Howdy!

I have heard some horrible things about dinner:  We don’t do it anymore-we have too much to do.  It’s too much work, everyone grabs what they want and that’s it.  Dinner?  I grab a yogurt and a brownie-I’m done.

Oh no!  I realize not everyone has a “full” table of family members AND that we are all super busy, but if Rachel Ray can do a party in under 30 minutes-so can any of us here on Fabulously40!

Now in whatscooking’s home we (at the minimum)start with 2 at the table and can grow to 7, in a heartbeat.  Hubby and I are the beginning.  Our son and his girlfriend live with us and eat with us I would say at least 5 nights a week.  If we‘re lucky, our daughter and her family might surprise us and join us for the evening meal.

How do I expand what I’m making to accomodate?  I keep easy to expand on products in my freezer and cupboards.  Let’s face it-with the Food Network airing, there is no reason why any of us do not have a “working” pantry!  I believe I’ve also seen programming on HGTV and even FineLiving on the subject on how to serve a gourmet (or less fancy)meal in a matter of minutes and make it delicious and nutritious.

Personally-I always have frozen turkey and salmon burgers on hand.  In the fridge, I have gourmet dinner sausages ready and waiting to be put on the grill.  The turkey and salmon burgers are able to be put on the grill (or oven/broiler)straight out of the freezer.  I have all kinds of pasta, grains and starchy veggies ready to go as well.  Our favorites can be on the table in about 20 minutes:  quinoa, fresh ears of corn and all the pastas!

On Sundays, I try to put together a vegan lasagna or noodle pudding that will easily serve us for about 3 days-depending on the crowd.  And those can be doled out in portions and popped in the microwave.

By keeping some chicken or vegetable stock on hand, a nice hearty soup made entirely out of odds and ends can be on the table in literally 15 minutes.  All you need to add is some homemade (or store bought) muffins or artisan bread.

Realizing that part of the problem with serving a sit down meal is that too many of us have such varying schedules that trying to get everyone to the table is just not about to happen, I still feel that sitting and talking is what dinner time is about.

At one point my husband and son worked until almost 9 p.m., now the women in the house still waited for their arrival to eat, but that’s what worked for us.  In your home, please, do make an effort, if at all possible to sit with the “late” crowd and chat about your days-together.

Nutrition and dinner means more than just filling up your stomachs, it’s means filling up your souls as well.

Wednesday, let’s talk and share some of the best go-to quick pleasing meals in our homes.