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Work-at-Home Moms Cooking

By , About.com Guide

Let's face it. In most families, mom's cooking is what's served most nights because moms of all stripes--working, work-at-home or stay-at-home--do much of the cooking. Yet, how a mom cooks is definitely affected by her home/work situation.

Work-at-home moms cooking can't take a lot of time because we're, well, working. But we have freedom about when we cook. We cook on our lunch breaks, pop something in to slow cook and maybe even do some baking. So when you become a work-at-home mom--whether you're coming an office job or you were a stay-at-home mom--you may find your cooking style changes.

Slow Cooking

Slow cooking is perfect for work-at-home moms. We're home so the time it takes to cook is not an issue, but we need recipes that go together quickly. Using a slow cooker gives you the flexibility to cook dinner when you're least busy, maybe in the morning or early afternoon. And so you're not scrambling at 5 o'clock to think up dinner ideas.

Baking

Baking is a tricky thing for the work-at-home mom. It takes a lot more oversight than slow cooking. There is no "set it and forget it" feature--unless, of course, you use a bread machine.

Cuisinart Convection Bread Maker (2-lb.)

Dust off that bread maker you got as a wedding gift; it may actually come in handy. I use mine all the time. Say I notice the bread drawer is almost empty, I throw in the ingredients, hit "Start." Not only does it taste good, but it keeps me out of the grocery store for another day. And the old Friday night pizza delivery tradition has become make-your-own pizza night.

Features: Bread machine has choice of 16 pre-programmed menu options, a choice of three crust colors and three loaf sizes. Vhoose from over 100 bread, dough and pizza dough, sweet cakes and jams.

Coffee

OK, so your house doesn't have a Starbucks in the lobby like your old office, but that doesn't mean you can't have good coffee.

Haier Cup-At-A-Time Coffee Dispenser (10 Cup)

If you're the only coffee drinker at home, you can be torn between having a large coffeemaker for guests and a little one. With this one you don't have to choose. Brew yourself a fresh cup of coffee any time you'd like with this cup-at-a-time coffee dispenser. But fill it up when company comes.

Features: 10 Cup/1.5L Capacity Coffee Reservoir with Keep Warm Capabilities Removable Translucent Water Tank

Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker and Espresso Machine

If you need your cappuccino but your better half just wants plain coffee, this machine is a nice compromise. It combines both coffee maker and espresso machine. The coffeemaker prepares as few as two cups or as many as eight cups . And you can select the strength from mild to bold.

A pause-and-serve feature lets you grab a cup even while brewing; a cone filter basket removes for easy filling and cleaning. The water reservoir is also removable. The espresso portion prepares two to four cups; the steam control is variable for that perfect cup.

Delonghi Twenty Four Seven Drip Coffee Maker (4-Cup)

Or maybe you just need your very own coffeemaker in your office. This one should do the trick.

Description: 4-cup (20-ounce) capacity. Pause-and-serve function allows you to interrupt the brewing cycle and pour a cup of coffee. Engineered in Italy.
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