Four Quick Recipes Any Busy Dad Can Make for the Family

Long gone are the days when family meals were only prepared by mum. In fact, with the ongoing pandemic, a study from the University of Melbourne notes how Australian fathers are getting more involved in household chores, compared to their American counterparts. The researchers also predicted that even with the Australian economy reopening, dads’ childcare and housework contributions will continue.

However, between working from home, taking care of children, and running errands, you might not have the time or the energy to serve healthy and filling meals for the family. Luckily, there are quick recipes you can follow! Here are four of them:

Cinnamon Bowl

– Your child’s favourite cereal, 250 mL
– Warm milk of your choice, 125 mL
– 1 pear, sliced
– Cinnamon powder, to taste

This recipe will give your kids’ usual cereal and milk a dynamic twist. Swap the cold, fresh milk with a warm and frothy variation to create a porridge-inspired cereal bowl. George “Lunch Box Dad” Georgievski even shared tips on The Dad Website to make this a little treat healthier. Top the cereal bowl with slices of fresh pear and cinnamon, and your kids will devour it in minutes. Just remember to choose cereals that contain whole grain and less sugar, fat and salt.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Meatballs:
– Ground beef, 500 g
– Bread crumbs, 32 g
– Freshly grated Parmesan, 32 g
– Freshly chopped parsley, 32 g
– Salt, 1 tsp
– Pepper, 1/2 tsp
– 1 egg, beaten
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Sauce:
– Low-sodium chicken broth, 375 mL
– Spaghetti, 400 g
– Crushed tomatoes, 28 oz
– Tomato paste, 2 tbsp
– 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
– 1 clove of garlic, minced
– Dried oregano, 2 tbsp
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley, to taste

Spaghetti and meatballs are a tried and tested classic — kids love it as it’s fun to eat, and parents love how easy it is to prepare. SymptomFind suggests using a crock-pot to make the preparation easier. Not only does this method cook meals faster, but it also tenderises meat more and enhances the flavour of your food.

To make spaghetti and meatballs in a crock-pot, you need to prepare the meatballs first and place them in the pot. In a separate bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, oregano and garlic. Season to taste, then pour the sauce over the meatballs. Cook on high heat for three hours. Then stir in some chicken broth and your spaghetti. Cook on low for another hour and a half, stirring every half hour to break up clumps of pasta. Finally, serve with grated cheese on top.

Thanks to the iron and protein from the meatballs, lycopene from the tomatoes, and carbohydrates from the spaghetti, this dish will load up your family with the energy they need for the day, too!

Honey Garlic Beef

– Boneless beef brisket, 1-1.5 kg
– 2 large Russet potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
– Beef or chicken broth, 375 mL
– 1 onion, roughly diced
– 6 cloves of garlic, minced
– Fresh cilantro, 64 g
– Soy sauce, 60 mL
– Honey, 60 mL
– Molasses, 60 mL
– Worcestershire sauce, to taste
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Honey garlic beef is one of those fancy recipes you’ll find in most restaurants, but what you probably didn’t know is that it’s very easy to replicate. You can even use a slow cooker for convenience, so long as you’ve prepared your ingredients beforehand.

First, in a food processor, purée onion, cilantro leaves, garlic cloves, and Worcestershire sauce. Slice the beef into brisket or beef chunks into 2-inch pieces, and prepare the potatoes into one-inch cubes. Then in the slow cooker, place the potatoes, beef, onion purée, beef broth, honey, molasses, and seasoning. Cook for eight hours. Serve this dish warm over rice.

Aside from saving on preparation time, honey garlic beef also offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits. All three help strengthen your immune system and prevent illnesses.

No-Bake Brownie Bites

– 6 Medjool dates
– Walnuts, 64 g
– Almonds, 64 g
– Cocoa powder, 32 g
– Shredded coconut flakes, 64 g
– Water, 1 tbsp
– Salt, to taste

No-Bake Brownie Bites are not only easy to make, but they also help your family get the nuts they need in their diet, as recommended by the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Nuts are rich in fibre and protein, and they reduce the risk of heart disease, too. By turning them into brownie bites, they also make a delicious snack!

To start this recipe, grind the walnuts and almonds in a food processor. Toss in cocoa powder, shredded coconut flakes, dates, and salt until a dough is formed. Form the dough into balls and roll them in the remaining coconut flakes. Place in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Making sure your family eats healthy is part of your responsibility as a dad. And if you’re short on time, it’s nice to know that you can always try any of the recipes above for a quick fix.