Story & Photos By Phillip Morgan
“Honey, what do you want to eat?” That could be one of the most dangerous questions to plague mankind in the past century. Even in 2021, the decision on what we want to eat – or what we have time to eat – is probably one of the most frequently cited questions in families. In the Morgan household, we cook quite a bit, which allows us the advantage of creativity in the kitchen. Creativity, however, is a double edged sword when creating meals that both parents and kiddos enjoy. My five year-old really loves steak, which is a huge plus for my wife and I, especially when she will dig into a medium rare, prime New York strip (no crust, just the pink please – yes, she’s five). My stove gets plenty of action during the workweek, but I often shift to my pellet smoker for utility in preparing base proteins. For example, most of my dishes are stovetop with significant prep – but I lean on the smoker to bulk-cook chicken for multiple dishes across those days to make sure our after-work time in cooking is quick and easy to mix-and-match meals. When the daughter is not down for chicken teriyaki, which is also a household favorite, I already have steak cooked and prepped for a quick cast-iron-reheat and voila,
My stove gets plenty of action during the workweek, but I often shift to my pellet smoker for utility in preparing base proteins. For example, most of my dishes are stovetop with significant prep – but I lean on the smoker to bulk-cook chicken for multiple dishes across those days to make sure our after-work time in cooking is quick and easy to mix-and-match meals. When the daughter is not down for chicken teriyaki, which is also a household favorite, I already have steak cooked and prepped for a quick cast-iron-reheat and voila, new meal for the tiny while Mom and Dad enjoy our teriyaki and blistered broccolini. Rethinking the options can and often does help us reconsider agreeable options for breakfasts, lunches
Rethinking the options can and often does help us reconsider agreeable options for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We compromise in our planning and ensure that we include at least something for each of us. When I roll out that homemade teriyaki, I ensure that my daughter gets a personal serving of white rice – or “fancy noodles” (chicken Ramen – I know. I can feel you judging me); Or, when ramping up my efforts for some Beef Wellington, I work in some standard filet for my wife and ensure that our little has green beans with her steak. Yeah, it’s weird – but it works for us – and the rethinking of our weekly menu serves up some unique and satisfying dishes for us all. From standard Texas fare to diverse cultural dishes, revamping your menu to accommodate for everyone can help improve your household and your hangry tendencies! Eat up – you know we will.
