Speedy Suppers

Shortcuts to a great family meal

By Jack Hourigan

Is your idea of a family dinner scarfing down a stale bagel in your minivan on your way to hockey practice? Are your kids on a first name basis with the folks at the drive- through window? Strapped for time, stuck for ideas and sick of trying to sandwich in a home-cooked meal between all that you and your family do? Welcome to the club – but rest assured there is hope for all of us!

Between sports practices, music lessons, tap, jazz and ballet – not to mention work and dealing with one family crisis after another – who has time to think about what’s for dinner? Whether you work in or out of the home, getting a warm meal on the table is a job in itself. But it doesn’t have to be such a chore if you follow a few simple shortcuts.

As a mom I found myself frantically trying to get any form of food into my son before we got strapped in the car for the next sporting event. I’d toss him a banana, turn over the ignition and go. So after years of learning from my mistakes, (and there were many) and picking up helpful tips from some great chefs across North America, I came up with a few food shortcuts of my own. Here are my top five to get you started.

Jack's top five foodie shortcuts:

1. CUT & BAG IT: On Sundays nights I love to make a big home cooked meal (it’s usually the only night I have time to experiment). So since I’ve already got my knives out, I always chop up extra seasonal veggies and store them in reusable containers or bags and pop them in the fridge for the next few days. A diced pepper, celery sticks, cubed carrots and minced onion are now ready and waiting to go into a stir-fry, pasta sauces, or become a grab n’ go snack on the way to the next game.

2. BREAKFAST FOR DINNER: Self explanatory but this one always bears repeating! When I’m tired and have zero time, a warm omelette with veggies (remember they are already chopped!) takes just a few minutes and everyone loves them. The kids choose their own fillings, so it’s all in their hands. Try a cheesy Tex-Mex style, topped with salsa and avocados, or use up that leftover chicken, a dollop of herbed cream cheese, a pinch of spinach and some mushrooms.

3.THINK INSIDE THE BOX: Once in a while you just have to think inside the box. I use crackers as breadcrumbs and crust topping for all kinds of dishes and the best thing is they are already sitting in my pantry.  See our delicious Parmesan Baked Salmon recipe that will take 25 minutes from start to finish. Even if your kid isn’t into fish, trust me, this will change his mind. Case in point, it’s now one of my son’s favourites.

4. TAKE IN - NOT OUT: If you thought stir-fries went out with your Mom’s old clunky electric wok then think again my friends! Kids (and adults) love a good stir-fry. They are quick and easy and you can control what goes in them (not like the takeout version). Add some chicken or pork to those already chopped veggies and you’ve just added another delicious speedy supper to your repertoire. They are great for lunches the next day too. See our yummy Sweet-and-Spicy version.

5. GROCERY STORE MELTDOWNS: This one’s more of a tip than a shortcut. My son used to have tantrums in the supermarket when he was a toddler, he grew out of them, but I didn’t! Grocery shopping at peak times drives me nuts. Carts crashing, blocked aisles, long lines – so I’ve taken the Zen approach to food shopping. Since the advent of the 24-hour supermarket, I can go when the mood strikes. I love grocery shopping now; I wear my MP3 player – no distractions and enjoy the simple sanctuary of shopping solitude. It’s almost as good as a day at the spa, okay not quite, but I take my moments when I can get them! A happy shopper equals happy mealtimes for everyone.

When in doubt remember my mantra: Some fresh herbs and a little lemon zest will take you far  in this world and  always K*I*S*S. (Keep it simple sister!) It doesn’t have to be fancy to be good.

For more inspiration try the recipes below or watch our new show what’s cooking? on CityTV.

• Sweet-and-Spicy Stir-fry
• Parmesan-Baked Salmon
• Cheeseburger Joe