Hangry is a real word! According to Oxford Dictionary it is defined as “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.” When it is dinnertime and you don’t have a plan, the family gets restless, irritability mounts and mom begins to feel her stress level rise.
As good intentioned as we all are, there are nights when our meal plan is non-existent or ineffective and we have to decide “plan B” fast. There is usually little time to spend contemplating the best, healthiest options and instead, we turn on survival mode.
These moments are real!
I didn’t know really how real until I became a mom. Recently, I told my husband in a moment of utter overwhelm and frustration that I completely understood why eating out is so prevalent among families during the week! I wanted to escape! I didn’t want to make decisions! I didn’t want to figure out what to cook… I wanted to sit down and eat in peace!
Sometimes, you just want to flee the craziness and decision making. Sometimes the thought of throwing together a meal when it is already past dinner time sounds like madness!
Unfortunately, cooking turns into the ‘bad guy’ that we are all running from. But, I believe the solution isn’t take-out or packing up the family into the car for the nearest restaurant. The reality is that it will take at least 15 minutes to get there and order. Instead, I believe the solution is having an arsenal of 2-3 meals that can be thrown together in 15 minutes or less.
In order to make this actually happen under 15 minutes, here is what you need to know:
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The meals need to be written down or typed out
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The list needs to be visible in your kitchen (on the fridge, bulletin board, etc) so that you can look at your list when the panic begins to rise.
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Keep a well stocked pantry and fridge
These are 3 DINNER SOLUTIONS to save you, feed your family and restore a peaceful environment:
HOMEMADE PIZZA
Can I get an ‘Amen!’ You don’t need any pizza dough in the fridge. Pizza is one of the most versatile foods there is. You need some type of crust, a sauce, toppings and cheese, but it doesn’t have to look like your favorite pizza delivery and in fact, it might taste even better!
Crust Options
Whole grain french bread
English muffin
Whole grain flat bread (like Flat Out, Joseph’s)
Sandwich Thin
Pizza Sauce Options
Marinara sauce
Tomato paste*
Tomato sauce*
BBQ sauce
Pesto
*season with Italian herbs
Cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Provolone cheese
Cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
*any other type of cheese you like!
Toppings
Spinach
Peppers
Onions
Black olives
Leftover roasted/grilled vegetables
Chicken
Pepperoni
Ground beef
Pineapple
Fresh basil, cilantro, oregano
Step 0: pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Step 1: choose a crust
Step 2: add your sauce of choice
Step 3: add any toppings you have
Step 4: top with your favorite cheese
Step 5: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese has melted and is slightly brown
Step 6: Take a deep breath! Dinner is done!!
Tips
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slightly toasting your crust of choice while you are getting out all of you toppings will help prevent a soggy crust
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preheat oven with the pizza stone; a hot stone will help toast the crust
BLACK BEAN TACO SALAD
Who doesn’t adore Tex-Mex? This recipe is so easy and simply uses a few pantry and fridge staples. Whether it is “Crazy Wednesday”, “Meatless Monday” or “Tired Friday”, this Black Bean Taco Salad is the perfect dinner that doesn’t take much thought, but will satisfy rumbling tummies.
Pantry Ingredients
Canned black beans
Chili powder
Cumin
Sliced black olives
Jarred salsa
Tortilla chips
Fridge Ingredients
Lettuce or bagged salad
Plain low fat greek yogurt or low fat sour cream
Shredded cheddar, Mexican or colby jack cheese
Step 1: combine canned beans with spices (½ tsp chili powder & ¼ tsp cumin per can/beans)
Step 2: warm the beans in microwave for 45-60 seconds
Step 3: add lettuce to salad bowl
Step 4: top lettuce with beans and then cheese
Step 5: dollop yogurt/sour cream, salsa and sprinkle on sliced olives
Step 6: slide 1 serving of tortilla chips around the rim of your bowl OR crumble on top
Step 7: turn on your favorite background music and enjoy some fun dinnertime conversation
Tips
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look for low sodium beans (<200 mg/serving) when possible
FRITTATA
A frittata is a fancy word for a simple egg dish. It is incredibly forgiving and it is a great way to use up leftover vegetables before they turn. It is a little bit different from scrambled eggs or an omelette, but similarly, you can add in vegetables, meats, cheese, and herbs…whatever you have on hand!
Fridge Ingredients
Eggs
Milk
Your favorite cheese- cheddar, feta, goat, etc.
Cooked vegetables (steamed, grilled, sauted, microwaved)
*broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and zucchini work well
Pantry Ingredients
salt/pepper
Step 0: Preheat oven broiler
Step 1: whisk 6-8 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, ½-3/4 cup cheese, hefty pinch of salt, black pepper and any herbs you desire
Step 2: heat a large (10” or 12”) non-stick, oven safe pan on the stovetop and add oil spray (or 1 tsp oil/butter)
Step 3: add in cooked vegetables and saute on medium heat for 2-3 minutes to warm
Step 4: add in egg mixture and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the egg mixture has set on the bottom and begins to set up on top
Step 5: top frittata with any remaining cheese and place under broiler for 2-4 minutes or until the middle is set and top begins to brown
Step 6: Take a minute to affirm a job well done while the frittata slightly cools. (or tell yourself you are amazing while you admire your “fancy” masterpiece)
Tips
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Using raw vegetables may produce a watery frittata and the vegetables may not cook all the way through.
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You can steam a bag of broccoli in the microwave for a quick vegetable option
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Serve with toast, fresh fruit, cooked oat bran/oatmeal, or english muffin
Still a little hesitant to try your hand at a frittata? Check out this Alton Brown clip for an entertaining, but easy step-by-step video. You really can’t mess this up!
YOU CAN give your family a delicious meal in 15 minutes or less! Make sure to have these printed out in your kitchen so that the next time life overwhelms your well intentioned plans, you feel confident in your ability to produce a Plan B that everyone will eat up!
For more quick recipes and tips on easy planning, you can check out……………….
Weeknight Dinner in 20: Maple Dijon Salmon
One Powerful Key that Will Simplify the Way You Meal Plan
TRUTH: A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 22:3