A “Convenient” Meal

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I mean really convenient, like convenience-store, convenient.  

I’m running home late from work, picked up the kids from preschool minutes before it closed, and my husband phones me to say he’s stuck in traffic and he’s been scanning the console for abandoned Goldfish crackers to eat in desperation. A chorus of grumbling stomachs crescendo in unison and you have absolutely nothing planned for dinner. A case of the hangries (hungry + angry) is now on full tilt. Alas, my only oasis in sight is a gas station (because the bridge at Marburg is out and you are NOT turning this car around to face the tragedy that is your grocery store parking lot). So, I trolled my nearest gas station convenience store and this is what I came up with for dinner, conveniently outlined for you below:   

  • Have a picnic. Grab some Triscuits, questionable deli meat, different cheeses, almonds and a few pieces of overly priced fruit. Cut and serve on a blanket in your living room.

  • Beans, beans the magical fruit. Any canned version will do, add salsa, sour cream and hot sauce. Scoop and enjoy with tortilla chips.

  • Soup – Ramen, mini carrots, Sriracha sauce, and packaged hard-boiled eggs. Cook noodles according to package directions. Chop your carrots and boil them in the water. Slice your egg and drop in soup before serving. Voila – fancy ramen soup.  

  • Yogurt Bowls – Top your yogurt with bananas, crushed granola bars, a scoop of peanut butter, and gummy bears (if your kids are feeling lucky). Bake a few chopped apples if you have the time, but who does?!

  • Tuna melts – Canned tuna, sliced bread, and shredded cheese. Spread your tuna on an open slice of bread, top with cheese and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes.

  • Omelets – Let your kids pick out a few fun fillings (read: Slim Jim’s, nuts, wasabi peas).  

  • Two-ingredient pancakes – You’ll need eggs and the ripest of bananas (ones that make you question why they’re still available for sale). Mash one banana per two eggs, mix and add to your skillet, as you normally would cook your pancakes. Makes two-three pancakes per batch.    
  • Frozen pizza – Sorry kids, I still love you.

Notable convenience-stores around Greater-Cincinnati you may want to check out on your way home from work, school, errands, etc.:

  • UDF (Many locations): Check out your Cincinnati-based, local store for their own line of dairy products, ice cream and Busken donuts.
  • Growler Stop (Anderson, OH): Ever heard of a pretzel dinner? Now you have. Peruse their extensive craft beer selection if your day was extra-long. 
  • Jay’s Chicken (Pleasant Ridge, OH): Located in the Marathon gas station on Kennedy Avenue across from Home Depot, offering fried chicken with all the fixin’s. Don’t forget your lottery ticket!
  • Matsuya (Florence, KY): While not located in a convenience-store, this restaurant is adjacent to the Marathon gas station on Manderlay Drive. Stop on your way home for carry-out for the family that loves sushi.   

Have a convenient meal recipe to share? Leave your comments below!

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