Homemade Meals for Busy Lives

This spring was one of the most hectic seasons of my life.

Although things are somewhat quiet right now (there’s not much busywork when you are renting), I know it is only the calm before the storm.

In a few short months, we will be moving again, retrieving all of our livestock and starting all over.

On top of the farm relocation, I am in the process of going back to work (hopefully this fall).

When life is a bit off-kilter, dinner is not something on my radar.

Somehow, we have survived without eating fast food

How?

I must admit that the crockpot and my Instapot have been lifesavers.  When I make dinner before breakfast, it always makes for a great day.

If you are in a busy season, or perhaps your life stays in busy-mode, here are my favorite recipes that I go to when I don’t have time to cook.

Fast, Easy (Real Food) Dinner Ideas

FAST & EASY DINNERS

I can truly say that without my crockpot, my family would have been eating fast food and takeout.

When I have dinner in the crockpot or Instapot before lunch I am SuperWoman.  

Just give me a cape and I will save the world.

Do you know what I’m talking about?  It is kinda a grandma thing.  Older generations were famous for starting dinner after breakfast.  They cooked from scratch, ate real food, and the smart ones had dinner prepped or in some sort of cooker bright and early.

Let’s start with my favorite meals that can be made after breakfast.

MAKE THESE AFTER BREAKFAST 

Grassfed Pot roast

First on the list of meals I can make in the ‘am,’ is this perfect pot roast.

This is so completely wonderful.  I make this pot roast all the time.  Adding cornstarch to the liquids in the morning ensures a perfect thick gravy surrounding your roast when you come home at night.

Beer-Braised Roast

This is another simple roast beef that can be assembled in 5 minutes in the morning.   It is fall-apart tender and smothered in sweet onions.

Make-Ahead Street Tacos

Street tacos are so dang delicious.  They can be made with pork or venison and served on corn or flour tortillas.

Honey Balsamic Pork

I think pork shines when it is prepared with some sweetness.  Pork is often served with cooked apples or pears.  This honey, balsamic pork has that hint of sweetness and beautifully cooks itself all day in a crockpot while you do other things.

Pork Carnitas

Another make and forget meal is pork carnitas.

Pork carnitas are spicy, pork, soft tacos.  They are a bit different from “street tacos” because of the kick from lots of spice.  They are also bright and fresh because of the citrus.  Plenty of lime and tang makes these crave-worthy.

FAST & EASY DINNERS

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER

This is a no-brainer.  I can make breakfast in less than 10 minutes, so having it for dinner is a time-saver.  It is also one of my favorite meals.

Breakfast for dinner ideas:

Bacon and eggs or ham and eggs.  If you are feeling adventurous you can scrub and dice up some russet potatoes and fry them as a side.

Omelets – Fill with your favorite toppings or whatever you have fresh from the garden.

BREAKFAST SCRAMBLES – This is faster and easier than omelets.  First, beat your eggs with a splash of whole cream.  I add a tablespoon of bacon grease to a large pan.  Slice up 2 strips of bacon & dice up 1/2 an onion.  Toss the bacon & onion into the fat.  After the bacon is cooked, add the uncooked eggs.  Add salt & pepper.  Last, stir in a cup of fresh spinach.  Top with diced tomatoes and chives.

PANCAKES-  I have a fantastic pancake recipe that comes together in a couple of minutes.  Fry them in the skillet & serve with plenty of butter & douse in syrup.

FAST & EASY DINNERS

IF YOU HAVE A LOAF OF HOMEMADE BREAD

If you have a grain mill and make your own bread, you can always make a fabulous meal with your homemade bread as the center.

• Basic Whole Wheat Bread Recipe here.
• How to make Bread instructional video here (Premium).
• Soft, Oat Bread Recipe here (Premium).

FRENCH TOAST 

There is no french toast in the world that compares to the french toast made with homemade bread.  Sensational.  It couldn’t be easier.

Beat the eggs, dip the sliced bread into the beaten eggs and fry in butter until lightly browned on both sides.  Serve with more butter and maple syrup.

BIRD IN A NEST

This is a classic throwback from my childhood.  Use a small biscuit cutter to cut a circle in a slice of bread.  Place the piece of bread into a hot pan with plenty of butter in it.  Break an egg into the hole.  Fry the bread (with the egg in the center) on both sides until brown.  Sprinkle with salt & pepper.

Perfect Ham Sandwich

SANDWICHES

Sandwiches make a well-balanced fast dinner on homemade bread.

AVOCADO TOAST

Goodness.  I know that this is all the rage but I love guacamole and I love fried eggs so this is one of my favorites.  Recipe here.

FAST & EASY DINNER 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST – Picnic Meal

If you have no bread, nothing in the crockpot, and no time to prepare anything…

Have a Picnic!

A picnic is a great dinner option.  It is quick and fun.  The set up is a cinch and there is no right or wrong way to pull this off.  I grab a stack of plates & start piling on the foods.

Great food to set out for your picnic:

• Homemade flatbread (Premium) – If you have some of this in your freezer – grab some and thaw it.  This flatbread is the perfect accompaniment for a picnic.
• fruits – grapes, berries, pears, apple slices, any fruit you have.
• veggies– sliced cucumbers, celery, carrots, cherry tomatoes etc.
• olives.
• a variety of cheeses (of course).
• any meat you have in the refrigerator from past meals (ham, chicken, etc.).
• Add some healthy crackers.

During warm seasons we have our picnics on the back porch.  We all sit around the big coffee table with the spread before us.

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XO,

Candi