“I’m V.P. of Travel and Logistics. I’m also in charge of Dining Services Worldwide.” One of my funniest friends actually sent this in when her college asked her to detail what she has been doing with her life the last few years. As a mom with two kids, she pretty much nailed the job description, don’t you think? While I got a good laugh out of her alibi, the truth is she really summed up the life of a busy mom. With pick ups at two schools, sports, playdates, doctor appointments, and the occasional haircut, often times, we well-intentioned moms have zero time to make dinner.
There isn’t a mom who talks to me about food who doesn’t ask me how I get dinner on the table each night. The truth is, I’m a mom not a magician. Even with a great culinary education under my belt, I take short cuts…and cheat. No one gets bonus points for making everything from scratch! My family just wants a good dinner after a long day. It’s how we relax, connect, and recharge before homework, shower, and bed.
Since Julia Child and James Beard aren’t likely to swing by for dinner, I put meals like this on the table when I don’t want to hear, “Please pull forward to the first window.” This one is quick, easy, and super delicious. You don’t need to prepare the sauce in advance, but if I’m home for a bit during the day, it’s easy to throw together. That way, when I walk in the door from carpool, all I have to do is make pasta and heat up the sauce. Round out this meal with a crusty loaf of bread and a simple salad and you are good to go.
It will be our little secret that it took less than 30 minutes…
Shhh and enjoy!
- 1-2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ small yellow onion - small dice
- ¼ cup of carrot - small dice
- 1 lb organic dark ground turkey meat
- 1 JAR of your favorite marinara sauce (I like Rao's brand)
- salt and pepper
- Heat oil over medium heat in pan. Add onion and carrot. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are softened (not browned), about 5 minutes. If you need to lower the heat so as not to brown the vegetables, do so.
- Over medium heat, add ground turkey to pan with vegetables. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring every few minutes.
- Once turkey is browned, carefully remove extra fat leaving about a tablespoon. Add jar of marinara sauce. Combine. Bring to a boil and put on a low simmer for 10 minutes to combine flavors.
- Serve over pasta.