Chef Paul: Feed Me – NOW!
May 17 2011
My wife is out of town for a few days on business. That leaves me alone with our three year old daughter. Our normal week day routine has me bringing our daughter to her daycare in the mornings and my wife picking her up in the afternoons. This gives me time to ride home and start dinner before they get in. Usually, I can have dinner on the table by 5:30 – 5:45 latest. 
But, because I have to collect the Bee (that’s what I call my daughter) I don’t have the usual time to get supper ready when I get home. And as anyone with a young one can attest, they NEED to be fed at a regular time to avoid any “meltdowns”. You could have a selections of snacks ready for when they get home…I know this works for older kids but with the Bee, a snack will fill her up before she has dinner and then she’ll be hungry again just before bed…not a good scenario. Besides, I still would not be allowed to prep dinner: “I need someone to play with me”.
So what do I do? I plan!
Yesterday’s supper was spaghetti with meat sauce, one of the Bee’s favourites. Before I left for work in the morning, I placed a large pot filled with salted water on the stove top, measured out the amount of pasta required and made sure the sauce was completely defrosted. When I got home: bring the water to the boil; add pasta; heat the sauce; and when the pasta is cooked, we have dinner! 15 minutes maximum…and very little prep time.
Tonight’s dinner will be stir fry. Everyone knows that the prep is what takes time when making stir fry…the cooking takes about 5 minutes. Therefore, after dropping the Bee off at daycare, I returned home to slice all my vegetables, marinate the tofu and get whatever pans I need ready for when I get home. The veggies and the tofu can sit covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours assuming your vegetables were fresh when you sliced them. Dinner will be on the table in a matter of minutes.
Sure, I know what you’re saying: “but I don’t have time in the morning”…my answer is MAKE TIME! Get up 10 minutes earlier if that’s what you need to do. I’ve always maintained that time is the one thing I’ve got lots of…it’s a question of setting your priorities and organizing yourself. Plan your meals and you’ll find “time is on your side” as the song goes.
