It's 8:46pm on Labor Day. My dishes are drying in the rack as I listen to the low rumble of my dryer as it sucks the last bit of moisture out of my clothes. Binders, stocked with crisp new paper, lay by the door in anticipation of tomorrow morning's excursion to school.
Good bye free time. You were fun. Hello assignments, midterms, and espresso. Gotta love espresso. Best thing next to Ritalin.
One summertime luxury that I miss during the semester is the ability to cook complicated, time-consuming recipes. During midterm season time, money, and patience are limited in supply and cannot be doled out in front of the stove. However, I am not willing to compromise nutrition. Here are some tips for the student (or busy mom) that I have learned thus far:
1. A slow cooker is the BEST invention in the history of all inventions.
2. Many recipes (chilies, soups, dips, pasta sauce, etc) taste the best on the second day. This is a great excuse to make lots and have leftovers.
3. Buy seasonal, local produce. It's cheaper, more nutritious, it tastes better, and the environment will thank you. Many summer fruits are still in season in September, and winter vegetables such as winter squash may start coming in at the end of the month.
4. Canadian Living magazine's recipes are seasonal, quick, delicious, and use common ingredients that most people have on hand. Also, I have been impressed by every single recipe that I have tried from Anne Lindsay.
5. Try to set aside one day a week for each of beef, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetarian cuisine. This helps to ensure diversity in your diet.
6. Having pizzas or lasagna in the freezer to pop in the oven is a great idea. Let's face it: some days are exhausting. It's okay to take a break from cooking once in a while.
I'd like to know: what can you teach me? What is your favourite weeknight meal?
Have a great semester!
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