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Think Inside the Bowl: Quick ideas for busy season meals

Think Think Inside the Bowl: Rice bowls are quick, nutritious meal solutions for busy individuals. They offer customization, balanced nutrition, and simple preparation, with options like a Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl and Quick Bibimbap.

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Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Think Inside the Bowl

Think Inside the Bowl: Quick ideas for busy season meals

(Family Features) When life gets hectic, eating well can get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. A go-to meal option due to their simplicity, versatility and nutritional benefits, rice bowls provide a convenient and satisfying solution for parents, students and busy professionals juggling multiple responsibilities.

During busy season, they can be prepared quickly and are easy to customize to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs. Typically offering a balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein and vegetables, they ensure you and your loved ones get a wholesome meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

For example, this Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl offers a burst of Southwestern flavor in just 10 minutes. Featuring the zesty and natural flavors of Minute’s Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cups, it’s a canvas for creativity complete with juicy pinto beans, crisp corn and a vibrant mix of salsa. Ready in 1 minute, the BPA-free microwaveable cups are perfectly portioned and can be enjoyed as a meal right out of the container when crunched for time.

To customize your culinary creation, simply adjust the heat to your liking with a sprinkle of ancho chili powder or add a touch of creaminess with a generous helping of guacamole, dollop of sour cream or sprinkle of shredded cheese. To further transform your meal into a festive feast, pair your bowl with grilled chicken, tofu or a fresh green salad.

Or for a Korean twist, consider this Quick Bibimbap. Derived from the Korean terms “bibim,” which refers to mixing multiple ingredients, and “bap,” meaning rice, it starts with jasmine rice and is topped with kimchi, carrots, sauteed spinach, bean sprouts and a fried egg.

The dish, which is prepped and ready in 20 minutes, can be further customized with sauteed mushrooms, tofu, seared beef, pickled cucumbers and more, but sweet, buttery Minute Instant Jasmine Rice provides the fragrant, fluffy base. Ready in 5 minutes and known for its distinctive aromatic scent, it’s precooked then dried with nothing added but convenience so you can get a tasty meal made quickly.

Visit MinuteRice.com to find more meal ideas to conquer busy season.

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Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl

Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1

  • 1 Minute Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cup
  • 1/4 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup fresh or canned corn
  • 1/4 cup prepared salsa
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • tortilla chips
  1. Heat rice according to package directions.
  2. In medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine beans, corn, salsa and chili powder, if desired.
  3. Microwave on high 1 minute.
  4. Mix in rice. Place lettuce in bowl and top with rice and beans mixture. Garnish with sour cream, avocado and chopped cilantro, if desired.
  5. Serve with tortilla chips.
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Quick Bibimbap

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 2 cups Minute Instant Jasmine Rice
  • 1/4 cup canola oil, divided
  • 8 cups baby spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1 cup prepared kimchi, chopped
  • 4 eggs, fried
  • 4 teaspoons Sriracha
  • 4 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
  1. Prepare rice according to package directions.
  2. In large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Saute spinach, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper 3-5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Transfer to bowl and keep warm.
  3. Wipe out skillet. Heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry rice 3-5 minutes, or until slightly crisp. Stir in soy sauce and vinegar.
  4. Divide rice among four bowls. Top each serving with bean sprouts, carrots, kimchi and one fried egg. Drizzle with Sriracha and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

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SOURCE:

Minute Rice

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Top Tender Chicken with a Creamy Dressing for a Light, Refreshing Meal

On those days when you’re craving something fresh and don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking, salads are the ideal solution. This Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad unites savory, sweet, tangy and creamy flavors in a single bowl.

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Top Tender Chicken with a Creamy Dressing for a Light, Refreshing Meal

Top Tender Chicken with a Creamy Dressing for a Light, Refreshing Meal

(Feature Impact) On those days when you’re craving something fresh and don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking, salads are the ideal solution. They’re nutritious, easy to throw together and endlessly customizable so you can make them with the ingredients you have to suit the flavor profiles you prefer.

This Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad unites savory, sweet, tangy and creamy flavors in a single bowl. Crisp lettuce and tender spinach bring leafy green nutrients to the base of each salad. The juicy, slightly charred grilled chicken is seasoned, smoky and a good source of lean protein. Avocado slices, Greek yogurt and olive oil add rich, creamy textures and healthy fats, while cucumbers make each bite refreshing. Apple slices and grapes lend natural sweetness that complement the tangy honey-mustard dressing.

Light enough for lunch but filling enough for dinner, it’s a versatile salad packed with vegetables, fruits, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Make the recipe your own by switching to a different dressing or tossing in bonus toppings like walnuts, dried cranberries or cherry tomatoes. Plant-based home chefs can adapt by swapping to a different protein like tofu, tempeh or chickpeas and using non-dairy yogurt for the dressing.

Find more light yet filling salad solutions by visiting Culinary.net.

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Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad

Recipe adapted from Delish
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 2          boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each)
  • 1          teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1          teaspoon ground coriander
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3          romaine hearts, chopped
  • 3          cups spinach
  • 2          avocados, thinly sliced
  • 2          cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1          apple, thinly sliced
  • 1          cup grapes, halved

Creamy Honey-Dijon Dressing:

  • 3/4       cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2    tablespoons honey
  • 1          tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1          tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1          teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4       teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4       teaspoon salt
  • 1/8       teaspoon black pepper
  1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In medium bowl, sprinkle chicken with oregano, coriander and salt and pepper, to taste. Add oil then toss to coat.
  2. Grill chicken, covered, about 8 minutes per side, until slightly charred and registering 165 F on thermometer inserted into thickest part. Transfer to cutting board, let rest 5 minutes then thinly slice.
  3. Divide romaine, spinach, avocados, cucumbers, apples and grapes among bowls. Top with chicken.
  4. To make dressing: Whisk Greek yogurt, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and serve.
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SOURCE:

Culinary.net

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School Night Meals That Help Busy Families Share Time Together

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(Feature Impact) Weeknights often feel like a race against the clock. Busy families feel the squeeze from school pickups, homework and social commitments, but dinner remains one of the few opportunities for everyone to slow down, reconnect and share important moments together at the close of a hectic day.

With a little planning and convenient ingredients like Little Potatoes – which come pre-washed, require no peeling and are small enough that they don’t need to be cut – families can spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table.

For example, The Little Potato Company’s new A Little Homestyle Ranch Microwave Ready Kit serves up a favorite flavor in an easy-to-prepare side dish your whole family will love. Simply pop the steamable tray into the microwave for 5 minutes, sprinkle on the included ranch seasoning pack and enjoy without any prep or cleanup.

They’re also a perfect foundation for this easy, all-in-one Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes recipe. It’s ideal for busy weeknights as a balanced, flavorful meal that requires just 10 minutes of prep and minimal cleanup. Plus, you can customize with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zest.

If you’re in search of a simple side dish that can accompany a variety of family favorites, these flavor-filled Ranch Green Beans and Little Potatoes with Bacon are a great fit for a backyard barbecue or casual evening with your nearest and dearest.

To find more ways to bring loved ones together at the table throughout the school year, visit LittlePotatoes.com.

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Sheet Pan Chicken and Little Potatoes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4
 

  • 1 1/2    pounds Little Potatoes
  • 2          cups broccoli florets
  • 1          bell pepper
  • 1          red onion
  • 2          tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2-3       teaspoons of your favorite seasoning blend
  • 4          boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
  • lemon wedges (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. Slice Little Potatoes in half. Slice broccoli florets, bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In mixing bowl, toss veggies with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1-1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning.
  4. Spread veggies evenly on baking sheet.
  5. In same bowl, add chicken, remaining seasoning and remaining olive oil. Toss to combine then place chicken between veggies in single layer.
  6. Roast 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through to internal temperature of 165 F and potatoes are tender. Flip veggies and chicken halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
  7. Let chicken rest 2-3 minutes. Divide Little Potatoes, veggies and chicken into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
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Ranch Green Beans and Little Potatoes with Bacon

