What should I cook today? Recipe of the day (Tuesday, November 11, 2025)

It's the agonizing question that arises almost daily after work: What should I cook today? Pasta, pizza, a casserole, or perhaps a simple, hearty snack? There are plenty of options; often it's the sheer number of dishes that drives many a tired worker to despair.

To take the burden of decision off your shoulders, here is our daily recipe for you to try – sometimes unusual, sometimes simple. The main thing is that it's delicious.

Chocolate is often considered unhealthy, but it frequently lifts the spirits. That's certainly a good reason to enjoy the sweet treat in the morning. In this installment of her column "Manufaktur," Helene Kilb reveals how you can easily make a healthier chocolate spread at home.

Our recipe of the day doesn't fit into your meal plan? Further down in the article you'll find plenty of other ideas to try, whether quick and easy, healthy, or especially popular with children.

Quick and easy meals are what many people agree on, especially during a stressful work week. These quick recipes offer an ideal solution for anyone short on time but still wanting to put something delicious and nutritious on the table. From light salads to hearty stir-fries, here are some meal ideas that can be prepared in no time:

Tomato soup

1. Chop the onion and garlic and fry them in oil.
2. Dice the tomatoes, add them to the pot and let everything simmer.
3. Stir in tomato paste, water and vegetable broth, season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar.
4. Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender. Then refine with crème fraîche and basil.

Scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes

1. Whisk the eggs and fry them in a pan with a little oil.
2. Add spinach (fresh or frozen) and diced tomatoes.
3. Season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg.

Wraps with chicken and vegetables

1. Cut the chicken breast into strips and fry in a pan.
2. Briefly warm the wraps in a pan or microwave.
3. Fill with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and the fried chicken.
4. Drizzle with yogurt or a light sauce, if desired.

Tomato and mozzarella salad

1. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
2. Arrange on a plate and garnish with basil leaves.
3. Season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

Pasta with pesto

1. Cook the pasta.
2. Mix in a bowl with ready-made pesto (basil, tomato or of your choice).
3. Optionally garnish with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

Avocado toast

1. Toast the bread.
2. Mash the avocado and spread it on the bread.
3. Season with salt, pepper, chili flakes and a squeeze of lemon juice. Optionally top with a fried egg or tomato slices.

Fried rice with egg

1. Fry cooked rice (ideally from the day before) in a pan.
2. Add vegetables (e.g. peas, carrots) and soy sauce.
3. Crack an egg into the pan and mix it into the rice.
4. Garnish with spring onions.

When children are at the dinner table, choosing the right menu can be a challenge. Many kids aren't exactly enthusiastic about vegetables, but with the right recipes, you can cleverly incorporate vitamins and essential nutrients. These recipes are suitable for picky eaters and will add variety to their meals:

Spaghetti with tomato sauce

A classic dish that almost all children love. With fresh tomatoes, some vegetables hidden in the sauce, and whole-wheat pasta, it becomes a balanced meal.

Homemade chicken nuggets

Children love the crispy texture and mild flavor. Homemade versions are a healthier alternative to store-bought ones, especially when baked in the oven.

Mini pizzas

Children can help with the topping, which makes eating even more exciting. With whole-wheat dough and plenty of vegetables as toppings, the pizza becomes a nutritious meal.

vegetable pancakes

Pancakes are popular with children, and when mixed with grated vegetables such as carrots or zucchini, they become not only colorful but also healthy.

Mac and cheese with cauliflower

Mac and cheese is a children's favorite, and the addition of pureed cauliflower makes the sauce creamier and more nutritious without changing the taste.

Stuffed peppers

These colorful, small bell peppers are kid-friendly and can be stuffed with a mixture of rice, vegetables, and cheese. Delicious and visually appealing.

Don't stress!

For some it's a hobby, for others an annoying daily routine: cooking isn't everyone's joy, yet it still requires time and effort. Those who still want to eat delicious and healthy meals can use a few tips to minimize the effort.

• Choose simple recipes

Choose recipes with few ingredients and simple preparation steps. Dishes like salads, sandwiches, or pasta with a quick sauce can be prepared without much effort.

Plan your meals for the week in advance and prepare larger quantities. This way you only have to cook once and have food for several days.

Appliances like slow cookers, multicookers, or microwaves can save you a lot of work. You simply throw in the ingredients and let the appliance do the rest.

• Choose ready meals wisely

There are now many healthy ready-made meals that do without preservatives or additives. Pay attention to the ingredient list and choose meals that contain plenty of vegetables and little sugar.

• Focus on simple snacks

Fruit, nuts, yogurt and raw vegetables with dip are quick and healthy snacks that require little preparation.

If you find it difficult to cook regularly, you can also get help from delivery services or family members. Sometimes it can also help to cook together with others to discover the fun of it.

• Learn simple combinations

Learn a few basic recipes or simple combinations that you can vary again and again. For example: rice with vegetables and a protein source (such as chicken or tofu) or a quick vegetable stir-fry.

• use frozen foods and canned goods

Frozen vegetables and fruit, or canned goods like beans and tomatoes, are already cut and washed and ready to use. They save time while still providing plenty of nutrients.

• Use the right spices

Good spices can add a lot of flavor to even simple dishes without requiring you to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. A small collection of your favorite spices can make cooking considerably easier.

Anyone who wants to be at the forefront of food trends can't ignore the social media platform TikTok. "Baked Feta Pasta," "Dalgona Iced Coffee," and "Green Goddess" are just a few of the recipes that have garnered millions of clicks on the network. Here's a selection of TikTok food trends and how to prepare them:

Dalgona Coffee

Green Goddess

This salad is taking over social media

Salmon Rice Bowl

Instant ramen

When things need to be done quickly

Cucumber salad

hype on social media

Baked Feta Pasta