As a Gen X’er I reside firmly in the facebook cohort and value it mostly for keeping us connected with our friends on the other side of the pond.

Right now friends’ feeds are peppered with images of back to school pictures, an annual and customary first day image of grinning girls and boys outside their houses and classrooms clutching their new backpacks and sporting a summer tan. Some of the older ones have already been settled in their new dorms at college, ready for an exciting year away from home.

Since our summer break in England lasts a mere 6 weeks and always runs into September, the new school year still seems a little way off. In an effort to get ahead I’m planning to incorporate at least one of the following recipes weekly. Having our very own Zen Multi-Cooker Spice blends to hand makes the transition to the new school year even easier.

We’ve selected our top 5 back to school recipes to get you off to a flying start, whether you’re a parent, a Freshman in college, or looking for inspiration. The recipes are meat and plant based with prep times varying from 5-15 minutes. The newcomer to the blog is Mac and Cheese 3 ways, a familiar comfort food staple and all done in minutes.

Recipe #1  Mac and Cheese – comfort food served straight up or with fancy toppings

5 – 10 minute prep

Print Recipe

Mac n Cheese

Pressure Cook: Prep Time: 5-10m , Cook Time: 6m, Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 10 oz / 2 1/2 cups dry macaroni
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp english mustard
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter
• 85 g / 3 oz cream cheese
• 80 ml / 1/3 cup milk
• 150 g / 5oz / 1 1/2 cups shredded strong / mature cheddar

Instructions

• Add macaroni, water, mustard, salt, pepper and butter to the instant pot. Stir well so that the mustard is combined.
• Set timer for 6 minutes on high pressure.
• Release pressure on QPR and stir in the cream cheese until it is combined
• Stir in the milk slowly until blended
• Stir in the cheddar
• Add more milk if needed

Toppings

• Truffled: drizzle with truffle oil, a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly milled black pepper
• Bacon Lovers: top with crispy fried pancetta 
• Add a garlicky herby crunch: sauté a crushed clove of garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil a saucepan, add a half cup of breadcrumbs with a 1 tsp Italian herbs. When lightly brown sprinkle the breadcrumbs mixture over the mac and cheese

Recipe #2  Hot Chicken Avocado Sandwiches and more….– leftovers for another supper & packed lunches

10m prep time

Recipe #3  Tomato red lentil soup – store cupboard quick fix plant based and protein packed

10 m prep time

Recipes #4 & 5  Who doesn’t love Bolognese sauce or Taco Chili? Vegetarian and meat alternatives.
Tagliatelle Bolognese  and Taco Chili

15 m prep time

Buy One Get One Free! To try this recipe using our Provençale blend head on over to the shop here and receive a gift from Zen of a spice blend of your choice. ** valid throughout the months of August and September using the code BOGOF19

Zen Moment

Author’s Note

Our friend Katie Sullivan Morford has a new cookbook Prep,  the essential guide to getting started in the kitchen. A great gift the freshman in your life!