Next time you sit down for a lovely family meal; spare a
thought or two for the woman behind the meal.
To ensure at least three meals a day that will suit all
taste buds and preferences and still be of nutritional value for the entire
family, is not easy.
This article is therefore dedicated to the women who day in
and day out, had to cater for the families’ meals and meal plans with some tips
to lessen their burden.
1. Turn menu
planning into a family project. Task family members to assist with providing a
list of their favourite dishes, then compile menus using these lists. When
given a chance to participate, people enjoy their meals more and maybe will
complain less.
2. Perk up your
dinners by serving your family a new dish each week if possible. Exchange
recipes with friends and neighbours; check food sections of magazines and
newspapers and do not forget the many recipe sites and blogs.
3. Change your
meal pattern. Instead of the same old routine – meat, potatoes, and green
vegetables for dinner every day – serve a hearty soup, an unusual casserole, or
a main-dish salad.
4. Notice what
your family enjoys at restaurants. Consult your recipes and try to create
similar dishes at home.
5. Vary the
shape, colours, and textures of vegetables. For example, mashed potatoes make a
nice contrast to Brussels sprouts, or green beans to carrots.
6. To add
interest to a soft-textured meal, serve crunchy vegetables or crusty bread.
7. Serve
something other than rice or potatoes to accompany gravies and sauces. Try
barley or pasta.
8. When serving leftover
meat or fish, don’t just reheat it. Instead, prepare it in a different form.
For example, mince it and shape it into patties, dice it for casseroles, or
slice it thin and add it to stir-fry dishes or to a tasty sauce.
Daniel
