The Foundation of Fast Food is Slow
Shalom, dear readers! To begin our first conversation about "fast food from home", we will explore the obvious: a well-stocked pantry. Yes, having a supply of quick and easy ingredients is one of the easiest sources of fast food at home. Mrs. Sally Clarkson, author and speaker, speaks of an easy meal for busy and/or overwhelming days or nights in her book The Lifegiving Table that I personally feel carries the potential to be a true game-changer for hectic or busy nights. It is a meal composed entirely of snack type foods.
Popcorn, buttered toast, crackers, cheese, toasted nuts, cubes of meat, raw veggies, hummus, other dips, whatever is fast, delicious, and easy to prepare became not only a delicious but wholesome meal.. Mrs. Clarkson shares how their family would each prepare the snack of their choice then come together to create a love feast eaten in the glow of peaceful calm instead of the stressful chaos preparing a full meal would have been on hectic days. Because these snack feasts were reserved for those days mama just didn't have it in her to prepare a full meal, they became extra special moments to celebrate. Fun memories were cemented in hearts of love that have been carried with her grown children into their adulthoods.
Having been motivated by the Clarkson family's snack meals, while reading a cookbook recently, I couldn't help but think how helpful it would be to keep a tin of roasted nuts in the pantry, a jar of marinated cheese, olives, and family favorite pickles in the refrigerator, and containers of popcorn at the ready for popping in the pantry with the nuts. Salami, summer sausage, and other proteins purchased when on sale then squirreled away in the freezer until needed/desired would round out snack meals beautifully.
Eggs could be hard-boiled, peeled, then stored in the refrigerator as well. Hard-boiled eggs are a workhorse for fast food at home meals. They can not only be eaten on their own with seasonings of one's choosing, but also chopped and mixed with dressing for egg salad sandwiches. Stuffed eggs can also be put together in a jiff adding an extra boost of protein to any snack or meal.
Fast food from home doesn't have to be complicated. Easy is allowed; so is creativity. Appetizer recipes are a great source of ideas for food that comes together quickly. Having a few basics in the pantry widens the possibilities even further.
While putting those nuts and olives on the pantry shelf for a future busy day meal don't forget to stash some disposable tableware too. If we're going to be too busy to cook we will probably be too busy or tired to do dishes. A little stocking up now might save us from the drive through dash later. We'll share more "Fast Food From Home" ideas and recipes soon. See you then!
