Meal Helpers – Gadgets
September 14th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
If you are a busy parent you know how hard it is to come up with meals the children will like, that are also quick. There are many tools to help us in the kitchen and these are a few that make my day easier. 
This is the exact slow cooker I have. I bought it at TARGET for 19.99. It is 4 quarts and ideal for a family of four. The ceramic pot that the food cooks in is dishwasher safe! There is a warm, low, and high cook setting. A slow cooker recipe will usually give you the option to cook on high or low. You can make almost anything in here! Including one pot meals. Some of my recipes will be cooked in the slow cooker.
-Soups and Stews -Meats -Dessert-Vegetables -Breakfast
This is a rice cooker. I bought it at my local Kroger grocery store for 
around 15.00. I always used to have a hard time cooking rice. It would often times be too runny. This cooks the rice perfectly everytime (in about 15 minutes). You place the uncooked rice in the bowl with the amount of water stated in the directions, push the lever down, and it will automatically switch to warm when it is done. Many people use the Minute: Boil in Bag rice. That is pretty expensive, costing around 3.00 for a box (which includes 4 small bags). You can buy a good sized bag of uncooked rice for 3.oo, which makes about 4x as much. Saving you quite a bit in the long run.
around 15.00. I always used to have a hard time cooking rice. It would often times be too runny. This cooks the rice perfectly everytime (in about 15 minutes). You place the uncooked rice in the bowl with the amount of water stated in the directions, push the lever down, and it will automatically switch to warm when it is done. Many people use the Minute: Boil in Bag rice. That is pretty expensive, costing around 3.00 for a box (which includes 4 small bags). You can buy a good sized bag of uncooked rice for 3.oo, which makes about 4x as much. Saving you quite a bit in the long run.
This is a Quesadilla Maker, which will not be useful to those who
don’t like quesadillas! It was about 20.00. My husband and I love quesadillas so this comes in handy for quick meals. I keep tortillas, cut up chicken breasts, green onions, and cheese handy. We love tostitos queso with this! We eat this about 2x a week for lunch.
Coupons
Minute Rice .50 off: http://www.minuterice.com/en-us/promotions/default.aspx?coupon=MR
Please leave comments!
What are the essentials in your kitchen?
Do you have any coupons that are associated with this post?
To have any recipes or tips officially posted in the blog, send them to cookingtipsandrecipes@yahoo.com
Comment by Anonymous on 14 September 2008:
I have the quesadilla maker and my kids love to make their own for a snack when they get home from school. It’s something we use a couple times a week.
Comment by msaios on 14 September 2008:
Do you have any recipes for the crockpot? I am always looking for new ones to try.
Comment by Love 2 cook on 16 September 2008:
Here is a quick and simple recipe I make that my kids eat and the cook time is pretty quick.
Mini Meatloafs
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 pkg (6oz) Stove Top stuffing
1 cup water
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Heat oven to 275. Mix meat and stuffing and water. Press into 12 muffins cups sprayed with cooking spray. Make and indentation in the center of eaach meatloaf with a spoon:fill with your choice of sauces like barbecue, spaghetti or salsa. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the meat is cooked all the way through. Top with the shredded chees and then bake about 5 min. longer.
Very easy and the kids like them!!!
Comment by Anonymous on 17 September 2008:
Just want to say how much I like your Cooking tips! I hope to use most of the ideas soon, thanks!!
Comment by Anonymous on 18 September 2008:
Do you have any good fall recipes..pumpkin bars sound great on a crisp fall evening!!