I love reading dinner strategies. What I’ve tried (and seems to be working) this year is a night assigned for a type of meal. So every week there’s one type of biryani/pilaf, one night for sandwiches or wraps, one for Dahl, one for baked chicken of sorts and one night for curry. One night we order in and the final one because my kids are small is pancake/dosa night with adults eating leftovers. This has given me some kind of formula to follow.
We’re not a salad eating family or will eat salad as a side not as a main so this is what works for us for now.
I want to be at your table, Perzen! I forget about biryani, which I worked hard to master a few years ago and everyone here loves, so thank you, I'm bringing it back! But I do wish I was better at curries. They're so satisfying and make the best leftovers. Do you have a favorite?
Also: I'd love to hear more about dosa night. Is there a recipe you love?
Rather than a biryani, lookup a Chicken Yakhni( or Akhni) for weeknights. It’s the same flavours but a one-pot bake style instead which makes it a bit easier.
Re Dosa I’ll put up a recipe as i make my own batter now but your local Indian store is your friend here. In the chiller they will likely have ready made dosa batter. Kids just love the plain dosas. I add in some masala potatoes as a stuffing for the adults :)
Funny thing, I used to travel all over New England, working. I would make 5 casserole dishes on Sunday, freeze 4, refrigerated 1 for Monday. I could never have been there at dinner time for over 10 years, but they got great meals, often times I would leave cash so they could order a pizza. They still are okay with what I had to do. Believe me, our vacations were awesome
Incidentally, Christine, it would be fun to hear what these casseroles were, what their favorites were, if they repeated week to week and if your kids enjoy casseroles now as adults (or make them). Mine was not a casserole family (my mom had one super delicious go-to casserole, called Company Chicken, she almost only made for company), but my best friend's mom made casseroles almost every night. It was always a treat to get invited to dinner--I found her rotation curious and comforting.
They liked American chopped Suey, Chicken Cacciatore, chicken chop suey, a dish with hamburger, corn and mashed potatoes on top, they loved. Also home made pizza dough, always ready, frozen or in the frig. Bagels, always, for snacks, with anything they wanted on top.
Always had cookies, but because we lived in NH, whoopee pies, by the dozens.
Thank you for sharing this!! This is great--this is also how kids build resilience, learn to cook, and care for themselves at the minimum level. Food is my love language and the thing I most "do" for my kids (they have lots of other self-care chores around the house, including folding their own laundry) but I'm slowly releasing a couple dinners a night, and pointing my older daughter, age 13, to leftovers and things in the fridge she can reheat for herself on busy nights. In fact, I'm at my desk writing on deadline for a new project now, and I'm about to assign squash soup heating up duty to her, so I can keep going. Thank you for the note Christine!
I really enjoyed reading this article, thanks! "Try to remember it’s just dinner." So true!! If it isn't perfect, you'll get another go at it tomorrow!
Exactly!! Theres always a chance to one up our last meal, but what families/partners/kids remember is consistency and feeling seen and nourished at the family table.
Absolutely love this post. Agree wholeheartedly with everything you write. I used to send myself into a spin with dinners because things had to be just so. I also work as a nutritionist. I have lowered the bar too and relaxed around 'rules' and I feel so much happier. The kids still eat well, complain about 'bits' and are surprised when something is a 'treat' but it's only Wednesday. I once interviewed one of Sweden most famous cook book authors Anna Bergenström and she told me that when the children were young she kept it all very simple, some lentil soup, some bread but they all sat around the table and that is what mattered. Coming up with dinners can feel like such a slog but changing things up a bit and relaxing about food has made a big difference. That and an instant pot.
Thank you for your note Elsabeth, and I'm curious to learn more about your work! I agree, sometimes rules need to go, or soften, especially around kids and meals. It's enough to know they are growing and thriving, and everyone is doing their best each day. Looking back on best childhood memories, they are often very simple. The less orchestrated and cluttered our lives are with strict boundaries, the more time and energy there is left to connect--really connect--with the ones we love around them.
