Stress-Free Dinners
Getting dinner on the table every night is stressful for families. Between the school schedule, nightly homework, sports and everyday life, it is tempting to grab dinner from a fast food drive through. But with a little planning, you can make easy, healthy meals that the whole family will enjoy.
Here are a few ideas for stress-free meals:
- Store-bought roasted chicken with fresh or frozen vegetables. Serve with milk or 100% fruit juice.
- Breakfast for dinner! Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit and milk is always a family favorite.
- Yogurt parfait with granola and berries. Your kids will think they are eating dessert for dinner.
- Cheese of veggie pizza from your local pizzeria served with a sale of fruit and milk.
- Prepare a double batch of sour of chili on the weekends and serve the leftovers on another night.
Kids in the Kitchen
Children love to help in the kitchen. Preparing dinner together is a great way to spend time together and find out about their day. Younger children can help with stirring and pouring ingredients. School-age kids love to chop and measure!
A fun, learning game in the kitchen is the Blindfold Test. Put spices and foods (like yogurt, bananas, peanut butter) in small dishes. Blindfold the kids and have them smell each item to guess what it is. Your child might end up trying and liking a new food!
Recipe
Flaky Tomato & Mozzarella Tart
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, for the work surface 1/2 sheet puff pastry (1/4 of a 17.3-ounce package) 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes (halved if large) 4 ounces grated mozzarella (1 cup) 1 tablespoon olive oil kosher salt and black pepper
Directions: Heat over to 425 F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 9-by-6-inch rectangle. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
Prick the puff pastry all over with a fork and top with the tomatoes and mozzarella. Drizzle with the oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 20 t0 25 minutes. Cut into pieces before serving.
This is a perfect dinner for children to “help” make; make it a complete meal by adding a protein of choice: i.e. chicken, ham, beef, etc.