Libs,

I always love the notion of coming home from work: the sound of the double doors closing behind me, the feeling of driving home with my radio blasting, the anticipation of walking through the front door and seeing my littles after a whole day apart. And it always plays out in my mind how I’m going to rush in, give everyone kisses and then play with abandon until some well-rounded and delicious dinner miraculously appears on the table so that I, with my glass of wine, can sit down and enjoy my family around the dinner table.

And then, I open the front door. And all fucking hell breaks loose.

“I’m huuuuungry!” (June)

“When is dinner going to be ready?” (June)

“Why is it taking so long?” (June)

“I don’t want to take a bath!” (June)

“Maaamaaa!” (Harvey)

“Aaaaaaaah!” (Tygh)

So, with one child nestled inextricably on my hip and the other whining so loudly that I feel like my head might explode, the mad dash to the table begins. I know I shouldn't complain too much because - and I know this is going to sound incredibly annoying - Tygh is beyond amazing when it comes to the dinnertime dance from hell. Even still, when I finally do sit down, the kitchen is destroyed, a few things have been broken, and Harvey is more interested in the food on the floor than the stuff I painstakingly arranged on his plate. It’s enough to make you want to work late – outside the home – with lots of apologies to the hubby you gleefully fed to the under-aged wolves.

In the end, I don’t even know what I am eating, or why, or if I enjoyed it or not because I am usually up and down from the table between 20 and 10,000 times because someone needs more milk or a new fork or a band-aid. Was there wine?

Which is why I staunchly refuse to spend more than 30 minutes in dinner prep and execution on a weeknight. And if one meal can serve two evenings, then fuck yeah, I’m in.

I’m not saying I get super creative or crazy, but giving it a little effort is usually rewarded with a heartfelt “What IS this?” from a disgusted June or a few extra exuberant food-throws from Harvey. And isn’t that what dinner is all about?

Super Easy Weeknight Curry

If I don't have my favorite curry paste in the house, I'll use some standard curry powder and throw together this dish. It's a little spicy, so definitely more for the adult palate and you can easily substitute any protein for the beans, depending on what you have lying around. Bonus? It tastes even better the next day - a huge plus in my book.

Serves 4 (or two for two nights!!)

3 cans of garbanzo beans, drained

1 white onion, coursely chopped

2 Tbsp coconut or olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger

1 Tbsp fresh lemon grass, minced** (optional and only if readily available in your grocery)

2-3 Tbsp curry powder (add less if using Madras, as it is usually spicier)

1 x 13.5 oz can coconut milk

1 C veggie broth

8 oz fresh baby spinach

1-2 Tblsp fish sauce or a few pinches of salt, to taste

Zest of one lime and lime wedges, for serving

In a large saute pan, cook the onion in oil until soft, about 5-8 minutes. Add garbanzo beans and sauté another 5-8 minutes, until just starting to brown. Add garlic, ginger, lemon grass and curry powder, sautéing until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add coconut milk and broth. Bring to boil, then reduce heat, letting simmer about 3-5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add in spinach, stirring until wilted through. Sprinkle on salt or fish sauce, to taste. Serve with rice (we love forbidden rice), topped with lime zest and wedges.

Adapted from my new favorite cookbook from you, Keepers.