Sunday "Supper" meals - after church

[Lisa A.]

Ladies, we have just started up our AWANA program at church and it's on Sunday Evenings this year. We haven't had Sunday Service at our church in quite a while, and to be honest, I could never get into the pattern of fixing a big lunch (the equivalent to dinner) right after church, so that our evening meal could be much lighter (sandwich, cereal, etc.). Now, I HAVE to, as we have to be at church by 4:30 because my hubby and I are leaders. The program runs until 7:00 and since I do sign-out, we don't actually leave the church until closer to 7:30. We get home around 7:45 p.m. and my kids go to bed at 9:00. I don't want to fix a big meal this late, and it's not healthy for any of us to eat anything heavy that late, anyway. Do any of you have some suggestions of what can be prepared to eat directly after church, with minimal time involved, since we're all starving by the time we get home at 1:00. I love my crockpot, but am used to using the low setting and cooking all day. I haven't really used it for short timed cooking (4 hours), but would love to if you have any tried and true recipes to share.

A friend of mine said her mom used to cook a roast, potatoes and carrots in the oven while they were gone to church. That would be just wonderful to come home to, but I wouldn't know what temperature would actually cook it without over or under cooking it, if I'm gone for 4 hours.

Thank you, in advance, for your recipes/menu ideas!

[Barb Cash]

I would recommend soups or the crock pot. If you put everything in the crock pot the night before and stick it in the fridge, then you can put it on high as soon as you get up in the morning and then turn it back to low before you leave! This is usually what I do and it is so nice to come home to something ready to go! :)

[Tami in IA]

As a general rule of thumb, 2 hours on low equals 1 hour on high.

Pork Chops and Gravy:yum:

8 pork chops
salt & pepper to taste
2 TBS oil
2 10 3/4oz cans Cream of Mush. soup
1 large onion, sliced
12-oz can evaporated milk

1. Salt & pepper chops. Brown in oil. Drain. Transfer to slow cooker.
2. Whisk together soup, onion, & evap. milk. Pour over chops.
3. Cook on High 3-4 hours or Low 6-8 hours.

Variations:
To increase flavor, stir 1/2-1 cup sour cream, or 1/4 cup sherry, into mixture during last 30min. of cooking time.

This is very easy to halve if you don't need *8* chops.;)
Serve with noodle, rice, or potatoes.

[Michelle]

Lisa, the crock pot is one of my favorite maids! She cooks up just about anything nice and tender for Sunday after church lunch/dinner. I also sometimes will put a frozen meal in the oven at about 250 ~ and turn it up when we get home for about 30 minutes. I sometimes let bread rise while we are at church too, as it only take about 25 minutes to bake loaves of bread in my oven.

Another meal we like is 7 layer bean dip with chips and fresh veggies, but that might be enough for a long day like you described!

[Jamie S]

Here's one: We like to put in a pork shoulder roast Saturday right before bed. I sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and garlic salt and add 2 -3 cups of water. Turn it on low and when you wake up add your red potatoes and carrots. They will cook while you are at church and not be completely mush. The meat just falls apart it is so tender!:yum: I usually make green beans and some kind of fruit to go along. You could bake some rolls (premade) while everyone changes! You can make leftovers into bbq on hamburger buns the next day. Just add sauce to your shredded pork and heat through.

My oven has a timer and I use it to do a meatloaf, baked potatoes, roast a chicken, etc. The oven cuts off at the designated time. You can have your whole meal waiting for you. Just be sure to get home on time!:lol:

The key is doing it all the night before - so you don't have to rush with one more thing added to Sunday morning.

Hope this helps!

[Lisa A.]

Thank you to all of you who replied to my question!

[DD in IL]

I always cook my roast, potatoes, carrots in the crock pot. Brown the meat on high, use tongs to transfer it to the crockpot (fork holes will let out the juices), add carrots and potatoes and your seasonings.......cook on high....do not add any liquid to it. By the time you go to Sunday School and church it will be done. I also do pork chops in the crock pot too.....same procedure. We like ours with a little soy sauce and for me rosemary.