The kids hit “play” on the remote and simultaneously started the 1956 short film, The Red Balloon, and, my 30 minute window to get dinner started. As crucial minutes ticked away, I ran through dinner ideas in my head. Glancing up at the TV screen, I caught the scene where the little boy runs down the street clutching the big red balloon. Bam. Tomato soup for dinner.
Homemade tomato soup (heat 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup flour, and 3 tbsp tomato paste on medium-low for 1 minute. add 7 cups canned tomatoes (or 2 x 28 oz. cans), 3 1/2 cups broth, 2 sprigs of thyme and cook ~30 minutes. Puree and serve)
Grilled cheese
Green salad of spinach, carrots, and sunflower seeds
Cubed mango over a scoop of vanilla ice cream