5 Days of 15-Minute Meals
Sunday: Make-Ahead
Slow-cooker beans
Rinse 1 lb. dry beans under cold water. Place in a slow cooker with ½ onion (sliced), 1 bay leaf, fresh thyme, and several garlic cloves. Add water so it covers 2 inches above beans. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Season; remove onion and herbs.
Quinoa
Bring 3 cups quinoa and 6 cups water to a boil on medium high. Add ¾ tsp. salt and reduce heat to simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Drain excess liquid. Cool on cookie sheets. Makes 9 cups.
Mac 'n' cheese
Follow steps 2-5 in this recipe for butternut squash mac 'n' cheese. The assembled dish can be placed in the refrigerator for up to two days, until you're ready to cook it.
Corn chowder
Follow steps 1-2 in this recipe for make-ahead corn chowder. The base can be frozen for up to three months.
Monday: Butternut Squash Mac ’n’ Cheese
Assemble it on Sunday night. Serve with salad, even if it’s just cucumbers and dip for the kids. Send the leftovers in the kids’ lunch boxes.
Tuesday: Taco Night
Place warm corn or whole-grain flour tortillas, grated cheeses, guac, the beans you cooked on Sunday, corn, peppers, chopped lettuce, and sliced tomatoes on the counter and let family members fill their own.
Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner
Scramble eggs with chopped peppers and other veggies you have on hand; serve with fruit salad and home fries.
Thursday: Corn Chowder
Make the base for a corn chowder on Sunday night; thaw a day ahead. Add milk and serve with stuffed pitas. Let each family member fill his own with cheese, hummus, veggies, and jarred roasted peppers.
