I guess I'm kind of a single parent while WW is off having fun. My kids are tired of the same old things, so I've been trying different stuff for dinners, but not having good luck. They would rather eat ramen noodles or McDonalds. Just wondering if ya'll have some good easy recipes for 'us' single parents with kids...

How about a crock pot? You can throw just about anything in them early in the day, put it on low, and enjoy a nice dinner. I like to make chili-just brown the meat and put in your favorite ingredients. I will take frozen chicken breasts, sprinkle Shake and Bake barbeque mix between each layer of the frozen breats, and turn it on low. At dinner we have tender chicken breasts or I will stir it to make bq chicken sandwiches. Pot roast seasoned with onion soup mix is good too.

My 9-year old daughter named this recipe "Chicken Yumsticks". She loves Chicken McNuggets.

Chicken Yumsticks


6 servings

16 chicken drumsticks
1 quart buttermilk

Flour mixture:
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Cooking spray


1. Place chicken drumsticks in a baking dish and pour buttermilk over them. Marinate in refrigerator one hour, turning drumsticks occasionally.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Remove chicken drumsticks from refrigerator and discard marinade. Dry off each drumstick using paper towels and then roll individually in flour mixture and then lightly coat with cooking spray.

4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray again.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done, turning after 20 minutes.
.

I like to make these really simple potato wedges. They are a great replacement to french fries, and go well with breaded fish for "fish & chips" or with homemade hamurgers. You just cut up some potatoes into wedges (lengthwise) leaving skin on. Layer onto a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray or oil. Spray another coat of oil on top of the potatoes and then sprinkle on your favorite seasoning salt (I like Old Bay). Now bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or so. It may take longer, I can't remember exact time, just when they start to slightly brown. To hurry baking time, you can microwave the potato wedges on a large plate for a few minutes to soften, before placing on baking sheet. Serve with mayo (my fav) or ketchup or both mixed together for a special sauce.

Another easy meal... "Taco soup", it's actually more thick like a chili. Brown your hamburger or whatever kind of meat you'd like along with some chopped onions if you have any (can be done right in the pot you are going to use for the soup). Throw in a can of corn(not drained), a can of kidney beans (not drained), a can of stewed tomatoes (not drained), and a little taco sauce if you have some handy. Season with some chili powder, garlic salt and any other spices to suit your flavor. This is good served with some tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

Chili can be made in a similar way to the taco soup above (cooking.com is a great source) and is yummy with cornbread which you can make from the box (I actually like the cheap stuff better than most recipes I've made from scratch or more expensive brands I've tried, though I have heard Marie Callenders is real good).

Spaguetti with meatballs - so easy and good too. I used to think meatballs were difficult and time-consuming. Heat your sauce on low (covered) in a saucepan. In the meantime mix some hamburger (some ground sausage mixed in is great) with an egg or two, some bread crumbs, seasoning. Now just roll this into some balls and place right into the sauce. Turn the heat up a bit to make sure the sauce is bubbling to cook the meat, and keep simmering. Stir occasionally. Can be left on simmer for a long while if you make a little early, will just need to keep on low and covered. The longer, the better for flavor anyway, just make sure the center of meatballs are cooked to a high enough temp. Serve over spaguetti noodles and with some garlic bread.

An easy and great garlic bread can be made from a plain french bread "hot loaf" from your local grocery store. Slice in half lengthwise, and spread on a mixture of: 1/2 butter, 1/2 mayo, and some fresh minced garlic, onto each half loaf. Place these under the broiler till they just start to brown at the edges and the topping bubbles. Place the halves together like a sandwich (to look like a whole loaf again) and slice. Careful, will be hot. Yum!

OK, another one. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> These are my H's "special". We pretty much always have ingredients for these on hand, and never get tired of them. Soooo easy. Cook up some rice. Heat up some refried beans. Grate some cheese (preferably colby-jack). And get out some tortillas. Warm one side of tortilla in a lightly oiled skillet. Turn over the tortilla (make sure you have the heat on low now, and you may even want to remove from heat while adding your toppings). Spread a layer of the refried beans onto the tortilla, then layer on a good amount of rice, and finally the grated cheese. Cover, and keep over low heat until the cheese melts. Can serve with sour cream if you like, green tabasco is always great, or your fav hot sauce. Sliced avocados & chopped tomatoes are a good addition if you have. These could probably be placed on cookie sheets and put in the oven to melt the cheese if making a few at a time. Each one, if made on a full size flour tortilla, is actually quite a meal for one adult with a good appetite.

