With many experts telling us that family dinners are more important than ever, what's a busy family to do? One thing that may help is having an arsenal of quick dinner recipes and ideas at your disposal. There are other things you can do, too - here are some ideas.
1. Double it
When you make dinner, double the portion. It doesn't take any more time to boil three cups of pasta as it does six, for example. This allows you to freeze the extra and have a healthy dinner available for busy nights.
2. Slow cookers and pressure cookers
These special pieces of kitchen equipment can be invaluable for the hurried cook. Ironically, the slow cooker can help those who need dinner to be ready quickly. You throw the ingredients in, and the food cooks itself during the day or overnight.
Pressure cookers can also be a life-saver. If you get held up and can't get home in time to start a roast or assemble a soup or stew, a pressure cooker can cook even frozen foods in less than half the time of conventional cooking. Even beef or chicken stock can be made in less than 45 minutes. Pressure cookers are also helpful for those who want to incorporate whole grains and beans into their diets. These foods take a long time on the stovetop, but are ready quickly in a pressure cooker.
3. Plan ahead
Take some time each week to plan your meals. Check your grocery store's flyer for specials or look online, and make up a shopping list and meal plan for the week. This can help prevent you getting caught off guard.
4. Frozen meats
Keeping a bag of fish fillets in the freezer can be a life-saver on busy nights. Fish cooks quickly whether it's been thawed or not, and it's a versatile food that goes well with many flavors. Frozen chicken tenders are helpful, too - they cook up a lot faster than full chicken breasts.
5. Eat raw and cold foods
One way to cut down on cooking time is not to cook! Break out the dips (which you can keep on hand) like hummus, salsa, or even just ranch dressing, and put out a plate of raw vegetables, cheeses, pita wedges, corn tortillas, and fruits. Roll up deli meats with cheese and apples, or make hors d'oeuvres with crackers, cream cheese, and sliced veggies.
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