As a nurse, you’re working 12 hour shifts, constantly on your feet, and dealing with other people’s needs all day. By the time you get home, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking in the kitchen. However, living off of fast food is no way to take care of yourself. Instead, try any of these internet-compiled recipes that you can make in 15 minutes.
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
For the Salad:
- 8 oz spiral pasta
- 10oz package of pre-cut romaine lettuce
- 1 pint grape tomatoes – halved
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cup bacon bits or pieces
Instructions
- Start making the dressing by combining mayo, sour cream, milk, pepper, salt, garlic power, and (again, optional) crushed red pepper. Stir together until the mixture is smooth, then set aside.
- Prepare the pasta according to the package’s instructions. When it’s finished cooking, drain the water, and throw it into a large bowl.
- Throw in your romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon bits. Then, top with your dressing and stir everything together until it’s well combined.
- Store any leftovers in the fridge for later!
Quick and Easy Wonton Soup
Ingredients
- 1 qt chicken broth
- 12 oz bag mini chicken cilantro wontons
- 4 oz rice stick noodles, cooked according to package
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- for garnish, sambal oelek, green onions, jalapeños, sesame seeds
Garnish options:
- Green onions
- jalapeños
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Boil the chicken broth and minced garlic.
- Add your broccoli and frozen wontons. Stir in the oyster and soy sauce, and bring the pot to a simmer.
- Add in your prepared rice noodles, and cilantro.
- Top with your favorite garnishes and enjoy!
Orange Maple Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs. center-cut salmon, cut into four fillets
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. orange zest, plus 3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. whole-grain Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ¾ tsp. ground ginger
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- finely chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF.
- Place your salmon in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pat the fillets dry with paper towel, then season with salt.
- Mix your orange juice and zest, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, and ginger together until well combined. Spoon this over your salmon, and top with your pecans. You’ll want to press gently to get them to stick.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the salmon easily flakes with a fork. Then top with your fresh parsley (if you want).
Spicy Fish Tacos
Ingredients
For the chipotle mayo
- 1/3 cup mayo (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce from the can
- 3 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can
For the fish tacos
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 fish fillets (any white fish like cod, mahi mahi, halibut)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
- Lime wedges
- Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- If you want to skip a step, and save some time, just grab some chipotle mayo from the store. However, if you want to make your own, combine mayo, chipotle peppers, and adobo in a food processor (or blender) until well mixed and set aside.
- Rub your fish fillets (all over) with a mixture of smoked paprika, garlic power, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- In a non-stick pan, heat 1 TBS of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add 2 of your fillets for 4 minutes, and then flip and cook for another 4 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Add more oil to the pan and repeat for the rest of your fish.
- Shred your fish with a fork and divide between 12 corn tortillas. Top with red cabbage, cilantro, and chipotle mayo.
Chicken Hummus Naan Wraps
Ingredients
For the wraps:
- 4 pieces of naan bread
- 1 cup of roasted red pepper hummus
- 4 cups of organic spring mix
- 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken (Rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cups of the veggie mixture with dressing
- 4 tablespoons of full-fat feta cheese or goat cheese
Garnish (optional):
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of extra vinaigrette
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
The veggie mixture:
- 1/2 cup of peeled, sliced & quartered cucumber
- 1 cup of quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of peeled & diced red onion
- 1/4-1/3 cup of red wine vinaigrette
Instructions
- Create your homemade red wine vinaigrette (or save time and purchase from the store)
- Warm your naan bread in a skillet on the stove or a toaster oven, or broil your naan in your oven.
- While the bread is being warmed, chop your cucumber, tomatoes, and onion, and transfer to a medium-sized bowl. Then, pour your vinaigrette over the vegetables and coat well.
- Take your naan bread and pile on the hummus, spring mix, shredded chicken, veggie mix, and feta cheese.
- Then, garnish however you please!
- To prep for the week, don’t assemble your wrap until you’re ready to eat it.
So, the next time you have a busy week, try one of these 15 minute recipes out. Afterward, you might find that eating healthy as a travel nurse is totally doable! Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to cost a lot, require tons of equipment, or take up your limited free-time. And don’t worry, if you need more recipe ideas, just sign up for our email! We send weekly nurse-friendly recipes straight to your inbox. Click Here.
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