https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:38:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2740246 Thu, 25 May 2017 15:12:17 +0000 caterw 2740246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: So glad I'm not the only one who uses my BFF the television as a dinner prep babysitter. My DH works nights and I am basically always solo parenting for dinner/ bath/ bed. I do my prep during nap time but I need a few minutes to gather everything and actually cook it!</p> <p>I am a big fan of cooking a big meal and then eating leftovers the next day hahaha. I will make a chicken in the crockpot and have it two nights in a row (or a lasagna, or a big beef roast). Sometimes I just have the exact same sides over again, and sometimes I slice the leftover meat and make something easy to put it in- chicken Alfredo, French dips, tacos, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2740021 Thu, 25 May 2017 10:57:52 +0000 Mommy Finger 2740021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have an instant pot or pressure cooker, this was amazing and it came together really fast.</p> <p><a href="http://www.idonthavetimeforthat.com/instant-pot-chicken-broccoli-and-rice/" rel="nofollow">http://www.idonthavetimeforthat.com/instant-pot-chicken-broccoli-and-rice/</a></p> <p>I used frozen chopped onions, precooked chicken, and frozen broccoli. It made a good amount so I have some for lunch today and there will be more for the boys and I to have dinner tonight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2739099 Tue, 23 May 2017 13:27:19 +0000 mediagirl 2739099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My favorites:<br /> Chicken marinated in soy sauce and whatever herbs you have around. Chop up a cucumber and put it in some greek yogurt with dill. That's your sauce for the chicken. Grill or sautee or bake(!) the chicken. Steam up some frozen veggies (I always have frozen broccoli and frozen green beans). </p> <p>Mrs. Paintbrush's meal: <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2014/05/15/korean-tacos-a-slow-cooker-meal/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2014/05/15/korean-tacos-a-slow-cooker-meal/</a></p> <p>I keep meatballs (bought or homemade) in the freezer and always have a jar of sauce in the pantry for easy spaghetti and meatballs. </p> <p>@Anagram: salmon is one of the easiest meals. My family loves it and we can typically have it with just a veggie as a side (like roasted broccoli that roasts at the same time as the salmon). It's perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2739046 Tue, 23 May 2017 12:35:01 +0000 looch 2739046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: thanks for the info on the curry paste! I just ordered the yellow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2739038 Tue, 23 May 2017 12:26:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 2739038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: those look so. Good. Definitely making them. And I can make just the meatballs for the kids and add ours to the sauce after. Perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738906 Tue, 23 May 2017 08:38:27 +0000 Mommy Finger 2738906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I sort of made up my recipe from some others. Essentially I brown some pork chops sprinkled with season salt or whatever you have and throw them in a Crock-Pot. The I sauteed some onions and mushrooms both sliced to get rid of some of the water and add them on top of the chops. Add some salt and pepper. Then add a cup or two of chicken broth depending on how many chops you have. Then cook on low for about 6-8 hrs depending on how thick your chops are cut. Add a slurry of water and cornstarch at the end to thicken the sauce and season to taste. The real trick to making it taste awesome is to add a tablespoon or 2 of red wine vinegar before you season to brighten the flavors. </p> <p>This is so versatile depending on what you have and how much time you have. You can not saute the veggies and just add a little less broth. I've also done it with a whole pork loin instead of cutting it into chops. I have an 8 qt Crock-Pot and usually pack it in there so that I make like 4-5 meals at a time that I can freeze it.</p> <p>I've so made this in the instant pot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738893 Tue, 23 May 2017 08:21:15 +0000 Anagram 2738893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>But if you DO make the sauce, it is AHMAZING. Truly amazing. I use Mae Ploy curry paste that I buy on amazon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738892 Tue, 23 May 2017 08:20:28 +0000 Anagram 2738892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: These are the meatballs and you can just make them if you want to skip the thai curry sauce. I don't have a food processor, so some of the mincing/shreding can be time intensive. Also, I triple the recipe so I have meatballs for many meals, haha.</p> <p>But I do these after the girls are asleep and my husband helps me with the mincing (he does it while watching tv). So he'll chop the onions and garlic while I shred the carrots with a regular box grater. Then making the actual meatballs is surprisingly fast. And you don't have to put them in the oven--you can also cook them on the stovetop (my husband prefers them that way because then they are browned, in the oven they remain white for some reason).