Kinder finishes at 3pm, school at 3.30pm. I have my driving route all planned in advance to make sure all kids are picked up on time. Then off we go to cricket training, this begins at 4.30pm and finishes anywhere between 6.30 and 7pm. Babies screaming, toddlers getting tired and the bigger boys are starving.

How on earth can I cook a nutritious meal for all the kids when the evening schedule is so hectic? The evening meal must be quickly prepared, healthy and creative so all kids will eat their meal. As a busy parent, invest in a slow cooker and investigate the many recipe base sachets available at the supermarket.

Here are some of my quick meals I prepare for these busy evenings that ensure all kids are fed quickly and properly.

~Taco Mince Concoction~

This is the latest recipe that has been added to our quick meals.

500g Mince
1 brown onion (diced)
1 clove garlic
1-2 taco sauce recipe base (2 if you like it to be a little runny in consistency)
Rice

Fry the mince, garlic and onion in a fry pan. When the onion is browned and the mince is cooked, add the taco sauce sachets to the meat.
While that is simmering on the stove, put some rice on to cook.

Serve with rice and meat spooned over the top.

~Spaghetti Bolognaise~

Although traditionally spaghetti bolognaise uses mince meat, I like to also use chicken in my spaghetti for something different.

500g Mince
1 brown onion (diced)
1 clove of garlic
1 tin of tomato soup
1 tin of diced or whole tomatoes
2 carrots (diced)
1 zucchini (diced)

Pasta of Your choice (Spaghetti, shells)

Cook mince, onion and garlic until mince is browned.
Chop and prepare carrots and zucchini while the meat cooks.
Add soup and diced tomatoes to meat and then add vegetables.
Simmer and cook for one hour.

~Curried Sausages~

This will have to be one of the cheapest and quickest meals for any parent and family to prepare and enjoy.

Thin BBQ Sausages (about 8-12 depending on size of family)
1 Brown onion (sliced)
Beef stock (2 tablespoons to about 600-800ml water)
Curry Powder (1-2 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon of Corn flour for thickening
Potatoes for mashing

Boil the sausages in a pan of water until skins come off then put aside.
In another pan, fry the onions until they brown. Add corn flour and curry powder to onions. Then add the beef stock.
Slice the sausages into bite size pieces then add this to onion and stock.
Boil potatoes in another pot for mashing.
Simmer the sausages for about 20-30 minutes.
Serve over mashed potato.

The above are some very quick meals that take no time at all to prepare. All busy parents should invest in a slow cooker as ingredients can be thrown into it and cooked all day, ready for consumption in the evening. I personally wouldn't know what I'd do without my slow cooker. Not only are these recipes quick and easy, but they'll soon become family favorites too.

Learn more about this author, R.L Hanlon.
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