A Working Mom's Meal Plan

The hardest part of my day is when we get home and everyone is immediately hungry. I love to cook and prefer
home-cooked meals, but I don't like to cook much during the work week. And yet, dinner has to get on the table...
My solution: make-ahead meals, freeze-ahead meals and recipes so easy that I'll make them on a Monday. I cook
mostly on the weekends, always doubling recipes, and rely heavily on my extra freezer and a decently-stocked pantry.
This cooking style saves me time and money, and it makes my life simpler—so I can actually enjoy sitting down
to supper at 6 with my family. I hope these recipes will make the witching hour a little better at your house too.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Mexican Lasagna

Fresh spinach brightens this Mexican-style casserole. It's simple to pull together—and mild enough for the kids. (from Martha Stewart)

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
4 scallions, chopped
kosher salt and ground pepper
10 oz fresh baby spinach
8 corn tortillas (6 inch)
15 oz can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup salsa, mild or medium
2 cups grated pepper jack cheese (8 oz)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place cilantro, scallions, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and spinach in your food processor, and pulse until coarsely chopped. If the spinach won't all fit in the first batch, just add more as you go.

Grease an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Layer 4 tortillas in the dish, overlapping slightly, then add half the spinach mixture, beans, salsa and cheese. Repeat with other tortillas and ingredients, ending with cheese on top.

Cover dish with foil and bake 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking until golden, about 15 more minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

*You could add more spinach instead of the cilantro if you're not a big fan, or substitute different beans and cheese. Make two and stick one in the freezer!

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