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

  • 1          package maple bacon
  • 1/2       pound fresh string beans, washed
  • 2          tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2       teaspoon rosemary
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1          package A Little Homestyle Ranch Microwave Ready Kit
  1. On stovetop, cook bacon until crispy, reserving 1/4 cup bacon grease. Crumble bacon and set aside.
  2. In same pan, add fresh string beans, bacon grease, olive oil, garlic powder and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute until soft.
  3. Peel back plastic on potatoes kit and microwave 5 minutes.
  4. Let potatoes cool 1-2 minutes and spread ranch seasoning over potatoes followed by bacon and string beans.
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SOURCE:

Little Potato Company

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Taco Bell Turns Back the Clock With Four Fan-Favorite Menu Items

Taco Bell is bringing back four customer favorites with its 2016-inspired Decades Menu: the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada. Here is what to know about prices, availability and special rewards offers.

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Taco Bell is bringing back four customer favorites with its 2016-inspired Decades Menu: the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada. Here is what to know about prices, availability and special rewards offers.
Taco Bell’s Decades #TBTB menu brings back the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Meximelt®, Beefy Crunch Burrito and Caramel Apple Empanada nationwide on August 20 for a limited time, with Taco Bell Rewards Members getting first bite of the Beefy Crunch Burrito starting today. Image Credit: Taco Bell

Taco Bell is serving up a taste of 2016 with the nationwide return of four nostalgic favorites, including the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada.

The limited-time lineup, officially called the Decades #TBTB Menu, arrived at participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on August 20. It marks the third installment of the chain’s Decades Menu campaign, which brings discontinued and memorable items back for another run.

Four familiar favorites return

Leading the 2016-inspired menu is the Naked Chicken Chalupa. Instead of a traditional tortilla, the item uses a crispy, seasoned all-white-meat chicken shell filled with cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes and Avocado Ranch Sauce.

The Naked Chicken Chalupa is priced at a suggested $5.99. It is also included in a $9 Discovery Luxe Box with a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, Crunchy Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink.

Also returning is the Beefy Crunch Burrito, a longtime fan favorite filled with seasoned beef, seasoned rice, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce and Flamin’ Hot Fritos. The burrito carries a suggested price of $2.79.

The Meximelt is back as well, combining seasoned beef, pico de gallo and a melted three-cheese blend inside a soft flour tortilla. Its suggested price is $2.99.

For dessert, Taco Bell has revived the Caramel Apple Empanada. The crispy pastry features warm apple pieces and caramel filling and is available for a suggested $2.99.

More than a menu revival

Taco Bell is leaning heavily into mid-2010s nostalgia beyond the food. The company is partnering with Anti Social Social Club, screen-free digital camera company Camp Snap and Divine, a six-second looping video platform inspired by the spirit of Vine.

On August 25, Taco Bell Rewards members will have an opportunity to enter a limited-time Tuesday Drop sweepstakes featuring 500 “2016 Starter Packs.” Each package includes a flannel shirt, cap and Camp Snap point-and-shoot digital camera.

Rewards members can also participate in an in-app scavenger hunt offering exclusive deals over three weeks, with a new offer scheduled each week between August 25 and September 14.

“For decades, Taco Bell has been woven into the lives of our fans, and there’s something special about revisiting the moments and experiences that made 2016 distinctly memorable,” Taco Bell North America Chief Marketing Officer Luis Restrepo said in the company’s announcement.

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Available for a limited time

The four returning items are available at participating U.S. Taco Bell restaurants for a limited time and while supplies last. Prices and participation may vary by location, and delivery orders may cost more.

For longtime customers, the promotion offers another opportunity to revisit some familiar flavors. For younger diners, it is a chance to discover why items such as the Beefy Crunch Burrito and Caramel Apple Empanada developed such loyal followings.

Which returning Taco Bell favorite would you order first? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for more food, restaurant and consumer news.

Source: Taco Bell Corp. press release, August 18, 2026.

Taco Bell Newsroom: Taco Bell Brings the 2016 Vibes Back to Fans Nationwide With Decades #TBTB Menu

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