We’ve all been there at least once. You come home from work, completely drained after a long day, the commute still lingering in your body, and all you want is to collapse onto the sofa, put on something mindless, or scroll through your phone, snacking on whatever’s within reach: a bag of chips, some leftover cookies, maybe a ready-made meal that just needs heating up. Some kind of comfort food to help you decompress. The idea of cooking something nourishing feels like a task too far.
And yet, eating well is so important, I’d even say essential. Over time, I’ve found a few tricks and easy recipes that don’t require much, just a bit of creativity and whatever happens to be left in the fridge. These are the kinds of dishes you can throw together in minutes, that feel comforting but are still wholesome, simply because they’re homemade. Because yes, I truly believe not all calories are created equal. A pizza made at home (or by a skilled pizzaiolo) is worlds apart, nutritionally and otherwise, from one grabbed at a fast-food chain. And that’s okay, there’s no need to vilify certain foods. What really matters is balance, moderation, and choosing homemade over ultra-processed whenever possible. I hope you’ll enjoy these recipes, they’re meant to be a little moment of pleasure at the end of a long day :). And I think I might share more like this in the future. I’d love to know what you think.
1. My Homemade Flatbreads
This first recipe is as simple as it is delicious. I often make it in the evening, when I’m craving something comforting and satisfying, but don’t have the energy for a full meal. These quick, no-rise, no-oven flatbreads require just a handful of pantry staples: flour, baking powder, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Nothing fancy, just ingredients we almost always have on hand. The recipe makes about 6 to 8 small flatbreads, depending on how big you shape them.
- 400 g flour
- 1/2 packet of baking powder (I use the Alsa brand: 1 packet per 500g of flour. Half a packet is approximately 5.5g, or about 1¼ teaspoons. Be sure to check the instructions on your brand of baking powder for accurate measurements.)
- 220 ml lukewarm water
- 1 tsp salt
- Olive oil (for cooking)
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the lukewarm water, stirring until the dough comes together. It should be soft and smooth, adjust with a little more water or flour if needed. Divide the dough into small balls about the size of a mandarin, then gently flatten each one. Heat a little olive oil in a skillet and cook the flatbreads for about 3 minutes on each side, until golden and lightly puffed.
I usually pair these flatbreads with whatever I have in the fridge. Some of my go-tos: a homemade guacamole with tomatoes, avocado, onion or shallot, lemon juice, and coriander (plus my secret touch: a dash of balsamic vinegar). Or thinly sliced tomatoes with a little garlic, olive oil, and sea salt. Or with a bit of beef quickly seared in butter and served with a spoonful of mustard. The beauty of these flatbreads is that you can dress them up however you like, just follow your mood and your cravings :).
2. Quick Croque-Monsieur
A quick, delicious take on the classic croque-monsieur, perfect for a last-minute dinner or a simple, satisfying lunch. It comes together in minutes with just a few everyday ingredients, and you can easily make it your own. For 4 croques, here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 slices of sandwich bread (whole grain or seeded bread works beautifully)
- 4 slices of cooked ham
- Cream cheese, such as Philadelphia
- Grated Emmental cheese
Generously spread cream cheese over all 8 slices of bread. On 4 of the slices, layer one slice of ham and a good handful of grated Emmental. Close the sandwich with the remaining bread slices, cream cheese side down, so it melts into the cheese. Arrange the croques on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 200°C/392°F (fan setting) for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden and crispy.
3. Scrambled Eggs à la Francaise
A timeless classic of French breakfasts, or light, comforting dinners. Soft, creamy, and delicately seasoned, these scrambled eggs are all about slow, gentle cooking. The kind that invites you to slow down with them :).
- 6 eggs
- A small knob of butter
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
- A pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A touch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly with a fork until smooth. Add the cream and stir to combine. In a non-stick pan, melt the butter over very low heat. Pour in the eggs and stir constantly with a wooden spatula, moving in gentle figure-eights. As soon as the eggs begin to set but are still creamy and soft, remove the pan from the heat. Continue stirring, the residual warmth will finish cooking them to perfection. Season with salt, pepper, and, if you like, a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. I sometimes add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, tarragon or chives are my favorites.
