These 11 easy meal prep ideas are simply the best for anyone who has a busy routine. New mothers, busy singles, working spouses and lazy ones (like me!) who find it hard to keep up in the kitchen, can use these ideas to make their lives a little less chaotic.
Being a first time mother is not an easy job. Specially if you’re away from your home country and parents and lots of cost friendly and accessible help.
When I came to Bahrain, the first time, (after staying a good 5 months post-delivery, with parents), I did not even closely fathom as to what I was getting into. I expected more work, yes, but all the madness of keeping a routine and creating a balance was much more than I imagined.
Cooking in those days was like following a brook in the forest. Never ending and slow paced. I wasn’t much of a cook in my “single” days you see, so the routines took some getting used to.
But now, after more than 2 years, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Lazy as I am, these 11 easy meal prep ideas have really helped me break the long monotony of cooking.
So here, for all those ladies (and interested men) who resonate with me, allow me to empower you with these simple ideas that can make your meals simpler but yummier.
on a hot summer day
LEMON SQUASH
Summers can be pretty harsh on the body. I always say, that in Bahrain, you don’t even realize you’re dehydrated, since the air conditioning is always running, everywhere.
Mind you, dehydration can have some nasty side effects on the body, which include chronic headaches, dryness of skin, muscle cramps and even UTI (Urinary tract Infection).
Regularly drinking water of course solves the problem, but who doesn’t enjoy a fresh lemon drink on a hot summer day ? A lemonade or lemon juice is a quick ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) in the sense that it instantly hydrates you and is a good antioxidant.
Adopted from Veg Recipes of India the lemon squash has been our instant energy drink at home, every summer.
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass bottle for 3-4 months
GINGER GARLIC PASTE
Getting the ginger and the garlic cut and mashed every time you start cooking a dish can be such a daunting task. This recipe from Swasthi is so fresh and yum that you must try it! Such a saviour for quick cooking!
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass jar for 1 month
NUTS POWDER MIX
This magical mix is a definite go to if you have kids in the family. It is enriched with calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin E and omega 3 fats that make strong bones, good skin and hair and a healthy brain.
Inspired by My Little Moppet this has been adding that nuttiness to many of our meals. You can add it in porridges, in desserts, milk, salads etc
Storage- At a cool place. In a glass jar for 3-4 months
PEANUT BUTTER
Creamy or crunchy, spicy or bland, whichever way you have it, peanut butter is an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6.
Known to help in weight gain, it is also one of the best foods to boost your immunity system. Even diabetics can have it (without the added sugar of course)!
My mum used to always keep a bottle ready, especially during vacations. It was my favourite bread spread and is now most loved by my toddler too.
Keeping a jar of peanut butter always comes in handy during busy days. You can have it with bread, pancakes, waffles, biscuit sandwiches, sliced bananas, milkshakes etc
Ingredients
- 2 cups of shelled peanuts
- 2 tbsps of peanut oil
- 1-2 tsps of sugar or honey (optional if diabetic)
- 1-2 tsps of red chilli powder (as per taste)
- pinch of salt
Dry roast peanuts till they smell nice and have a light brown colour on them. Add the roasted peanuts in the blender along with salt, sugar or honey and red chilli powder.
Put 1 tsp oil first and blend. Continue adding more oil till it becomes smooth and creamy and the taste reaches to your liking.
If you want the crunchy version just keep one fourth of the peanuts aside and add them in the last blend. You can also add chocolate chips or nutella or cinnamon to play with your taste!
Storage- Counter top in a glass jar for 3-4 months
OATS POWDER MIX
Oats is a regular affair in the modern-day kitchen, owing to its claims of reducing bad cholesterol and increasing fibre content (which eases constipation and controls blood sugar)
It is so easy to cook a bowl of oatmeal with fruits or nuts or vegetables. However, if you have a baby under 1 year old who has just started with solid food, its a task to make oat-meals separately for everyone. One pureed, one not; one with nuts, one without! Here’s a small recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of oats
- 3 almonds, 3 walnuts, 3 cashews (optional), 3 pistachios
- 1 tsp flax seeds/ chia seeds/ sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup dry dates cut into small pieces (optional)
- 2-3 strands of saffron
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
The optional ingredients, are what you might need to be cautious about, when giving to babies.
