Help! Strategies and recipes to feed my working family

[Anonymous]

I just went back to work and now have two kids under two. We don't get home until after five and at that point I need to nurse my baby and I want to spend time with my kids rather than slave away in the kitchen (as if that were an option, haha - because it's not with two young ones hanging off me!). I'm still trying to find a good routine and trying to figure out quick, 20 minute or less dinners. Any ideas??? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Meal planning dictates grocery run b/f the week. Prepping as much as possible the evening before/morning of.

These might help:
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/dinner-15-minutes-selections/index.html

[Anonymous]

Cooking Light (and others- even Weight Watchers) have some good 15 min/5 ingred recipe books. They do rely a bit more on packaged foods (think precut veggies and frozen products, not necessarily Velveeta), but when I actually plan ahead and chop/prep after groc shopping on the weekend, I find I do pretty well with fresh items. Best part- DH can follow each recipe easily and we eat quickly regardless of whose turn it is to cook.

[Anonymous]

Crockpot. Cook dinner the night before once kids are asleep and then just throw in microwave when you get home. Quesadillas, soup, grilled cheese, eggs, chicken fingers are all fast.

[Anonymous]

I make 2-3 large dinners on Sunday during our son's nap. Think lasagna, soup, pasta dishes, quiche, etc. These take us through the week. This week it was gnocci with broccoli and mushrooms and beans/rice. I often double recipes. I also make some sort of breakfast that will freeze for the week. Pancakes, mini quiche, two ingredient oatmeal/banana cookies, smoothies etc. We get home from work at 6 and it takes about 3 minutes to microwave dinner. I also keep frozen veggies on hand. They are quick to steam to go along with a meal. Fresh fruit and yogurt with every meal as well. We shop on Saturdays (as a family-makes it more fun) and I definitely meal plan. Eating healthy is a major priority for me and this works well. It takes just a little planning, but it is so worth it being able to walk in the door and not be in a frenzy about dinner.

[Anonymous]

It does not have to be fancy. I've been known to serve cut up fruits, veggies, and hummus or meat (even sandwich meat). Not hot but in summer that is nice. We also put veggies and meat in a tortilla with cheese for casadeas. Don't stress about it. Find something that works for you.

[Anonymous]

2 cans of white beans, chopped cucumber, chopped tomatoes, chopped olives, vinaigrette.

2 cans of black beans, spinach leaves, chopped red onions, feta cheese crumbles, vinaigrette or lime and olive oil.

Chopped kale or chard, chopped tomatoes, white beans, chopped walnuts, olives, anchovies or sardines (optional), all sauteed in olive oil. Serve on top of pasta.

Packaged mac and cheese with peas and canned pumpkin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 cans of white beans, chopped cucumber, chopped tomatoes, chopped olives, vinaigrette.

2 cans of black beans, spinach leaves, chopped red onions, feta cheese crumbles, vinaigrette or lime and olive oil.

Chopped kale or chard, chopped tomatoes, white beans, chopped walnuts, olives, anchovies or sardines (optional), all sauteed in olive oil. Serve on top of pasta.

Packaged mac and cheese with peas and canned pumpkin.

Ohhhh...this is what I'm talking about! These seem super simple. Please share more ideas! My toddler loves beans too (won't touch chicken), so this is perfect.

[Anonymous]

Tacos! Saute a couple cans of black beans with garlic (or garlic powder), bell pepper if you have it, onion, fresh or canned jalepenos, cumin. Microwave a few corn tortillas wrapped up in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds. Any toppings you want, from salsa to cut up avocados, lime wedges, cilantro, feta cheese or queso fresco, etc.

We make this on nights when we feel lazy and make it super simple, or nights when we want to make it elaborate with lots of toppings.

[Anonymous]

I make a veggie curry and rice or bean soup or pasta dish once or twice a week. The days when nothing is ready, we eat veggie burgers, omelettes, salads, grilled cheese. I also cook a lot of frozen veggies because they are so quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does not have to be fancy. I've been known to serve cut up fruits, veggies, and hummus or meat (even sandwich meat). Not hot but in summer that is nice. We also put veggies and meat in a tortilla with cheese for casadeas. Don't stress about it. Find something that works for you.

This is the most awesome spelling of quesadillas ever!

[Anonymous]

This is what Greek yogurt is for.

With walnuts or almonds, and fresh fruit plopped on top.