Single Dad Survival

Here is my survival situation...laugh if you wish, but it is a serious one for me.

I am a single father of a 6 yr. old girl as many of you know. Here is where the situation comes in. I can cook, but time is limited and so are resources. I get us home about 6-630 pm. That variable will not change. My daughters proper bedtime is 830 pm. I am looking for ideas on preparing meals that will help me in this little window. I have crockpots. One other variable it has to be healthy for both of us but, also keep in mind I am meat and tater kind of guy. It also helps to have enough leftover for my lunch the following day as I come home for lunch to save a little. I have done a few things in the crockpot and had them ready when we got home. So as many of those recipes as you have will definately help. Oh and (Ken) I don't have a pink apron either, and I am sure that is a disadvantage. I did this before for 4 yrs. but my daughter is growing up and the menu has definately changed!

Hey cowboy, when Both I and my wife were working, we would make 3 to 5 full meals on Sunday and freeze them then when we got home late we popped them in the microwave and 15 minutes later it was dinner, just a suggestion that helped us out.

My cousin would cook a weeks worth of food on the weekend and freeze the ones meant for the end of the week and put the others in the fridge. She would take them out and re-heat them for supper. about mid week she would pull the frozen ones out and put them in the fridge so she could have them for the second half of the week. Then, she started over the following weekend. I hope all works out for you my friend!

Thanks Welderguy! I never thought of it on that scale Good idea! Ya'll keep 'em coming!

That was going to be my suggestion to. You can even freeze casseroles and while they are heating in the oven you can be doing other things like homework. You might also consider having her help in the preparation. No only will she get a say in the week's meals but you get some quality time with your daughter in the process.

Good luck and keep us updated.

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Originally Posted by Camp10

My cousin would cook a weeks worth of food on the weekend and freeze the ones meant for the end of the week and put the others in the fridge. She would take them out and re-heat them for supper. about mid week she would pull the frozen ones out and put them in the fridge so she could have them for the second half of the week. Then, she started over the following weekend. I hope all works out for you my friend!

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Don't worry about it working out guys! it will work out! So long as I stay focused on my little girl it will work out and I don't see that being an issue!

I was gonna say the same as welderguy. Do the slow cooking on weekends. When you get home in the evenings the sides of canned and frozen vegies, soup, rice, potatoes, etc. are quick to prepare to go with the meat.

That was my suggestion as well. Cook on week ends, microwave on week days.

OOps! I meant to say thanks for the idea Camp10 and you to Rebel. I don't need any sympathy though, I actually love this place in life. I have never seen a closer relationship between a father and a daughter and wouldn't trade that for anything. We are fine just need some ideas! Did i mention we just got 2 new puppies! Thanks everyone you guys are the greatest!

I did this, in the oven, a while back, but I think it would be good in a crock pot.
I put a roast (about 2.5 lbs.) in a pan, poured one can of mushroom soup over it, then one envelope of Liptons onion soup mix over that, and covered it with foil. I put it in the oven for 2 hours at 350. Then I added cut up taters, then recovered and put back in the oven for one more hour. The soups and the juices made their own gravy...it was real good.

When I realized how good it was, I was already thinking that it would work well in a crock pot. (Maybe add just a little water.)

Fry up a couple of pork chops and toss them in the ice box. When it comes time to cook dinner, toss the chops in a skillet, add a can of mushroom soup, one can of water and a can of hominy (drained). Bring to a boil to heat through. Add a salad on the side while the chops are warming. Good stuff.

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Originally Posted by Rick

That was going to be my suggestion to. You can even freeze casseroles and while they are heating in the oven you can be doing other things like homework. You might also consider having her help in the preparation. No only will she get a say in the week's meals but you get some quality time with your daughter in the process.

Good luck and keep us updated.

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You got it Rick! We do of course have homework! Last night was 22 valentines cards, we made 'em from scratch. Tonight while cooking she was bathing the new puppies! Thanks to you too! Crash and 2dumb! How about some more crockpot recipes?

Boil some chicken and cut it into chunks. Place the chicken in the ice box. When it's time to cook, toss the chicken in a skillet, cut up some broccoli and sliced carrots and toss them in with the chicken. Bring the heat to medium and cover with a lid. The humidity will "steam" the broccoli. Cook some pasta, toss it all together in one bowl. Add some canned spaghetti sauce and stir. One meal pasta. I like bow tie pasta for this dish.

You can cook more chicken than you need that way you'll have enough for a second dish like chicken salad sandwiches.

Here are the new pups! They are both males and are Rotweiller/Pitbull. I don't think anyone will be messing with my lawnmower!

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...L/DSCN2297.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...L/DSCN2301.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...L/DSCN2302.jpg

If you do a search for Kens minestrone soup recipe, (I changed it a little, but not enough to worry about.) it is some really good soup...and that recipe makes enough for two people to eat for about three meals. Eat the first meal, then put left-overs in zip-lock freezer bags and throw them in the freezer. The next time you want soup, throw the frozen block of soup in the crock pot in the morning, and when you get home you have a hot pot of soup.

(Tip; When you freeze it, don't let the bag fold over. You need to be able to get the frozen block out of the bag, to put it in the crock pot.)
That's all I'm gonna say about that.:blushing:

Psssst. 2D. The bag is made of plastic. You can rip it off if you want to. Just sayin'.....

Wow you guys have some good ideas! I'll be able to come back to this thread and they'll all be right here! I really appreciate it! Hope you didn't miss the puppy pics!

I feel your pain. I was a single dad for 8 years and dinner time was always an issue. Fast food was used a lot. Of course that is not really a good alternative. It's hard to find meals that you and your child will like since kids, well mine, are picky eaters. Things like chilli, macaroni and tomatoes, spaghetti etc are all good choices and you can make a lot of it to have leftovers.

Oh...how about a quick breakfast idea?
(I like it any time!) LOL

Split an english muffin, and put it in the toaster. While it's toasting break one egg into a coffee cup, and scramble.(With a little salt and pepper, if you like.) Put the cup with egg in the microwave for 1 minute. (Don't panic when the egg swells up out the top of the cup....It settles right down when the microwave cuts off.LOL) Now shake the cup around (in a swirling motion) and the egg will roll around in the cup and come loose.

Butter both halves of the english muffin, put the egg on the bottom, put a slice of cheese over the egg, and put the top on it. (If you need to, you can throw it in the microwave, to melt the cheese, faster.)

MMmmmmmm!!!:drool:

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Originally Posted by Rick

Psssst. 2D. The bag is made of plastic. You can rip it off if you want to. Just sayin'.....

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Not the part that is pinched in the fold, you can't!:blushing: LOL