Back to school means homework, parent-teacher conferences and chauffeuring kids to after-school activities.

There isn’t a lot of time to plan elaborate meals, but you shouldn’t have to sit down to takeout seven nights a week.

With planning and smart grocery shopping, you can reduce the stress and dine well every night. The main thing to remember: Keep it simple.

THREE’S A CHARM

Plan a quick-and-easy three-course menu: starter, main dish with a simple side and a no-fuss dessert.

First, make an easy main dish. Grill or barbecue fish, meat or vegetables. A dizzying variety of pre-made rubs are available in grocery stores. Or make your own with a little salt and pepper, garlic and or onion powder and a favorite spice or two such as chili powder or ginger. Brush the meat with olive oil, sprinkle on the rub and grill.

A simple side dish can be grilled, too. Corn on the cob, zucchini strips, sweet red bell pepper halves or red onion slices get the oil-and-rub treatment and they’re good to go.
If you love potatoes, buy baby ones and pop them in a covered dish with a little water, then microwave for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with yogurt, sour cream and butter.
For dessert, don’t bake. Simply set out fresh fruit or open a carton of premium ice cream.

FAMILY VALUES

Sometimes the only chance for the family to sit down together is dinner. Make sure it’s stress-free by not doing anything elaborate, but try to stay away from institutional fare such as sloppy joes, Hamburger Helper, tuna casserole and Kraft dinner.

If your family loves mac and cheese, make it homemade. Or serve stir fry: Get packs of vegetables already trimmed, chicken tenders already cut up or frozen shrimp. There are many teriyaki and other stir-fry sauces. Cook in sesame or pepper oil for extra flavor.

If you do have to break down and serve the frozen lasagna or Rice-A-Roni, make a fresh salad on the side. Get bagged, already-washed greens or a salad kit. But have something that looks homemade.

How about throwing apple pie filling into a casserole and topping it with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon mixed with a little flour? Instant apple crisp.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

When it’s your night to cook and you’re running behind, keep hungry kids from rioting by setting out a plate of celery sticks and peanut butter or goldfish crackers.

Other niceties help relieve the stress. Buy pretty paper napkins and ask for help setting the table. If washing dishes is an issue around your house, switch to paper plates every once in a while.

Don’t let your dinner table get cluttered with backpacks, mail and other junk. If you have to keep a box underneath and swipe it all off into that container — so be it.

Give kids fun chores such as setting out toppings for ice cream, and let them pick the menu on some nights. When they participate, they really look forward to the results.

3 QUICK MENU IDEAS

1. Taco salad and cinnamon doughnuts with dulce de leche ice cream
2. Fish sticks served taco style in tortillas with salsa and store-bought black bean soup
3. Chili dog nachos. Add sliced hot dogs to storebought chili. Heat and serve over tortilla chips and top with cheese. Serve salad or corn on the cob on the side.

— Anne Valdespino | McClatchy-Tribune

Categories: Recipes
Tags: features