Honestly, Nicki, I have thought about you a lot during dinner time this year. I feel like our conversation back in August sent me on a new more forgiving track with myself. Thank you so much for that. 🤍🙏🏽
Love these tips! I can certainly relate! It’s crazy that we need to give ourselves “permission” to lowering the bar a little but it’s such a game changer! Thank you for the reminder ❤️
Right! It is crazy, and yet our generation of mothers/women have been held to such an impossibly high standard in every aspect of our lives. It's up to use to release ourselves from it, and help each other along the way. Thank you for this lovely note! ❤️
I loved readig this,especially because I realized I am not the only one (cook) who struggles with dinner. I don’t feel alone anymore ☺️In the last week or so-I have managed to get it done-without the usual stress-what a relief!!!But your advices will keep me going. Today sauce bolognese for lunch from your book-again a delight! Big hugs dear friend!
Judit, you are not the only one and the irony that we are both cookbook authors!! it doesn't change the fact that family dinner can feel repetitive, especially when we have little people hanging on our legs (as you do) or big kids need to be here and there (as I do)! I'm so happy to read it that Bolognese has been a hit with your family and provided a little relief--and thank you for reminding me to put on a rotation this week! With love. Sarah
Hi Patty!! Thank you for your note! The top photo is the risotto I linked in the 10 delicious dinners top with crispy mushrooms. The other photo is the same risotto, but that time I stirred in shredded brussels sprouts while cooking it and then topped it with shredded radishes and pea sprouts.
Whenever I set out to make a cheese risotto, I generally stir in whatever delicious vegetables or protein I have that I know works: mushrooms, peas, or seafood are three favorites. (I'm a leas is more with risotto kind of gal so I usually do those three things separately. For me, the whole point of risotto is the cheesy rice that is so satisfying and the rest is just a bonus!)
I love reading dinner strategies. What I’ve tried (and seems to be working) this year is a night assigned for a type of meal. So every week there’s one type of biryani/pilaf, one night for sandwiches or wraps, one for Dahl, one for baked chicken of sorts and one night for curry. One night we order in and the final one because my kids are small is pancake/dosa night with adults eating leftovers. This has given me some kind of formula to follow.
We’re not a salad eating family or will eat salad as a side not as a main so this is what works for us for now.
I want to be at your table, Perzen! I forget about biryani, which I worked hard to master a few years ago and everyone here loves, so thank you, I'm bringing it back! But I do wish I was better at curries. They're so satisfying and make the best leftovers. Do you have a favorite?
Also: I'd love to hear more about dosa night. Is there a recipe you love?
Rather than a biryani, lookup a Chicken Yakhni( or Akhni) for weeknights. It’s the same flavours but a one-pot bake style instead which makes it a bit easier.
I have many types of curry i enjoy but perhaps my fav one is my Dolly Mumma’s prawn curry ( https://perzen.substack.com/p/inheriting-a-curry?open=false#%C2%A7mummas-prawn-curry-makes-enough-for). Again prob easiest to make the curry paste in bulk and then just do the final steps on a weeknight.
Re Dosa I’ll put up a recipe as i make my own batter now but your local Indian store is your friend here. In the chiller they will likely have ready made dosa batter. Kids just love the plain dosas. I add in some masala potatoes as a stuffing for the adults :)
I love all these leads, thank you! My daughter adores masala potatoes so ill try something like that for her/us and plain dosas for my son.
Funny thing, I used to travel all over New England, working. I would make 5 casserole dishes on Sunday, freeze 4, refrigerated 1 for Monday. I could never have been there at dinner time for over 10 years, but they got great meals, often times I would leave cash so they could order a pizza. They still are okay with what I had to do. Believe me, our vacations were awesome
Incidentally, Christine, it would be fun to hear what these casseroles were, what their favorites were, if they repeated week to week and if your kids enjoy casseroles now as adults (or make them). Mine was not a casserole family (my mom had one super delicious go-to casserole, called Company Chicken, she almost only made for company), but my best friend's mom made casseroles almost every night. It was always a treat to get invited to dinner--I found her rotation curious and comforting.
They liked American chopped Suey, Chicken Cacciatore, chicken chop suey, a dish with hamburger, corn and mashed potatoes on top, they loved. Also home made pizza dough, always ready, frozen or in the frig. Bagels, always, for snacks, with anything they wanted on top.
Always had cookies, but because we lived in NH, whoopee pies, by the dozens.
American chop Suey is similar to Americanized goulash I'm told. Sounds like a cozy yummy upbringing.
