For moms who want to cook but need a little help in the time department, try these quick and easy ideas:
1.Couscous – if you’ve never made this, you have to try it. Just bring water to a boil. Add the same amount of couscous. Turn off the heat. Stir, and cover. Let it sit 5 minutes then add anything you want. Voila!
You can make a main meal out of couscous by shredding up a rotisserie chicken, chopped veggies like cucumber, onion, and tomato, some fresh herbs (parsley, mint, basil, etc.) and maybe a squeeze of lemon juice.
2.Pasta – need I say more? Pasta is quick and versatile. Forget the days of spaghetti sauce simmering for hours. Put the ingredients in a crock-pot in the morning, turn it on low and forget about it! Then all you have to do come dinnertime is cook the pasta!
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to pasta. Who says you have to slather it with a thick tomato sauce? Try a simple combo of olive oil, lemon zest, fresh basil and chopped cherry tomatoes. Add a sprinkle of feta and you’ve got yourself a meal!
3.Ham steaks – these are inexpensive and they cook up in minutes! Try serving them with a simple salad and rice. Or pop some potatoes in the microwave and have baked potatoes with ham in minutes!
4.Eggs – they’re not just for breakfast. Have you ever served pancakes and scrambled eggs for dinner? Trust me, no one will care that it’s not 7 a.m. Or how about whipping up a quick quiche? Just buy a ready-made piecrust from the grocery store. In a large bowl, mix together 4 eggs, 1 cup of milk, half and half, or cream, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, and 1 cup diced cooked ham. Add a little salt and pepper, or even better, about a Tablespoon of lemon pepper, and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes until it’s set and golden. You can also skip the cheddar and ham and add Swiss cheese and defrosted frozen spinach (wring out the excess water) or substitute cooked Jimmy Dean Sausage for the ham. Or go vegetarian and add sautéed potatoes, onions, and peppers along with the cheddar cheese and lemon pepper..yum. Any way you decide to fill it, quiche is a winner in my book. So are eggs in general.
5.Sandwiches – yes, sandwiches can be a meal. Get creative. Instead of a grilled cheese with processed cheese, make a quick panini with provolone! Instead of a plain old tuna and mayo sandwich, whip up a fast tuna salad instead. Got leftover chicken? Put it on a bun with some pesto and voila! You’ve got dinner.
Try these recipes!
My Mom’s Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Provolone and Roasted Pepper Panini