Tuesday, November 1, 2022

No More Dinnertime Rush

So you’ve put together a healthy lunch for yourself every night this week—way to go! But come evening, do you have enough postwork energy to prepare a delicious meal for you and your family?

Don’t fret! Set aside an hour or two on Sunday, and you can make ahead several delicious dinner options, all ready to heat and enjoy throughout the week.

Make sure your kitchen is stocked right by following these tips. You’ll never wonder what’s for dinner again!

In Your Freezer . . .

• Store cooked rice, quinoa, or other grains for instant sides.

• Portion servings of homemade chili in freezer-safe sandwich bags. When ready to eat, run bags under hot water to loosen, then place frozen chunks in a microwavable bowl before reheating.

In Your Fridge . . .

• Cut up a variety of veggies to toss together a quick salad or to snack on in the evening.

• Buy boneless, skinless chicken thighs in bulk and split them into two or three smaller batches, seasoning each differently. (Think barbecue sauce, Montreal steak spice, etc.) Bake on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes until no longer pink. To prepare, reheat in the microwave or oven to an internal temperature of 165°F.

• Remember: cooked foods, especially meats, should generally be kept no longer than four days in the fridge, according to health experts.

In Your Pantry . . .

• Rice noodles and couscous are two starches that cook much quicker than traditional pasta: just add boiling water!

• Canned boiled potatoes can be pan-fried for a quick protein pairing.

Sources: mayoclinic.org, dailyburn.com

No More Dinnertime Rush

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