Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

I'm going to cross post this, because it belongs in more than one category. I was a married, SAHM, I use to plan meals, have time to shop and cook, and I enjoyed cooking. I'm now separated and work and both kids are in school full time which means long days/homework, and no time! I'm envious of the lovely menu plans on here.

Aside from lack of time, my other issues are that I don't have a SO to share nice meals with. My philosophy for the kids was always to cook for DH and I and they had to try what we were eating (I did plan with them in mind so nothing too funky or spicy). Then, DH and I would eat leftovers.

Now, I can't make myself eat all of the leftovers (I do freeze some stuff like soup and chili), and the kids are picky, and I've just lost interest in making anything because it's not always appreciated and goes to waste. They are typical kids, they like the same stuff over and over. Our staples are cheese quesadillas, pasta with pesto or homemade alfredo sauce, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, take out chinese or pizza. They do eat salad and raw veggies.

Message edited 9/7/2010 7:24:25 PM.

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

how old are your kids?

how about instead of cheese quesadillas, make a chicken taco instead? they can assemble their taco themselves, and you can include cheese, chicken, then fancier things you might like - guac, yummy salsa, etc. Also, are there any other single moms in your area that you can take turns eating dinner over each other's house? Not sure if it's practical during the week (I don't have kids) but that way you and the other mom can enjoy something yummy together, the kids try what you eat, and then get to play afterwards. Or even if you have a single friend or relative you can cook for every once and a while...

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

meatloaf is fairly easy and can be made healthy with 93% lean beef or chicken/turkey. You can also add canned potatoes and peas to the baking dish.

chicken/tukey/lean beef burgers with homemade sweet potato fries (cut up a sweet potato and bake on each side for 15 min)

grilled chicken on a salad with veggies

stirfry-not sure if they eat shrimp, but I buy frozen shrimp when it is on sale and frozen bags of veggies and sautee that all together with some garlic, a little evoo, s&p

HTH

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

I'm trying to think of things that my SIL cooks for her kids.

They love chicken of pretty much any kind.
Fried
Parmigiana
Lemon
Marsala (no mushrooms)

Ziti and Lasagna
BBQ Ribs
Meatball subs

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

On Sundays I will make things like chicken or eggplant parm, baked ziti, things like that which my son can have at least 2-3 times that week. I also make grilled chicken and serve over a salad which is fairly quick. Pasta with swiss chard (or any kind of veggie) sauteed in g & o with a little chicken or veggie stock is a favorite. Oh, and, paninis. Fun to make as I lay out an assortment of cheese, meat, tomatoes, fresh herbs and we make our own. Another favorite is breakfast for dinner, french toast, pancakes and sometimes we'll make english muffin pizzas.

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

A few other things that save time. I now buy frozen rice that I pop in the microwave. Trader Joe's has a jasmine rice that's really yummy. I also will half or quarter baby red potatoes and pop them in the micro til soft, toss with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt & pepper then throw them in a 375 degree oven til golden and crispy which is done in no time. HTH!

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

When my kids were old enough I bought a Rachel Ray 30 minute cookbook. People may not like her but as a single parent her cookbooks were a godsend. Once a week I would let one of them choose a meal out of it. We would also watch her show to see if we liked anything. 30 minutes we could do.

Also: I had to shop for the week. No matter how tired, frustrated, etc. I was. It was non-negotiable. I also had to plan the week in advance. We had our regular rotation: chili, london broil, chicken parm, my ghetto version of chick francais and then we would work in a Rachel Ray meal. Don't forget the crockpot - stroganoff, stew, pulled pork.

I know sharing your meal with SO is something you miss but your kids CAN fill a huge part of that void. I'm remarried now but the dinner tradition is HUGE in our house.They think it's so strange to eat over a friends house and have take-out on a regular or not eat together at the table. Dinner was the one "normal" thing we had as a one-parent household.

Good luck

Re: Single Working Moms...what do you cook?

My Mom was big on baked potaoes with cheese and broccli - chef salads-soups (easy to freeze),Meatballs and sauce (also easy to freeze) and breakfast for dinner eggs,toast,bacon.

It is just me a DH so no kids but I do cook a huge meal on Sundays - sometimes two - and we have the leftovers to freeze to or eat for the rest of the week.

So this weekend I will make london broil and smashed potatoes and fresh salad, garlic bread. I would double it we can eat that again on monday night with a new vegtable I can make quick or another salad.
If I wanted to make a freezer meal as well I would throw some porkchops on the grill along with the london broil and maybe a augratin in the oven while the bread warms up.