Parents of young children are pros at getting dinner on the table fast. They have to be, because hectic schedules and hungry youngsters simply don't allow for elaborate meals during the week. But that doesn't mean you have to serve the same dishes night after night. If you're getting a little tired of your standard repertoire of quick dishes, or you simply want a few fresh ideas, these three menus should help. From start to finish, all of the meals take only about 30 minutes to put together. And none of them call for any fancy tricks, complicated preparations or special equipment. This is simple, healthful food that offers a new twist on some old family favorites. All recipes serve 4.
- Menu 1: Chinese Noodle Soup Dinner. The first meal features an Oriental-style noodle soup with tofu, vegetables and a sprinkling of crunchy bean sprouts. A crisp green salad accompanies the soup, followed by sliced oranges topped with honey and grated coconut.
- Menu 2: Broiled Chicken Dinner. The second meal offers a speedy alternative to roast chicken. Start with small chicken pieces and then broil them rather than roasting, to cut the cooking time in half, and serve with easy White Beans Provenal (canned beans sauteed with garlic and herbs) and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. A simple dessert of fruit sorbet with butter cookies is the perfect ending.
- Menu 3: Fish Dinner. In the last meal, filet of sole - a very mild fish that even the pickiest eaters find difficult to resist - is topped with sauteed slivered almonds and a dash of fresh lime juice. A quick cheesy garlic bread heats in the oven while you put on a pot of rice and steam some green beans. For a quick, tasty dessert, serve a fresh fruit salad with a store-bought pound cake. Who says fast food isn't good for you?