Dinner time stress.

[BaysMommy]

I am the mother of a 3 year old little girl. I work full time and she goes to daycare, so by the time we get home it's about 6:00 pm. We're both starving, and I have absoloutely no cooking skills. Can someone give me some easy, fast and inexpensive recipes for us, that are somewhat healthy? My mom is not really in the picture and I don't know who else to ask. I know that we can't have soup and sandwiches every night, it's just not healthy.

[happytimes]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:28 AM I make alot of dishes on the weekends and freeze them and when I get home I just nuk em'....

[klieser]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:29 AM There are awesome Crockpot recipes on http://allrecipes.comthey also have some nice quick alternatives to soup and sandwiches.

[beth0406]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM

If you have a crock pot that is usually my easiest and cheapest way to go. You can make home made mac and cheese, throw a roast in for the entire day (the tricky part is remembering it), make soup, pretty much whatever you can think of.

I usually take a good sized roast (3-5 lbs) add two cans of cream of mushroom soup and two-three cans of beef broth, add some garlic and onion and put it on low for the day. It is usually ready about 5, but going longer doesn't hurt it.8-10 hours to cook is the perfect amount of time. I also end up adding potatoes and carrots and make a stew out of it.

[happytimes]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM Oops, I forgot to read the part about no cooking skills!! Everyone knows how to boil water, so make some pasta, beans, boiled eggs....I'm sure you will do fine! go on the food network, theres lots of tips for easy cooking...

[momzrgr8]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:30 AM I'm not much of a cook either but there are tons of 30 minute meals you can find online and I always find booklets as I'm checking out at the grocery store.  I wish I could help you more but ....I'm 28 and I only made chicken soup for the first time last night.  Martha Stewart recipe.  Oh yeah, go there too!! I think she has quick meals.  And there are videos!  So you can see how it is done and get it right the first time.  That's what I did last night!  good luck.

[hotpepper758]

Mar. 20, 2007 at 10:38 AM There are lots of recipies on the packages of things, like the back of soup cans, back of package labels, etc.  And there are many low cost healthy quick-meal recipe books. I would recommend you try to stick to the basics.  Meat, veggies, fruits, etc.  If you do not have any nutritional instincts (some of us don't) , look on the internet for the basic food groups and take one item from each group, and put things together.  Good starters, baked potato (can be done in the microwave), add broccoli and cheese on top,  (the cheese is protien so can be used intead of meat sometimes), open a can of fruit or add an apple as a side dish, and you've got a meal.  Also, pasta dishes can be adapted.  Brown some hamburger (be sure to drain the meat and run hot water over it to get the grease off), mix into a jar of canned spagetti sauce, and pour over cooked pasta.  Again, add fruit for desert and you've got a meal.  Casseroles are quick and easy.  Brown some boneless chicken tenders or breasts.  Cook some 5 minute instant rice,  Put rice on bottom of casserole dish, put semi cooked meat on top, add a package of frozen green beans (0r whatever veggie you like, pour a prepared can of cream of mushroom soup (or any can of creamed soup you like) over the entire mixture, and bake at 350 for about 1/2 hour - whala - dinner is served.   Alot of this stuff can be prepared ahead of time, so that when you get home all you have to do is pop something into the over or microwave and you're done.  You can spend the time reconnecting with your child or just relaxing from the long day.  I'm also a HUGE fan of crock pots.  Put all ingredients in the night before and put into fridge.  In the morning, just put into crock pot, and turn on and when you get home your dinner will be done.  Good luck.

[leahjett]

May. 5, 2007 at 3:25 PM   The crock pot is  the only way to go.  You can throw in chicken, pork, beef, or half turkey breast.  Put some cream of something soup, some spices, onion and garlic.   Blam!!  You have a meal and when you get home it's all ready just add veggies.  I love my crock pot.  With 6 kids I have learned alot about cooking. I'll dig up some dinner ideas for you some time this weekend hon.  Good Luck...