My crew loves this recipe that I found online. It's a more filling version of macaroni and cheese. My kids love it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cheddar Chicken Noodles

I think of simple foods for kids. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and a salad or green vegetable. Hamburgers and Pizza, of course. Roast or fried chicken, baked potatoes, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing to dip. BBQ ribs. Spaghetti or a spaghetti casserole. Tacos. Pork chops, applesauce, potatoes and a vegetable.

I was one of the 4 kids in a family that lost their mother like this. We learned to cook and having a family friend we could call on the phone to ask cooking questions was a great help.

The almighty hamburger (or sausage or a mix) can be a real lifesaver at times. Hamburgers, meatloaf, sloppy joes, spaghetti, chili, hamburger soup, doctor up canned soups, tater tot hotdish, macaroni hotdish, tacos, burritos, etc.

Don't discount what sounds more complicated but is real easy like a pot roast. Put it in a dutch oven, an electric roaster, slow cooker or whatever along with potatoes, onions and let it go slow all day. Smells great, is pretty foolproof and is a gourmet meal in my book. Sometimes I'll roast potatoes with a meatloaf too.

Other things are a chef's salad. How easy! Remind him that "breakfast for supper" is fine too. Eggs & favorite meat with toast, pancakes, maybe with fresh fruit on them. French toast or waffles. I'm sure he has a busy day and there's going to be times he just won't feel much like cooking. Let him know it's OK to keep a Stouffer's Lasagna or a frozen pizza or two in the freezer.

The kids are old enough to cook some too. Even making a peanut butter sandwich, chips, veggie sticks and fresh fruit can be done and is fine. They can cook pasta and the like, with proper supervision.

See if you can find some shows like How to Boil Water and the like at the library and let him watch those. It can be some family entertainment too and they can learn the basics.

Other things off the top of my head are a simple baked potato topped with chili. Soup, stew, chili, casseroles/hotdishes.

The biggest challenge is to get over the fear of cooking. The second biggest challenge is to think end result and not dwell on the details. Sometimes the simplest meal enjoyed with good friends is far better than a fancy meal when depressed.

I thought I'd contribut more of ideas and techniques rather than a specific recipe.

One other thought: Maybe some suggestions and help on meal planning. Cook once, eat twice (or more) and things like that. Brown up hamburger and you have the start for sloppy joes one night, tacos another night, spaghetti another night, tater tot hot dish another night and even more, depending on how much you make, plus there's just the grease cleanup only one time.

My best to them. What a nightmare it must be for them. I know that often you just don't feel like eating either. That's why the simple things and hey, there's nothing wrong with picking up some deli chicken or deli meats & salads occasionally too!

And you're a very thoughtful person for thinking of them and trying to help out like this.

Here's a crockpot recipe my grandkids (aged 7-12) love:

posted in "A year of slow cooking" blog,
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html

Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken

--12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or 6 boneless, skinless breast halves
--1 cup brown sugar (*** I use about 3/4 cup)
--1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
--2/3 cup vinegar
--3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
--2 T soy sauce
--1 tsp ground black pepper

The Directions.

Use a 4 quart crockpot for this recipe.

Plop the chicken into your crockpot. Cover with the brown sugar, pepper, chopped garlic, and soy sauce. Add the vinegar, and pour in the soda. It will bubble!

Cover and cook on low for 6-9 hours, or on high for 4-5. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired consistency. The longer you cook it, the more tender it will be.

Serve over a bowl of white rice with a ladle full of the broth.

My heart, and prayers, go out to the Dad & kids. My Mother died in 1958 when she was 37, I was 8, my sister was 11, my brother was 5. We kids turned out fine.

east tater tot casserole

spray 9x13 pan with non-stick coating
line bottom with tater tots (bake according to package)
while potatoes are baking, brown 1 lb of ground beef
add 1 can cream of mushroom soup after meat is browned
take tater tots out of oven - evenly spread soup/meat mixture over them
sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and return to oven for 15 minutes.

Stacie...you might want to send him the link to Southern Plate...she has really good easy recipes and pictures that show step by step directions...even the 12 yr old could follow it...Just a thought...

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Plate

I love your idea to help them out by getting a crockpot and recipes. Check first to make sure they do not already have one. A GF grill might be a needed kitchen accessory instead. Or maybe a inexpensive food processor. Or something else time saving they do not have already that kids can use.

The kids are old enough to start cooking and the younger ones can at least help in preparation.

It would be a nice idea if Dad could teach them and they could all cook together. How about a book like "Cooking with Kids" or a similar one? There is an online version and you could print out some of the pages and put them in a binder if you don't want to buy the whole book. Since Dad may or may not know how to cook himself this would be an opportunity for them to all learn together and spend some quality time as a family. Eventually the older one may want to show off and prepare whole meals herself. Then the younger ones will want to out-do her. Win/win.

http://www.cookingwithkids.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Cooking with Kids

Yes, I agree with nanacherie, Southern plate is a great site with step by step directions.

If you would like a very easy dessert I can recommend Glenda's fudge pie.

Fudge Pie
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla
frozen pie crust (regular)

Melt butter, stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into unbaked pie crust, regular. Bake 325 for 35-40 minutes.
Let it cool completely before cutting.

You will think it is not done, but it is . It looks like the middle has fallen. That's the way it is supposed to look. Its best a bit undercooked so it will be gooey when cooled.

I would copy some of the daily recipe posts and print them out. Not much easier than that.