Cooking with kids in rush hour

 You know the drill, it's 5.30pm. The kids are done with the day, getting hungry and asking for attention. While you have yet to start cooking and are actually a bit done with keeping all the balls in the air today too. Yup, been there! These are situations that occur in every home with (small and large) children.

So the big question is, how can you change this? In a situation where you come home and don't have to go straight to the kitchen. But can use that very time to ask the children how their day was, play a game together or just sit for a while with the newspaper or magazine. How ideal would that be?

I have 3 cookbooks for you that I use frequently and can postpone rush hour for at least an hour 😉.

Here they come!

ps.... no link to a great website. Look for these books at your local bookstore!

1: Mealprepping - Keda Black

This cookbook is really ideal for the busy parents among us. You spend the weekend preparing all the dishes for the working week. Think of making soup, marinade for the noodles, chopping greens, marinating chicken, etc. In cooking terms, you call this mise-en-place. So you have your whole fridge full of containers with which you can put a healthy meal on the table in no time. There is a vegetarian and a plain version of this cookbook. Not all dishes are kidsproof, but most are fine if children eat with you.

2: The World's Baking Tray - Rukmini Iyer

Another fine and simple cookbook. The idea behind this cookbook is that you put everything in a baking dish, mix it up and put it in the oven. I am really a fan of this cookbook. You can prepare the baking dish the night before, or during the day. At the end of the day, it only has to go into the oven. And you have your hands free for more fun things in life. My favourite recipe is the lemon chicken with lentils and mushrooms. Mjummmm

Besides this worldly baking tray (with many Eastern, Mexican and American recipes), there is also a Quick Baking tray (if you don't have the patience to put the tray in the oven for an hour) and a Green Baking tray (vegetarian).

3: 5 Ingredients - Jamie Oliver

This cookbook is characterised by convenience. Making a meal with just 5 ingredients (ok, sometimes some rice or potatoes need to be added). Almost all recipes are quickly on the table. What I like about this cookbook is that it is so clearly illustrated. My kids can see exactly what goes into it and are therefore better able to choose what they want to eat. They often help cooking when I make something from this cookbook. Super cosy, win-win. Don't forget to make the Flapjacks from this cookbook. Great snack for in the school bag.

Enjoy your meal,