For me, especially with meal prep, its about staples.
Known forWeeliciousand four associated cookbooks, Catherine McCord is an expert at all things family-friendly.
McCord:When you write a cookbook, it becomes your favorite, so you keep rolling with it!
Photo: Catherine McCord
EatingWell:Could you talk more about your Crispy Chicken Thighs with Artichokes, Lemon & Herbs recipe?
How were you able to incorporate meal-prep-friendly techniques into the comforting main dish?
McCord:For me, especially with meal prep, it’s about staples.
Catherine McCord
So you’ll see a common theme throughout the book, which is using a lot of these foods.
It’s the stuff that you grew up with that your mother used to make.
That’s a big theme for me.
Catherine McCurd
McCord:I love Stasher Bags, they totally save me.
My Stasher Bags are my go-to, and then I have a lot of glass containers.
EatingWell:What’s your No.
1 tip for keeping your kitchen organized?
McCord:I would say that it’s containers.
If there’s cooking instructions that you need, tape them on the bottom.
That’s the pantry.
I use the bins because they’re easy to pull them out.
Label them so you don’t have to dig, you know where everything is.
Just having organization is a great way to see your food, save space and keep things fresher longer.
EatingWell:What are your top pantry staples?
And grated mozzarella, especially for a kid-friendly house, that’s always a big one.
But also frozen fruits and vegetables!
EatingWell:What are some veggies that you always have on hand and love adding to your meals?
McCord:We go through a lot of avocados and cucumbers.
My kids work for a potato farmer, so we go through a lot of potatoes.
EatingWell:What does “eating well” mean to you?
McCord:Eating well to me means eating real food and eating it together.
If you’re eating well, you’re eating real, good food.
Not just plant-based, but whole foods.
And I always think that means technology-free, eating together with friends, family and mindfully eating.
Up next:Laura Prepon Says This Plant-Based Protein Is Her Go-To for Quick and Easy Family Meals
