Kitchen Tips How To Dinner Fix 5 "Meanwhile Meals" That Cook Themselves So You Can Do Something Else With Your Time Our gift to you this holiday season is some much-needed downtime. By Cheryl Slocum Cheryl Slocum Cheryl Slocum is an award-winning writer, home cooking expert, and Senior Food and Features Editor at Allrecipes Magazine. She's in tune with the interest and challenges of everyday cooks and covers cooking techniques, baking, seasonal and regional cooking, food trends, kitchen products, and cocktails. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on December 4, 2021 Close Photo: Brie Passano During a busy holiday season, downtime is a gift. Hence, our present to you: a collection of delicious recipes with built-in breaks — dishes that simmer and soften, deepen in flavor, or roast up golden brown and delicious with minimal attention. So relax, catch your breath, or slay something else on your to-do list during your "meanwhile" time. Tonight, dinner is (almost) cooking itself. Chicken and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner with Olives and Feta Meanwhile Time: 55 minutes Brie Passano 01 of 03 Meanwhile... Meredith You've gained 55 minutes to,Create a meal plan for the weekRead the next chapter in your bookApply a face maskSet the tableWater the houseplantsTake a showerWalk the dog "The secret sauce to this recipe is the sauce! I vary the vegetables depending on what's in season (and what's in the fridge). As long as you put that herby, olive oil-balsamic-lemon goodness on it, you'll be happy," says reviewer Becky Lutz. "Meanwhile time? I call that wine time," says Allrecipes Allstar Howard Wulforst. Get the recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Instant Pot White Bean Soup with Prosciutto Meanwhile Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes Brie Passano There's no need to presoak dried beans for soft, creamy results when you use a multicooker. Even with this shortcut, you still get plenty of hands-off time while the multicooker does its thing. 02 of 03 Meanwhile... Meredith You've gained 1+ hours to,Catch up on podcastsWrite holiday cardsDo your nailsPhone a friendCatch up on emailsPrep other recipesPlay a board gameStream a movie or TV show "I use my hands-off time to catch up on whatever TV show I'm watching," says Allrecipes Allstar Kelsey Riley. Get the recipe: Instant Pot White Bean Soup with Prosciutto Lamb Braised in Pomegranate Meanwhile Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes Brie Passano All you need is a little patience for this delicious dish, which becomes tangy, sweet, and fall-off-the-bone tender in the oven — all by itself. Editor's Tip Pick a side: Serve this dish with couscous (as we did) or with rice, farro, or slices of roasted butternut squash. "Wow! The only thing I would do differently is start earlier, because we were drooling waiting for this dish to be done! The mint and rosemary with the pomegranate was magical," says reviewer Cindi Rhodes. Get the recipe: Lamb Braised in Pomegranate Shrimp, Sausage, and Fish Jambalaya Meanwhile Time: 30 minutes Brie Passano Cod isn't a traditional jambalaya ingredient, but this recipe offers it as an option. Even without it, this dish delivers deeply satisfying flavor from smoky sausage, shrimp, and Cajun spices. "Great recipe. Do the prep work ahead of time, and the recipe will come together easily," says home cook Michelle. Get the recipe: Shrimp, Sausage, and Fish Jambalaya Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Veggie Skillet Meanwhile Time: 30 minutes Brie Passano Editor's Tip Shortcut: Shorten prep time by using frozen cubed sweet potatoes. Just prepare them according to package instructions. Get the recipe: Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Veggie Skillet 03 of 03 Meanwhile... Meredith You've gained 30 minutes to,MeditateEnjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wineDo the dishesTake a power napDo an exercise video This article originally appeared in the December/January 2022 issue of Allrecipes Magazine. Related: 25 Dinner Recipes That Always Work A Month's Worth of Quick and Easy Dinners More Dinner Recipes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit