by Lucie Shores

Created on: September 12, 2009   Last Updated: December 06, 2011

This is one of the healthiest ways to think about 'fast food'.  Nowhere in the constitution is it stated that food needs to use lots of time and energy, but knowing what works will be great for your own constitution! 

Learn to keep good leftovers. Quickly stir-fry or roll the main ingredients in a wrap. Depending on the leftovers,  add sauce on pasta or simply plump them on a bed of greens for a salad in about 15 minutes.

Take a look at some quick ideal meals on All Recipes that have been perfected to serve up in increments of 15 minutes!

Three fast meals:  With the ingredients below, your family can pull a dinner together in no time flat.

Like most families, yours  has likes and dislikes. Whether it's olives or pickled herring, chocolate cake or lefse, keep them in mind when shopping.  That will ease those days when your time in the kitchen is just a few minutes. On the spur of the moment, those special tastes can be deal-breakers. One answer to quick-cooking is keeping the best-loved ingredients on-hand and trying to avoid or disguise the less than favorite foods that you want to serve them.

Things to Keep on Hand:

whole grain bread, crackers, tortillas

several kinds of 100% juice

olive oil

Parmesan cheese or other herb blend

potatoes, pasta, rice

veggies and fruits

sandwich meat, tuna, cheese

pesto, condiments, salsa

soups and left-overs

ready-to-go dessert, yogurt

Fresh fruit

1)  Everything in a Pan :European style 

Dice or slice some leftovers, add something fresh if desired. Throw everything in a pan with some olive oil and herbal blend. Add something crunchy, like pine nuts or herbed croutons. When everything's hot and mixed sprinkle it with a favorite topping like Parmesan. It can be eaten as is or on pasta, rolled in a shell, made into an omelet, or with bread dipped in herbed olive oil. Large sliced fruit makes a great change of pace and a fast, healthful dessert.

2) Do it Yourself Sandwiches or Nacho:

The most obvious meal on the run is the one that consists of laying out the ingredients for everyone to make their own sub, or snack platter, choose their own drink and get a sweet snack for the road or homework time.  All you need for that is good bread, favorite sliced sandwich fillings and a few condiments. Variation: This can't be beat for speed; Nutrition is possible if you think ahead a little. Throw tortilla chips, flour tortillas, or another base on a pizza pan. Add healthful toppings or

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