Dinner time can be a gong show even on days where everything falls into place: the kids have no homework, your train got in on time, and no one has 150 cupcakes to present for a school fundraiser tomorrow. But unfortunately, these days are usually far and few between and most evenings pass in a blur of piano lessons, missing karate pants, and a sink-full of pots and pans no one can be coerced into washing.
But kids need to eat – and so do you! – and even the mystery of the elusive missing karate pants won’t seem as hard to overcome when bellies are full and nourished. Takeout is an option, sure, but when you can prep a family favourite in 15 minutes or less, why would you settle for a soggy brown bag of lukewarm food? And sometimes on busy nights you’re leaving dinner duty to a babysitter, and chances are they’ll stop returning your calls if you expect them to prepare a three-course feast. (Yes, we said 15 minutes above - and in six steps or less! Let’s get this party started.)
Chicken Parmesan Dippers
Almost an Italian fondue of sorts, this fun, dippable dinner will get kids fed (happily and healthily!) in a flash.
Heat sauce in small saucepan or microwaveable container. Use about 1/3 cup per person.
While chicken and sauce are heating, toss a quick garden side salad using bagged salad greens, grape tomatoes sliced lengthways, cucumber slices and Italian vinaigrette.
Serve sauce in small bowls sprinkled over with mozzarella as “Chicken Parmesan Dip” for yummy dipping! (Brown the cheese under broiler if desired.)
Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli
Fast and company-friendly for last minute invites, too!
Ingredients
One box pasta (penne or spaghetti work well)
2 cups frozen, fully cooked shrimp
Frozen broccoli (peas, asparagus or spinach also work well!)
Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese
3 cloves garlic, chopped very fine or grated
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes if desired
Directions
Start pot of water to boil for pasta; grate garlic and heat generous drizzle of olive oil in non-stick sauté pan over medium heat.
Add pasta to pot of boiling salted water and cook according to package directions.
Add shrimp and garlic to sauté pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until shrimp are heated through.
Stir frozen greens of choice to sauté pan with shrimp, and heat.
Drain cooked pasta, add to sauté pan and combine well. Finish with generous helping of parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
Sweet Thai Chili Wraps
(Also makes a great lunch on the go!)
Ingredients
PC Fully Cooked PC Chicken Strips
PC Whole wheat wraps
Mayonnaise
Sweet Chili Sauce
Bagged, washed salad greens
Cilantro
½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
Directions
Place Fully Cooked PC Chicken Strips in preheated oven. Cook according to package directions (only 15 minutes!) While heating, slice the cucumber and wash, dry and roughly chop the cilantro.
Build the following, assembly line style, one per person in a whole wheat wrap: (Feel free to double up or omit certain fillings as per your family’s taste.) Smear of mayonnaise, garden salad greens, cucumber, cilantro.
Drizzle contents with sweet chili sauce and a squeeze of a halved lime. Roll wraps, first tucking in bottom edge, and serve.
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