Quick & Easy Menu Planning

The days are growing shorter and our list of responsibilities grows even longer. What is a parent to do? This week Khalil commiserates with the working parent who longs to get dinner on the table in record speed.

By Khalil Hymore


Today, as I walked through the city among the throngs of students headed back to class, I couldn't help but think about their parents: parents who work full time, who struggle to get dinner on the table every night and who so desperately want to feed their children wholesome (albeit quick) meals. I know how precious my time is, and I can only imagine how much every minute counts when you're a parent juggling professional responsibilities.

I'm often asked questions about how to get meals on the table quickly, and I'm always amazed when people are disappointed by my answers. Sorry, folks: There's no way to get a tasty and nutritious dinner prepped instantaneously. While there are many tips and tricks to help make mealtime prep shorter, cooking is still required. (Even Rachel Ray wants you to cook your 30 Minute Meal.)

Efficient meal prep weeknight requires foresight and organization. Recently, I spent a Sunday helping my friend Matt cook meals for the week (since his wife just had a baby boy last week). I shopped in the morning and spent the afternoon preparing meals for the week ahead. Not only was it a snap (even more of a snap come mid-week when life gets uber-hectic), but also fun. I stocked his fridge with a few meals (like my Mediterranean Mac and Cheese) that reheat well and his freezer with some sauces (pesto and tomato sauce) for impromptu weeknight meals.

Now I'm firmly against child labor, but getting your kids in the kitchen to help you out can be a great way to spend some quality time together. Teach them to prep. Peeling vegetables, measuring ingredients, and stirring batters are great beginner courses for kids. Furthermore, getting your kids involved with making their own lunch is a fabulous way to help you save time in the kitchen. My mom taught my sister and I to make our own lunches at an early age. At school, we were proud of our lunches, and almost never traded! As a result of this newfound responsibility my mom even allowed us to select our own lunch snacks ourselves at the grocery store--no Lunchables though. Those were always off-limits, no matter how much we begged...

Another mealtime lifesaver is to prep items that build upon each other. Roasting chicken breasts for dinner? How about throwing a few extras in the roasting pan and reserving them for another meal--enchiladas, noodle soup, or even a quick chicken cacciatore. Another tip is to prepare double the amount. Two lasagnas are just as easy to make one, and sauces are great to cook up in bulk because they freeze so well. Taking your cues from the seasons is also a way to make meal time a whole lot easier, since it takes much of the guesswork out for you. Letting the seasons dictate what you eat will limit your options while keeping your palate interested and satisfied.

As the lazy days of summer fade and the days grow shorter and our schedules more hectic, it's important to keep in mind that taking the time to prepare a well-balanced meal for your family is so important. With a little weekend prep, a lot of imagination, and some help from your family, mealtime can be a breeze.