Tired of Cooking?

TraceyM

TraceyM

Sweet Shoppe Designer
I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting tired of cooking every single night for the family. No breaks. No take-out food. No restaurants. Too much pasta filling in the week. I don't like not easily being able to go out and grab my usual groceries. I bet you don't either!!!

Maybe we can share some food ideas and recipes in this thread to help us continue through these tough times.

One food related idea I did this past week was a zoom chat with a bunch of my girl cousins, my aunt, and my sister and together we all baked a family recipe of Munn cookies. We are spread out all over from Laguna Beach to Oregon to New York State to Toronto so zoom was such a great way to get together. My cousin supplied us with my Nana's recipe (she passed several years back at 102) and taught us the tricks of easily making yummy cookies that also happen to freeze great! They never landed in the freezer here as my daughter has been greatly enjoying the results.

Find the recipe for Munn Cookies - a simple lemon/poppyseed flavor - and a few photos here on my blog: http://clevermonkeygraphics.blogspot.com/2020/04/munn-cookie-ciglen-family-recipe.html

Now set up a how-to cooking session with YOUR family on Zoom or another video chatting service.

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I'm with you! So tired of trying to get everything I need in one trip to the grocery store... I am spending $300 a trip rather than my usual $150. We are eating one meal per week either curbside or delivery. My son was already asking what we will get this week and we've been ordering on friday nights. lol

Here's a recipe I really like! https://dinnerthendessert.com/korean-beef-sloppy-joes/
 
Sooo tired of it! Plus with everyone home for lunch I'm now making a lot more meals than before. We're doing 2 weeks of grocery shopping at a time, so planning and making sure we have enough (and then adapting over and over when certain things are out of stock) is an adjustment, too. And because of a combination of what's available and feeling like I "should" have more time, I'm making more time consuming meals. We're getting curbside or delivery on Saturday nights, so at least there's that break.

I've never met a recipe I didn't alter in some way, so it's hard to link you up to anything! Here's a yeast-free pizza crust I made a couple weeks ago. It's made from things we always have around the house (flour, salt, baking powder, milk, and butter) and only takes a few minutes.

Another trick I've learned since lockdown and spacing out grocery trips is how to roast frozen veggies so they taste like fresh. So yummy! Basically, heat the oven to 450F with the baking pan inside so it preheats, too. Toss frozen veggies with olive oil. Season if desired. Place the veggies on the hot baking tray and roast until done. The directions I used aren't online, but here's a similar one.
 
Here in the netherlands it's very normal to cook
Your own meal for the family every day.
So it's not difference then before corona.
We still can get take out fries.
And more and more restaurants offering take out.
 
rach3975 said:
Another trick I've learned since lockdown and spacing out grocery trips is how to roast frozen veggies so they taste like fresh. So yummy! Basically, heat the oven to 450F with the baking pan inside so it preheats, too. Toss frozen veggies with olive oil. Season if desired. Place the veggies on the hot baking tray and roast until done. The directions I used aren't online, but here's a similar one.
Click to expand...

THAT IS A WONDERFUL TIP! Frozen veggies gross me out; I've tried boiling {gag} and pan frying, but I've never tried roasting them. Joel bought two big bags during his initial stocking up, and I'm going to try this before I give up and give the second bag away.
 
We usually eat at home anyway, so it hasn't been too different, but having everyone here for lunch everyday has been weird. I usually plan so we can have leftovers for lunch, but they don't last long these days, lol! And I miss going out for little treats, which I must have done more than I realized! I am just tired of having to come up with the plan all the time--didn't we JUST EAT? And now we have to EAT AGAIN? Lol, at least food is fun. I actually enjoy cooking and baking, but not figuring it out, so if someone would just tell me what to make, that would be great.
 
I keep telling everyone that I haven't cooked so much in my entire married life - almost 17 years now. LOL! I typically go straight to the gym after work so my family has pretty much already fended for themselves. Now I come home and they expect to be fed. WTH? This wasn't in my vows. :D:D

I've tried a few new recipes just to have something different. My faves are:

https://www.skinnytaste.com/shepards-pie-lightened-up/
https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-chicken-parmesan/


I think I've nailed my Spanish rice. My grandma would be so proud.
 
I do a lot of easy dinners. Like quesadillas with grilled meats, boxes of yellow rice, or canned beans.

I also always make a lot so I don't have to cook every night. I love leftover nights. Not because I like eating leftovers... but because I can enjoy more outdoors time with the kids without stressing over what's for dinner.
 
