How to Keep Your Family Satisfied with Home Cooked Meals When Working From Home

Working from home has its advantages but it also has some draw backs such as not having enough time to prepare home cooked meals for your family. Below you will find a few ways to keep your family satisfied with quick ways to prepare home cooked meals that will be a healthier alternative to eating out.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use the Crock Pot
   
   The crock pot is a work at home cooks dream!
   
   Using a crock pot to prepare meals is not only the meal practically preparing itself while keeping the kitchen clean; but it is almost impossible to overcook meals in a crock pot. Some foods may not be as flavorful if overcooked but rarely can you ruin a crock pot meal.
   
   The main reason for using a crock pot is to slowly cook the food at a very low temperature for a long time period. With the slow cooking time your meats will come out moist and tender and veggies cooked to perfection.
   
   Using a crock pot can help on the grocery bill too because inexpensive generally tougher cuts of meat can be used. The meat will simmer in the juices all day and come out just right.
2. Make Ahead Meals
   
   When preparing a time consuming meal such as lasagna, consider doubling the recipe. Freeze the extra dish for an easy pop in the oven meal. This has helped many a weary worker face the dilemma of family dinners. While preparing the meal for dinner you can prepare another one or even several so that you only have to clean up the mess one time. Cooking in bulk can be a weekend task that can carry you through one week, several or even a month at a time while still offering your family the enjoyment of a home cooked meal.
   
   Another great way to save time is to brown bulk hamburger, cool, and put into freezer bags in one pound increments. When you need to make a quick meal you will already have it started. You can do this with virtually any type of meat.
   
   Using a food processor to chop or slice veggies such as onion, peppers, carrots, etc. and storing them in the freezer will help when you need to toss a quick meal together such as stews, soups or a roast. Be sure to label the freezer bag with date and item.
3. Utilize the Microwave
   
   As we all know microwaves are great for heating up frozen meals, side dishes or reheating leftovers but how about cooking meals with it?
   
   It is easy to find recipes on the internet or pick up a microwave cookbook that will give you lots of great recipes to work with for main dish meals. Using the microwave to prepare dinner saves time because you can normally stir, cook, serve and refrigerate in the same bowl. With only using a few dishes to prepare a meal it also makes cleaning up a breeze.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep meals simple.
• Be organized.
• Decide what you will cook beforehand and thaw meats and veggies the night before.
• Always keep your kitchen clean so you have a clear work space.

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