The first thing we do is look in the fridge and kitchen cabinets, hoping to find something, anything that we can prepare easily and serve up fast. At times like this, having any kind of meat, pasta and pasta sauce in the kitchen is very useful. If you also have some fresh fruit or salad veggies, then you’ve got it made! On your next trip to the supermarket, make sure you purchase a supply of simple items such as these for the next time you have to prepare a meal in a rush.
Other useful food items to keep in your kitchen are ready-to-serve pasta side dishes. Combine these with grilled chicken breasts or hamburger to make a fast meal in just a few minutes. Ground beef and beef-flavored pre-cooked rice is another combination that will work as a meal, or you could use a box of macaroni and cheese and a couple of cans of tuna fish to make a satisfying cheesy tuna casserole. Preparing a bowl of your family’s favorite pasta, topped with a jar of pasta sauce is another quick idea for last minute meal preparation.
While all of the above ideas will certainly work to feed a hungry spouse and kids occasionally, they are not the most nutritious meal options. To make your meals healthier, try to serve fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible. Keep a supply of frozen or canned fruits and vegetables in your kitchen for days when you can’t get fresh ones.
Be sure to stock up on the food items listed above so that you will always have something available for the days when you need to make a last minute meal. Many of these items are simple enough for your teenaged son or daughter, or even your husband, to prepare.
To minimize the amount of time you spend in the kitchen when you are tired, try to clean as you cook. Set the table as you wait for the pasta cook and wash any dirty dishes, pots or pans in the time it takes for your tuna and macaroni salad to cook. Making crock pot casseroles is a great way to minimize the number of pots and pans you need to wash too. In fact, using a crock pot and slow cooker recipes is one of the best ways to save on time spent in the kitchen (both for cooking and for cleanup). Getting family members to help you clean up the kitchen after meals is another time-saving idea.
Last minute meal preparation will be much simpler if you are prepared for it; stock up on useful items that can be cooked or heated fast, encourage your family to lend a hand inasmuch as possible and use every minute spent in your kitchen productively so you can get out of there as soon as possible. By following these useful tips, you’ll be able to feed your family and clean up the kitchen in record time. You may even have time to watch movie or take a relaxing bath before you go to bed!