Dy roast the first 5 ingredients separately (roast nuts separately too). Let them all cool down. Add all 6 ingredients in the blender and there you are. Use this mix to cook oatmeal with milk or without. Add in a little crunch for your family by adding some cornflakes or some fresh fruits if you wish.
Storage- Counter top where you normally keep your oats in a glass jar for 3-4 months
TOMATO KETCHUP/SAUCE
Tomato ketchup is a household product, that we use with all type of snacks and also with meals like pasta. This homemade version by Hebbars kitchen is really easy to make and has been on my food chart for a long time. I don’t even mind giving it to my toddler, since I know its free from chemicals.
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass jar for 3-4 months
FRUIT PRESERVES
My latest fascination- I love eating preserves from real fruits. They are so yummy and rich in taste. Inspired by cookingwithcurls.com I have made preserves from dates, blueberries, strawberries and cherries and they are simply delicious!!
You can have it with bread, french toast,pancakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, as stuffed buns, etc.
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass jar for 2 weeks.
KADUMANGA ACHAR (Kerala Green Mango pickle)
I have very fond memories of this pickle. Every year after the Good Friday service in Church, we are served a generous spoon of Kadumanga achar along with kanji (rice soup) and payar (green moong dal).
Not that my mum hasn’t made it at home; but the whole experience of the church community, sitting together for lunch and especially enjoying this achar in the hot weather makes it really special!. It goes deliciously with rice and poori
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass jar for 1 month
CHOCOLATE SAUCE
Ever tried the Hot Chocolate Fudge from Nirulas in Delhi? It was a favourite in my family and the hot chocolate sauce that remained in the bottom was always the level I aimed for!
I LOVE this sauce, so I make it sometimes, to feed my chocolate yearnings.
It is absolutely NOT like the Hershey’s sauce you get in the market- it is yummier!
So try this recipe and use it for your cakes, fudges, ice creams, milkshakes, any dessert and enjoy!
Storage- Refrigerated in a glass jar for 1-2 months
PUFFED RICE MIXTURE/ MURMURA
This is such a time-pass snack for the evenings or when you watch a movie with your family or when friends come over. For my husband and me, it is more about something to chew on, knowing we’re not hungry!!
Try making the easy Murmura and watch how it turns into a favourite for your family!
Storage- Counter top in any plastic jar for 1 month
PICHI CHICKEN/SHREDDED CHICKEN
Non-veg lovers- this one is for you. Every once a month I cook this recipe so I can use it in sandwiches, with rice or even chapati.
Ingredients-
- 1kg chicken
- Salt as required
- Pepper as required
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsps turmeric powder
Wash the chicken pieces nicely, marinate with the above ingredients and store for at least 4- 5 hours or overnight in the fridge. Later add into a pressure cooker with half cup of water for 4 whistles or till its cooked.
Let it cool down a bit and then start plucking the flesh from the bones. You can cut it into even smaller pieces or simply shred the plucked pieces in the blender.
Next what I do is, I take a batch of the chicken out and mix it with chilli mayo and freshly cut onions (or any vegetable of your choice). This serves as a good breakfast filling for sandwiches or rolls. Whenever I want a chicken mayo sandwich I simply make a fresh batch.
For a south indian spicy dish:
Take 2tbsp coconut oil in pan, add in some mustard seeds, one small red chilli and let them splutter. Add in 1 large thinly sliced onions, 2 slit green chillies, few curry leaves,1 tbsp of Ginger Garlic paste and nicely saute till the raw smell goes and the onions brown slightly.
Add in 1 tsp of chilli powder, 1 tsp of garam masala and salt and mix well. Pour in a little water if the bottom starts to stick. After a good 2-3 mins add in 1/2 kg of the shredded chicken and toss well.
Cook for another 5 mins and then add 2 tbsps of coriander leaves. Mix well and switch off the gas. Let it rest for sometime before serving. You can use this dish with rice, chapati, appam, puttu, poori or as a filling for many of your snack items.
Storage- once cooked will stay in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
All of these items can be cooked within 15- 20 mins. Yes, these items can be bought from the store too, but as a mother you know whats better for your family. A fresh, cost-friendly and healthy way of enjoying food, these recipes will definitely stay with me in the long run.
Hope you enjoy them too!
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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