ok, just a quick post here. So...for me, life with two kids is not all that easy. I have only cooked a real dinner about 4-5 times since Lila's birth (almost 8 weeks ago), I don't clean my house like I should (I try to at least clean the clutter and spot clean, but it doesn't go much deeper than that and even that is tough), I haven't been able to get ready unless Matt is home (I have to shower at night, or in the morning before Matt leaves - which is a challenge. And I never have time to blow dry my hair, straighten it, and style it; so my hair is usually in a wet bun). Anyway, I have decided to "tackle" one thing at a time. Once I feel like I am doing a better job (not great, just better) then I will add on another one. The first step, is making dinner; why dinner and not cleaning, or taking care of myself, well basically because I love food. ;) So what I need help with, I need some easy recipes that taste good, and are fast. I found a few online this week, and tried them, but they were pretty gross. So, I need fast, easy, and yummy meals. If anyone has any ideas, that I would great! Thank you!
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So I vote that you do things that freeze well too and make a big batch and then eat some and freeze some. Enchiladas work well, so do things like stuffed shells. As far as super easy, breakfast for dinner or tacos (and you can make extra filling and freeze it so next time you just have to heat it). Hmm, you could get a rotisserie chicken from Costco if you have a membership (pretty cheap and you don't even have to cook it) and eat it then use the chicken leftovers in something else (like enchiladas). Spaghetti is easy. I am trying to think about what I usually cook because I never cook anything too hard. If you have a crockpot, throw a roast in (pork or beef) with some potatoes and carrots. Quesadillas are good and you can put whatever you guys like in them, black beans, left over chicken, cheese, salsa, corn, you name it. French bread pizza (although I actually don't like it, it would be easy). If I think of anything else I will let you know.
Okay, here's my favorite recipe...EVER! It's super easy too. It's Italian crock-pot chicken. Put 4 TBSP of butter in a crock-pot, add 2-3 chicken breasts (frozen), and then top that with a packet of dry Italian dressing mix. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken (this is the only hard part--a friend of mine actually uses a potatoe masher and just mashes it to bits in the crock-pot), put chicken back into pot and add 1 can of cream of chicken soup and 1 package of cream cheese. Stir all together and cook for another half hour or so until it's all blended well. Serve over rice. It's super yummy! Making things in large quantities is smart, like your friend said, although not as yummy once re-heated and breakfast foods are easy too. I'll do burritos; tortillas, refried beans and cheese, etc. Sometimes I'll do canned soup (not so yummy, but super easy) with tuna or grilled cheese sandwiches. I also agree with the spaghetti thing. Very simple. We also love scones/navajo tacos. Just get a frozen loaf of rhodes bread dough, let it raise, roll it out and cut out circles with a cup or something. Fry it in some oil and top it with either honey butter or chili and cheese, etc. Okay, I've written too much already. Hope this helps a bit! Good luck. I PROMISE it will get easier! :)
Oh Brooke, I have to tell you I felt EXACTLY the same as you after I had Corinne. I even took my showers at night at first too, now I just take them in the morning, right after Dustin's shower, but before he leaves for work. I'm getting better at the cooking thing, but the cleaning thing is still a struggle for me. But I promise you'll get more used to things and be able to get back to somewhat more of a normal routine in time! Here are some super easy and yummy recipes that I use quite often:
Cream Chicken Enchiladas:
~2 cups chicken, cooked (I use 1 can of chicken so I don't have to cook any.)
~2 cans cream of chicken soup
~1 small can green chilies (this adds a little kick, so you could just use half the can or none at all if you want. I make a few for Miles without the green chilies, and then put them on the rest for us.)
~1 pt. sour cream (a 16 oz tub)
~10 flour tortillas
~Grated Colby Jack cheese (I get one of those pre shredded 2 lb packages at Walmart for like $2.)
Mix chicken, soup, chilies and sour cream. Put in tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Roll and top with remaining sauce and sprinkle with rest of cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Easy and yummy!
Fiesta Chicken:
~3 cups chicken, cooked and cubed (I use cans of chicken here again, this time 2 cans, not just 1).
~1 large can mild salsa
~3 cups cooked shell noodles (this is the only part that takes a little preparation).
~2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
~2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (again, I buy the small pre-shredded packages).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all ingredients and place in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish. Bake about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Both of these recipes make enough leftovers for dinner the next night and even for Dustin's lunch at work. So this way I only have to cook every other day. SORRY this post was so long, but hopefully these recipes will be helpful. We really like them, I hope you do too! I have a few other easy ones as well, just let me know if you want them!
From Your Neighbor Up-stairs (Larissa Terry) Check out my blog i have 1 good recipe up... I'm going to add a few more some time this week (larissaivory.blogspot.com) Also if you need any help with a babysitter or needing a break so you can have time to clean get ready and cook let me know i'll help ya out. :D we are just in 811 call me :D
(I found your blog from the ward blog.)
Brooke - I have a recipe blog with lots of great recipes that are fast and very tasty. http://shaylaskitchen.blogspot.com
I make "spanish chicken" It came from a recipe that came with our turbo cooker.
1 TB of paprika
1TB of garlic salt
1 TB oreagno
mix those up and rub or dip a couple chicken breasts in it. Again I have a turbo cooker pan, but I think just a pot or pan with a lid would work. Put the chicken in the pan with about 1/4 or 1/2 cup of water in it depending on how deep it is. Keep flipping the chiken about every 5 minutes until done- shouldnt take to long with the lid on.
meanwhile- cook up some penne pasta.
Take a can of diced italian tomatos and mix that with the pasta when it is done, adding a TB of parsley
When the chicken is pretty much done add a can or 2 of tomato sauce (till thickness you like) I also dump in the water left over from the can of tomatos and 1 more TB of paprika.
By using the can of Italian tomatos It ends up negating the spanishness I guess, but that is how the original recipe was.
As far as the other problems go I am pretty much fighting the same battle of course. I am still trying to make this new transition to 3. I usually end up just choosing a chore a day (ie sending through a few loads of laundry or cleaning kids room. I like to get the family room tidy before Jared gets home usually.
I think what i need to work on as far as meals go is just finding the time to plan it all ahead of time. I tend to spend a whole hour sometimes figuring what ingredients and such i have.
Maybe we should come up with a list of easy meal lists? I really need one of those
oh also, those steamable veggie bags come on sale everyone once in awhile. Right now there are some at Fresh Market for 1.50. There are some really yummy varities (spring blend, italian blend and a lot of them have sauces to) some times I just throw one of those in the microwave and grill some chicken breasts on the george forman grill.
My mother in law is the queen of easy recipes. Here is one she gave me:
Swiss steak on Rice
1 can of french onion soup mix
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 package stew meat
Put all the ingredients in the crockpot for 4 hours on high or 6-8hours on low. Serve over rice.
Another one I like which doesn't take to long is Parmesean Ranch Chicken:
1/2 cup cornflakes (crushed)
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1.5 oz dry ranch mix
Combine indredients in a bowl. Coat both sides of chicken with mixture in bowl and place in a 9x13pan - sprayed with pam. Bake chicken at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Serve over spaghetti noodles with marinara sauce.
Hopes this helps!! I know how busy life can get!!
here's my italian chicken recipe:
2-4 chicken breasts
1 pkt of italian dressing mix
1-2 cups of chicken broth
put everything in a crockpot and cook for 6 hours on high or 8 on low.
EASY and yummy! its good with a baked potato, mashed potatoes, or any vegetable/salad.
Check out momsnmeals.blogspot.com
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