So Here’s My Problem…
Tonight's Solution is Cooking in the Oven as I Type
I don’t do well with planning meals for those nights on the run. You know, the nights when you begin running the kids to activities at 4:30, and nobody is home for dinner until after 8:00? That’s way too late to begin cooking dinner, but I don’t want to succumb to the quintessential American fallback of the drive through. Perhaps I’ll grab an occasional fast food meal for lunch, but that’s as far as I’m taking that stuff.
For example, right now the girls are at piano lessons, giving me just enough time to type this blog post before I need to pick them up and head over to Annie’s softball game. Tonight’s solution to dinner is an “8-layer” casserole that is now cooking in my low temp oven. It has meat, vegetables and rice in it and should be ready when we walk in the door. On other nights like this I’ve prepared stews for dinner. But there are only so many evenings we want to eat that type of food, especially now, at the end of May when we want something lighter to eat.
Next week is my problem. There will be five out of six nights like this beginning on Sunday. Between soccer tryouts, softball games, and a school concert, we won’t be home for dinner until after 8:00. So what can I prepare in advance that will be ready to serve when we walk in the door?
My friend Stacey sympathized with my problem as we were groaning about the problem of kids’ activities earlier today. She gave me one of her go-to dinner salad recipes that I can prepare in the afternoon, and simply toss together when we walk in the door. However, that leaves me with 4 other nights. I welcome all ideas for fresh, healthy, tasty make ahead spring dinners. I’m not asking for much, am I?
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Pasta salads can be done the day before. Eggs are a time saver, healthy and tasty. Preparation for omelets – cleaning asparagus, chopping ham, or any other favorite fillers your family likes – can be done in the morning leaving basically throwing the scrambled eggs into the omelet pan on top of the ham, cheese, or whatever. I used to make a squash quiche for my children in the morning when I planned to be out that evening. A quick microwave heating was all that was necessary. I am sure the family would love paninis for dinner. Have the meat, tomatoes, salad and cheese filling ready along with a loaf of nice country bread. Put the sandwichs together, spread outside with butter and press until toasty, melty, hot. I know I’d love it. Hope I’ve been helpful!