Ask:
So we are desperately trying to save money and pay down our debt. Not easy for me since I love to shop. So we set up a budget and can only eat out once per month (needs to be less than $50 for a family of 5). We used to typically eat out 1-2 times per week (sometimes at a restaurant and sometimes just a take-out pizza). What do you do when you are just plain sick of cooking?? I typically really enjoy cooking but since I have gone back to work this year, I am not finding it so enjoyable. I either forget to plan the menu, forget to take out meat to thaw, or just have no idea what to make. So what does everyone do on the nights that you really don't want to cook but need to? I am just looking for inspiration since this is one of those nights!!
Thanks!
Answer:
Left overs or something really simple like grilled cheese sandwiches or frozen pizzas. For less than $50 you should be able to do 2 times of ordering pizza or 1 pizza one fast food.
Answer:
Maybe you could cook a couple of meals up on the weekend and freeze them to be pulled out when your not in the mood to cook!
Answer:
I do a lot of recipe searches for inspiration. Also make extra for freezing. Things don't have to be fansy. Try something like Chicken Quesadillas or homemade pizza on flour tortillas. If your kids are old enough, they can choose the toppings. HTH!
Answer:
Easy Peasy girl!! when I have nights like that, my kids get pancakes or cereal with toast. Believe me I know that feeling, sick of cooking! I cook for a living, and whenI go home, its the LAST thing I want to do.
Answer:
My favorite meal on those nights are get a long french bread, slice it in half, butter each side, warm under the broiler...add a little ham, maybe some turkey and cheese...and warm it again under the broiler. Cut it up into inch wide slices and serve....Only takes minutes!
You can do this with Roast Beef and Mozzarella too, just make some quick outta the packet Aujus sauce to dip it in....
Answer:
I limit this because of the extra salt and whatnot, but once in awhile I use prepared foods, like from Costco where the quality seems to be better. It is more expensive than cooking from scratch but much less than going out to eat. I just make sure it is something I can take out of the freezer and just bake and throw away the pan, and use paper plates and napkins. That's as close as I can get to not doing anything to a meal and not resorting to going out.
Answer:
I've got to agree with everyone who says breakfast for dinner, we do that a lot. I'll scramble some eggs. I always have frozen waffles or pancakes because when I make them, I freeze a lot.
Something you could do is 'make your own taco or pizza night'. Just lay out the ingredients and let everyone do their own thing. My kids love making their own food!
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CEREAL is our number one "Mom's tired of cooking" meal! The kids love it, and since I rarely do it, I don't feel guilty!
Answer:
Okay this happens fairly often at our house b/c after working all day I don't always want to cook. Here are some options..
Tacos--super quick to brown some meat...I buy ground turkey in rolls, drop it into a sink of hot water and it thaws pretty quick in an emergency
Breakfast--eggs or pancakes are super quick
Sandwiches
Grilled Cheese & Macaroni
Or I have dh come up with something. If he makes something for us great, if he finds something for himself, great and I'll just have cereal or something.
Also I have been trying to keep things like Hamburger Helper, or frozen pizzas on hand for these days. Not as cheap as making from scratch but way cheaper than going out anywhere.