Spontaneity in the kitchen certainly has its place: Let’s open another bottle! And I think the cat needs a bath! I would never begrudge anyone – least of all myself – a little bit of freedom to make unwise domestic choices.
But as a supremely self-aware person, I know my limitations, and on-the-fly meal making is always an unwise choice. I’m sure some people can handle it beautifully, just as I’m sure that someone, somewhere, still does regression analysis by hand.
In case I haven’t been perfectly clear, I can do neither, and that is why I rely on weekly menus and, of course, Excel.
Unfortunately, readers, this is not a blog about statistics. It’s a blog about feeding your family a “decent” (definition forthcoming) dinner most nights of the week – nights when you’d rather not be cooking, nights when they’d rather be at Claim Jumper. And what’s the best way to feed a family of fussy eaters when you arrive home, fresh-faced and smiling warmly, at 6:15 (besides take-out, which obviously would be everyone’s first choice)? Why, with the assembly and execution of sensible menus! It’s a simple idea that is, let’s be generous, a little frustrating in its implementation – just ask my mother.
Clearly, the world has been waiting with bated breath for a new voice to inspire and lead in the arena of menu planning, like a Joan of Arc who knows the layout of the grocery store. Who am I to deny the masses? I am but your humble servant.
Let the planning begin before I drown in all this gratuitous punctuation!
Beets!
