Eating as a family is so important, but hard after a long, hard day. Sometimes it seems easier just to run by the local fast food restaurant and eat on the run. However, with a little advance planning on the weekend or slower day, dinner time can be easy and healthy. Here are a few tips to making dinner easier and definitely healthier:
- Buy meat in bulk and cook it all at once, freezing the extras to throw into a recipe during the week when things are busy.
- Buy precooked meat like rotisserie chicken or frozen grilled chicken strips or shrimp to save time when preparing your favorite dish.
- Chop veggies ahead or buy prepared veggies to throw into your favorite dish.
- When cooking something like rice or quinoa, double the recipe and use it in another dish later in the week.
- Double the entire recipe for whatever you are making and freeze the second portion for a night you know you will not have time to prepare a meal.
Here is a quick fall meal, that your family is sure to enjoy:
White Bean Chili
Rotisserie chicken shredded
2 cans white beans
8 ounces salsa
32 oz chicken broth
½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
½ bag tortilla chips crushed
Mix it all together and cook on low heat until thickened.
Garnish with Sour Cream and eat with tortilla chips or garlic cheese biscuits.
Garlic Cheese Biscuits
2 cups bisquick
1 cup grated cheese
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 cup milk
Mix together and bake at 425 in muffin tins for about 20 minutes.
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 can evaporated milk
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup melted butter
Combine first 6 ingredients with a whisk. Pour into greased 9×13 dish. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Cake should look set and top for golden brown. Cool completely.
With these recipes, you cannot go wrong. Invite family or friends over for a delicious meal and make some memories!