iCOOK
Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals by Britt Allgood
I
t's August and normally this would be back to school time for children and parents alike. But we’re in the middle of a pandemic and many families are still trying to figure out if school will be in person or virtual. Either way, your already precious free time is going to be even less as academic endeavors, extra curricular classes and working from home take over the schedule. Let’s face it, just trying to leave the house in a pandemic resembles a military mobilization!
Plan & Cook Ahead
I know that spending a few hours in the kitchen at the weekend isn’t everybody’s idea of a good time. But those few uninterrupted (OK, slightly uninterrupted) hours can really give you back tons of time on crazy weeknights. It all starts with a plan, or rather a menu. Rice is a perfect example. Make a big pot of plain long grain or brown rice and I’m talking enough for two or three meals (probably about four to five cups of uncooked rice which yields about eight to 10 cups cooked rice). This can be the base for Mexican rice, fried rice, part of a casserole or rice pudding. Remember that rice takes about 30 to 40 minutes to cook on the stove. By making one big pot and serving rice three times, you just saved over an hour that you would be cooking rice.
Almost any meat can be cooked quickly and still be flavorful and tender. The secret is how you prepare the meat before cooking. Don’t expect to cook an inch-thick pork chop in a few minutes without it being overdone on the outside and nearly raw in the middle. But a thin boneless pork chop can be coated with breadcrumbs or another topping, and sautéed in a matter of minutes for a great meal. The same holds true for boneless chicken breasts especially if you have a meat tenderizer. By butterflying them or tenderizing the breasts to a consistent thickness, they cook evenly and quickly without getting tough. This type of prep is used for dishes like chicken piccata or marsala. Pasta and some rice dishes can be prepared within 30 minutes. One of my favorites is a chili rubbed steak and pasta dish with pineapple salsa. You can do this one in the time it takes to cook the pasta. It’s flavorful but light enough for a late summer dinner. The next time you are pressed for time, remember that you have quick and healthy options that can be prepared at home. It’s better for you, cheaper than fast food and you may get to spend some quality time with your family. Live, Laugh, Love and Eat Well.
Prep/chop ingredients and store them in the refrigerator ahead of time. Now it’s possible to create a meal in less time than cooking a frozen pot pie in the microwave. Spaghetti sauce can be prepared in bulk and used throughout the week. Prep some meatballs ahead of time and serve with pasta. Or, use the sauce as the base for Lasagna, which keeps well in the refrigerator or freezer for days. Add a green salad or steamed vegetable to any of these for a well-rounded meal.
Crock Pot Cooking
Crock pot cooking is another great way to save time. For example, a beef pot roast or pork shoulder can slow cook all day and be ready when you get home. Both meats can be served as is with a few vegetables or shredded for use in hash, soft tacos or burritos for a fun Mexican theme night. There is an abundance of slower cooker recipes available whether in specialty cookbooks or the web.
Cooking Fresh
Personally, I prefer to cook from fresh ingredients whenever possible. Although this does require a little more time, you can still prepare a great meal in 30 to 45 minutes. The trick is to cook efficiently. If your main dish must cook the longest, start it first and let it simmer while you are preparing your sides. Enlist the help of family members in cleaning or chopping vegetables allowing you to concentrate on other aspects of the meal.
28
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020
Crock Pot Roast 1 beef roast, 3 to 5 LBS (use one with a little fat on it or good marbling) 1 Rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes 1 or 2 Turnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes 3 to 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
Purchase Area Family Magazine
Read online! issuu.com/purchasefamilymag
