Long time no see - Looking for Quick(er) Meal Inspiration

[jhoskins]

Hi all!

I've been quite busy in the last 6 months or so, haven't been able to post, read, or cook too much. Bummer! Raising a toddler and now my wife (and I, of course) have another one on the way, WOOHOO.

That said, I am looking for a bit of inspiration, haven't been able to make much time to cook and often when I do, it either has to be quick (toddlers and pregnant wives aren't known for patiently waiting 2.5 hours for me to craft a gourmet meal) or done after baby bedtime. If I keep waiting for the next time I'll have time to do spare ribs or brisket or make scratch chili, I won't cook very much. So, does anyone have any quick-ish recipes or just dishes (I can find my own recipe if need be) that you find yourself coming back to?

I am open to basically any type of cuisine, just looking to get back on the horse!

[bmillin]

Learn to love hot & fast. I did a spatchcocked chicken the other day that was originally destined for the smoker, but weather sent it to the oven. Something like this - Roasted Spatchcock Chicken Recipe (southernliving.com)

Also, what smokers/grills do you have?

[jhoskins]

Good recommendation!

Oh I have the lot, KBQ, Weber Kettle, Weber Gasser, BGE, Weber Q.

[Huskee]

CONGRATS papa!

I am not one who enjoys spending half a day in the kitchen crafting fancy dishes, I'd rather spend the time tending the fire. So I tend to do all the basic BBQ meats, steaks, pork loin chops, burgers, etc. Sometimes this leads to repetitive meals, but we're ok with that ...most of the time.

Here's something dead simpl and super tasty that my wife makes as a sauce for steaks, shrimp, and I suppose it would even work with grilled pork chops, heck even good to drizzle on your aprapgus or broccoli and to dip your garlic bread into. It gives the meals that 'fancy steakhouse' vibe we think and really fancies up the basics.

Steak & Shrimp Paremsan Sauce:
1 Cup heavy cream, heat over low heat then add
1/2 C fresh shredded parmesan cheese (not the shaker jar stuff)
Heat over med-low heat, maybe 15-20 min, to help reduce and thicken.
Then add 2 tsp dried basil,
salt & pepper to taste.

I want to craft a good burger using this sauce but haven't figured all the details out yet.

[RonB]

I suggest you buy a Vortex for your Kettle. Use it to cook chicken hot N fast. Use any dry rub you like and/or any sauce you like, but sauce for the last 10 min or so so any sugar in it doesn't burn.

If your rub has salt in it, you can add it the night before, and if it doesn't, dry brine at least an hour before cook time, (overnight is better), and place the pieces around the Vortex. You can add the rub - if using - any time after the salt. Let the temps run hot and you will have wings in about 40 - 45 minutes. Larger pieces will take a bit longer and you should use your Fireboard to monitor internal temps. Pull when they reach your desired temp, (I pull breasts at 158° and dark meat around 175°).

So what you are ideally doing is prepping the night before and eating around an hour after you start the charcoal.

[Jim White]

You didn't list a griddle, but smash burgers are the ultimate in home fast food. They can be done indoors just as easily and come out great. And that toddler could be ready for them soon, depending on age.

Edited to add a hearty congratulations. I suggest stopping at two, however. Zone defense is much more difficult than one on one.

[jhoskins]

Lol, stopping at two? I was always better in a Zone

[Mosca]

Congratulations on the forthcoming family member!

How quick is quick? Start with the gasser or the Q, then stay simple. Chicken, steaks, burgers, ham steaks, etc.

Mix 50:50 bbq sauce and Italian dressing. Marinate chicken thighs (any kind, boneless skinless or bone in skin on, doesn’t matter) for anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours. (In fact, you can really just dunk them and go to work.) Grill at medium, 375°-400°ish. Open a can of beans, and make a salad. You should have dinner on the table in half an hour.

[Bkhuna]

The InstantPot is your best friend for quick meals.

[CHNeal]

I wet brine / marinade chops, chicken breasts for a couple days then it’s a quick 15 mins in the kettle served with a salad ( bagged if wanting the fast no prep). Salmon is 18 mins on the kettle, as stated a spatchcock bird is 90 and so is a 3-4 lb pork loin roast.
Burgers are a no brainer and to change that up use pork breakfast sausage instead of ground beef. 10 mins for either.
Uncle bens makes a nice brown rice boil in bag in 10 mins or a portion cup in 1 min. Frozen veggies are 5 mins out…
It’s all out there brother and feeding a busy family is what I do best!

[wu7y]

A slow cooker/Crockpot is also your friend. Pot roast, country style ribs, lots of other more or less (relatively) inexpensive meat is out there. Depending on the meat and amount you can put it on in the morning or early afternoon and it will take care of itself until dinner time. Lots of internet recipes are out there for the slow cooker.

[RichieB]

Congrats on the toddler and the soon to be sleep interrupter. You did not specify out/in door and I see you're not in a tropical location. Indoors might be in order for the next few months. Air Fryer, slow cooker, sous vide might be the way to go. If you can make it in the oven, you can make it in an air fryer. Faster cook time and easy clean up. Slow cooker, prep the food, in the cooker and forget about it for a few hours. Sous vide yet another easy way to slap in a bath, set time and temp. When done shock it, chill it reheat it and eat it. All 3 are flexible when you cook and when you eat. Good luck and I hope your snow thrower is ready. Next week I'll be getting mine primed.