Simple recipes for everyday life: delicious food without much effort
Kira Zabe
August 21, 2024
Mealtime shouldn't be complicated - it can be simple, delicious and stress-free. If you're looking for simple recipes to enrich your everyday life, you've come to the right place. In this article, we present some delicious dishes that can be prepared with little effort. Whether you're looking for quick dinner ideas or want to prepare a meal for guests, you'll find the inspiration you need here.
Key ingredients for simple and delicious meals
To make simple yet delicious meals, there are some key ingredients you should have in your kitchen. Here are some of them:
Spices:Spices are key to adding flavor to simple dishes. You can experiment with spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and herbs such as basil, oregano and parsley.
Olive oil:Olive oil is a versatile and healthy oil that can be used in many simple recipes. It can be used for frying, sautéing or salad dressings.
Citrus fruits:Lemons and limes are great ingredients to add freshness and acidity to dishes. You can use them to season salads, meat or fish.
Vegetables:Fresh vegetables are a must for healthy and simple meals. Choose seasonal vegetables and prepare them in a simple way, e.g. by steaming or roasting.
Legumes:Legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber. They can be used as the main ingredient in salads, soups or as a side dish to other dishes.These key ingredients can serve as the basis for many simple recipes and are affordable and readily available. Try out different combinations and discover your own taste.
Breakfast recipes for stressful mornings
Mornings can be hectic and there's often not much time for a proper breakfast. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on a nutritious and delicious start to the day. Here are some simple breakfast recipes that you can prepare in just a few minutes:
- Quick oatmeal with berries
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats1 cup almond milk (or another plant-based milk)A handful of fresh berries (e.g. strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)Honey or agave syrup to sweeten (optional)A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Heat the rolled oats and almond milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil.Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft.Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl.Garnish with fresh berries and sweeten with honey or agave syrup to taste.Optionally sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon.Enjoy your quick and healthy breakfast!
2. Avocado toast with egg
Ingredients:
1 slice of wholemeal bread1 ripe avocado1 eggSalt and pepper to tasteFresh herbs to garnish (e.g. coriander or parsley)
Instructions:
Toast the wholemeal bread.In the meantime, cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and mash the flesh with a fork.Spread the mashed avocado evenly over the toasted bread.Heat some oil in a pan and fry an egg.Carefully place the fried egg on top of the avocado.Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh herbs to taste.A simple and delicious breakfast is ready!
3. Yoghurt with muesli and fruit
Ingredients:
1 pot of natural yogurtA handful of muesli (e.g. oat flakes, nuts, dried fruit)A handful of fresh fruit (e.g. bananas, berries, apples)Honey or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
Instructions:
Pour the natural yogurt into a bowl.Sprinkle with muesli and fresh fruit.Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.Enjoy your simple and healthy breakfast!
Recipes for an evening meal
After a long day at work, you may not want to spend much time in the kitchen, but you still want to enjoy a delicious dinner. Here are some simple recipes for a quick yet delicious meal:
- Stir-fried vegetables with rice
Ingredients:
Vegetables of choice (e.g. bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, broccoli)1 cup cooked ricesoy sauceGinger and garlic (optional)Salt and pepper to tasteOil for frying
Instructions:
Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the vegetables.Add ginger and garlic to taste and fry.Add the cooked rice and stir well.Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.Continue frying until the vegetables are cooked and the rice is hot.A quick and healthy dinner is ready!
2. Pasta with tomato sauce
Ingredients:
200 g pasta of your choice1 tin of chopped tomatoes1 onion, choppedGarlic cloves, choppedolive oilDried herbs (e.g. basil, oregano)Salt and pepper to tasteParmesan cheese to garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.Heat a little olive oil in a separate pan and sauté the chopped onion.Add the chopped garlic and fry briefly.Add the chopped tomatoes and dried herbs.Season with salt and pepper and allow the sauce to simmer until it has thickened a little.Drain the cooked pasta and add to the tomato sauce.Stir well and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.A simple and delicious dinner is ready!