Thank you for sharing this!! This is great--this is also how kids build resilience, learn to cook, and care for themselves at the minimum level. Food is my love language and the thing I most "do" for my kids (they have lots of other self-care chores around the house, including folding their own laundry) but I'm slowly releasing a couple dinners a night, and pointing my older daughter, age 13, to leftovers and things in the fridge she can reheat for herself on busy nights. In fact, I'm at my desk writing on deadline for a new project now, and I'm about to assign squash soup heating up duty to her, so I can keep going. Thank you for the note Christine!
I really enjoyed reading this article, thanks! "Try to remember it’s just dinner." So true!! If it isn't perfect, you'll get another go at it tomorrow!
Exactly!! Theres always a chance to one up our last meal, but what families/partners/kids remember is consistency and feeling seen and nourished at the family table.
Salad pic = goal 🌹
Thank you, Paola!
Absolutely love this post. Agree wholeheartedly with everything you write. I used to send myself into a spin with dinners because things had to be just so. I also work as a nutritionist. I have lowered the bar too and relaxed around 'rules' and I feel so much happier. The kids still eat well, complain about 'bits' and are surprised when something is a 'treat' but it's only Wednesday. I once interviewed one of Sweden most famous cook book authors Anna Bergenström and she told me that when the children were young she kept it all very simple, some lentil soup, some bread but they all sat around the table and that is what mattered. Coming up with dinners can feel like such a slog but changing things up a bit and relaxing about food has made a big difference. That and an instant pot.
Thank you for your note Elsabeth, and I'm curious to learn more about your work! I agree, sometimes rules need to go, or soften, especially around kids and meals. It's enough to know they are growing and thriving, and everyone is doing their best each day. Looking back on best childhood memories, they are often very simple. The less orchestrated and cluttered our lives are with strict boundaries, the more time and energy there is left to connect--really connect--with the ones we love around them.
Beautiful tips, and I love the grace that you're extending to yourself (and to all home cooks)!
Honestly, Nicki, I have thought about you a lot during dinner time this year. I feel like our conversation back in August sent me on a new more forgiving track with myself. Thank you so much for that. 🤍🙏🏽
These are effective strategies, and I realise I tend to overplan. At times, it feels like I'm running a military operation. x
Love this - such great advice, Sarah!
Thank you for reading and being here, Lauren!
I love this for you! Great post and strategy. Can you cook for me?
Can you imagine our two cooking brains and your Mexican produce? We'd feast every night. 🙌🏼
I loved this, needed it and shared!
Thank you so much for sharing it, Sandy--and for taking the time to leave a note. It means so much and keeps me moving forward!
Love these tips! I can certainly relate! It’s crazy that we need to give ourselves “permission” to lowering the bar a little but it’s such a game changer! Thank you for the reminder ❤️
Right! It is crazy, and yet our generation of mothers/women have been held to such an impossibly high standard in every aspect of our lives. It's up to use to release ourselves from it, and help each other along the way. Thank you for this lovely note! ❤️
Love this post so so much!! You inspire me 😊
Thank you for this note, Jaqueline-this is so kind and wonderful to hear. 🤍
I loved readig this,especially because I realized I am not the only one (cook) who struggles with dinner. I don’t feel alone anymore ☺️In the last week or so-I have managed to get it done-without the usual stress-what a relief!!!But your advices will keep me going. Today sauce bolognese for lunch from your book-again a delight! Big hugs dear friend!
Judit, you are not the only one and the irony that we are both cookbook authors!! it doesn't change the fact that family dinner can feel repetitive, especially when we have little people hanging on our legs (as you do) or big kids need to be here and there (as I do)! I'm so happy to read it that Bolognese has been a hit with your family and provided a little relief--and thank you for reminding me to put on a rotation this week! With love. Sarah
I'm definitely trying some of these next week. Which dinner is in the photo? I couldn't figure it out. It looks delicious!
Hi Patty!! Thank you for your note! The top photo is the risotto I linked in the 10 delicious dinners top with crispy mushrooms. The other photo is the same risotto, but that time I stirred in shredded brussels sprouts while cooking it and then topped it with shredded radishes and pea sprouts.
Whenever I set out to make a cheese risotto, I generally stir in whatever delicious vegetables or protein I have that I know works: mushrooms, peas, or seafood are three favorites. (I'm a leas is more with risotto kind of gal so I usually do those three things separately. For me, the whole point of risotto is the cheesy rice that is so satisfying and the rest is just a bonus!)