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What’s For Dinner?
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DEL.ICIO.USWhat are your best dinnertime shortcuts?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Kessler interviewed three women chefs for their advice on finding time to cook at home after a long day at work (which is most days for many of us).
Whether you cook professionally, like the women in this story, or work in some other form (including being a full-time mom or dad), when it comes to getting meals on the table there’s no doubt about it, it’s always a challenge.
It would seem that I have it easy. Although my job involves testing several recipes a week for the AJC Food & Drink section, most days all I have to show for my efforts are five different varieties of Hummingbird Cake or some other esoteric dish I’m writing about. Even though every mixing bowl I own is covered in muck, I still need to get dinner on the table just like everyone else.
I’ve tried to employ simple strategies to help me do that…without resorting to trips to a fast food take-out window. Here are some that work best for me.
Plan your meals for the week taking into consideration what’s going on. My husband travels a lot, so on days he’s not here for dinner, I know I can go super casual. I keep healthful, but fast, options from the Trader Joe’s freezer case for then (its frozen pizza and gyoza are the best) or go with a rotisserie chicken and steamed veggies.
Identify “that” day. You know, that day when you’re physically suppose to be in three places at once. On those days have something ready for you when you get home. A crock-pot is one option, making extra grilled chicken or steak the night before to throw on a salad to make it into a meal is another.
Cook side dishes to use for multiple nights. There’s no reason to cook batches of rice two days apart when you can make one big pot and reheat the extra later. Or, make extra baked potatoes and turn them into mashed or home-fries.
Most importantly, I agree with Athena Penson’s advice to “Keep it simple and keep it fresh!” That’s why the strategy I use for creating recipes for the 5:30 Challenge column is one that I embrace. 5 fresh and flavorful ingredients, 30 minutes from start to finish and dinner’s on the table.
What are your best time-saving tips? Let’s expand the “networking message” of the conference to include this on-line venue and share what works best for your family. I don’t know about you, but I can certainly use all the help I can get!
Comments
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By Ziza
March 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
I cook on Sunday for the entire week. One meat dish, one fish dish and one vegetarian dish. And a starch that goes with all three like brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes… Pair during the week with a veggie that takes minutes to prepare or a pre-bagged salad. Takes all the stress and worry out of the work week. My weekday dinners are on the table in minutes and everybody’s happy. If I have to work late, hubby can prepare with little fuss.
By will
March 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Grilling extra chicken breasts on Sunday to be used on salads & stir fry dinners or just . 10-15 minutes prep time in the mornings using a crock pot is also a great time saver. Main dishes like beef roast, bbq chicken & side dishes such as green beans with bacon make the house smell great when you get home and gets everyone fed faster!