Real 30 minute meals

So here's the scenario: You get home from work at 5:30. You have something to attend (PTA meeting, consulting gig, whatever) that will require you to leave the house at 6:00. You need a quick supper. You have not stopped at the store on the way home (otherwise, you wouldn't get home at 5:30) and there are no leftovers in the fridge. What do you put together and eat in 30 minutes that is satisfying enough to last until you get home (say at 10:00) but quick enough that all prep, cooking, and eating can be done in 30 minutes?

Tonight's answer to that was decent aged cheddar and high-quality tortillas made into quesadillas. Delicious with Cholula and/or Tabasco Chipotle.

Anyone else have any good ideas for this scenario? (Ooops - gotta run!)

Ha! You took my answer.

Second choice, grilled cheese sandwich and a piece of fruit.

Third, an omelet and a simple mixed green salad.

Hadn't thought of the omelet option - that's a good one!

Variation on the omelet - scrambled eggs with some smoked salmon stirred through. Particularly if you begin with sauteeing some finely chopped onion till it starts to colour, then sautee the chopped-up smoked salmon with it, then add the beaten eggs and turn it gently till cooked through. Some green salad on the side.

Risottos can be surprisingly little effort if there are enough interesting odds and end in the fridge.

It's usually something pasta here...Farfalle with a lemon cream sauce, and I usually add either ham, shrimp, or smoked salmon and peas or aspargus tips. Sometimes I will throw in some leftover chopped tomato or some sauteed mushrooms. If I don't have any heavy cream, I would probably do a primavera...I make the sauce with stock, Olive Oil, butter, and parm...add whatever fresh and frozen veggies I've got, or I would do a Carbonara.

My second meal would usually be an Omelet like Cynthia, or something quickly grilled, like sausages or a cheeseburger.

Your Quesadillas sound delicious Mike.

Variation on the omelet - scrambled eggs with some smoked salmon stirred through. Particularly if you begin with sauteeing some finely chopped onion till it starts to colour, then sautee the chopped-up smoked salmon with it, then add the beaten eggs and turn it gently till cooked through. Some green salad on the side.

I do something similar using Mexican chorizo (in place of the salmon) and serve with tortillas.

Quesadillas or bean burritos, dried pasta with pesto or tomato sauce. Or a sandwich if bread happens to be handy.

Mark Lipton

Glass of scotch and a cinnamon raisin bagel. All in under 5 minutes.

'Winger

Some other choices besides the scrambled eggs and omelets, tuna melt, BLT, grilled ham & cheese or croque monsieur, welsh rarebit.
And may I suggest that you plan for this happening again by making and freezing some dishes for this eventuality that can be quickly microwaved (assuming you're not anti-MW!). Quickie suggestions, soups, stuffed peppers, souffles with tuna etc. freeze and reconstitute verywell.

Shel -

I never seem to plan my meals more than a day or two in advance - I'm just not that organized. We do often have leftovers in the fridge, though, and they work well in these situations. Sometimes, though, I'm caught short.

Lots of good suggestions here!

Shrimp is always a go-to for me. I can take it out of the freezer and run it under cold water and thaw it in 5 minutes. While it's thawing, I chop garlic, shallots, any type of vegetable that appeals at the time. Saute everything in some butter and olive oil. Boil up some pasta and toss with fresh grated parmesan.

Easy, quick and delicious!

ah one (very obvious) one we've missed.

Salad in it's many incarnations (including warm salads)

also stir-fry can be very quick (and at times a good fridge emptier). Popping some unsalted cashews in at the last moment before serving helps to add another textural element.

regards

Ian

So it is 5:30 PM and you have to leave at 6:00 PM for a PTA Meeting? You will probably want something that is easy to prepare, filling and will dull your senses enough that you will be able to tollerate the soccer moms at the PTA Meeting. Two or three Brandy Alexanders will meet all of the criteria.

So it is 5:30 PM and you have to leave at 6:00 PM for a PTA Meeting? You will probably want something that is easy to prepare, filling and will dull your senses enough that you will be able to tollerate the soccer moms at the PTA Meeting. Two or three Brandy Alexanders will meet all of the criteria.

A large rubber mallet applied to the side of the head also comes to mind.

So it is 5:30 PM and you have to leave at 6:00 PM for a PTA Meeting? You will probably want something that is easy to prepare, filling and will dull your senses enough that you will be able to tollerate the soccer moms at the PTA Meeting. Two or three Brandy Alexanders will meet all of the criteria.

A large rubber mallet applied to the side of the head also comes to mind.

Hmmm... I'd suggest Vicodin or Demerol for situations like that: quickly consumed, long lasting and guaranteed to take you a place where It Just Doesn't Matter™.

Mark Lipton

Hmmm... I'd suggest Vicodin or Demerol for situations like that: quickly consumed, long lasting and guaranteed to take you a place where It Just Doesn't Matter™.

Good thinking. And unlike brandy they will not make Mike smell like the town drunkard.

If smelling like the town drunkard gets me disinvited to the PTA meetings.......