Smart Cookin'

Back before our daughter was born, we got lots of advice about food post-baby.

The two best pieces of advice were:

1. Make food the price of admission to your apartment after the baby arrives. No food? No visit.
2. Stuff your freezer with healthy, hearty meals, packed into portion-size containers.

We did both of these things and, as I don't think we would've survived otherwise, I readily share this same advice with any soon-to-be mama who asks.

In the nearly year and a half since she was born, we still find #2 to be a family lifesaver. Yes, we have more time now than we did in those early weeks postpartum (duh) and we certainly have more independence now that she can entertain herself for short bursts of time, but we also both have jobs. And hobbies. And extracurricular commitments. And, frankly, don't like spending our little free time together as a trio in the kitchen. At least not every night.

So every couple of weeks, we dedicate a several hour chunk of time to cooking and get our freezer stuffed full of deliciousness.

Last night, my partner hit the kitchen to whip up one of our favorites -- Ethiopian Spicy Tomato Lentil Stew from Post-Punk Kitchen. I don't remember how we came across this recipe, but am I glad we did! Healthy, super hearty, and with just the right amount of flavor and kick, this is a great freezer food. Served over rice* or (even better!) quinoa, this will fill you up and make your family happy. Add some pita or naan on the side and you'll want to thank me later. Promise.

By the way, this dish is totally vegan, but it passes the omnivore test with flying colors. When my dad was visiting the week our kiddo was born, we served it to him -- a diehard, Midwestern meat-eater -- and he raved about how great it was. There is no better endorsement, really, as he generally considers our diet mostly "rabbit food."

Happy eating!

* Another quick-fix tip: Make your rice in large batches, then divide it out and wrap individual portions in cling wrap and freeze. The next time you're cooking (or rushing to work and looking for lunch), you can just pull one packet of rice and one tub of stew out of the freezer and run. We love making grains in advance!