I just recently started working and my new job is sending me on a mandatory week long training. The training is far from home so I will be gone the entire week. My mother in-law is coming to stay with my son while my husband is at work. His current work schedule is 5:30am to 6:00pm. I want to make meals ahead of time so that my mother in-law doesn't have to worry about cooking, just heating up. But here is my problem. Our house isn't air conditioned and we are in the middle of a very HOT summer, so there is NO way she can turn on the oven to heat things. Basically, I am limited to the crockpot, stove top, or grill. Any ideas?
I would make a whole chicken with some rice, that way she just has to microwave the chicken and rice and make herself a salad for a quick and easy meal. Also, a big thing of spaguetti (sp?)- also easy to reheat.
You could put a beef or pork roast in the crock pot with carrots, celery and potatoes. You could do the same with a whole chicken in the crock pot, but I would leave out the veggies. Meatloaf could be made a head of time and placed in the crock pot. I like fresh green beans, ham and potatoes as well in the crock pot (with a little bacon grease.) You could do kabobs with any meat and veggies on the grill. Hamburgers and brats are an easy thing to cook on the grill. Just some ideas!! Have a great training!
How about a roast? I just put a roast in my crock pot for dinner tonight.
You could make chicken breasts in cream of chicken soup or with some diced tomatoes, onions and peppers to be heated on the stovetop.
What about making sloppy joes or bbq pulled pork for sandwiches? They can be heated on the stovetop.
You could cook a ham (small one that fits in your crock pot). She can make ham sandwiches or heat it up.
If your family likes breakfast for dinner you could make pancakes or french toast ahead of time. They can be heated on the stove top. Serve it with the ham and some fruit.
Maybe make things like a jello, hard boiled eggs, pasta salad before you go. They can be useful for snacks or to add to meals. I like to have applesauce, yogurt, salad veggies, fresh fruit and canned mandarin oranges on hand to feed to my kids during the summer. They are staples I know they will eat and they are convenient for quick summertime meals.
What about cutting all of the veggies and meat (store separately obviously) for a stir fry? She could cook that up in 10ish minutes on the stovetop. Also, you could make a beef stroganoff that she could put back in the crockpot to warm up while cooking some noodles on the stove. You could also buy a rotisserie chicken which can be used a million ways - sandwiches, on top of salad, etc.
Red beans and rice, cajun rice or fried rice can be made ahead and frozen. They can be heated up in the crockpot, stove or microwave. Just add a little water. I make soups ahead of time too and heat on the stove - but it may be too warm for that. Maybe make ahead some chicken and have salad fixings ready. Fajitas on the grill are great. You could pre-cut the veggies and have the meat marinating. Sandwiches are an easy and cool option - maybe use croissants or bagels for something different. Tacos are easy too. You can make up the ground beef ahead of time....freeze it if you are concerned about the length of time it will be refrigerated. It can be heated on the stove top or microwave. Have the taco toppings and fruit salad on hand.
How about a pasta salad with chicken? I dont know if your son will eat salad, but a large salad with chicken/shrimp would be good too. You could cook the chicken/shrimp ahead of time and your mom could add them together right before they eat them! And cooking on the grill outside is a great (and fast) way to cook - hot dogs, hamburgers and your side dish could be potato chips or potato salad! And maybe one night they could just order pizza and watch a movie! Hope these ideas help!
I do make ahead meals for my house just to save time during the week. One thing I do that the family likes and can be used for many different meals during the week - is I marinate and grill chicken breast - I usually grill about 2 lbs (marinate it in olive oil, garlic, cilantro or rosemary, salt and pepper). Then I use the chicken during the week in salads, chicken salad or served with vegetables or rice (I use the microwave to warm it up if I need it heated). Or you can do a pasta or pasta salad - I will leave the pasta plain or with just butter - to use in a pasta salad or warm up in the microwave with a little spaghetti saues. I hope this helps.
Meatballs in sauce. For sandwiches, get nice buns.
