Quick family dinners

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Replies

  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Crockpot is perfect if out of the house 10-11 hours. It means you can put the meat in frozen and let'er rip. I tend to do chicken breasts/thighs this way, they come out tender and delicious. Also, whole pork or beef roasts, etc.

    I agree with you on starting from frozen, and also that this is the perfect amount of time for pork and beef roasts. I haven't had luck with chicken breasts in the crockpot for that long, I usually find them dry when I return.

    I am actually trying today frozen chicken breasts (like 8 of them), a bag of frozen corn kernels, taco seasoning, juice of two limes, can of rotel, and cilantro. I'm having the babysitter turn it to warm when she gets there with my son, so I think it will be about 7.5 hours on low, which I hope will be ok.

    I'm going to shred that and serve it tonight over rice ala Chipotle bowls, but will use the leftovers for enchilada filling for some freezer meals I need to make for some families going through tough times. I also use this filling for tortilla soup quite often.

    My dinner last night turned out really well - the 7 hours on Low for the frozen chicken in the crockpot wasn't too long, then it sat on Warm for another hour or so till I got home and was able to shred it all up.


    The whole batch:
    840dbe8d-2aa9-48e0-b42f-c4bda466288f_zps68215e5e.jpg


    My serving last night:
    EF59A00A-D8C8-4434-9E36-1D25C3158A7A_zps9cccfadr.jpg

    Oh and since this is about family dinners - my kids did eat it, which I thought they would but you never know. I let them make their own bowls so they liked spooning in the rice, pulling the chicken apart with their fingers, and then sprinkling the cheese on top with some sour cream. I think we will do this kind of meal more often...

    This looks great! Throw in some black beans and this looks exactly like my burrito bowl from Chipotle!

    So funny you say that - exactly what I intended to add last night but forgot to get more black beans at the store!
  • Beautifulbridgittlee7
    Beautifulbridgittlee7 Posts: 352 Member
    Honestly I would just get a crockpot and get some recipes for soup, chili, etc or buy some stir fry or make my own stir fry. Tastes so good.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    Stir fries with rice or noodles only take 15-20 minutes depending on how much you have to prep. Same with fried rice.

    There are so many slow cooker meals out there that would work as well.

    Breakfast for dinner (eggs, hashbrowns, and fruit or pancakes for example)

    Pasta is always good, fast, and versatile. Change the protein, vegetables, and sauce to get a variety.

    Homemade pizza is awesome.

    Only do once a month cooking if you have the freezer space. I don't. I wish I could but I swear they put in the smallest freezers they could in this apartment.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I don't know if this counts as quick because it baked for an hour, but it was super quick and easy to prep. I had seen it on Pinterest a long time ago and always kind of dismissed it, I didn't think it would be very good. I had to make some meals for friends going through some things right now though, so I decided to try this and make a pan for myself - it was so good, the whole family ate it!

    In a 9x13 arrange cut up new potatoes, 4 or so chicken breasts, and whatever green vegetable you like (I used green beans). Sprinkle a packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing (dry) over the top and then pour a melted stick of butter over the whole thing. Cover with foil and bake for an hour.

    In the pan:
    f6f95b88f64e2c531f058118e707766e.jpg
  • Marie047
    Marie047 Posts: 240 Member
    I`m in the same boat I have a 3year old and don`t get in until 1815 and leave for work at 0715, LO doesn`t eat with us at night as she`s at nursery FT, however she doesn`t go to bed until 1900 so we don`t even start cooking until 1930.

    I tend to do a lot of fish, easy put in over for about 15 mins, with cous cous, rice veg etc, also stir frys, I also marinate things overnight, Ie Thai Pork chops, Korean beef, etc, All quick to cook when I get in. Or I slow cook something sort it in the morning then come back and just eat once LO is in bed.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You can make about anything in 20 minutes. Buy frozen veggies, they are ready in 5 minutes. For protein you can rotate with fish, chicken, chicken sausage... You can make baked potato fries in 20 minutes too. Tacos are great, just cook the meat for 10 minutes with seasoning then have everyone make their own. Breakfast for dinner. I agree with making a bunch of stuff on the week end and reheating it during the week (crockpot chicken, casseroles etc).

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