what do you cook when you’ll be away?
Posted by arif on 18 Feb 2008 at 06:47 pm | Tagged as: Get Real, Musings
I’m heading out of town for a few days next week and I’m starting to plan the menu for my family while I’m away. My wife is a good cook, but being pregnant takes the wind out of her sails in the evening. So, I’m trying to figure out a combination of foods that either I can cook this weekend, or that are very easy for her to prepare after work. Also, though our daughter is helpful, she isn’t quite big enough to fill in as sous-chef yet, so the meals need to pretty much be a one person show.
And so I turn to you, dear readers: what are your favorite make-ahead or super-quick recipes to keep your family fed while you’re away?
Hi Arif,
I’m coming out of the woodwork to say that I read (and enjoy!) this blog. A few of my make-ahead suggestions would be:
A big pot o’ soup (i.e. beef vegetable with barley or chili) goes a long way and gets better each day.
A casserole a la rigatoni, ricotta, basil, marinara, a lb. or so of ground beef or ground turkey topped off with shredded mozz can be made ahead, frozen and reheated in under an hour in the oven on 375 degrees.
As far as quick meals,
I love getting some ready-made dough from someplace like Trader Joe’s, throwing on a few toppings, and baking. Some of our favorite toppings include Spinach and chicken sausage. It only takes a few minutes and turns out wonderfully crispy if you have a pizza stone.
Another one of my crunch-time faves is Quick Moroccan Chicken. Just grab a rotisserie chicken from the deli and cut into portions. You’ll also need a 10 oz box of couscous, a 1/2 tbsp. of olive oil, 1 clove garlic (thinly sliced), 1 1/2 tbsp. brown sugar, a pinch of ground nutmeg, 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/2 c. orange juice, and 1 15 ox. can diced or sliced peaches. Cook the couscous per the package directions. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 1/2 min. Add the sugar, nutmeg, vinegar, and OJ and bring to a simmer. Add the peaches and continue to simmer until the liquid has slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Divide the couscous and chicken among individual bowls, top with peach sauce and done! So yummy, not too heavy, and quick!
Hope this helps. Have a good trip and happy birthday!