The Foundation of Fast Food is Slow
To begin our first conversation about "fast food from home" we will start off with the most 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. Stocking the pantry also carries the potential to cut food expenditures thereby freeing money for investing elsewhere.
In her book The Lifegiving Table, Sally Clarkson shares an easy meal for busy and/or overwhelming days or nights. I personally think Mrs. Sally's simple idea carries the potential to be a literal game-changer for weary mama's and their families on hectic or busy nights. It is a meal composed entirely of snack type foods. Popcorn, buttered toast, crackers, cheese, toasted nuts, cubes of meat, veggies, hummus, and dips. Whatever is fast, delicious, and easy to prepare becomes not only a delicious meal but a wholesome one when eaten together with our family and friends in love.
Mrs. Clarkson shares how when her children were still living at home on extra busy evenings her family members 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, these snack meals became extra special moments to celebrate the togetherness of each other. Sweet memories were planted in her children's hearts and have been carried with them into their adulthoods.
Having been motivated by the Clarkson family's snack meals, I couldn't help but think of the practical action needed to carry such convenient meals out. My thoughts started racing along beginning with how helpful it would be to keep a tin of roasted nuts, jars of marinated cheese, olives, pickles, and containers of popcorn on hand for grab and go eats. Salami, summer sausage, and other proteins purchased on sale could be squirreled away in the freezer until needed/desired. These types of items would create snack meals beautifully.
Eggs soon joined the list. They could be hard-boiled, peeled, then stored in the refrigerator for future use. Hard-boiled eggs would be a workhorse for fast food at home meals. They can not only be eaten on their own but also with seasonings of one's choosing. Diced up hard-boiled eggs stirred into mayo become egg salad easily. Stuffed eggs (aka deviled eggs) can be put together in a jiff adding an extra boost of protein to any snack or meal.
Another source of inspiration for snack meals would be appetizers. I am immediately thinking of ham slices spread with cream cheese, a pickle placed in the center then rolled up and sliced or tortillas spread with seasoned cream cheese, shredded meat and cheese rolled up and sliced. Whole grain crackers with cheese, tomatoes, or meat fit the bill too. Mmmmmmm. Is it supper time yet?
While putting those nuts and olives on the pantry shelf we don't want to forget to stash some disposable tableware too. If we're too weary or busy to cook we will probably not be looking forward to doing dishes either. While having a few basics in the pantry widens possibilities and increases convenience, it can also save money. Using coupons, shopping sales, and utilizing our freezer all help us make our financial resources accomplish more with less. Fast food from home doesn't have to be complicated. Easy is the key; creativity is encouraged.
May more peace, rest, and togetherness at meal time be yours,
Shalom, shalom
