Quicker than Take-out

Make these recipes faster than it takes the deliveryman to arrive

By Catherine Robertson

Dinner: The Challenge

On days when the kids have been particularly difficult, work has been stressful, you’re overtired or it’s just “one of those days,” it often seems easier to pick up the phone and order a quick meal from the local pizza place, Chinese restaurant or burger joint. But what if you could whip up the same foods in less time and with barely any effort? If you could make the same meals in just a matter of minutes, would you? Homemade versions of the foods we love to order-in really are simple to make. Not only that, but homemade is so much healthier. Once in a while, it’s nice to have a treat and order take-out, but make-at-home meals can be almost as simple.

Planning Ahead

Being prepared and organized in the kitchen goes hand-in-hand with raising children and preparing easy meals for your family is no different. Plan ahead before you do your weekly grocery shopping and decide on the menus to be served that week. Invite your family to suggest their favorite meal ideas, and gather items to make special meals together. Another time-saving strategy is advance food preparation. Once home from your grocery shopping excursion, wash and chop your fruits and veggies, portion your meats, cheeses and pastas. All of these quick steps will save you tons of time when the last minute pressure is on and it comes down to the hectic dinner hour.

Your Home Prep Kitchen

Think of your kitchen as your own personal restaurant. All restaurants have staff whose job it is to wash, portion and prepare foods ahead of time so that meals are quick and easy when food orders come in. At home, your strategy should be much the same. You’ll be amazed at the time you will save if you do the majority of the work ahead of time.

Fast Food at Home

Homemade Pizza
Kids LOVE to help make homemade pizza! It’s fun, simple and you can control the healthiness of it by selecting the toppings. Plus, what pizza store do you know of that will do separate toppings to please the palette of each family member? There are no worries when you make your own, you’re in control!


Backyard Burger Joint: Quick Gourmet Burgers
Fire up the grill and make yourself a tasty homemade burger. Fast food burgers are laden with high-fat meats, they have a lot of fillers and preservatives and are covered in cheeses and sauces that pack on the pounds. Homemade burgers can be made with extra lean beef and the toppings are again, up to you.


Mexican in Minutes: Chicken Enchiladas
You’ll be saying ole! in minutes with this simple enchiladas recipe which both parents and kids agree tastes as great as they are fun to make!


Quick Chinese Food: Chinese Stir-fry
A quick and healthy stir-fry can be made in 5 minutes, and it won’t have any preservatives, excess sodium or MSG. This is a delicious, easy and healthy recipe, perfect for a busy weeknight meal!