Dinner time has been unusually hectic the last couple of months. My oldest two children have many late afternoon and evening activities. Three nights out of the school week I arrive home at 6:50. I don’t have time to cook dinner, but I definitely don’t want my kids eating fast foods. I apply some of the principles of batch cooking to cook real food in bulk.
On Sunday evenings when I am cooking a nice sit-down dinner, I cook extra vegetables to get us through the week.
I roasted or sautéed 4 pounds of asparagus ( substituted olive oil for butter in this asparagus recipe), 2 heads of cauliflower in this Roasted Cauliflower with Carrots Recipe and in the Roasted Cauliflower with Brussels Sprouts recipe which is printed below, 2 heads of broccoli, 2 pounds of Brussels sprouts, and 1 pound of carrots. That equals 32 cups of cooked vegetables, which when combined with fresh greens, is enough veggies to get us through until I have time to prepare another nice dinner on Friday.
Since nutrients are lost when heated or cooked in liquids, the first time I cook the vegetables I cook them until they are just barely fork-tender and in just enough olive oil to keep them from sticking to the pan. When I use the vegetables later in the week, I reheat them just enough for that meal and only cook them until they are heated all the way through.
I also batch broil or barbecue 2 – 3 pounds of meat, cook a double batch of brown rice in the pressure cooker and prepare a large bowl of fresh mixed greens. This allows me to combine the various batch cooked dishes to quickly make a stir-fry, a frittata, a salad, or soup. When altering recipes to use batch cooked ingredients, add the previously cooked ingredients at the last possible minute. They are already cooked, they just need to be reheated.
However, when we walk through the door a 6:50, I will admit to just loading up plates and heating them in the microwave to create a one minute meal. It is not my favorite way to cook dinner, but it is still much healthier than most of the convenience food that is available.
Printable Recipe for Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts halved
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- pinch of salt
- dash or two of coarse ground pepper
Instructions
- Spread the cauliflower florets and Brussels sprouts on a greased cookie sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Toss to thoroughly coat the veggies. Sprinkle the spices over the vegetables.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until fork tender.
I am looking forward to mid-May when our schedule will ease up and provide for more relaxing dinners! How do you speed up dinner on rushed evenings?
J L Health 918-836-0565 says
I LOVE roasted cauliflower so this is a great recipe!
This is a great idea for me because if I don't take the time to plan ahead on the veggies…I don't eat them..
Thanks for hosting and posting at the hearth and soul hop 44.
Danielle says
This is brilliant! What a fantastic time-saver. You have lucky kids, to be able to do all their activities, and still get real, homecooked foods for dinner! 🙂
I found you through WFMW, by the way.
http://mindofthemother.blogspot.com/
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
I love the sound of this recipe Alea! We really like cauliflower and brussel sprouts in our house, and those spices you have used are wonderful. Thank you also for those great tips for cooking ahead. This is the kind of quick, convenience food I love!
Candace says
I love it that you have this on hand for your quick meals. It is definitely better than the convenience meals. I need to do more of this kind of cooking. Hopefully when I get moved into my new house that I can be more organized and get more done like this. Thanks for sharing! I love roasted veggies!
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
I don't prepare as much ahead of time as you do, though it sounds so helpful. However, when I saute veggies each night, I make extra to use for another meal or for my lunch. I need to get back into the habit of prepping veggies for the week on Sunday. It makes a big difference in using them during the week.
We microwave dinner, too! I know, I know, it's supposed to be bad, but it's incredibly helpful on busy nights.
Swathi says
I like your idea of batch cooking. roasted Brussels sprouts is yummy.
Hodgepodgemom says
Now this is so smart!! Just takes a little planning. Thanks Alea.
Stacie says
mmm roasted Brussels sprouts are the best! I've turned Brussels haters on to liking them.
Sheila says
Yum for the roasted vegetables. I actually made 2 meatloaves yesterday so that we will have one for a busy day. I do like to grill extra meat to be used at a later date. I think my quickest meal is broiled chicken breast and a salad. I never thought about precooking vegetables. Thanks for the idea. Take care.
saffronstreaks says
loved the roasted veggies, absolutely fantastic and healthy too.
pls do check the new event at my site : summer coolers