</p> <p>They are really, really delicious and I also add minced spinach leaves.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thebewitchinkitchen.com/coconut-curry-chicken-meatballs/" rel="nofollow">https://www.thebewitchinkitchen.com/coconut-curry-chicken-meatballs/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738823 Mon, 22 May 2017 20:09:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 2738823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tonight I made squashy macaroni and cheese (basic homemade cheese sauce with a pack of thawed butternut squash purée) at nap, put in the fridge, then just microwaved our servings. Everyone ate, no one complained! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738821 Mon, 22 May 2017 20:08:02 +0000 Foodnerd81 2738821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: yes, chicken sausage is a big go to here. Usually at least one of my kids will eat it. @Mommy Finger: the Costco rotisserie chicken, already pulled off the bone and vacuum sealed, is great too. We froze it in smaller amounts and t even tasted good just thawed, no other seasoning or sauce. </p> <p>@Anagram: do you have a recipe for the meatballs? My younger one is obsessed with meatballs but not a big fan of veggies so I am trying to sneak them in a little more. </p> <p>Unfortunately my kids are also pretty picky and in different ways (3 yo won't eat meat, only likes pasta with no sauce, 1 yo is obsessed with meat, only likes pasta WITH sauce. Of course). But some of these ideas will work for all of us, and others will just work for me and DH after they go to bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738803 Mon, 22 May 2017 19:42:14 +0000 MrsSRS 2738803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sheet pan dinners. Prep at nap then just bake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738767 Mon, 22 May 2017 18:18:22 +0000 gotkimchi 2738767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mommy Finger: what's your priori chop recipe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738745 Mon, 22 May 2017 17:12:07 +0000 SweetiePie 2738745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Today I took thin sliced chicken breasts and just threw them in a ziploc with Soy Vay marinade around 1pm when I put DS down for his nap.<br /> Frozen brown rice<br /> Frozen shelled edamame. </p> <p>I used my cuisinart griddler. At 5:00 I turned on the griddler. By 5:10 I was able to throw half of the chicken on. 7 mins or so later they are all done. Put the next batch on.<br /> Rice and edamame are microwaved. Little butter in the rice. A little sea salt on the edamame. </p> <p>Whole meal took like 20 mins give or take and it was mostly time I could walk away and do other things. And my DS is gobbling it all up.</p> <p>ETA: also, I use the TV as a sitter guilt free while I'm cooking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738734 Mon, 22 May 2017 16:36:45 +0000 Mommy Finger 2738734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Batch cooking is my savior. I try to set aside some time every once in awhile to batch cook like crazy and then the hard part is remembering to take things out of the freezer to thaw.</p> <p>I batch cook meatballs, cooked and sliced chicken, taco meat (both chicken and ground beef), sloppy joes from skinnytaste, pot roast, smothered pork chops (amazing!), meat sauce, just about any other prepared meat, pancakes, and french toast. Hooray for deep freezers!</p> <p>The beauty of the cooked chicken is that it can be used in many applications. I add it to pasta and veggies with some sort of sauce or add it to one of Trader Joe's frozen items (have you tried their mushroom fettuccine?)</p> <p>I have about 10 minutes to get dinner on the table when we get home and usually have to hold my 2 yo so I can't bake a casserole or really anything. It's tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738498 Mon, 22 May 2017 10:53:52 +0000 skinnycow 2738498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our go to when I don't feel like cooking is chicken sausage. We keep a few packs of Aidell's chicken and apple sausage in the fridge and I'll throw a few links in the oven for 10 mins and saute some sort of vegetables. DD loves them and it's super easy and still healthy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738481 Mon, 22 May 2017 10:26:49 +0000 Anagram 2738481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: here are some quick things I've made in the last couple of weeks that I either prepped the night before or could throw together quickly:</p> <p>-Baked/broiled salmon and broccoli, side of sweet or reg potatos-- est time: 15 minutes. I literally just get 2 cookie sheets and put parchment on top, put down the salmon fillets and surround them with fresh broccoli florets, drizzle olive oil and spices on all, and throw in the oven on 425 for about 10 minutes. Or I put it on broil and keep a close eye. Bake is easier because I don't have to watch it. The potatoes I buy the steamer trays and then don't use the included spice packet and add my own--microwave! So simple.</p> <p>-I also made some paleo chicken meatballs over the weekend and tripled the recipe (they have chopped spinach, carrot, and onion in the mixture) and then freeze half and use the meatballs in two different types of recipes-- like pasta one night (and DH and I have spaghetti squash or riced cauliflower instead of noodles), and then a thai curry another night.