Need cooking help for my son a single father w/a tremendously stressful job....
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17798)
United States
April 18, 2008 2:18pm CST
I am trying to help my son - newly a single, parttime father who works a very stressful and dangerous job. HE used to be okay with cooking certain things, but now doesn't have much a clue - he is focused on his job so much for his own safety (he is in law enforcement) and then on this little girl.
Anyway, he said he just doesn't know where to start with stocking his kitche, but more to the point. what to buy for the little girl and doesn't haev much time for cooking etc. I know a lot of it, but I also admit, I am still stuck in the 20th century on alot of things and not haveing kids 24/7, I am sure I have forgotten alot of that related stuff, plus not up on the currenty new stuff, as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is my motto and how I cook and all worked then so I continue with it now. I am sure there are things that i could be doing that although won't help me, would be an asset to my son.
I'd like to ask ya'lls suggestions on what to stock a kitchen for a part time child, (2 years old) quick healthy meals I can make him in individual portions, freeze and send home with him and all he has to do is thaw and nuke! (or use a pot and burner, as I do!). I know the spaghetti, chili...things like that but what else? I know i can put it togethe myself, but like I said, I'd like "new and update" stuff for him too!
He needs all the basics like 1 bag of sugar, 1 bag flour, 1 box of cream of wheat, and just general stuff to have on hand and only have to be bought every 2 months or so. Things to keep in stock for "emergencies" like soups, canned vegetables and things that have a long shelf life but watcht he sales too. Then a list for him of stuff to get every week before the baby gets there and for himself. LIke bread, milk, cheese etc. He's on is own for things like toilet paper, paper towesl, cleaning supplies, toothpaste etc.- he can do that well enough.
He doesn't have much down time as he works 4/12's and then lots of over time when he doesn't have the baby and just trying to start his life over has rather overwhelmed him.
Also, anything you did or know your son did that helped him out when living on his own. Anything you care to suggest or offer for help would be apprecitated. Thanks so much
2 people like this
3 responses
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Does he have a crock pot or slow cooker? If not, maybe he can get one.At my Target they aren't too expensive. With a slow cooker he can prepare the fixings and put them in the cooker before he leaves for work and by the time he comes home, the food will be ready. He can make soups and pot roasts .And the best thing about it is he can make it and it is the type of food he can easily reheat.And there is a frozen food company that has all the fixings for slow cookers. All you have to do is put it in the slow cooker and add water.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Problem with that is that he works 12 hour days, not counting transportation time.That is to long for things in a crock. Plus on days he doesnt' have hte baby, he is often asked to work OT. Everything would be hard or over soggy. I know he can throw a steak or meat item on the grill, a baked potato in the microwave and open a can of Green GIant niblets or her favorite green beans and he'd do that. But although I use a crock often, he won't. Which reminds me, I should make him a pot of chili and freeze it in meal size containers! HE loves my chili - me and Carroll SHlebys little brown bag of chili fixin's!
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Bummer. I guess the only thing is frozen dinners, the ones you can just zap in the microwave.Oh well.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Which brands of frozen dinners do you think are the most healthy in your experience?
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
21 Apr 08
Don't know what help I'll be since I'm different from other cooks and households, but I'll give what I can Coffee.
Well there are the essentials like bread, flour, various bread mixes (corn for example), milk, cheeses, lunchmeats, hotdogs/sausage, rice, pasta, ravioli, peanut butter, jelly, applesauce, oatmeals, canned vegetables, fruits and goods, soups, and there are some instant meals (or sides) that come out of a can too. There are cup ramen that you can get too as they just need boiling water and 3 minutes. You could also get flour tortillas too as a component in cooking(maybe small ones so both father and child can enjoy them). Dough and/or pizza dough can be made and frozen too and that can remain viable, usable in making homemade breads, pizza, calzone, meat or stuffed buns. You already know of spaghetti, chili, and the essentials, but there are also variations that are great to use too, simple and easy.
Simple stuff he could do cooking wise
Bread/muffin/bagel/tortilla + tomato sauce + cheese (and any other goodies)= facebread meal
Tortilla + lunch meat + lettuce + condiments (and also any other goodies ^^)= wrap
Ground beef/pork + tomato sauce + spices (on bread or something of the sort)= sloppy or light curry
Rice/Fried rice or pasta + mixed vegetables (and prefered seasonings)= fried rice
Dice pork/chicken + vegetables and/or peppers= quick skillet tonkatsu/yakitori
Dough + meat + cheese + vegetables= calzone, meatbun, stuffed bun
Lunchmeat + cheese (and/or sauce, vegetables, other condiments)= lunchmeat wrap
Rice + ground beef/pork + (add ons, place on bread or other suitable) = helping meal
Noodles/rice + any soup (tomato, chicken, miso, beefstock) = combo soup
Pork/chicken + tomato sauce + cheese = Vesuvius
Good cereals could fill any meal role too. Again, something tasty but can be used at any meal and can have variation (Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Oatmeals, Yogurts). The cereals can be with or without milk. The oatmeals of course need water or milk.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
21 Apr 08
Those are great ideas. I will use them! Adjust to his tastes and those are things he can do himself! THanks so much. Daughter likes quesadillas so she'll like the tortillas!
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
18 Apr 08
When I have limited amounts of time, then I make sandwiches, a vegetable, roll and some kind of fruit. I like to serve a jelly, jam or preserve sandwich for lunch. I try once a month to make homemade muffins and freeze many of them.
I do use my crockpot to make a stew occasionally. Its a great way to eat more vegetables and recommend buying a bag of potatoes, which helps me cut food costs.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
18 Apr 08
Not sure he could do a crock pot - I think he'd start it and forget it! But I could do that and freeze a tub of it and he could thaw and have it for a couple days. Thanks.