3. Grilled chicken with vegetables
Ingredients:
Chicken breast filletsVegetables of your choice (e.g. peppers, zucchinis, mushrooms)olive oillemon juiceSalt and pepper to tasteFresh herbs to garnish (e.g. rosemary, thyme)
Instructions:
Marinate the chicken breast fillets with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and the desired herbs.Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.Grill the marinated chicken and vegetables on a grill or in a grill pan.Turn regularly until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are lightly browned.Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.A simple and delicious dinner is ready to serve!
Snacks and desserts that require little effort
Sometimes we just want to treat ourselves to a snack or enjoy a quick snack or dessert. Here are some simple recipes that require little effort:
- Hummus with vegetable sticks
Ingredients:
1 tin of chickpeas2 cloves of garlic, choppedJuice of one lemonolive oilSalt and pepper to tasteVegetable sticks of your choice (e.g. carrots, cucumber, peppers)
Instructions:
Rinse and drain the chickpeas.Place in a blender with the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.Puree until smooth.Serve the hummus with vegetable sticks.A healthy and delicious snack is ready!
2. Simple fruit salad
Ingredients:
A selection of fresh fruit (e.g. apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi)Juice of one lemonHoney or maple syrup to sweeten (optional)Fresh mint to garnish
Instructions:
Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl.Drizzle the lemon juice over the fruit to prevent oxidation.Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.Stir well and garnish with fresh mint.A refreshing and simple dessert is ready!
3. Banana ice cream
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional)Chocolate chips or chopped nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Peel and slice the bananas.Place the banana slices in a sealable plastic bag and freeze until firm (about 2 hours).Place the frozen banana slices in a blender and blend until a creamy consistency is achieved.Add peanut butter if desired and blend again.Pour the banana ice cream into a bowl and garnish with chocolate chips or chopped nuts as desired.A simple and delicious dessert is ready!
Meal planning and cooking in small batches for greater convenience
Meal planning and cooking in small batches can save you a lot of time and effort. Here are some tips on how you can simplify your cooking routine:
Create a weekly meal plan:Plan in advance which dishes you want to prepare in the coming week. This will save you time when shopping and you will always know what you are going to cook next.Use leftovers:If you cook larger quantities, you can use the leftovers for later meals. For example, you can use leftover chicken for salads or sandwiches the next day.Cook in batches:Prepare larger quantities of certain dishes and freeze them in individual portions. This way, you always have a quick and tasty meal to hand when you're short on time.Simplify your ingredients list:Choose recipes that require few ingredients to simplify shopping and preparation. Also use ready-made products or pre-cut vegetables to save time.Use kitchen appliances and cooking utensils that make your life easier:A pressure cooker or Instant Pot can cut down on preparation time, while a good knife block and chopping board make cutting ingredients easier.
By planning your meals in advance, using leftovers and cooking in batches, you can simplify your cooking routine and bring more convenience to your everyday life.
Conclusion: Simplicity in the kitchen
Our simple recipes are perfect for people who don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen but still don't want to miss out on delicious food. From hearty pasta dishes to healthy salads and sweet desserts - we have something for everyone.
Whether you're an experienced cook or a beginner, our recipes are easy to follow and quick to make. It's time to simplify cooking and focus on the joy of eating. Leave the stress behind and enjoy delicious dishes without much effort. Try it today!
Get ready to pleasure your taste buds and try out our simple recipes. You'll be surprised how much flavor you can achieve with little effort. Enjoy your meal!
New version in open beta: What’s inside Smantry V1.25.0
We are continuously working to make Smantry even clearer, more stable, and more helpful in everyday life. That’s why we’re excited to give you a look at the next version:
Version 1.25.0 is now available in open beta.
We’re currently checking the last remaining points – if everything looks good, the update will be released very soon for all users.
Here are the most important new features.
New settings area with profile overview
The settings have been revised and made clearer.
In the new profile sectionyou’ll now find all the key information about your account in one central place – from language settings and premium features to account settings.
This way you can more quickly see which features are enabled and manage your settings more easily.
Blog preview directly on the dashboard
From now on, you’ll get the latest blog posts displayed directly in the dashboard.
This keeps you up to date on new features, updates, and tips related to Smantry at all times. The blog preview serves as a handy add-on and gives you a quick overview of news, helpful tips, and important posts about the app.
Articles are automatically merged when moved
A small but very helpful improvement:
When you move an item to another storage location and an identical item already exists there, the quantities are now merged automatically.