Hope you find some enjoyment, and hope your kids do too! Happy New Year.

Boy,there are so many recipes I could give.Here's a few my girls and I like:

1)MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZAS-make a list with the kids what they would like on their pizzas(try to get them to be adventurous),buy or make the pizza dough,sort out all the fixings(i.e. cheese,pepperoni,ham,broccoli,pineapple,pizza sauce,sausage,etc) into little bowls and watch them have fun.Serve with a side salad or some cut up fruit and veggies.

2)LASAGNA- an old time favorite.This one is a no brainer but you can always look on the web for different variations on how to make it.The easy part is if you use the ready to bake Lasagna noodles versus the have to cook ones.

3)SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN-this dish includes sweet and sour chicken served over white rice.Start with 1-2lbs chicken,cut into cubes.Sautee in a skillet with some oil until cooked.You can add minced garlic if the kids don't mind.Make the sauce:2 1/2 c. of pineapple juice,1c of brown sugar,2Tbs of soy sauce,2Tbs cornstarch(to thicken),1/4 tsp of ginger and 1/2c.vinegar.Heat ingredients in a pan and boil for 2 minutes until thickened.

While that was cooking in another pot,steam some vegetables mixed together(i,e, broccoli,cauliflower,carrots slices,water chestnuts,etc) and cook some white rice,about 2 cups(can be done ahead of time).Next,pour sauce into pan with vegetables,add cashew nuts(optional) mix until coated.Then take large serving dis,put in heated rice,then chicken then veggie sauce mix and serve.Add some warmed up rolls and have some crunchy oriental noodles on the side.


4)BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE-ingredients:1/2 pound elbow shaped macaroni,3Tbs flour,3 Tbs butter,3 c. milk,1Tbs powdered mustard,1/2c yellow onion diced(optional),1/2 tsp paprika,12 ounces cheddar cheese,1 large egg,1tsp salt,pepper to taste. Topping:1c.breadcrumbs,3Tbs butter.

Turn oven to 350 degrees to heat.Cook macaroni in pot of boiling water as directed.In a nother pot,melt the butter,whisk in the flour & mustard about 5 minutes,keep whisking though.Stir in the ,milk and add paprika.Simmer for about 10 minutes.Add egg to pot and mix then add 3/4 c of chesse slowly,add salt and then pepper.Add the macaroni carefully and mix.Pour into a 2QT casserole dish and cover with remaining chesse.Then,in another pot/skillet,melt butter for topping and add breadcrumbs til coated.Then add the breadcrumbs to the top of macaroni.Bake for 30 minutes and until golden brown on top.

Ok that's all for now.Hope it helps. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

O

Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.

You want it hot? Put it on Toast! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

Ooops.... that's a recipe t/b given to the WS while in the fog!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

WS: What's for dinner?
BS: You can make yourself a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.

WS: I want something hot!
BS: Put it on toast.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> - just kidding. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

L.

Ok,

One we do is rice-a-roni and chicken

Cube a chicken breast sautee in pan til golden,
add rice mix according to directions, either add fresh broccoli, green beans. Cook till done, if you want add some grated cheese!!!

Sometimes we will throw French Fried oniions on top and put in the oven a few minutes.

Anothe that we just found


brown a pound of hamburger and drain add a package of black beans and rice according to directions, add a can of rotel (tomatoes and green chilis) and 1/2 - 1 cup of grated cheese, cook according to directions.


Tater tot casserole

brow 1 lb beef and drain, spread in 13x9 pan
add can of drained vegetables (corn, green beans, peas)
add one can of cream of mushroom or celery soup a half can of milk stir this around and mix throughly add 1 cup of grated cheese if you like, pour in a half baf of tater tots mix in, spread evenly in pan, can add more cheese if you want then layer the remaining tater tots on top, bake at 375-400 degrees for 20-30 minutes til golden. Pretty good stuff!!!!

Also try Allrecipes.com I use this site to get quick easy things for my Special Ed students that I work with.

Just don't let them talk you into going out every night the food is not good for them and the $$$ can be used somewhere else.

Get the kids involved in the meal prep, it can be fun and something that they remember alwaysdoing with dad, let them taste test that is part of the fun!!!!!


Dawn <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />