All about quantity and forget about the quality

A parenting reflection . When did it happen that making dinner became a cattle call? When did the transition happen from nice multi course dinners with wine (maybe weekly) to the nightly meal of something that has the least cost and number of ingredients, and makes the most quantity (to last a few more meals and eliminate cooking again). Lately we are making casseroles and soups. What's up with that. We have gone from good fish, meat and veges to pancakes(as we had for dinner last night), pasta and eggs as our main meal components. I think it will change again. As food is expensive here, what they eat is so "kiddish" and cooking is such a chore. But, for now it is about quantity rather than creation. I used to laugh at my mother making a bunch of something and freezing it. Now I am that person. The full circle of life with kids.