We are looking for things that our nanny can make while we are at work for us to eat when we get home. We tend to eat blandish food--not to fond of spicey stuff etc. pastas (although we TRY to watch our carbs a bit) meat dishes, sandwiches etc. I am NOT the best cook...at all :) Looking for things she can cook while not neglecting the baby and that can still be good after an hour or so of sitting (we don't always know exactly when we will be home)--we have some helpful appliances: sandwich maker, blender, microwave etc. Any ideas? We just keep eating the same stuff over and over...or eating out. Sometimes we just end up making ourselves PB&J!!
Anyone have some good--QUICK and EASY--ideas?
One other thing: I would love to have ideas for things we could make with foods that last a while in the fridge--I don't have tons of time to grocery shop so I hate buying stuff that goes bad after only a few days!
Personally, I love the CrockPot, you can google a ton of simple dishes that are made that way - simple, no stirring, plenty to freeze. I think cooks.com has great recipes.
I do a lot of my cooking on Saturday /Sunday and then freeze them in serving size portions. I always have spaghetti gravy frozen and meatballs. Try Rachael Ray's mini meatloaves, very yummy and freeze great. I also keep home cooked chicken tenders (I just cut up whole skinless chicken breasts into strips, season with garlic powder, onion powder and salt and cook them in just a little olive oil, it takes ten minutes) in the freezer for a quick chicken sandwich. Keep potatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms on hand to complete your meals. I used to work 70 hours a week and really had no time to cook. So I have been able to perfect my cooking. It really helps to actually plan out your menus for the entire week, this will help your nanny too. I have to say Rachael Ray has great, easy recipes that are very simple and fast to make. I have two girls and am pregnant with my third and I can still make a meal in thirty to forty minutes. You can search all her recipes on the food network.
I second the crock pot/slow cooker. I recently got one at Target for $18! Makes dinners super easy and super yummy. A great place to look up recipes is allrecipes.com. you can also just type in slow cooker recipes in any search engine and get a list of tasty, healthy, quick meals to make!
Good Luck!
A.
I get all my recipes from the food network. I love that show and you can find some really easy recipes on there.
I also agree about using a crock-pot. Get one with a keep warm setting and when the food is done cooking, it will stay warm until you get home.
I have a cookbook called Desperation Dinners (not a crock-pot cookbook). I admit, I have not cooked many things from it, but the recipes appear to be lightly spiced, and the recipes take 20 minutes to cook. You can read reviews on Amazon.
As for food that will keep, try making extra portions of food and freezing it.
Try kraftfoods.com I like the health living section and the food is always easy and fun. Marthastewart.com also has an everyday food section with lots of "normal" food and comfort food. Have you ever tried cambells soup? Cream of chicken and cream of mushroom works wonders with almost everything and most people love it. Try the website for ideas.
A couple of other convenience foods that might help -- canned chicken (we use it in quesadillas, quick pizzas, mac n cheese, etc.), the frozen meatballs (quick pasta dishes, sandwiches, sliced up on pizzas), and the packaged meats from Hormel (pot roast, meatloaf -- they have a pretty good shelf life, too).
Also, Trader Joe's has great frozen dinners and side dishes.
