With all the concerns of a single parent, apart from earning a living and raising your child, you also have to sort out dinner arrangements. Anyone who has had to cook every evening will tell you that after a while you run out of ideas. Of course, what eventually ends up on the dinner plate is dictated by what's in the cupboard's and pantry - that is of course governed by, in most instances, what's in the bank account. So, your budget allowances will often dictate what you eat last minute dinner ideas.
Tips for dinner for two
An important aspect about deciding what to make for dinner is having a plan - leaving things to the last-minute seldom yields desirable results. For this reason a plan is required involving a set regimen that includes all your, and your child's, dietary needs. The plan goes as follows:
- Draw up a seven-day schedule
- Purchase food that meets the basic food groups
- Manage time
- Buy a cook book
The seven-day schedule (use it as a guideline) involves a meal for each day, though to make your life easier you can pick a day to make more than enough food to have leftovers for the next day - which means more time you get to spend with your kid.
Buying food that covers the basic food groups is a simple task. Price will also have to be factored into things; as an added tip, only reserve one meal a week for red meats. This is not only cost-effective (as red meat is more expensive) but also has health benefits. Ensure that you have a weekly (or at least once a fortnight) supply of fish; chicken usually makes up the rest. A vegetarian meal may also be included as it has its own health benefits. Of course fruit and vegetables are a must for any diet.
Time management is crucial for single parents and setting aside time to prepare a meal can often be an oversight for many.
A great and simple way to combat the lack of dinner ideas is to buy a good cook book - it will serve you well - you won't use all the recipes but it will broaden your mind on what tasty achievements can be conjured up in the kitchen.