I try to be the mom that feeds her kids good food all the time but the truth is, I’m somewhere in between being organically, fresh food obsessed and holy shit I’m running late yet again what the hell are we going to have for dinner.
Some weeks I plan meals, other weeks I’m all willy nilly. I buy fresh fruit and vegetables with the best of intentions only to find a rotted cucumber at the bottom of my vegetable drawer in the fridge. Food wastage drives me insane and yet my kids don’t like leftovers.
But when I do get it right, I like to share the food love because a good go-to recipe is a staple in every kitchen. Without further ado, here’s how I get three meals that are relatively inexpensive, incorporate leftovers (no food wastage) and my kids actually like them. And by like I mean Son No. 2 will actually eat it without freaking out at the table.
These aren’t “exact” recipes – incorporate your own flare into them and remove stuff your kids don’t like and add some stuff they do.
Day 1
Marinade and cook six chicken breasts, cutlets included (if you have a larger family, cook enough so you’ll have leftover chicken) either on the bbq or broil in the oven. Serve with sides (on this particular day I did rosemary potato wedges, a white kidney bean salad and bruschetta).
Day 2
Fast, Tasty Quesadillas: Chop up the leftover chicken. In a bowl mix the chopped chicken with a can of drained and rinsed black beans, diced tomato, red onion, cilantro, goat cheese and a mixture of shredded cheese (we used pre-shredded Tex Mex mix). Spoon mixture onto whole wheat tortillas, fold the tortillas in half, bake in 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is all melty. Serve with a side salad. Ole!
Day 3
Veggie/Chicken Pizza: Prepare two premade pizza crusts with pizza sauce (you can also make your own pizza dough but that’s never going to happen at my house.) Add a can of drained (no salt added) corn to the leftover quesadilla mixture from the night before. Spread over prepared pizza crusts, sprinkle with cheese. Bake according to package directions. Even though it's filled with veggies, your kids will think it's molto buono.
There you have it - three easy meals that aren't quite all natural but don't suck either.
Enjoy.
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