Introduction

It seems that no one has time to cook anymore. At the end of a busy workday, who wants search through recipe books trying to decide what to make for dinner, let alone prepare and cook it? It’s all too easy to grab some fast food or a frozen dinner.

Cooking and baking your own food means that you will spend less money, offer more nutritious meals to your family, and you’ll certainly spend less time in the kitchen than ever before. With the judicious use of convenience and value-added foods, making delicious recipes is easier than ever.

Preparing home-cooked meals can help bring back family mealtimes. Being able to whip up a meal in under thirty minutes will give you the extra time you need to sit down for a family meal before rushing off to other activities. And you’ll feel better knowing that you are helping your children establish healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

The fifty recipes collected here provide you with a variety of choices for that dreaded after-work, before-dinner hour (or half-hour). Add these simple stir-fries, quick one-pot meals, easy sides, and even no-fuss desserts to your weeknight repertoire. Then enjoy imagining what you’ll do with all your extra time!