Whether you’re a stay at home parent or a parent who works, dinner time can be one of the most stressful moments of the day. My husband and I both work (I work four days a week), we have two kids at school and I manage our school canteen. Add into the mix after school and weekend activities, trying to keep our (and the kids) social life going and the never-ending list of things ‘to do’, there are days I just want to walk in the door and know dinner will be whipped up in no time.

Through the Kids Business blogger event earlier this year, I met a company called Marathon Foods. They have a food range named Chef Direct which are easy family dinner options, made fresh with no artificial flavours, preservatives or colours. Because the meal options are packaged using clever technology there is no need for refrigeration or freezing. Sounds too good to be true, I know! I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to try the Chef Direct range and see if my expectations could be met.

Let me tell you, we were all impressed. The food comes well packaged with instructions on the front so all you have to do is empty the contents into a tray and heat. Pop on some pasta or veggies as a side and the food is ready by the time the pasta or veggies are cooked. Literally 15 minutes. Perfect when you’re time poor and you’ve got hungry kids stalking you in the kitchen!

There are different food options available but so far, we have had the delicious beef meatballs in tomato and basil sauce, amazing lamb shanks in red wine and rosemary, and just recently lamb shanks with mint gravy which we paired with rice, olive mix and artisian bread. The portion sizes are plentiful for our family which is just as good as the kids asked for seconds on both of those meals!

I like to meal plan and these easy to go to meals can fit conveniently into my weekly plan especially on week nights. Coming home from work knowing that dinner is not going to be stressful and that we’ll all enjoy a yummy meal is a bonus. I’d highly recommend checking out the Chef Direct range which is stocked at IGA and hopefully this can reduce dinner-stress at your home too!

All copy and opinions are my own.