What are good, simple meals for a large family?

Question

My husband and I just moved in with my best friend and her family, and the task of cooking fell to me because I'm good at it and I like to do it. The problem is that all meals must be prepared in a crock pot, an electric skillet, and the microwave because the gas in the house is turned off. Her family eats huge quantities of food, and they don't like ethnic foods, which are what I like best to prepare. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I forgot to mention that they don't like soup, either.

Thank you all for your answers!

Answer 1

It is too bad they are unwilling to try ethnic foods, they are missing out on some great meals! Google is your friend, I just typed in "crock pot recipes" and here are a few that I found.

I guess you can go with chili (no real recipe for that, just add what you like in there!)
beef stew,
http://www.a-crock-cook.com/beef-stew-crock-pot-recipes.html
lasagna http://www.a-crock-cook.com/crock-pot-lasagna-recipe.html
chicken/veggie soup
http://www.anniesrecipes.com/Kitchen/crockpot_recipes/crockpot_chicken_vegetable_soup_recipe.htm

I suppose there is always Hamburger Helper and similar things like that which could be used in the skillet? And you can always add buns/bread to these things as a side, it will help fill them up and it can be inexpensive. Good luck!

Answer 2

Soups, stews, gumbo's and chili can all be prepared in a crock pot, as can lasagna, roasts, pulled pork, goulash, etc. You can steam veggies and cook potatoes and boil pasta in the microwave, and poach fish, or saute' fish and chicken, or make pasta sauces in an electric skillet. The only thing you really CAN'T do, is dry roast something to temperature - such as a medium-rare roast beef, and such.
Most recipes will just call for some moderations, there being no stove or oven - and specialty dishes for your microwave will really help - Pampered Chef makes a dish that you can brown ground beef in the microwave, so I'm sure other companies do also, and a bacon cooker would help also. I would check out things like that to help with expanding your options, and you might consider getting an electric rotisserie to dry roast chicken, beef, pork and such. Or an inexpensive toaster oven would also come in handy!
I hope that helps!

Answer 3

Beef or chicken stew, chili and pot roast all come to mind with the crock pot. You can search Y!A for lots of other crock pot questions and answers for ideas.

If the electric skillet is a reasonable size, you can make pork chops or burgers and then put them on a microwave safe plate (covered), then use the skillet to make home fries and then reheat your meat in the microwave when the potatoes are ready. Add a salad and you've got a meal!

Hope the gas gets turned back on quickly for heat if not for cooking!

Answer 4

Cubed beef stew with all the trimmings like potatoes, onion and some nice herbs can be done in a crock pot.
Make some beef mince meat loaf in the microwave....
Quite easy.
Pan fry if you can....
Mutton chops, or pork chops, or do them on an electric griller....
Most veggies can be steamed in the microwave.....
Rice can be made in the microwave....
Pasta, like macaroni can be made in the crock pot

Answer 5

answer 2 is good. then try baking chiken in the mircowave covered in vegetables, corn or garlic bread, with a side of rice in a rice cooker. hey see if you can get a george foreman grill and cook on thatas well.

Answer 6

pot roast in a oven bag , 1 pan meal , easy clean up.

Answer 7

potatoes n beef stew in the crock pot. fried rice in the skillet. crepes. omelettes. pasta with spaghetti sauce and caesar salad.

Answer 8

Hmm....this is tough. I can only suggest a little tip. Sorry :(

Just go out to eat once or twice a week.

Answer 9

Here are a few, they are all for the slow cooker. Hope they help!!


Beef Stew

INGREDIENTS
12 small red potatoes, halved
1 pound carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into wedges
2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup butter or stick margarine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper


DIRECTIONS
Place potatoes, carrots and onion in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a large skillet, brown beef in butter. Transfer beef to slow cooker with a slotted spoon.
Stir flour into the pan drippings until blended; cook and stir until browned. Gradually add water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add salt, parsley, celery seed, thyme and pepper; pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.



BBQ Beef & Beans

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2/3 cup barbeque sauce
1/4 cup diced dill pickles
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 (15 ounce) cans pork and beans



DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
In a large skillet or saucepan, brown ground beef and onion together with pepper, and drain well.
In a large casserole dish, combine beef mixture, barbeque sauce, pickles, Worcestershire sauce, and pork and beans. Cover with lid or foil, and bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until hot and bubbly. If you prefer, you can place the mixture in a slow cooker at high heat, and simmer for 1 hour, or until hot.



Corned Beef & Cabbage

INGREDIENTS
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 pound baby carrots
3 cups water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet, cut in half
1 small head cabbage, cut into wedges



DIRECTIONS
Place the onion, potatoes and carrots in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet; pour over vegetables. Top with brisket and cabbage. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.




Beef Stroganoff

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds top round steak, cut into strips
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 ounce) can canned mushrooms
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon dried chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup white wine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley



DIRECTIONS
Place the beef in the bottom of a slow cooker, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place onion on top of beef, and then add mushroom soup, mushrooms, and water. Season with chives, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and bouillon.
In a small bowl, mix together the wine with the flour. Pour over the beef.
Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours. Stir in the sour cream and parsley, and continue cooking for 1 hour.

Answer 10

spagetti