I'm not so much tired of cooking, because I really do love it, its a "happy place" for me, BUT the part that's exhausting is planning and using only what's here.
The first couple of weeks it wasn't so bad...but now that I'm home all day everyday, I'm over it. That part takes the fun out of it for me. I was so over it yesterday when the frozen food delivery guy was across the street around lunch time, I sent the kids over to get a catalog and we placed our first order (we got frozen pizzas and chicken patties, of course some Ice Cream).

So, what I have done to try to mix it up is to have my kids go through the cookbook collection and find something they want to try; then they can help make it. My girls can do a lot of it themselves, my son needs a little more help. We call it "home ec" day.

These are some of the things have tried a few new recipes:

Pioneer Woman's Hawaiian Burgers
Homemade Pizzas using this crust
Cajun shrimp & Rice (I used a bit less on the cayenne)
White Chicken Enchiladas

Smoked Wild turkey breast, instead of the BBQ it called for, I seasoned it with a Beer Can Chicken mix that I found at the store (the recipe came out of MeatEater Wild Game Cookbook) - my oldest step son (11) went hunting with Dad on Friday and shot his first turkey and I had never made a wild turkey before.

Tonight I'm making:
Food Court Bourbon Chicken
Veggie Lo Mein
Pork Pot stickers


Still on our list:
Flavored Tortillas
Bagels
Tamales
Pasta
 
We usually eat at home and have take outs maybe twice a month and special occasions. I always cook breakfast, and lunch for my daughter and husband to bring with them in school/office. But I always get Saturdays and Sundays off, which means it’s my husband who cooks and takes care of the dishes. And yes, we have a weekly planned meal. But even on weekdays he helps me with the dishes. But it sure feels weird that they’re here for lunch. It sure feels weird that I eat lunch on time, and it mostly feel weird that I also eat breakfast.
 
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joelsgirl said:
THAT IS A WONDERFUL TIP! Frozen veggies gross me out; I've tried boiling {gag} and pan frying, but I've never tried roasting them. Joel bought two big bags during his initial stocking up, and I'm going to try this before I give up and give the second bag away.
Click to expand...

That's funny, if we can't get fresh, we always use frozen veggies! We never use canned veggies because they are soggy :thumbdown:

I was cooking every night before the virus, but now with the virus and the kids are home (vs not being at appointments) that they have started helping with the meals. Just last night, the oldest made fried rice and the middle made orange chicken! I just supervised! :D The night before the youngest made tacos. It's his specialty and he's pretty good!

So while we've been cramped at home in our tiny house, they are actually doing more of the cooking and meal planning than before the virus which is really giving me time off from planning meals!! I mean don't get me wrong. I still make a good portion of the meals, but there are days that the kids heavily help out or make the meals.

The above mentioned also means I have twice the dishes at the end of the night. It seems like our dishwasher is always running. I think we run it at least two times a day :O
 
I haven't minded terribly, because I'm not rushing home from work to cook. Since I'm already home.

This recipe Jimmy Kimmel shared and it was fab!
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/easy-no-knead-focaccia

I made these the other night and they were a HUGE Hit, although everyone in my family looked at me like I was nuts when I said what was for dinner.
https://southernbite.com/ham-cheese-waffles/

We had this on Saturday, it was great! https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/japanese-zucchini/

We also enjoy Spam around here usually with fried eggs and white rice. Sliced super thin (I get the lite), anyhow. I made spam fried rice the other day and that was a big hit too. I used this recipe, minus the peas & carrots. I don't dig that in my fried rice.

And the sweets we've tried, Good lord, I've been baking like crazy. I finally had to cut myself down to once a week.

https://www.thekitchn.com/joanna-gaines-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe-257520
https://myincrediblerecipes.com/hersheychocolatecake/
https://bitandbauble.com/copycat-panera-kitchen-sink-cookies/
https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/disneylands-peanut-butter-cookies/
http://lovewell.blogspot.com/2017/10/salted-caramel-oatmeal-cookies.html
 
Neverland Scraps said:
We LOVE that Bourbon Chicken!!! I have a recipe very similar to the one that you posted and it's yummy!! Mine calls for red pepper flakes, which I scale back significantly. I noticed yours doesn't, so I think the next time I make this, I'll try your recipe instead of mine!!

Do you have a recipe for veggie LoMein?
Click to expand...

