A Menu for Crunch Time

I’m always looking for creative ways to feed the fam within a time-crunched schedule. I suspect the same is true for you, too. I have to make a point not to fall into the hot dog/scrambled egg/frozen pizza rut where I find myself so very comfortable.

Soccer and Tee Ball started on the same night last week.  My oldest needs to be at one park just 15 minutes before my middle one needs to be at another.  We’re actually one of the least over-scheduled families I know, and already I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.  (The average age at my house is only 4.  What in the world’s going to happen as every one gets older?)  If you need some easy family dinner recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

Suffice to say I’m always looking for creative ways to feed the fam within a time-crunched schedule.  I suspect the same is true for you, too.  I have to make a point not to fall into the hot dog/scrambled egg/frozen pizza rut where I find myself so very comfortable.  With that in mind, here are some family favorites that just happen to be a whiz to put together (consider them your personal “fast food” recipes):

Easy Family Dinners

Potato Pizza (It’s the one pictured above that already has you salivating.)  Just 5 ingredients and it tastes gourmet.  Pick up the potatoes pre-shredded from the refrigerated (NOT frozen) section at your grocery, usually next to the eggs.

Vegetable Focaccia Sandwiches If you don’t even have enough time to grill the veggies, just turn the focaccia into a giant grilled cheese.  Layer the mozzarella inside the bread and pop it in the oven while you’re putting on shin-guards and cleats.

Mexican Spiced Flank Steak Rub on the spices in the morning, and grill it just before dinner.  Serve it on top greens, with a sliced avocado, and smashed tortilla chips, for a to-die-for salad.

Fried Egg Tostada In lieu of the chorizo that’s called for, layer thinly-sliced leftovers of the flank steak above.  Then, with the exception of the egg that needs to be fried, the instructions are nothing more than stacking.  A super simple dinner recipe and wonderfully filling.

Pasta Aglio Olio The kids pick what shape pasta they’d like and then I toss it altogether.  If you haven’t infused your olive oil in advance, substitute garlic salt for the salt the recipe calls for, and simply season to taste.

Strawberries with Goat Cheese and Toasted Pecans These just happen to be beautiful, but they are also hearty without being heavy.  They’re the perfect dessert or snack to eat on the go.  Keep the berries in the fridge and have the kids run them through the cheese and nuts on the way out the door.