh fruit, nuts, or spices) in a jar or container. Let it sit in the fridge overnight, and in the morning you’ll have a nutritious and filling breakfast waiting for you. This is perfect for those mornings when you’d rather hit snooze than spend time making a meal from scratch.
Returning from vacation can be a bit tough, but hopefully these easy recipes will make the transition back to reality a little smoother. From quick pasta dishes to slow-cooked soups, there are plenty of tasty options to choose from when it comes to easing back into the kitchen. The key is to find recipes that are comforting and familiar, yet still simple enough to make when you’re feeling a bit jet-lagged or overwhelmed. With a few good recipes up your sleeve, you’ll be able to tackle the blues with ease.