</p> <p>-Thai curry sauce is super simple and extremely fast if the meat is already made (so you could also do rotisserie chicken or whatever is fast--I use the premade meatballs). 2 cans coconut milk, 3 tbsp thai red curry paste (if you like spicy), 3 tbsp. almond butter, 1 package tri-pepper frozen mix, ground ginger and ground cumin to taste. Throw frozen meatballs in and simmer for about 15 minutes. Simple, fast, and amazing. eta: I also throw in random vegetables in the curry, like sweet potatoes, broccoli, peas, whatever I have on hand that I need to get rid of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738461 Mon, 22 May 2017 09:56:45 +0000 looch 2738461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: How about eggs?</p> <p>I do a quick frittata when I don't know what to make, I just chop up the old veggies that need to be eaten or use frozen spinach and sauté. Then, I beat a couple of eggs, add in some water, and cook. When it begins to set, I add in a few slices of cheese, grated if that's what I have. Then I finish it off in the oven, I don't try to flip it!</p> <p>It's also good cold, so you could make it ahead if you wanted to.</p> <p>One other thing, Costco sells a 6 pack of canned, cooked chicken. I was really skeptical about it at first, but my mom turned me on to it (woman is a good cook) and she said it's great for a quick chicken salad. You just have to drain and rinse it really well and then you have a great base from which to begin. I add mayo, turmeric, curry powder, dried cranberries, shredded apple or mayo, diced pickles and those crunchy salad onions for a nice lunch or dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738266 Sun, 21 May 2017 20:55:18 +0000 boymom1983 2738266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to buy chicken thighs in bulk and freeze them marinated. Then you just thaw and throw in a pan in the oven. Serve with some salad. The end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738264 Sun, 21 May 2017 20:48:21 +0000 irene 2738264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, anything that is (1) crock pot; (2) marinate + bake is perfect. </p> <p>I work from home too. For crock pot I would dump everything in the pot in the morning, I check on it from time to time during the day, then at night dinner is ready - I just have to make some noodle/rice and some veggie to go with it.</p> <p>For oven, I marinate everything in the morning, put it in the fridge. At night I just turn on the oven and pop the meat in. You can bake the veggie with the meat too to make it super easy, or I just steam the veggie as I was making a pasta/noodle.</p> <p>Both are pretty quick. I hope this helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738249 Sun, 21 May 2017 18:26:53 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2738249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a gas grill and the bottom isn't hot. Ds knows to stay away. And dd can't be left alone because she puts everything in her mouth so I usually hold her whole outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738239 Sun, 21 May 2017 17:14:53 +0000 bookwormmama 2738239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: to be honest, DH does the grilling. I get everything prepped and he mans the grill. We have a propane grill and the legs/area with the tank doesn't get hot, but obviously the actual grill area does and our grill is just a small, cheap propane one. I would imagine those larger, stainless steal ones would be cooler on the bottom, but I don't have experience with that.</p> <p>Our son is 3 and knows the grill is hot/to stay away. We also have a spacious patio/backyard area and the grill is tucked into a corner, but he does run by it sometimes. Usually my DH just stands by the grill until the food is done just to be safe/make sure DS doesn't accidentally fall into the grill or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738238 Sun, 21 May 2017 16:54:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 2738238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bookwormmama: grilling isn't an option yet- but we are buying a grill this week so very soon! And being outside without being right on top of the 17 month old also isn't an option yet- she would rather climb the stone steps or wander into the woods than play with toys I set out, but we are eating a fence put up around our back deck soon and it will be much easier! Grill noobie question- is it ok to have them wandering around close to the grill while you are cooking? Nothing down low gets dangerously hot right? </p> <p>Lots of good ideas- I'm literally making notes here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738236 Sun, 21 May 2017 16:44:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2738236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that's pretty much lunch half the time already! </p> <p>One other problem- one of my kids just won't really eat meat. Like she'll eat chicken nuggets, maybe force down a bite of meatball or homemade chicken cutlet. Of course the other one only wants meat- she was literally stealing meatballs off big sister's plate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738230 Sun, 21 May 2017 15:59:09 +0000 FaithFertility 2738230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just roasted a huge pan of veggies and sweet potato wedges and 6 chicken breasts </p> <p>3 breasts with sweet potato wedges for a chicken curry for Monday</p> <p>3 breasts and veggies for balsamic glazed chicken and veggies with rice for Tuesday</p> <p>Also put some aside for DD and DS before I add tons of flavor </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738229 Sun, 21 May 2017 15:46:32 +0000 youboots 2738229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pre cook taco meat and prep spaghetti sauce in bulk. </p> <p>Chicken Cesar salad.