Confession: Hooked on Convenience Foods
In spite of what I told my parents when I was about eight ("I will NEVER cook!"), I really do like to cook. I love my gas range, my copper All-Clad pans, and the wealth of fresh options around here. (We live two minutes from a rockin' state farmer's market, and Whole Foods and The Fresh Market are wonderful.)
The Wonderful Husband (TWH) is an awesome cook in his own right. He specializes in New Mexican cuisine, but can throw together a decent meal of any sort. We used to spend nice couple-time after work drinking gin-and-tonics or wine while cooking great meals.
Until the arrival of Baby A.
For the longest time, of course, she ate early and went to bed. Then we'd manage to throw something in the microwave (or TWH would run out for take-out). Now that she's older, we try to eat as a family almost every night. But HOW HARD is it to
(1) get everyone home
(2) spend ANY time together (maybe a late-day trip to the park up the street from The Bungalow)
(3) cook and eat as a family
(4) then do the bath-and-bed routine, all before 7:45 P.M.?
Surely you'll let me speak for you when I answer: Next to impossible.
So, it hit me last night during dinner...a really good dinner, actually:
I've joined the rest of America by getting hooked on convenience foods, albeit fairly healthy ones. These days we're liking
• naturally raised chicken or beef from Whole Foods that's pre-cut for stir-fry or into tenders
• ready-to-cook chicken breasts stuffed with all kinds of yummy treats...The Fresh Market has combos like Santa Fe, Parmesan, Cordon Bleu
• pre-made and pre-seasoned naturally raised hamburger patties, maybe with bleu cheese or, like last night, jack cheese and heavy Cajun seasoning.
For the past decade there's been Boston Market—the first real "home meal replacement" concept meant to provide fast takeaway meals, as in, meat and three sides,—along with a handful of other chains, plus grocery stores and, of course, pizza. Lately the old-school quick-serve chains have been responding to this trend, too, installing grab-and-go cases.
What gets your family through those mealtimes when there's just not time to cook? Now that groceries and even fast-food restaurants and convenience stores are offering grab-and-go choices, are they more likely to be on your list of options?
In other words, if you can duck into McDonald's and grab four relatively fresh, relatively healthy sandwiches (I know, I know, but let me finish), will you feel less guilty than if you'd gone through the drive-thru for burgers and fries?
I think I would. Let me know what you think.
Comments
Good post - yes, always a challenge to try and fit dinner into a busy schedule and still get the toddler to bed on time. Some of our faves are pasta - so easy, and she always goes for it - mixed with whatever's around. You can oven roast tomatoes in about 20 minutes, toss them with hot spaghetti and throw on some parmesan just about as quick as you can heat up something frozen. Also, quick polenta with the same sauce. OR thin sliced chix filets from Whole Foods, breaded and lightly pan-fried are a great addition and very quick. I also like to make soup and then the reheat is super easy, throw in a grilled cheese sandwich or quesedilla and your set!
Posted by: michele | May 22, 2006 07:24 AM