I kind of combine these 2 recipes and wing it with whatever I have on hand for veggies (usually onion, celery, red peppers, carrots, green beans)

Spicy Thai Noodles
Homemade Panda Chow Mein/
 
Yup! I'm used to doing a weekday run, eating at my parents' on Thursday nights, a weekend run, & picking up frozen lunches for the week on Tuesday mornings. One run a week is really cramping my style. :p

I cooked most of our meals before quarantine but adding in having to make lunches for the kids (and one kid doesn't eat anything I make) is annoying.

I've been trying 1-2 new recipes a week. These are our two latest faves:
https://carlsbadcravings.com/sheet-pan-parmesan-pesto-chicken-veggies-recipe/
https://carlsbadcravings.com/italian-mozzarella-chicken-foil-packets-recipe/

Homemade sloppy joes & "Christmas rice" (deconstructed stuffed peppers) are some go-tos for us. We also make tacos a lot & use Pioneer Woman's taco seasoning recipe; I haven't bought taco seasoning at the store in years. My daughter's favorite meal is Pioneer Woman's Hamburger Soup which requires a lot of veggie chopping but is easy otherwise and very healthy.

SLOPPY JOES
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 tsp. each chili powder, cumin, oregano
3/4 c. ketchup
4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
buns or corn chips

Combine meat + all dry ingredients. Brown & drain. Stir in ketchup & Worcestershire. Heat through & serve.

CHRISTMAS RICE
1 lb. ground beef
rice
1 green pepper, diced
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1/8 c. (or to taste) brown sugar
salt & pepper

Brown ground beef; drain. Cook rice separately (we usually do 1/2 c. per person but it depends on what you want your rice-to-meat ratio to be). Add green pepper, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, and salt & pepper to ground beef; heat through. Add rice & serve.
 
Neverland Scraps said:
The above mentioned also means I have twice the dishes at the end of the night. It seems like our dishwasher is always running. I think we run it at least two times a day :O
Click to expand...

^^^^ THIS! The dishwasher is getting more workouts than I am, that's for sure! :)

Before everything shut down, it was just my middle son and I, and he has celiac... so despite my efforts at gluten free cooking, he rarely eats it. Cereal can be good for dinner, right? I will admit that I wasn't cooking too much.

Now that my oldest and youngest are home, I'm cooking ALL.THE.TIME. I had recently found some great freezer meals for the crockpot. Here is the site:

https://happymoneysaver.com/easy-freezer-meals/
Highly recommend the Pesto Tortellini Bake (I added chicken) and the Ravioli Lasagne

Tried this last night... delicious!
https://www.mommysfabulousfinds.com/slow-cooker-chicken-bacon-ranch/

Also made a delicious beef and barley soup (more like a stew though) in the instant pot. Couldn't find the recipe online, so I typed it up in a google doc. Here's the link. Delicious!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N2uK-Wh09W6lrhRoo2zU2Iaf2L2NGEtQw1TNZA99SgM/edit?usp=sharing
 
Korean Sloppy Joes - I'm in love with the idea. But I'll try them with ground turkey since my daughter can't eat beef or red/heavy meats without getting a bad stomachace.

Making my own pizza crust just might be something I'm willing to give a try!

Roasting frozen veggies! Who'd have thought? MUST TRY.

Ally, it's looking like you are going to get lots of recipe ideas to try on this thread!

My local grocer sells fresh chicken parmesan so that would be an easy quick recipe for me to do Carrie and I haven't done a Shepherd's Pie in a few years now!

Oh Lea. You have it together more than I do. LOL. Then again, my kid is a 20 year old college student who came home from university a month ago and literally has not stepped out the door since. After her spring break, she has only been found with her head figuratively in her books.

Manda, can I come for dinner? That sounds like a lot of yummy meals you are making.

Vanessa - I'm a sucker for cream cheese frostings so that chocolate cake looked mighty tempting. And that japanese zucchini recipe looks very intriguing.

I love the Basically website with it's step-by-step videos. So well done.

Spicy Thai noodles sound good. I think I'm missing Asian food most of all.

LeeAndra that sheet pan pesto chicken sounds brilliant!

So many yummy recipes I'm seeing in our thread so far!!!
 
lorigaud said:
Oh man.... my friends and I always visit the Halal Guys when we go to NYC! Need to surprise them by making this.
Click to expand...

