How to feed the family quickly before evening activities?

[pinkginforthewin]

I've been a stay at home parent for 12 years, since my eldest was 2yo. I'm now taking on some part time work one or two evenings a week. That, combined with taking kids to sports things some evenings, means I'm potentially going to be out of the house Mon-Fri from 4:30 most days.

Trying to squeeze in teatime is my issue. I'm not quite looking for recipes, but more methods to get tea on the table by 4pm at the latest. I am out 3:25-3:40 on school run. I'm thinking:

• pasta I can cook in advance and warm up
• get oven food prepped before I leave, switch oven on at 3:25 and put food in when I get back from school run
• use the slow cooker more so I can time stuff to be ready for 4pm

I'm just wondering if there's any obvious easy hacks that other people in this position do? We don't have an air fryer and haven't wanted one up till now - is it a game changer or not? We are a family of 5 so would need a big one I think.

Thank you :)

Yes get an air fryer. You can get double stacked ones and most things will be ready in less than 10 mins.

Batch cook at the weekends - stews, chilli etc so they just need reheating .

Can the other adult and older children not cook? You can just prepare stuff for them to cook off or heat up and then there's no rush? X

Would it be possible for your dc to have a cooked lunch? That way they’d only need a light snack like sandwiches, toast or cereal before activities, then something else light when they get home before bed.

4pm is really early. How old are they? Could they have a small snack when they get in from school then eat their meal when they get home later after their activities?

Eldest is autistic, cooking is a no-go.
I wouldn't expect my husband to cook as he works FT. As I'm home all day, I can prepare meals, its the cooking in that small amount of time that's tricky.

Two of them are going onto school dinners as part of the UC FSM rollout. However I would still prefer them to have a proper meal if I can. Other child is a VERY fussy eater (autism/Borderline ARFID) and chances are will just heat pasta up and stir in tuna most nights as that's what they usually want anyway!

Most people work full time and cook? However, I was suggesting you cook something and then the family reheat it when ready.

They usually eat by 5pm to stop the snacking! As one has issues around food due to autism, they would happily snack and then not eat their main meal. Also have a diabetic kid to add to the mix and I prefer that they eat on time as tend to have a hypo around that time if not.

On the days that the kids are going out to activities then - slow cooker, something on toast, jacket spuds in oven (will stay hot even if you turn off oven during school run, or pop them in the slow cooker to stay warm) etc
On the days you are out to work - and I assume DH taking over the childcare then something you can pop in the oven having prepared it earlier in the day and he just needs to boil some veg or pasta and serve with it - eg lasagne shepherds pie, pasta bake, etc etc

I was thinking more of a small snack like a piece of toast or a banana, so they're not starving at their activities but they're not full and still hungry for dinner time. We eat quite late compared to 4pm though, I can't really imagine dinner at 4pm as we're not even through the door by then. So in your scenario I'd probably make sure I'd batch cooked bolognaise or chilli or something I could just quickly cook some pasta or rice to have with. Or maybe a cold tea you can get straight out the fridge like quiche/salad? Or a stew in the slow cooker with a slice of bread? Jacket potatoes so you just need to add beans or whatever is quick to put on top?

I think you might be over thinking this. Any one pot dish casserole, curry, bolognaise, lasagne, cottage pie will hold its heat in the oven if you cook it in the afternoon, turn the oven off when you do the school run and dish up at 1600. Same with jacket potatoes, sausages etc. Then just cook the veg (if needed) when you get in. Fresh pasta would be another easy option, takes 3 mins, whilst it’s cooking serve either with a sauce you made in advance or with butter, peas, sweetcorn and cheese.

I cook the night before and reheat or pan fry fish/steak/flattened chicken and serve with boiled potato/rice/pasta and pan fried veg.

We would have a big snack at 4pm (toastie/French toast/noodles/fruit) and then tea when home from whatever club they’re at (7.15ish here, whoever is home cooks that!)
would that be an option? Not sure on the ages of children.

I plan & prep everything for the week on Sundays & Mondays. With all the comings and goings we have a lot of:
Jacket Spuds
Stews, chilli
Pre-made pasta bakes
Tortellini & garlic bread

Things like shepherds pie, lasagne etc can go in the oven to warm up when you go out to school.

Curries & chillis - make in advance and just do rice when you need it (or microwave rice pouches).

Stews can go in the oven, timed ready for when needed.

if all else fails, sausage rolls and baked beans!

Sandwiches or beans on toast or cheese and salami and crackers.

Mine then eat their proper hot meal when they get home. We typically eat around 7:30-8pm anyway, so 4:30 is way too early for dinner. That’s afternoon snack time. My teen gets home as late at 9/9:30pm. A heavy snack is enough to tide her over till then.

4pm too early IMO. I'd give them substantial snack and proper tea whenever you're all back.

Ok so will your DH be back at tea time? I'd personally focus on cooking stuff during the day he can heat up at tea time, rather than eating at 4. Would that work?

Why is everyone focusing on trying to change OPs routine instead of just providing ways to ensuring a family meal is available by 4pm which is what the OP asked for.

If they want pasta most nights, I’d suggest using a slow cooker to prepare sauces during the day, that way you can stick a pan of water on when you get in at 1540, boil pasta for 20 minutes and dish up.

I would also recommend getting an air fryer, it significantly cuts down on cooking time. We have a family of 4 and have a Tower one with 3/4 shelves, we use it for all sorts.

We eat really early too.

When i had a PT job which ended at 5 it was a PITA getting the food ready for the incoming hoards for me too.

So i sympathise OP.

Because we’ve been there done that and got the t shirt, having discovered it’s a pita to try and feed people at 4pm?

also if you’re out it’s not unreasonable to ask DH to do some food prep/heat something up when he gets back.

I work full time, I still have to cook!

Pasta like ravioli and tortellini cook in four minutes. Then either serve with a ready made sauce or with butter and black pepper. Salad or a green veg and supper is served. Gnocci ( spelling) are also really fast, I like to finish them off in a hot frying pan with butter , then toss in a sauce of choice.

This is what we do on the v quick cook needed nights. Tortellini pasta cooked with peas in the water and pesto and spinach stirred through. If there’s more time we fry up mushrooms, garlic etc.

Or precook eg curry or whatever the night before and heat it up.

Can you batch cook? Make a big meal on a weekend then decant into portions that you can just stick in the microwave and eat. Do this all the time with spagbol or pasta bake.

I loved it when my kids were old enough to have a big snack at 4pm then their real meal after activities - made evenings so much easier!!! I really would try that and see how everyone gets on.