Quick!

Quick! You have a toddler who clings to you like life itself and wants you to play with playdoh. Your husband has gone to the grocery store for much needed supplies.  And it's 5:45pm, dinner must be made....what do you do?

Okay, so first, you pull out a box of mac and cheese (don't judge), thinking you don't want a food struggle with your toddler, it's fast and at least it gets some much needed food in her system.  Plus, if you use yogurt instead of milk and butter and then add in some peas, you can at least pretend its healthier than intended.
And you can make something for yourself later on.

But your toddler shows no interest in mac and cheese.  And you still have to figure out something for dinner for yourself at the very least

Time to rummage through the cupboards and fridge.
You find
some Israeli couscous
cans of diced tomatoes
onions
chickpeas
fresh spinach
and a tofurky Italian-style sausage

This could be a meal!

Put some water on to boil, pour in couscous.

Slice the sausage, add some oil to a pan and heat.
While the sausage is browning, chop up some onion.  NOTE: watch the toddler while you do, otherwise she's going to shove her stepstool over to the cutting board and grab the knife and pretend to cut up her own onion.  Why? Because you were foolish and let her help you cut up potatoes last week and she remembers all about knives now.  Should you be less than vigilant in this respect, at least review the lesson of "Knives are very sharp, don't touch them unless mommy helps you." She may still want to help you chop onions. But at least you're managing to watch the toddler and cook dinner at the same time.

Throw onions in the pan with the sausage.

Saute onions until brown.

The couscous is probably done, so drain it.  All the while making sure that your toddler does not shove her step stool over to the counter top near the stove.  SHOULD SHE DO THIS, remind her that stoves are hot and should not be touched.  Comfort her and run her fingers under cold water when she quickly touches the stove anyway.
Add in a can of diced tomatoes, the couscous and some dried garlic 'cause it's a lot easier than chopping up fresh garlic while keeping an eye on that curious toddler of yours.

Order the dog out of the kitchen. Her digestive system can't handle anything other than her kibble.

Lock cat in the bathroom to keep him from stalking the dog.

Add in chickpeas and some italian style spices (although I was thinking that some smoked paprika would have been nice too)

Cook for a while

Keep the toddler from opening the box of mac and cheese, which she suddenly now wants.  She really only wants it to throw dried macaroni noodles at the floor to feed the dog.

Order the dog out of the kitchen again.

Order the dog out of the kitchen again

Really mean it this time.

Swear that your husband should never leave you alone so long during dinner prep again.

Eat.

You can let the cat out of the bathroom now, but he'll only jump on the table and try to eat your couscous when you're not looking.

(No toddlers were injured in the making of this recipe.)