I know without tasting that this is a recipe I would love. It reminds me of food we used to have at a restaurant called Afghani House in Sunnyvale California. We've lived in Portland 20 years and it is still the restaurant I remember fondly for its food. Sadly they closed a few years ago - yup - I used to check if they still existed every couple of years. LOL
 
carrie1977 said:
I keep telling everyone that I haven't cooked so much in my entire married life - almost 17 years now. LOL! I typically go straight to the gym after work so my family has pretty much already fended for themselves. Now I come home and they expect to be fed. WTH? This wasn't in my vows. :D:D

I've tried a few new recipes just to have something different. My faves are:

https://www.skinnytaste.com/shepards-pie-lightened-up/
https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-chicken-parmesan/


I think I've nailed my Spanish rice. My grandma would be so proud.
Click to expand...

Please share the Spanish rice recipe!
 
Dalis said:
Please share the Spanish rice recipe!
Click to expand...

Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
2 cups long grain white rice
4 cups water
2 tbsp chicken bouillon seasoning
1 cup tomato sauce (I use 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup El Pato Hot Tomato Sauce)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat oil in pan.
Add rice to pan. Stir constantly so rice doesn’t burn. You just want to get it to brown.
Once rice is cooked to your preference, add water, chicken bouillon seasoning and tomato sauce. You can taste the liquid to see if it is seasoned enough. If not, add a bit of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15/20 minutes.
Note: if you don’t have chicken bouillon seasoning you can use chicken broth instead of water (or a mixture of the two).

El Pato - https://www.amazon.com/Pato-Mexican-Style-Tomato-Sauce/dp/B0000U1OGE
(I get this sauce at our grocery store in the Mexican/Hispanic food section)

Everyone makes their Spanish rice differently. This is similar to how my mom and grandma have always made it. :)
 
carrie1977 said:
Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
2 cups long grain white rice
4 cups water
2 tbsp chicken bouillon seasoning
1 cup tomato sauce (I use 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup El Pato Hot Tomato Sauce)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat oil in pan.
Add rice to pan. Stir constantly so rice doesn’t burn. You just want to get it to brown.
Once rice is cooked to your preference, add water, chicken bouillon seasoning and tomato sauce. You can taste the liquid to see if it is seasoned enough. If not, add a bit of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15/20 minutes.
Note: if you don’t have chicken bouillon seasoning you can use chicken broth instead of water (or a mixture of the two).

El Pato - https://www.amazon.com/Pato-Mexican-Style-Tomato-Sauce/dp/B0000U1OGE
(I get this sauce at our grocery store in the Mexican/Hispanic food section)

Everyone makes their Spanish rice differently. This is similar to how my mom and grandma have always made it. :)
Click to expand...

Carrie, It sounds delicious, I always struggle with tomato sauce in my rice! I need to give this a chance in my rotation!
 
I don't cook so it's business as usual here. I STILL don't cook! (Evidence Below)

My attempt at toasting a bagel...
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My attempt at adding extra butter...
3Hi8QFB.jpg


My attempt at baking a take-and-bake pizza...
5sExTHZb.jpg
 
This hasn't quite changed our cooking/baking way of doing things. Our budget before was 1 large shopping trip a month, with smaller ones in between for items like cereal, milk, and bread. So that hasn't changed.

As far as cooking, I'm very blessed that my husband enjoys cooking too, so we split it between us. If he has an idea for a meal, it's his night to cook. Also, we typically only ate out on weekends, and that hasn't changed either. At least one night is pizza, but then we'll just get something else.

It's actually saved in not having to buy lunch foods for school lunches. Lunches are on our own (since we all get up at different times, so it's eat when you are hungry and find your own stuff).

But YES, the dishwasher is very busy! I'll get it loaded and run a load, only to turn around and have another load piling up on the counter! However, laundry levels seem down! The girls stay in their pj's some days. And they aren't dressing up for school....so less layers and less changes of clothes!
 
aussiegirl said:
But YES, the dishwasher is very busy! I'll get it loaded and run a load, only to turn around and have another load piling up on the counter!
Click to expand...

I bought paper plates and bowls, plastic silverware and cups and aluminum pans to decrease the amount of dishes we are dirtying. My husband and I are still working and we come home at the end of the day to all of the dirty dishes our kids are using while we are gone. It got old real fast so fake dishes it is.
 
TraceyM said:
I know without tasting that this is a recipe I would love. It reminds me of food we used to have at a restaurant called Afghani House in Sunnyvale California. We've lived in Portland 20 years and it is still the restaurant I remember fondly for its food. Sadly they closed a few years ago - yup - I used to check if they still existed every couple of years. LOL
Click to expand...

I didn’t realize you were so close to me! We’re down near Roseburg. Prior to March I drove to Portland every month for a class at the Trucking Assn.
 
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