Ask any busy nurse with a family what they feel is one of the biggest struggles they face every week and the answer will be clear: meal time for the family. A lot of nurse mothers and fathers work long shifts, including overnight and weekend shifts. Unfortunately, getting home late or leaving for work early can make putting together a healthy family meal nearly impossible. While ordering a pizza or picking up take-out on the way home may seem like a quick solution, it is not always the healthiest or most economical choice to make. (No, those aren't the meals pictured at the left :P)

If you are a busy nurse concerned about providing proper meals for your family , we have some simple make-ahead meal ideas that are not only delicious, but the leftovers make great microwavable lunches for your next day's lunch break. Here are some unique receipes for you from MNU!

Crock Pot Frenzy

It's time to dust off the old crock pot and remember what it was made for! Crock pots are terrific for delicious hot meal preparation. Most crock pots come with a removable center pot that can be filled with simple ingredients and refrigerated the night before. In the morning simply take your crock pot out of the fridge, put it into the cooker and turn on, letting it cook through out the day. When you get home you will have a delicious slow-cooked meal your entire family will enjoy. Think it's complicated? Not even close. Here are a couple of great family meals you will love again and again.

Easy Crock Pot Stew

Ingredients:

2 pounds skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2" cubes
2 cups fat-free chicken broth
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
1 small can of tomato pastev 1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup cold water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions: Combine all ingredients (except for water and cornstarch) in crock pot and stir to mix well. Turn the crock pot on low and cook for 6-8 hours. When you get home, turn the crock pot on high. Combine cold water and cornstarch and mix into the hot stew and stir. Cook for another 30 minutes.

Hearty Beef Barley Bean Veggie Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen green beans
1 small can kidney beans
½ cup uncooked pearl barley
1 large 14ounce can of diced tomatoes
8 ounces of low-sodium vegetable juice
1 onion, diced
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped fine
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
2 14 ounce cans of beef broth
2 cups water
1.5 pounds beef stew meat or ½ pound beef short ribs

Directions: Combine all ingredients into a large crock pot and stir well. Set crock pot to cook on low for 8-10 hours until everything is cooked through. Serves 8. Variation: Add any vegetables you like to make this soup truly unique.

Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili

Ingredients:

2 large onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
2 14-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 small can stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 14-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 14-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup mushrooms, sliced ½ cup dried red lentils

Directions: Combine all ingredients into a large crock pot and stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.

Casserole Crazy Ideas

Casseroles are always a family favorite any time of year. Casserole recipes usually contain a handful of simple ingredients and most can be made ahead, frozen, and then reheated at a later date on those particularly busy days. Here are a few casserole ideas you can quickly make ahead and place in the refrigerator the night before. When you get home simply take the casserole out of the fridge and toss in the oven. By the time you get out of your uniform and put together a salad to go with dinner, your casserole will be piping hot and ready for you and your family to enjoy.

Make-Ahead Layered Mexican Casserole

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground turkey
1 onion, diced
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced fine
1 small can of red kidney beans
1 small can diced tomatoes
1 small can mild green chilies, chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 small can of cream of mushroom soup
6 corn tortillas

Directions: Brown the ground turkey with spices and onions. Drain any fat and place ½ of the meat mixture in a layer in a large casserole dish. Place the tortillas in a layer over the meat. Next layer the other half of the meat mixture and sprinkle with the kidney beans. Next, layer the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Next, add a layer of diced tomatoes and green chilies. Next, add a layer of the shredded cheddar cheese. Finally pour the canned soup over the top of the layers. Cover the casserole and place it all into the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook the casserole the next day, uncover the casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.

Make-Ahead Brunch Casserole

This is perfect for you midnight-shift workers who would love to come home in the morning and create as special family breakfast for your family to enjoy.

Ingredients:

6 whole eggs
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
1 pound ground lean sausage meat
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 slices bread, crusts and all
3 green onions, chopped fine
2 tomatoes, diced small, seeds removed
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Non-stick spray

Directions: Spray an 8x12 pan with spray. Brown the sausage meat and drain well. Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper in bowl and beat well; set aside. Place the bread in the pan in a layer. Layer the sausage meat on top of the bread. Sprinkle with diced tomato, green onion and cheese. Pour egg over top of the mixture. Cover and put in the fridge overnight. When you are ready to cook your casserole, place it in a 350 degree oven and cook 35 minutes or until the egg mixture is fairly firm and cooked.

A lot of busy nurses complain that meal time is simply too complicated. With a little imagination and by varying the ingredients in your make-ahead casserole and crock pot meals, there is no end to the possibilities! Armed with these simple recipes you can come home to a delicious meal your entire family will enjoy.

Article © 2009 MyNursingUniforms.com / Young Lion Incorporated
Image courtesy of stetted.