Mealtime: How to Make Both Parent and Child(ren) Happy

by Fran Hopkins | More from this Blogger

Single parenthood is no place for Emeril wannabes.

Younger kids, whose idea of heaven is the availability of macaroni and cheese and Spaghettios 24/7, haven't the slightest regard for Mom's or Dad's culinary efforts.

Teenagers may be up for a little more experimentation on the chef's part; but more often than not (at least in my experience), they'll dismiss your attempts to introduce variety into the family menu with something like, "Tomorrow night, can you make something good for dinner?"

Meal planning and preparation are tough when you're the only adult in a family. Maybe "tough" is the wrong word -- "pointless" is probably more accurate. Here's the usual scenario:

1. The kids generally have a few favorite meals.

2. You're bored silly with their favorite meals.

3. You believe that variety is the spice of life, but your kids don't share your desire to try new things.

4. It's not much fun to prepare new dishes only for yourself.

5. You end up eating the kids' favorite meals -- over and over and over again...

Since I live this very scenario more often than I'd like to, I decided to look for a solution.

What I found is the aptly-named "Beyond Macaroni and Cheese," a paperback cookbook by Mary Beth Lagerborg and Karen Parks. The book promises tasty recipes -- from appetizers to meals to snacks to desserts -- that will be enjoyed by parents and kids alike.

I was skeptical that there could really be enough flavor and variety in a cookbook that guarantees that kids will like the recipes. Since I frequently use chicken when I cook, I decided to see what "Beyond Macaroni and Cheese" provides in the way of chicken offerings.

Here's what's listed in the Index under "Chicken":

A la King Apricot Baked, and Stuffing Baked, Crispy Baked, Greek-Style Breasts in Cream Sauce Breasts, Cantonese Broccoli Casserole Casserole Cheese and Pasta Chinese Croissant Dip, Hot Divan Emilie's Favorite Enchiladas Fettucine Gumbo Honey Barbecue Honey Lemon Hunter Italian Microwave L'Orange Marinated Grilled Onion and Cheese Bake Pot Pie Rice Casserole Rice Rolls Salad Shells, Stuffed Soup South of the Border Spaghetti Supreme Tortellini Soup White Lasagna

I don't know about you, but I'm salivating just reading this tempting list of chicken dishes.

Excuse me one minute.

OK, I just went to Amazon.com and plunked down my $10.19 for "Beyond Macaroni and Cheese." I'll let you know if it really does contain the keys to parent-child kitchen compatability!

Learn more about Fran Hopkins

Fran Hopkins is a Baby Boomer who just turned 50 and is trying to adjust! Prematurely widowed at age 40, Fran is a single parent to her 16-year-old son.

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