</p> <p>BLTS cook bacon in oven. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738224 Sun, 21 May 2017 15:27:11 +0000 gingerbebe 2738224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like all in one or premade meals like that to zap together in a few seconds. Constant rotation in our house is:</p> <p>- Mild curries (coconut, tikka masala, Japanese). I made a super fast vegetarian one last night with a bag of frozen Asian veggies (Trader Joe's harvest hodgepodge), a can of coconut milk, a can of chickpeas or cubed tofu, some broth, a few tablespoons of Thai curry paste, soy sauce, and lemon juice. We have a rice cooker with a keep warm function so I can always throw it on the table in a few minutes, but microwave rice is just as easy. I just mush it up and hand the toddler a bowl and spoonfeed the baby. </p> <p>- I usually make a hearty soup with meat and veg in it once a week and either throw more rice in it or some short pasta shapes I can boil quickly. We often make miso soup with veggies and tofu or chicken and veggie soup in the Instant Pot right after lunch and it's ready to go for dinner. </p> <p>- I boil a box of pasta and toss in olive oil and keep the sauce or veggies/meat separate until reheat. I often make homemade meat sauce in the Instant Pot with a lot of veggies grated into it and then freeze in quart size bags. I keep one thawed in the fridge most weeks and just toss with the pasta that I pre-boiled one night after the kids are asleep. Or I toss some leftover rotisserie chicken with the premade pasta and frozen broccoli with alfredo sauce.</p> <p>- I keep cooked taco meat and Spanish rice in the freezer (we cook and eat half, freeze half). I often nuke the meat and rice together and add frozen mixed veggies to it. Then I throw it in a bowl and top with lettuce and mild salsa and cheese and hand my toddler a size of Tostitos scoops and he eats a little deconstructed taco bowl. </p> <p>- Pizza quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, with jarred sauce, mozzarella, and turkey pepperoni. Served with raw veggies and fruit.</p> <p>- </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738219 Sun, 21 May 2017 15:04:01 +0000 bookwormmama 2738219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is grilling an option? We do a lot of grilling in the summer to keep the house cooler, but an added bonus is that DS gets to stay outside playing until we need to eat...he's not whiny or complaining during meal prep. I sometimes bring out a bowl of fruit for him to snack on while he plays and we cook/grill.</p> <p>Maybe sub sandwiches with some fresh veggies and fruit? You could put those together pretty quickly/easily during nap time as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738218 Sun, 21 May 2017 15:00:42 +0000 catgirl 2738218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a huge hit with DD right now. I prep everything in the morning or during nap and have it mixed and ready to go in a baking dish. Then just pop in the oven for 15 minutes right before dinner. </p> <p><a href="https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/bbq-chicken-quinoa-casserole-recipe/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/bbq-chicken-quinoa-casserole-recipe/</a></p> <p>We also do meatballs in the crock pot a lot. We make different versions, so sometimes it is with pasta, served on bread for meatball subs, or just served with sliced veggies and fruit for an easy meal. </p> <p>I will make a quiche and then just reheat when it's dinner and serve with fruit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738217 Sun, 21 May 2017 14:53:48 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2738217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: so lately I've been grilling a bunch of chicken breasts all at once. Then when it's time for dinner I grab whole wheat tortillas, throw on some mixed greens, cheese, sliced chicken and some salad dressing. </p> <p>Ds and dd just eat the same but deconstructed plus some fruit. </p> <p>Or I serve the sliced chicken over greens with rice, hard boiled eggs (pre made) on top. Again, kids eat it deconstructed. </p> <p>I also stay home and shit starts hitting the fan so I love quick dinners. We do a lot of raw veggies, sliced fruit and then a meat and I'll give the kids a carb too (if they are cranky and I'm short on time that carb is a piece of whole wheat bread with butter!) and yogurt. </p> <p>Also grilled hotdogs go over well here and are so fast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weeknight-meals#post-2738215 Sun, 21 May 2017 14:48:58 +0000 looch 2738215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a cold dinner, with pieces of cubed cheese, ham and bread or crackers? </p>