Today I decided to take a break from reading my book at work (because my boss is not in) to browse different recipe sites in search of new recipes. While looking I found myself passing over a lot of things that sounded interesting only because the preparation seemed really daunting and time-consuming. And I reached this conclusion: When do people have time to cook like this?!?
I work full time right now. I come home at 5 and need to have dinner ready by 6 or 6:30. 7 is OK but the food better be worth the wait. I need recipes that require little actual cooking skill and even less time to prepare.
I'm told that when I stay at home with the kids it won't get any better. Sure you're home all day but you are chasing after kids and just trying to stay sane, so when is there time to cook a big meal?
It just frustrates me a little because I want to be a good cook and provide tasty, semi-healthy meals for my family. But it seems as though in order to make really tasty, fully healthy meals, that people rave over the presentation alone, you need to stay at home all day, and not have anything else to do.
(I know this is probably not true, but I'm a little frustrated. If anyone has any recommendations of where to find quick and easy recipes, I'd appreciate it.)
11 comments:
Here are my 2 cents.
I love allrecipes.com. You can search by ingredient (put in chicken, rice, cheese and broccoli and recipes will come up) If I'm ever in the mood for something new, I browse the site and I can always find something good. And the ratings help me find something I know will turn out.
Here's what I would do. Make a list of the recipes you like that are healthy, easy, and fast. Then for a little variety add in one or two new ones every week. If they make the cut (easy enough, tasty enough, healthy enough) add them into the regular rotation. And the more you cook something, the easier it becomes to cook. Something that took me an hour to cook the first time, now probably only takes me half that time.
Here are the recipes that I make on a regular basis: Taco soup, Macaroni and cheese (from scratch, not boxed), stir fry, spaghetti pie, barbeque ribs, pork chops and stuffing, chicken and dumplings, broccoli cheese soup, shredded chicken tacos, black bean and corn pizza, hawaiin haystacks, chicken salad wraps, and broccoli cheese potatoes.
I used to feel overwhelmed cooking and couldn't figure out how anyone EVER had time to make sides (potatoes, salad, fruit, etc.) I felt like by the time I made just the meal, I was exhausted! But a little at a time I have added them to our meals. Just one side at first. Now it's not such a big deal because I got used to it. Sorry for the loooooong post!
PS. also, make something you normally make, but find a new recipe. I used to make the same kind of chicken and rice every week and then I looked online for other chicken and rice options and some were great. They were usually the same ingredients, about the same amount of time and made a new fun meal to try.
I have been trying new recipes myself... by I only try the easy ones. I'll post any that are worth while on my blog. We tend to have the same 12 meals every 2 weeks, but I guess they work for me :)
Kathleen Olsen gets a magazine called "Real Simple" and it has a ton of quick recipe ideas. She's let me borrow some older issues. I'm sure she wouldn't mind lending you some too. I'll email the ones I wrote down out of the other magazine I got.
Hey, I have a Campbell's recipe book that has easy, yummy recipes and also a really good crockpot one if you like making crockpot stuff. You can come by and browse anytime because yea, it doesn't get any easier.
Crockpots. EASY. Delicious.
Yeah, I was going to say Crockpots as well. I do A LOT of dinners because it's done when you get home and cleanup is a breeze. Easy pot roast:
One packet of Lipton Instant Onion Soup Mix.
3 Potatoes
5 Carrots ( sticks of 1/2 bag baby)
1 Whole Onion
Pot Roast.
Put veggies on the bottom of Crock pot. Brown the roast in frying pan and then throw on top of veggies. Mix soup with 3/4 cup hot water and pour over entire roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs or high for 6. Done!
Oops forgot to mention that you need to cut up the veggies. I know you're not an idiot, but I am and sometimes I need the extra "details" :)
I think those super-complex, immaculate-presentation recipes are for people who entertain, love to cook, and don't have kids. You have to want to cook with your spare time. Occasionally I think it's fun to try something new and fancy, but it is usually more stress than it's worth.
I agree with Heidi, though-- things get faster the more you make them. I was just thinking the other day as I made sweet and sour chicken about the first time I made it, when we were newlyweds in our student apartment. It took hours! (Partly because one of the steps in the recipe is to season the chicken with garlic salt and pepper then let it stand for an hour. Of course I followed the recipe to a T-- now I say, yeah, right, like I'm going to wait that long!) You learn to multitask and to anticipate what comes next in the preparation process for favorite recipes. It is a fun time to be establishing those family favorites though!
Rachael Ray has her "Thirty Minute Meals" cookbooks. I haven't actually tried any yet but they look good on her shows. good luck with your quest.
Crockpots
Allrecipes
Kraftfoods
americanfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com (okay lame plug for our own family recipe site ;)).
Those are our favorite sites - stick with recipes that are quick, easy and highly rated by previous people.
Well, you and I have talked about this a little already. One thing different I've done and no one else has commented on is the frozen dinners. I have a recipe book specifically for that. If you want to do 2-3 weeks worth then it takes a Friday night and most of the day Saturday to put together - but oh, is it worth it. I then have meals I can pull out whenever. I supplement my regular menus with these frozen ones so I don't have much to do on some of those busy nights.
Also, doing some of the prep in the morning before work helps.
Like Amber said, you have to really love cooking and want to do a nice spread. I think that's why I like having company over on Sunday or a special party. I like to do big meals with lots of dishes but real life doesn't usually allow us that kind of time. I only have two kids left at home, but working full-time and of course, church callings, make leisure cooking impossible.
You seem to be doing a good job - just keep trying!! Mom~
Post a Comment