How to Get Dinner on the Table in 20 minutes

Help for Dealing with a Hectic Schedule

How to Get Dinner on the Table in 20 minutes
By: Nailah Salahuddin

It's 6pm and you walk through the front door. Keys on the foyer table, shoes at the bottom of the stairs, pocket book and/or briefcase on the counter. What a day it has been long hours at work and the drive home just about killed you, but it's over now you are home and can just sit back and relax. Um.....In what lifetime will that happen, the reality of the situation is so much different than the one you have imagined in your mind on the hectic drive home from work. So much different, yes your day outside the home has ended but it is now time to drop that hat and pick up the second hat of your day. (MOM and WIFE)

Mohamed needs help with his science project, Haya needs you to look over her latest math quiz, little Jannah needs some attention from you as well and while all of that is taking place you all still need to eat. Eat that is right, dinner still needs to be made and the last time your husband volunteered to do it, let's just say the meal was a bit Cajun.

This is where I come in, I can't fly over there and take Haya off your hands or Jannah off your hip but I can give you a few quick, easy, and delicious recipe ideas that can make just one part of your day a little easier. Plug up your printers, pull out a few pots, and put Jannah in the playpen it is time to cook.

Easiest Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches Ever

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes

Ready In: 3-4 hours

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

6 chicken breast halves, skinless and boneless

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (whatever your favorite is)

Directions

Place chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker and pour barbecue sauce over them.

Lid and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high until cooked through and nearly falling apart.

Shred the chicken well -- two forks does the job quickly -- and serve on burger buns.

Note

Top with coleslaw and shoestring fries for a different, and delicious, version..

Italian Turkey Sliders with Honey Dijon Mayo

Ingredients

20 ounces lean ground turkey

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1 clove garlic - minced

1/2 teaspoon basil,, dried

1/2 teaspoon oregano,, dried

1 teaspoon salt

 freshly ground black pepper

16 dinner or slider rolls

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard

Directions

Combine ground turkey, cheese and all seasonings. Mix together well.

Shape turkey into 16 small patties.

Place patties on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 - 10 minutes or until cooked through. Be careful not to cook too long or they will become dried out.

Combine mayonnaise with honey Dijon mustard and stir until well blended.

Place on rolls and top with honey Dijon mayo.

Chicken Fajita Tostadas

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes

Ready In: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Cost Per Serving: $1.50

Ingredients

8 tostada shells

2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast

1 cup refried beans

1 medium green pepper - thinly sliced

1 medium onion - thinly sliced

1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 cup water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Shredded lettuce, diced tomato, salsa, sour cream and guacamole for garnish -- optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine taco seasoning, water and lime juice and stir well.

Pour half of the taco seasoning mixture over the shredded chicken and the other half over the pepper and onion.

Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the sauce starts to thicken slightly -- 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken and keep warm. Add peppers and onions and cook until the sauce starts to thicken and veggies start to wilt -- about 3-4 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

Lay tostada shells on an ungreased baking sheet.

Top each shell with 2 tablespoons refried beans, 1/4 cup shredded chicken, peppers and onions and cheddar cheese to taste.

Bake until the cheese just starts to melt -- about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with optional garnishes.

Chicken Taco Soup

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes

Ready In: 20-25 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cooked and shredded 

2 cups cooked kidney beans 

2 cups prepared salsa

6 cups chicken stock

1 packet taco seasoning

2 cups tortilla chips, crushed

Directions

Combine chicken, beans, salsa, stock and seasoning in a 2-quart soup pot.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat until soup is simmering.

Let cook for 15 to 20 minutes so flavors blend well.

Top each bowl of soup with crushed tortilla chips.

Note

Switch the beans to pinto if you like and add sour cream and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese to each bowl for a change of pace.

All recipes and more can be found on http://family.go.com/food/pkg-quick-easy-recipes/20-minute-recipes-pg/#Grilled Chicken with Chipotle Glaze;18

Try these out and many more, I promise your family will love them and they are truly 20 minute meals. And that is a big help for all of us busy moms whether you work outside the home or are a stay at home mom. 

remember to adjust recipes according to halal standards.