This ensures:
- more clarity
- fewer duplicate entries
- a cleaner inventory list
Simplified onboarding
New users in particular should be able to find their way around Smantry quickly. That’s why the onboarding process has been revised and simplified.
Getting started in the app is now even more clearly structured and guides you step by step through the most important features.
Improved email verification
We’ve also made some important improvements behind the scenes.
The email verification process has been optimized, so new accounts can be confirmed more reliably.
This ensures a more stable sign-up process and fewer issues during registration.
Additional bug fixes
In addition, various minor issues have been fixed, including the following:
- Account links
- Navigation within the app
Our goal is to make Smantry a bit more stable and pleasant with every update.
Now in open beta
Version 1.25.0 is already running in the open beta.
As soon as the final tests have been successfully completed, the update will be rolled out to all users shortly.
Many thanks to everyone in the community who regularly sends us feature requests, feedback, and bug reports. You’re helping us make Smantry better step by step. 💚
Smantry: Not perfect – but made with a lot of heart
Many of our users write to us that theyhave been looking for exactly this kind of app for a long time. At the same time, we also read reviews that say:“Good idea, but …”
And that’s exactly what we want to talk about openly today.
An app for everyday life – not for perfection
Smantry is designed to make everyday life easier: manage groceries, stay on top of things, waste less.
Your feedback shows us that this is already working well for many of you:
- Inputs are quick and straightforward
- The scanner reliably detects most products
- Editing and making changes is easy
- Our support is perceived as fast, friendly, and solution-oriented
We’re really glad to hear that – because that’s exactly what we’re building Smantry for.
Why some things are (still) not perfect
What you often don’t see from the outside: Smantry is developed by a very small team.
Right now we are 5 people, and none of us works full-time on the app. We do this alongside other projects, jobs, and commitments – with a lot of passion, but limited resources.
That doesn’t explain everything, but it provides context:
- Some functions take longer
- Technical issues (e.g. with premium activations) unfortunately happen sometimes
- Not every idea can be implemented right away
Frequently asked questions from your reviews
Why a subscription?
The subscription allows us to cover server costs, ongoing development, updates, and support in the first place. Without continuous revenue, Smantry would not be able to exist in the long term.
"Why isn’t the bug I reported being fixed?"
Sometimes there are several bugs at the same time and we have to prioritize the ones that affect core functions. That can mean that a different bug gets fixed first. We always try to resolve everything quickly – but unfortunately we can only do it step by step.
Why doesn’t Premium sometimes work right away?
Subscriptions are managed through the app stores. In rare cases, synchronization issues can occur. That’s annoying, but not intentional – our support team will always help you with this personally.
Where we want to go
Smantry is meant to get better – not just on paper, but in real everyday life.
This includes:
- more features from the web app
- better stability
- more flexibility with categories
- clearer communication
Your feedback plays a central role in this.
In conclusion
We’re not a corporation.
We’re a small team that believes in a good idea and is putting it into practice step by step.
If Smantry is helping you – even if everything isn’t perfect yet – we really appreciate your trust, your feedback, and of course a fair rating in the App Store 💛
Thank you for being part of this development.
Power outage in Berlin: Why preparation and prepping are more important today than ever
An unexpected power outage in Berlin has recently shown how quickly our daily life can become unbalanced. Traffic lights went out, card payments stopped working, and many households were suddenly without light, internet, or cooking facilities. Such events highlight: emergency preparedness and prepping are not about spreading panic, but rather a sensible and responsible preparation for real risks.
Power Outage – A Real Risk for Major Cities
Whether it's technical malfunctions, construction work, or extreme weather conditions: A Blackout or regional power outage can occur at any time. Especially in large cities like Berlin, the effects are immediately noticeable. Without electricity, many basic systems no longer function – from supermarkets to ATMs to communication.
The most important question is:
Am I prepared for this?
Prepping: Preparedness instead of fear
Prepping does not mean preparing for apocalyptic scenarios. Rather, it's about everyday readiness:
- remain capable of acting
- be able to provide for the family
- Reduce stress and uncertainty
- not be immediately dependent on external help
The power outage in Berlin demonstrates: Just a few hours without electricity can cause major problems.
