Meals Ready in 30 Minutes or Less & What I Cooked Last Week

Five Recipes for When You’re Short on Time, Korean BBQ Bowl, Coconut Matcha, The Crispiest Bacon, Greek Chicken Bowl

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re having a great week! Doug and I are soaking up our last few weeks in New York. It’s been such a fun stretch, catching up with friends and trying tons of great new restaurants. Last week we went to Semma, which was just named the number one restaurant by the New York Times. It was delicious, and we both agreed the dosa was the best we’ve ever had. The potato filling reminded us of a samosa, and the dosa itself had the perfect texture, almost like a crispy crêpe. We also had the lamb chops, tiger prawns, and lobster tail, all of which were amazing. I’m not sure it was our absolute top meal in the city (how do you live up to being ranked number one?!), but we really enjoyed it.

The best dosa! Hand for scale lol

We’ve also been frequenting Radio Bakery for their amazing focaccia sandwiches. Lately, I’ve been going for the scallion cream cheese breakfast sandwich instead of the smoked salmon one. It’s so simple and tastes like the best bagel you’ve ever had. For lunch on the weekends, we’ve been loving Acre, a daytime Japanese spot in Greenpoint. Their bento boxes with rice, veggies, and chicken or salmon are so delicious.

We’re off to LA on Sunday for July and August and can’t wait to be back and see our friends there (we miss them!). This longer New York stay has been really special—it’s the first time we’ve felt truly settled here. I think finding our go-to spots has made it feel more like home.

Today I’m sharing five recipes I make on repeat when I’m short on time but still want a home-cooked meal. As some of you know, I worked a 9 to 5 in tech for almost a decade before getting laid off and finally going all in on Maxi’s Kitchen. So I know what it’s like to come home after a long day and still need to figure out dinner. These recipes are quick, but they don’t sacrifice flavor. Each one suits a different mood, whether you’re craving something fresh and nourishing like a hearty salad, or leaning into something more indulgent like buttery noodles. I hope they make your weeknight dinners easier and more delicious!

But first, here’s what I cooked last week, starting with this 20-minute Korean BBQ bowl. It’s balanced and satisfying, with sweet-soy flavored beef, crunchy kimchi, and simple steamed broccoli, all served over rice to soak everything up.

What I Cooked Last Week! ↓

Korean BBQ Bowl

This bowl is inspired by the flavors of Korean BBQ, something I had countless times growing up in a part-Korean household.

You can download the PDF recipe above and watch the video here :)

Korean Bbq Bowl

73.5KB ∙ PDF file

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Five Meals Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

When you’re cooking for one…

make a Healthy Rice Paper Egg Wrap (10 minutes)

This one’s super quick and easy. I usually make it for lunch, but it also works great for dinner. Since you make one wrap at a time, it’s perfect for a solo meal. The rice paper crisps up in the pan, giving the egg a nice chew, and you can switch up the filling however you like. Try sautéed mushrooms or thinly sliced cabbage with a sesame-style dressing, or just toss in a handful of fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and/or mint. I usually roll it up and eat it with my hands like a wrap, but a fork and knife work too.

When it’s the peak of summer and you don’t want to turn on the oven or stove…

make my Mom’s Mediterranean Chopped Salad (30 minutes)

This is one of my favorite hearty salads. A friend of mine just told me she brought it to a potluck gathering since she was on salad duty, and everyone was raving about it. It’s such a crowd-pleaser! Think of it as a cross between an Italian chopped salad and a Greek salad, packed with tons of veggies (romaine, radicchio, cucumber, tomatoes) and protein (chickpeas, salami, cheese). Perfect for a light summer dinner, but still incredibly satisfying.

When you want a healthy dinner with lots of veggies…