Something Quick

Do you ever find yourself getting home at 5:30 on a Monday evening, so tired and frazzled from a long day at work that you just stand and stare at the contents of your cupboard or fridge for minute after minute without it really registering? I've been there and it is no fun. Sometimes you just need something quick. Loyal reader V.S. from Milton, Ontario recently put this very question to me, so I resolved then and there to provide some quick and easy options for the exhausted and the time-strapped.

It pays to have some convenience foods on hand for this kind of evening. Luckily, there are lots of meatless options available these days. We have a long list of products posted on the blog (on the right of the screen, scroll down). Fake meat products can be microwaved and frozen vegetables are ready for the pot and don't take long. One of our family's favourites is "Curry in a Hurry." Keep a jar of curry simmer sauce on hand, throw it in a pot with frozen cauliflower and peas, simmer for 5 or 10 minutes, add some gardein or a can of chick peas. Serve over whole grain "Minute Rice," as shown below. The whole thing can be made in 15 minutes.

Keep in mind that many jars of curry sauce will say "Butter Chicken" or "Chicken Curry," but that is a description of what they expect you to put in it, not what is in the ingredients. The jar of Butter Chicken sauce shown above is actually entirely vegan, which is funny for a sauce with both a dairy product and a kind of meat in the name. 

This week's recipe is another favourite of ours and can also be made in 10 minutes. Serve with some chilled sake or Sapporo Japanese beer and all will be right with the world. You have survived another Monday and made Meatless look effortless as well. Good for you, busy person!