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September 10, 2007

Find a "backup" dinner

Submitted by SiteEditor Read more cooking, daily challenge, healthy eating, mealtime, and recipes
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

Today, make an effort to find a recipe for a very easy meal. Then, write the ingredients on a little piece of paper and stash the paper in your purse or wallet. This way, the next time you feel rushed or like you don’t have much time, you can pick up a few things at the store and make a nutritious meal, instead of resorting to takeout.

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21 comments

  1. User_48
    Ladywolf1344 over 2 years ago

    My back up dinner is easy, it’s shrimp and rice. Since I am eating better I now use brown rice ans less salt and no oil to satuee the shrimp, but it tastes just the same as my moms receipe and it is my dinner that I make when no one else is going to be home for dinner and I would end up eating some thing frozen.

  2. Picture_461
    AuraBryt over 2 years ago

    i’m haveing problems can’t find a recepie that all the pickie eaters in the house will eat…i’m thinking of buying a good food processer to hide some things they “don’t like”

  3. User_48
    pilsen over 2 years ago

    I eat cookies and crackers

  4. User_48
    sailor over 2 years ago

    I chose chicken salad for a quick back up dinner. It’s easy and most of the time I have all necessary ingredients.

  5. User_48
    akwally1 over 2 years ago

    I carry a Palm with me most places I go and I have almost all of my recipes backed up onto that. So when I’m at work, I just take a quick look and sort by number of ingredients and pick which has the least amount that I’m willing to work with.

  6. User_48
    Stefoosh over 2 years ago

    I buy yummy Kashi Pizza to keep in my freezer for backups which is at least 1X a week :-)

  7. Me_dad
    zazuo over 2 years ago

    I like to keep some Black bean veggie burgers in the freezer. With a whole whreat bun some leafy grean vegtables and some fat free ranch dressing it makes a great back up dinner.

  8. User_48
    Mariah over 2 years ago

    I hardly eat dinner….or most meals for that matter. It’s the only way I can lose weight fast enough. But anyway, I have 7 Kashi crackers, 9 carrots, and a half of an apple with water as my “fast dinner” when I have dinner.

  9. John___sondra_s_wedding__190_
    michaud6 over 2 years ago

    I always try to have “something” available at all times. Even if it’s just frozen chicken nuggets, pizza and French fries. May not be the most healthy thing to eat but it’s quick.

  10. User_48
    kophia over 2 years ago

    My backup plan is either breakfast for dinner or fried rice. Both utilize the veggies and grains that I always have on hand. And I love that they are easy to pull together in a pinch. I know that I am covering most of my family’s nutritional needs without resorting to calling the pizza guy. :D

  11. Dena
    sunegrl over 2 years ago

    I always have a bowl of chicken salad prepared in the fridge, so I can use the Mission Whole Wheat Tortillas and have a great chicken salad wrap. Yummy!

  12. Dax-5_months1_crop
    MommyofBabyBoy over 2 years ago

    A great quick meal is the Kashi Vanilla oatmeal. To make it a bigger meal I defrost some blueberries to put in it as well as some sliced almonds. YUM!

  13. L_38fab0ee1d4dafab3eb440de35c40844
    kmarzluf over 2 years ago

    my favorite “back-up” is whole wheat pasta-either penne or rotini and with it I throw in some quick sauteed spinach and either cannellini beans or albacore tuna for protein, and top is with a little olive oil, parmesan, salt, and pepper. mmmm!

  14. Kashi-web-email-a-
    KellyK about 1 year ago

    My fav quickie meal is a veggie scramble. I cut up broccoli, mushrooms, red onions & peppers add two whole organic brown eggs. Place in a whole grain pita and serve with sweet potato fries. Yum :)

  15. User_48
    RebeccaMcGrane about 1 year ago

    Our family keeps a bowl of legumes and hard grains (eg rye or wheat) soaking in the fridge everyday. You can also make this quick meal without soaking – just use a pressure cooker for 20 minute dinner or regular pot with lid for dinner in about 1 to 2 hours.
    Ingredients
    1/2 cup rye
    1/2 cup wheat
    1 cup adzuki beans
    6 cups Vegetable broth or no-chkn broth
    2 medium to large onions – whatever is handy
    2 cloves of garlic
    Choose one: (adjust to taste)
    1/4 teaspoon each: ground rosemary, dried basil, dried marjoram
    or
    1/4 teaspoon each ground fennel, cardamon, cumin & turmeric
    ½ to 1 cup of frozen spinach, asparagus cuts, broccoli or some other veggie you like
    Handful of fresh rough chopped mushrooms
    Coconut, Grapeseed or Canola oil to saute’
    Dutch Oven or heavy cast iron pan with lid for stove top use

    Peel onions and cut in half, thinly slice the halved onions divide into 2 equal parts
    Peal and mince garlic
    Heat pan over medium high heat till hot, add 2 tablespoons oil.
    Once oil is hot add 1 part of the onions, toss to coat with oil and let sit until browned on one side 3-5 minutes most stove tops.
    Add second part of onions, toss to coat with oil – add more oil if you like.
    When second onions are translucent add the mushrooms.
    When the mushrooms have released the liquid add the minced garlic and seasoning blend of your choice. Stir/Toss together.
    Add ½ of the broth and check flavors – they should be bold but not harsh. The flavor intensity will be cut by one half to two thirds by the end of the meal prep.
    Add grains and legumes. Stir together.
    Partially cover pot and bring to boil. Add remaining broth, return to boil and then add veggies.
    Reduce heat and cover pot to simmer till liquid is absorbed. Grains and Legumes should be soft, wheat will still “pop” when you bite it.
    My meat and cheese loving husband loves this meat and cheese free meal.
    It also makes a very nice presentation when prepared/served in Augratin dishes.

  16. Boys_and_me
    manitou1913 about 1 year ago

    As a mom I’ve had to convince myself that I don’t need to spend a half hour over boiling water and a hot stove to make a “meal”. My kids are just as happy, and probably healthier, with sandwiches and fresh fruit. We do peanut butter sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches. We also do pita sandwhiches and pita “pizza” – tomato sauce on a whole pita, with mozzerella (and whatever other ingredients), toasted in the oven. I offer fresh fruit and veggies at every meal. They don’t always eat them, and I try to be okay with that.

  17. User_48
    ldurham1 about 1 year ago

    The other night I baked some chicken breasts with olive oil and tyme, nuked frozen green beans, uncle ben’s 90 second rice, and some reduced fat pilsbury cresent rolls. All 3 kids ate it!

  18. Pb050058
    dezshevon about 1 year ago

    The food processor thing WORKS! My fiance won’t eat any vegetables. He won’t even try squash because he doesn’t like the name. He’s sure that broccoli is an STD. He unknowingly eats them twice a week… in his spaghetti. Odd thing is, he likes it better that way.

  19. Picture_1
    teaintn about 1 year ago

    Our quick meal is pasta and whatever is in the fridge. My children love pasta so this is a meal we all like. I cook up some chicken breast, cover with leftover red sauce or add veggies and a cream sauce, or white beans and garlic, ect. You can get very creative with pasta. I wish I could get used to the taste of whole wheat pasta, I know it would be healthier.

  20. User_48
    arzoo468 about 1 year ago

    my quick meal is to add a lil olive oil in a pan add tomatoes,onions,beans,carrots,peas and after they are done add some broken wheat to it.add some grated cheese to them and eat it with some boiled eggs!!!!