Even after 19 years of motherhood I am still amazed at how regularly these kids need to eat. It's EVERYDAY. Sometimes I like a little break, also known as "cereal for dinner," but that never goes over too well and my people are hungry exactly seven minutes later.

I don't really like to cook in the hobby kind of way. If you told me tomorrow that I'd never have to cook again (like you finally got me that personal chef I've been requesting), I would sing hallelujahs to highest hilltops. But I do like to eat. And I like to have dinner parties. And I like to gather with my family round the old supper table. So I cook. It's a forced march, sort of.

Figuring out what to make can be half the battle. So here are a couple of our tested family favorites:​

• Tonight I'm making Pioneer Woman's Chicken with Olives. My kids love this one, and it ranks about mid-way on the effort level. (As a rule, on weeknights I try to stick to meals that take less than 30 minutes to prepare.) This one goes together quickly, but plan on the 60+ minutes it takes to bake.
• Yesterday we had salmon with couscous and sauteed yellow squash and zucchini. I just brushed the salmon with olive oil and sprinkled some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and then baked at 425 for 25 minutes. Delish. Chop up some veggies and toss it around in a hot skillet with just a bit of olive oil. The couscous is just a matter of boil and dump. MY KIND OF FOOD PREP.​
• ​My kids love this fried rice recipe from Our Best Bites. I originally tried the recipe because it doesn't require eggs (I have one allergic). It's quick, easy, and has a whole load of veggies in it. Works great for a busy evening.
  
• Pioneer Woman's Sloppy Joes make for a hearty meal. (It's true I have a slight obsession with PW.)​ Make sure to pick up some Kaiser rolls because regular sandwich bread just won't cut it.

​I also find that good music helps with my cooking mojo. Have you heard this cover of The Lumineers "Ho Hey" by the Stella sisters? I dig it.

Happy Weekending!​