Usually most of the people like the occasional hamburger or pizza, but this fast food should not be a practice of an every-night event. In this today’s fast paced life, both mom and dad have to work full-time just to make ends meet. After a day’s long work, how can one expect from a working mom to offer a quick dinner. To relieve the stress of such moms, following ideas should always be kept in mind while making a quick dinner:
- Plan your meals a week ahead.
- Store the produce brought directly from the market in the best possible way, and then use it as and when required.
- Cook on the weekend for the weeks ahead.
- Make maximum use of your crock pot or slow cooker.
You can make use of the following ingredients for making quick dinners:
- Casseroles - Noodles, rice, beans, potatoes, frozen/fresh: peas, corn, eggplant, all other vegetables, tofu, tempeh, frozen/fresh meat, fish & poultry, low fat gravies and soups
- Pasta - Stewed tomatoes, onions, green/red/yellow sweet peppers, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, sautéed or micro waved vegetables, dried or canned beans, bean soups, low fat chili, low fat/fat-free cheeses, low fat meats, fish or poultry, low fat salad dressings
- Vegetarian - All kinds of fresh/frozen vegetables & fresh/dried and canned fruits, dried/canned beans, refried black, pinto, & spicy beans, tofu, tempeh, rice, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, low fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese), chili, pita bread, tortillas, nachos, yogurt & fruit, Spices
- Breakfast For Dinner - Low fat omelets/frittata made with egg substitute & all kinds of vegetables, low fat waffles/pancakes with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc., whole wheat French toast, all kinds of cereals, low fat/fat-free milk and yogurt, low fat muffins
- Baked & Micro waved Dinners - Potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, all kinds of vegetables, low fat lasagna (noodles, stewed tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, low fat cheeses, beans, etc.), low fat meat, fish or poultry, tempeh, even commercial low fat frozen entrees and dinners!
- BAR (Salad, Taco/Burrito & Potato) - Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, sweet bell peppers, green beans, jicama, Jerusalem artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, onions, corn, cabbage, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, fennel root, pineapple, oranges, bananas, apples, melons, pears, grapefruit, grapes, kumquats, kiwi fruit, mangoes ...and more, salsa, spaghetti sauce, tortillas (corn & whole wheat), red/purple or Yukon Gold potatoes, low fat meats, fish & poultry, dried cooked & canned beans, low fat salad dressings, flavored vinegars, chutneys, sauces & dips
- Meats - Grilled/broiled chicken & turkey, fish, meat with vegetables or fruits (kabob’s), marinades, spices
- Soup (stews/chili's) & Salads - Chili, lentil, split pea soup, borscht, gazpacho, all kinds of vegetables & fruits, SPICES!, mustards, bean spreads & refried beans, GREAT breads
- Stir Fry – All vegetables- fresh & frozen, tofu, tempeh, chicken, turkey, low fat thin-sliced meats, spices, marinades, low sodium tamari soy sauce, hot sesame oil, noodles, rice
- Leftovers - Cook up large batches and freeze extras, make large vegetable & fruit salads, soups, bean spreads--Use when “no time to cook”.
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