Solo Single Mama

How do you get dinner on the table in fifteen minutes without popping in a microwave meal? This single mama adjusted her schedule this year - arriving home at 6pm instead of 4pm. It's been a struggle, learning to get all the evening chores done in the limited time allowed. Not only cooking the meal, but getting the kitchen cleaned, kids bathed, and still finding time for a little fun with the rugrats? It's been a challenge.

There are some tools I wouldn't give up, not in a heartbeat!


Waffle Iron
Quick waffle breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack! You can literally have a waffle on the table in less than eight minutes with this wonderful tool. I am a waffle chef flunkie, but a waffle junkie. With this gadget, and the measuring cup that comes with it, I get perfect waffles every time.

I use Krusteaz brand of waffle mix, and add a little wheat germ to boost the health factor. Even if it's not the healthiest meal in the world - it beats take-out and fast food!

tip: My seven year old can make them, and cleanup is a snap.


Cast Iron Griddle

I have The double sided version, but I honestly only use the flat side. I never take it off my stove, and the only washing needed is with a wet (soap free) paper towel after cooking. This griddle makes quesadillas, burritos, grilled cheese, french toast, garlic bread and pancakes a snap.

For quesadillas - I always have a can of black beans in the pantry and cheese in the fridge (substitute for whatever beans and cheese you enjoy). From there you just add what you've got! Change the taste up with different salsa, add leftover chicken or beef, maybe some corn, tomatoes, grilled garlic? It's all very very yummy! Dinner from start to finish, 10 minutes. Clean-up? Only the plates you eat on...and maybe some Tupperware if you've used up leftovers!

Grilled Cheese - oooh, I have finally figured out how the restaurants make such yummy grilled cheese and mine are never crispy enough! I keep a stick of butter in the fridge whose only use is for grilled cheese. Heat up your griddle - medium high. When it's ready, use your stick of butter to grease the griddle in the shape of your bread, you will put the plain bread of your choice on top of the melted butter. Layer up, bread, cheese, bread. When you're ready to flip - hold the sandwich on your spatula while you butter the griddle, then flip the plain side of the bread onto the melted butter.

This is basically how you make garlic bread on the griddle too!

note: restaurants will brush melted butter onto the griddle - that is just too much work for me! Hence the stick of butter for griddle purposes in my fridge!

Magic Bullet

OK, so this tool technically won't make you a dinner in a snap, but it will give the kids a quick and healthy snack or dessert. Since the "blender" turns into the cup, cleanup is a breeze. My kids basically won't drink anything without turning it into a milkshake! Milk + ice = milkshake. Apple juice + ice = Apple icee. Orange Soda + ice = Oh My Goodness, I Love You Mom! There is an endless stream of desserts my kids come up with following this template. My seven year old can work it on his own.

NOTE: I have an ice machine on my freezer that does a preliminary ice chop. I am not sure it would work as an ice shaver without...


And, those are my favorite tools in the kitchen, helping me get through the evening a little easier!