Spin off - how long does dinner take

[GrumpyMom]

I know this is just a matter of personal preference, but which do you prefer: quick, simple-prep meals or more elaborate gourmet-style meals. when i say quick i don't necessarily mean processed or out of a box cause I can grill some meat, steam some veggies, and boil some brown rice in about 30 min. But lately I've been getting into stuff with more ingredients, more preparation, etc. I don't do it every night because of time, but I like doing it. But then I think that maybe I should be spending that prep time with dh and ds....(my dh doesn't like to cook and my ds is 2 and doesn't like to "help" much other than licking the spoon :lol) What do you do at your house?

[snlmama]

I try to balance it. :) On nights/days when we are busy I plan for meals that take 20-30 min. Grilled chicken or spaghetti, etc. Then, a couple of days a week when I know I'll be home much of the day I'll cook something more elaborate and might take up to a 2 or 3 hours total on meal prep (never all at once, though)

[RealLifeMama]

I do both.
Either one takes the same amount of time to prepare.