Simple Suppers In the Fast Lane
"Like many other working parents, I have a half-hour or more commute from my office to home," says Joyce Parslow, a home economist with the Beef Information Centre. "When I walk in the door, I know the first words I hear will be: 'When's supper? I'm famished.' With easy-to-prepare ingredients on hand, I can have a hearty, fresh-cooked meal on the table in minutes."
In a new booklet, Simple Suppers, Parslow shares meal ideas, pairing fully cooked beef pot roast, ground beef, beef stir-fry strips, kabobs, fast-fry steaks and deli-purchased cooked roast beef with convenient grocery products like ready-cut stir-fry vegetables, pasta and rice.
While shopping for meat, Parslow also stocks up on shortcut staples such as ground beef meal kits, pasta and pasta sauces, salsa and taco supplies, spice blends, dressings and shredded cheeses. "You will be amazed at the variety of meals you can quickly pull together with these ingredients on hand."
To save time, Parslow also practices the 'cook once - eat twice' strategy. Sunday's roast beef dinner becomes Monday's beef and barley soup; extra meatballs are frozen in meal-size batches and prepared cooked mini meat loaves make perfect microwave dinners when only part of the family is home.
"Make it beef tonight for all the right reasons - great taste, value, versatility, good nutrition for your family and to help support farming communities across Canada," suggests Parslow.
More Meals in Minutes Ideas
Southwestern Beef and Polenta: Pan-fry a pound (500 g) ground beef for 10 minutes until thoroughly cooked. Drain; stir in a jar (400 mL) thick and chunky salsa and 1 pkg (35 g) taco seasoning mix. Spoon over slices of purchased prepared polenta and top with shredded Mexican-style cheese.
The Hot Steak Sandwich: Cook a seasoned fast-fry steak and layer with pan-fried onion, crumbled blue cheese and arugula on toasted Kaiser bun.
Simple Asian Noodle Bowl: Toss beef stir-fry strips and chopped bok choy into a pot of simmering broth that is seasoned with slivers of gingerroot and garlic. Ladle into serving bowls over cooked fresh chow mein noodles, thinly sliced green onion and sweet red pepper รข?? top with a drizzle of sesame oil.
Harvest Pot Roast: Heat a cooked pot roast according to package directions. Drain sauce into a small saucepan; stir in 1/4 cup (50 mL) cranberry sauce and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) grated orange peel. Heat and serve with slices of beef and mashed potatoes.
Chili in a Hurry: In a large saucepan, cook a pound (500 g) ground beef for 10 minutes, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) EACH kidney beans (not drained) and chili-style tomatoes, 1 sweet pepper (diced), 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder and 1 cup (250 mL) water. Bring to boil and stir in 3/4 cup (175 mL) uncooked rice; reduce heat and simmer, covered for 25 minutes or until rice is tender.
