Too tired to cook? We have ideas (for singles and families alike) that will take you more time to eat than they do to prep! Tips on Life & Love gets the lowdown on simplifying dinner from Kim McCosker, author of 4 Ingredients: More Than 400 Quick, Easy, and Delicious Recipes Using 4 or Fewer Ingredients.
How did you get the idea for your book?
I had the idea for quite some time. When I first moved out of home and went to university, I used to ring my mom and ask her how she made things — Apricot Chicken, scones, pancakes — and was surprised when they required so few ingredients. The reality of the book came about through sheer necessity; it was simply a cookbook we wanted to read.
What are some of your secrets for weeknight meals that can be made in 15 minutes or less?
Stir-fries, pasta bakes and Sloppy Joes! These are my go-to meals because I know the whole family will eat them — and they offer ways for me to add or disguise vegetables for my kids. I use sesame oil and BBQ sauce to flavor in my stir-fries, a tin of condensed tomato soup in my Pasta Bake, and any number of veggies with plain old ketchup in my Sloppy Joes.
Recipe: Sloppy Joes
Recipe: Pasta Bake
What do you tell people who say they don’t have time or are too tired to cook?
SIMPLIFY what you are doing. When you do that, you save not only precious time, but money, too!
What is a good meal I can make my entire family in less than 15 minutes?
Baked ravioli! Boil a large packet of ravioli (eight minutes). Pour a quarter of it into a baking dish, top with fresh spinach leaves, pasta sauce and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Continue layering (2 minutes) and finish with cheese on top layer. Bake in a 375 F oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve with a salad and garlic bread.
How can I get my family to eat breakfast when we’re all trying to rush out the door?
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it kick-starts your metabolism. Make a Healthy Smoothie On-the-Go: toasted muesli, yogurt, frozen banana and milk. It keeps us healthy and happy!
Recipe: Healthy Smoothie on the Go
You’re planning a gluten-free version of 4 Ingredients. Why do you think so many people are eating this way now? Not everyone is doing it because of allergies.
I find it has become a ‘lifestyle’ choice for many. When you learn what gluten is actually in IT IS SCARY! Bacon, ham, sausages — many things you naturally think would be gluten-free aren’t. Sauces, marinades, and mayonnaises have preservatives and additives to keep them looking nicer for longer on supermarket shelves. So what 50 years ago was a naturally occurring ingredient isn’t so today, and as a result many people are overdosing (often unknowingly) on gluten.
More from 4 Ingredients
–Create Quick Meals with a Pantry Checklist
–Fast, Healthy Meals for Kids
–23 Super Sandwich Ideas
