@smangrolia
So, an example from last night. We had a couple of cheap steaks, broccoli, and some potatoes. Here's how I tried to use some simple techniques/cooking ideas to knock the meal up a bit.
Remember that this is a lot of words to explain it in detail but if you look closely, nothing was really that hard.
I also realize you asked for vegetarian but I'm just giving more an idea of how to think when cooking. Vegetables and such can also be marinated but for different reasons and for less time.
Steak - they were not the best cuts for pan frying but if you read about beef marinades (liquid mixtures for flavoring and tenderizing steaks), mostly marinades are important for "salt and acid". Salt penetrates the meat and holds some water so that meat is a bit less likely to dry out. Most sources recommend about an hour in a marinade. You can also just salt the meat and let it sit an hour. I used soy sauce for the salt, about 4 tablespoons. While it sits, you can get the broccoli ready, make goo-goo eyes with the baby for a bit, peel potatoes, etc.
You can also peel the potatoes in that time. Acid also helps some tough cuts of beef but can make it kind of squishy if left on for more than a couple of hours. I used some wine vinegar I had in the cupboard, about 2-3 tablespoons. The beef can sit in this in a container, a Ziplock bag, whatever. Mine sat for an hour.
While the steak sat, I cut the broccoli into florets and put a big pot of water on to boil. Make the water or the oven wait for you, don't wait for it.
I peeled the potatoes, then cut them into french fry shape. They went into a big deep cast iron pot, then I covered them with olive oil. I had bought a big can of olive oil on sale and decided to make some fried foods this week. The potatoes sat til I was ready. Potatoes are full of water so the oil will not get into them as they sit. About half hour before dinner, (steaks still marinating), turned the heat on high. When it comes to a full boil, let the fries cook for about 15 minutes. Carefully stir them with something heatproof to get them off the bottom of the pot, then keep cooking 5-10 minutes til brown. Drain on lots of paper towels on a plate or flat pan and salt them. Done.
Heat a skillet/pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, maybe just before you stir the potatoes. Take the steaks out, dry them on a couple of paper towels and then cook for about 5 minutes each side, more or less if you like your steaks redder or more well done. Take them off and put them on a plate, cover with foil and let them sit for 10 minutes to rest.
Fries were done by now, I took them out with a strainer and drained them on paper towels on the sheet pan.
Add salt to the boiling water, cooked the broccoli for 5-6 minutes, tested one to see if they were done, took them out with tongs.
By this time, steak rested. Cut it into thin slices (helps with tough cuts of meat) and dinner was done.
There were actually many moments of nothing really needing my immediate attention in all these events.
Bonus tip: I had actually seen Jacques Pepin talk about how his mother put garlic and parsley on everything, especially throwing a few tablespoons of chopped parsley and minced garlic in a pan after cooking steak then a couple tablespoons of water. The garlic, water and parsley mix with the juices from the steak for an easy sauce. I did this but you certainly don't have to, especially if the baby needs a change of diaper (or ask your husband to do it).
We have some leftover steak and broccoli now. Tonight, I could make some steak sandwiches, warm up the broccoli, maybe serve with some pasta and butter. For the sandwiches, maybe pick up a tomato and some lettuce, whatever you like. Voila! Two meals already done.
Please just give yourself a break. I give you credit for trying to juggle all these things. Good job!
P.S. I don't know if you are also working while juggling all this but if you are at home, much of this can be done during the day. The broccoli can be ready and sitting the fridge. Steaks can marinate for a long time. The potatoes can be cut and sit in water (drain very well before frying) for hours. You can make all this fit your schedule. I only did it in an hour because I work all day and don't start any of this til 4:30. You have more control than you think. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif
P.P.S You may want to chill on some of this until the leak is fixed. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif