What do your family meals look like--large & elaborate? Small & simple? If you're like me, your alternate universe is filled with daily elaborate family dinners, complete with a large roast beast & three delectable side dishes. With homemade rolls. And dessert. But if that's your idea of weeknight family dinners, I have a feeling that you feel defeated before you even start.
Since when did dinner have to kick our tails?
While I love side-dishes as much as the next foodie, I rarely bother with them unless it's a special occasion. In my mind, they're what tip the scales between whether dinner is worth the trouble tonight or too overwhelming-and-can-you-just-pick-up-a-pizza-on-the-way-home-please-dear?
So what do meals look like at the Frugal Foodie's house?
{Well, let's just keep it REEEEALLY real: I have a Costco-sized stash of boxed mac-n-cheese in my closet. It comes out once every other week or so when I need a pinch-hitter. If my family is extra lucky, I serve baby carrots on the side. Hey, it's cheaper than takeout, it's quick to make, & everyone likes it.}
On my better nights, I usually serve my main dish (for me, those are the menu items in the Planners), with a side salad, & sometimes some bread. That's it. On weeks when I have extra time to plan, I may write in some quick veggie sides (sauteed green beans & the like) on my grocery list, but I prefer to leave those for a larger family dinner on a weekend. The truth is, we don't need tons of food for dinner. Your food-loving perfectionistic alter-ego may have this expectation that you need to fill the table with 5 different serving dishes. But it's the real life YOU that has to prepare dinner...and pay for it, for that matter!
If you're making Apple Chicken this week, you already have protein & fruit in your main dish. Add a side salad (and I'm talking cut up romaine w/ a light vinaigrette--eeeeeeasy stuff) & some type of grain (bread, rice, quinoa, etc), and call it a meal.
If you're making Ravioli w/ Brown Butter & Sage, you've got your grain/carb & dairy in your main dish. Serve with a side salad, & some apple or pear slices.
If you're making Spicy Tomato Soup, you have fruit & veggies (tomatoes & onion/garlic) and a little bit of protein/dairy (cheese). Add a side salad & some bread.
If you're making Garlic Flank Steak, there's your protein. Add a side salad (or maybe some roasted or grilled veggies if you want to get fancy) & some type of grain...you're done.
Pizza is my favorite well-balanced meal (if you play it right). This week, you have roasted veggies on top of your crust (grain), topped with melted mozzarella (protein/dairy). Add a side salad if you want some extra veggies.
I hope this takes some of the pressure off of your weeknight dinners. They are perfect without all the bells & whistles! And even on days when they aren't perfect, they're enough. ;)
If you're making Apple Chicken this week, you already have protein & fruit in your main dish. Add a side salad (and I'm talking cut up romaine w/ a light vinaigrette--eeeeeeasy stuff) & some type of grain (bread, rice, quinoa, etc), and call it a meal.
If you're making Ravioli w/ Brown Butter & Sage, you've got your grain/carb & dairy in your main dish. Serve with a side salad, & some apple or pear slices.
If you're making Spicy Tomato Soup, you have fruit & veggies (tomatoes & onion/garlic) and a little bit of protein/dairy (cheese). Add a side salad & some bread.
If you're making Garlic Flank Steak, there's your protein. Add a side salad (or maybe some roasted or grilled veggies if you want to get fancy) & some type of grain...you're done.
Pizza is my favorite well-balanced meal (if you play it right). This week, you have roasted veggies on top of your crust (grain), topped with melted mozzarella (protein/dairy). Add a side salad if you want some extra veggies.
I hope this takes some of the pressure off of your weeknight dinners. They are perfect without all the bells & whistles! And even on days when they aren't perfect, they're enough. ;)
