1) I have an almost 5 year old who loves to help. BUT when I am trying to make something new, I have to have complete focus or I screw up. So I wait until he is in bed to prep
2) I have some health issues which affect my focus, energy, strength, etc. In case I am having a rough day, I will have everything ready from the night before and just need to do finishing touches.
3) Also, by having everything a head of time, Daddy can just pop it in the oven , or make the side dishes so it is ready for lunch. This generally means that when he gets up, he will take care of Lil Man and the last few details for lunch, and I can recoup (aka take a little nap) and not have to worry about anything.
On a side note: You may have noticed that during the week, we eat our big, family meal at lunch. My husband works 10hr days during the "swing shift". So if we want to eat as a family, we do it at lunch. Then Lil Man & I can eat leftovers for dinner and Daddy can take his to eat during his dinner break at work.
Ingredients:
- 5-6 boneless chicken breasts (approx 2 1/2 lbs)
- 16 oz can of pineapple slices, drained
- 15oz can of mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- salt/pepper, to taste preference
- Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray or use liners. Place chicken in pot.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together corn starch, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger and salt/pepper. Pour over chicken.
- Next, pour in drained pineapple slices and mandarin oranges
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Notes: I chopped my chicken in to chunks before cooking. I would give this a 4 out of 5. It was easy, and tasted good. I am sure we will be making it again.