Stockpiling food as a key to emergency preparedness
A well-thought-out food supply is the foundation of any emergency preparedness. Experts recommend having supplies for at least 7 to 14 days. These include:
- non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods
- Drinking water
- long shelf-life snacks
- Baby food or special diet
- off-grid cooking options (e.g., gas stoves)
Yet many households quickly lose track: What's available? What's missing? What's about to expire?
Digital preparation with the Smantry App
Here comes the Smantry App into play – your digital companion for prepping, preparation, and stockpiling. The app helps you to plan your supplies in a structured way and to keep track at all times.
With the Smantry App you can:
- Easily capture food supplies digitally
- Define minimum quantities for emergencies
- Monitor expiration dates and prevent food waste
- prepare specifically for power outages, blackouts, and crises
- Integrating prepping step by step into daily life
This makes emergency preparedness simple, transparent, and efficient.
Prepare now instead of improvising later:
👉 Download the Smantry App and start your digital emergency preparedness today.
Power outage in Berlin as a wake-up call
The power outage in Berlin was an eye-opener for many people. It demonstrates how quickly familiar structures can collapse – and how important it is to be prepared. Those who take precautions in time remain calm, safe, and independent.
Conclusion: Take precautions now instead of reacting later
Power outages, supply shortages, and crises are part of the reality of our time. With a well-thought-out food stockpiling and digital tools like the Smantry App you can make your emergency preparedness simple and effective.
👉 Start your preparation now
Download the Smantry App and gradually build up your personal emergency preparedness – before the next power outage occurs.
Discover the app now and be prepared.
🍂 Cozy Autumn Leftover Cooking – Comfort dishes made from what's available
When the rain taps on the window and the tea cup becomes a permanent guest, the most beautiful kitchen time of the year begins: autumn. And what could be a better match than stylish leftover cooking – dishes that are not only sustainable but also truly exciting.
Autumn leftover cooking means: use instead of waste, but with a touch of sophistication. Here are some more unusual ideas to turn leftovers into small culinary highlights.
🧀 1. Pumpkin Gnocchi from leftover roasted vegetables
Do you have some leftover roasted pumpkin or sweet potato from the day before? Perfect!
Mash the vegetables, mix them with some flour, salt, and grated Parmesan, shape them into small gnocchi, and briefly cook them in salted water until they float to the surface. Then toss them in sage butter and top with chopped walnuts.
→ Tastes like Italy, looks like fine dining – and it's all made from leftovers!
🥖 2. Rustic bread salad with grapes and goat cheese
Tear stale bread into pieces, toast in olive oil until golden brown.
Add a few grapes (wrinkled ones are especially sweet), arugula or lamb's lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, and roasted hazelnuts. Mix with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard.
→ A fall twist on the classic Panzanella – sweet, salty, crunchy, perfect!
🧅 3. French onion tart with leftover vegetables and puff pastry
Got some leftover puff pastry in the fridge? Make a tart out of it!
Caramelize onions in butter, add some leftover vegetables (e.g., leeks, mushrooms, or spinach). Spread on the pastry, top with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese, and bake until golden brown.
→ Wonderfully aromatic, especially with thyme or rosemary.
🍎 4. Apple Sourdough French Toast with Vanilla Rum Butter
A piece of stale sourdough bread is soaked in a mixture of milk, egg, vanilla, and a dash of rum, fried in a pan, and served with fried apple slices and a rum butter.
→ Luxurious, yet made entirely from leftovers – perfect for a Sunday breakfast in pajamas.
🥬 5. Risotto made from leftover vegetables with lemon and herb oil
Chop the vegetable scraps finely and cook with a handful of rice into a creamy risotto.
A dash of lemon juice and some leftover herbs (parsley, basil, arugula) blended with oil make a fresh herb oil as a topping.
→ The acidity of the lemon beautifully enhances the earthy autumnal notes.
☕️ Bonus Tip: Using leftovers in a dessert glass
A few spoons of leftover compote?
Some leftover cake or cookies?
Layer it all with yogurt or mascarpone in a glass – and you have an autumnal "trifle" that looks like it came straight from a café in Copenhagen.
🍁 Conclusion
Autumnal leftover cooking is not a last resort, but a playground for creativity. When you look at ingredients with open eyes – not as leftovers, but as opportunities – small, exquisite dishes full of soul and flavor emerge.