Comments on: What are your “go-to meals” for hectic weeks?

By: oilandgarlic

oilandgarlic — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:10:28 +0000

I’m trying to come up with 31 simple dishes on my blog (much more challenging than I thought it would be!) and I’m up to #3.

Some of my go-to meals are:
- vegetable and tofu stir-fry (lots of variety since you can mix it up in the vegetable choices)
- pasta with anything but marinara sauce (such as pasta with tuna, pasta with pepperoncino and parmigiano)
- cannellini bean salad (canned beans with chopped tomatoes, red onion, olive oil as dressing)
- italian rice salad (all you have to do is cook the rice and then do lots of chopping)

I learned most of these from my Italian husband (born and raised) so I’m not sure how familiar these recipes are to people. I’m highlighting a few on my blog but it’s a work in progress.
.-= oilandgarlic´s last blog ..Simple Recipe #3: Vegetable Stir Fry =-.

By: carolyn

carolyn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:43:10 +0000

I do a lot of freezer cooking to help in pinches like this. I often have:

meatloaf (cooked, frozen in slices)
meatballs
chicken legs (fully cooked)
manicotti/stuffed shells
pasta (cooked, flash frozen spread out on a cookie sheet, then in baggies. Defrosts and reheats quickly, and can just pull out as much as you want/need)

as for quick cooking from scratch meals:
crockpot macaroni and cheese is a staple – 2 minutes to pull together, 1 1/2 in the crock (on high) with zero attention paid
wraps (cold meat like leftover chicken, lettuce, cheese)
pb & J (which my kids consider a treat, given they aren’t allowed to have it at school)

By: Thals

Thals — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:10:14 +0000

Curry! It’s probably the easiest, cheapest, healthiest thing we make. A selection of vegetables, beans and chicken (if we can afford it), some coconut milk, tinned tomatoes and curry powder. It usually lasts around a week, so all we have to do at night is make some rice. It doesn’t provide much variety, but it is delicious.

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:02:20 +0000

When I know things will be hectic at dinner time, I through boneless chicken in the crockpot with barbecue sauce. Then I shred it up for barbecue chicken sandwiches! Yum! .-= Christina ´s last blog ..Are Coupons Necessary? =-.

By: Tammy S

Tammy S — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:38:19 +0000

I always try to keep pasta and jarred tomato sauce on hand.
Also eggs and frozen breakfast items.
My crockpot is often my savior for dinners as well.
And there’s always PB & J sammiches!

By: Money Funk

Money Funk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:46:09 +0000

You're right. Hectic meals aren't always the healthiest, but I usually throw in a salad or fruit with dinner. I do: -Breakfast for dinner (LOVE, LOVE) -Hot dogs or Hamburgers -Something in the Crockpot like pulled pork sandwiches - some type of hot sandwich Mmm... all sounds so enticing right now. must be hungry. lol .-= Money Funk´s last blog ..Earn More Challenge September? =-.

By: The Non-Student

The Non-Student — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:08:53 +0000

Your list is pretty similar to my own! I also like:
- Chili (crock pot)
-Tomato and Lentil soup (crock pot)
- Omelettes
- Stromboli

Another thing I do is stock up on some Trader Joe’s frozen meals, which aren’t too expensive and are delicious. Tonight I have to work late, so my partner and I are making their pot stickers, supplementing them with a stir-fry of peppers and onions and some rice on the side.
.-= The Non-Student´s last blog ..When "Ice Cream" means "Stop" =-.