4. Green Tabbouleh
This is truly one of my favorite recipes. It does take a bit of prep, mainly chopping all the herbs and cooking the bulgur, but once that’s done, it’s simply a matter of mixing and seasoning. Fresh, vibrant, nourishing… it’s the kind of dish I crave when the days turn warm. For 2 people, here’s what you’ll need:
- 200 g bulgur wheat
- 2 small red onions
- 1 tomato
- 30 g fresh coriander
- 30 g fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 150 g feta cheese
- Juice of 3 to 4 limes (adjust to taste)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Cook the bulgur in a large pot of unsalted boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. While the bulgur cooks, finely chop the coriander, parsley, and tomato. Thinly slice the red onions. Dice the feta into small cubes. Once the bulgur has cooled, combine everything in a large bowl: bulgur, herbs, tomato, red onion, and feta. Drizzle generously with olive oil and squeeze in the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, then toss gently to combine. Serve chilled, it’s perfect on its own or as a light, summery side.
5. My Little Breaded Chicken Bites
I absolutely love this recipe, and I think my partner might love it even more! It’s wonderfully simple, crispy, and always comforting. It calls for just a few ingredients, but it never fails to please. For 2 to 4 people (depending on your appetite), here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 chicken fillets (organic if possible)
- Flour
- Breadcrumbs (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 eggs
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil or sunflower oil (for cooking)
In one shallow bowl, crack the eggs and beat them lightly with a fork. In another shallow bowl, combine equal parts flour and breadcrumbs. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Cut the chicken fillets into small bite-sized pieces, or however you prefer. Dip each piece first into the beaten egg, then coat it well in the flour and breadcrumb mixture. Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Once hot, cook the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve warm, with a squeeze of lemon juice, a creamy herb sauce (crème fraîche with chives, parsley, or coriander), or simply a bit of ketchup.
6. My Sunshine Tartines
This is one of those recipes I love to make when I don’t have much time, but still want something delicious and satisfying. It’s quick, unfussy, and calls for just a few simple ingredients. Perfect for those days when you have a loaf of rustic bread that’s gone a little dry. Here, I use mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, cured ham, and basil, but feel free to swap in whatever you have on hand. It’s a wonderfully forgiving recipe. For 4 tartines you’ll need:
- 4 slices of country-style bread
- 4 slices of cured ham (Parma, Serrano, or another dry-cured variety)
- 4 tomatoes
- 1 large ball of mozzarella
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Coarse sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Drizzle the slices of bread with a little olive oil and place them on a baking sheet. Wash the tomatoes and slice them into rounds. Drain the mozzarella and slice it as well. Layer the tomato slices onto the bread, season with salt and pepper, and scatter over a few torn basil leaves. Add a slice of cured ham to each tartine, followed by a few slices of mozzarella. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and lightly golden. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a simple green salad, or just as they are. A little taste of sunshine, whatever the season :).
7. Herb-Sautéed Potatoes
We all have a few potatoes lying around in the back of the cupboard. And when you’re craving something comforting but still homemade, what could be better than a simple pan of golden, herb-scented sautéed potatoes? This recipe is wonderfully easy and requires next to nothing, just a bit of time :). Allow about 45 minutes for cooking. Once they’re in the pan, you can go about your evening, just don’t forget to stir them now and then so they brown evenly. For 2 people, here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 kg potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (chives, parsley, basil) or a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- Coarse sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Wash the potatoes and cut them in halves or quarters, depending on size and preference. In a large skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the potatoes and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to ensure they brown evenly. Once they’re golden and crisp on the outside, cover the pan and reduce the heat to very low. Let them cook slowly until tender all the way through (around 10 minutes). Meanwhile, rinse and finely chop the fresh herbs. Just before serving, sprinkle the potatoes with the chopped herbs (or a bit of nutmeg), a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. Serve warm, perhaps with a spoonful of mayonnaise or a little ketchup, depending on your mood.
