Archive for Family Dinners – Page 2

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

By Sarah Skerrett, Mr. Food Editor

After a long day of work, the last thing I want to do  is cook an elaborate gourmet meal. Sometimes I arrive home so ravenous that even a 30-minute meal seems like a lifetime to prepare. Short of hitting the easy button – in the form of a mediocre microwave dinner or a never-satisfying can of soup – I usually turn to my food superhero: chicken.

What makes chicken so amazing? Well, in short, is there anything this wonderbird can’t do? Not only is poultry a lean, healthy source of protein, most chicken dishes are tasty, quick and easy to prepare. It’s almost impossible to feel bored by chicken because of the vast number and variety of recipes available!

Check out our list of 14 Tasty Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes that will save you time in the kitchen and leave you satisfied. In this collection, you’ll find everything from classics (Chicken a la King) to kid-friendly (Captain’s Chicken) to  international (Curried Chicken) to appetizers (Asian Wraps)!

Asian Wraps RE Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes

One of my favorites on the list is Artichoke Chicken, which goes from prep to table in under 10 minutes! This dish has the best of both worlds: it’s fast and simple to prepare for yourself, but is also sophisticated enough to serve for dinner guests. Here’s a closer look at our recipe for Artichoke Chicken:

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 to 1-1/2 pounds total)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1 (3-ounce) package sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted according to the package instructions and sliced
  • 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 1 lemon, cut in half
Instructions
  1. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt and pepper; mix well. Dip the chicken in the flour mixture, coating completely.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden. Stir in the wine, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes.
  3. Squeeze the lemon over the chicken and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the sauce begins to glaze and no pink remains in the chicken.
Like this recipe and want more? Visit Mr. Food for many more chicken recipes, including:
I also found these tasty chicken recipes on the web so you are well-stocked with quick and easy chicken meal ideas:

Oh, Hectic Night!

Monday, December 6th, 2010

Cuban Shredded Beef RE Oh, Hectic Night!

Mr. Food's Cuban Shredded Beef is one of my family's favorite one-pot dinner recipes that I love to plan for busy nights!

From Mr. Food Team Member Jaime

Before I had a child, I thought my life was busy. I had no idea the true meaning of being busy. Then, as our son got older and started participating in sports and other after-school activities, our lives went from busy to down-right hectic. Monday and Wednesday he plays soccer, Tuesday is religious school and Thursday varies depending on the week. Did I mention I also work full time?

The weekends are for running errands, cleaning, laundry and all the other stuff there isn’t time for during the week. Unfortunately, eating dinner on Tuesday night cannot wait until I have time on the weekend. Picking up a pizza and making a Caesar Salad every now and then is fine, but not all the time. Now, throw the holidays on top of that and…yikes! Shopping and baking and company, oh my!

I figured out the key to feeding my family when life is crazy is all about planning. One of my favorites that takes very little effort is Cuban Shredded Beef. I let my slow-cooker do all the work; I don’t even have to be there. All I do is make a package of yellow rice, steam some broccoli and we’re good to go. Saucy White Chili, or any chili for that matter, is a great make-ahead. I think it’s even better the second day.

A staple in our house for weeknight dinners is pasta and meat sauce. To give something different a shot, I tried Chicken Bolognese one night and my family loved it.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in shopping, planning and entertaining at this time of year that we often lose sight of what’s important. Being with family and friends and enjoying each other is what it’s all about. It is necessary to take those mid-week breaks and sit down with your family to a home-cooked dinner rather than going to a drive-thru and eating in the car on the way to your next activity.

Cherish your children and the chaos they add to your life because, before you know it, they will be carting their own kids around! Whatever you cook, whatever you plan, I wish you a very happy holiday and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Comments (7)

A Reason to Celebrate

Monday, November 8th, 2010
Mustard Glazed Tenderloin A Reason to Celebrate

Mr. Food's Mustard Glazed Tenderloin is perfect for family dinners and special occasions

From Mr. Food Team Member Jodi

We’re fortunate that my in-laws and my husband’s siblings’ families all live within a short distance of us. We get together often, and the kids all love spending time together. (In addition to my son and daughter, I have three nieces.)

Our family uses every excuse to celebrate. Why not, right? And this week we have a great reason to celebrate…my father-in-law just turned 85! He’s in great health and still working as a pharmacist!

We’re having everyone over to our house for a birthday dinner and I want to make something easy  that still feels special. I think I’m going to make Mr. Food’s Mustard Glazed Tenderloin. Even though it only has six ingredients, it’s still elegant enough for a special occasion. (And my father-in-law loves beef tenderloin, so I think he’ll really love it!)

Of course, I have to make a special dessert, too. Since it’s all about my father-in-law, and he loves pecans, I’m going to make the Pecan Cake that’s right here on MrFood.com. I hope I can get it to look as beautiful as it looks in the picture. Either way, I know it will be delicious (and I think I’ll score major daughter-in-law points)! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Comments (1)
Categories : Beef, Dessert

Our New eCookbook is Here: Mr. Food Fall Favorites

Monday, October 25th, 2010

eBook FallFavorites Mini Our New eCookbook is Here: Mr. Food Fall Favorites

"Fall Favorites," FREE eCookbook from Mr. Food

From MrFood.com Editor Caryl

Fall is the time of year when everybody gets back to cooking. What could be better than easy recipes for comforting favorite fall recipes?

Our newest free eCookbook, “Mr. Food: Fall Favorites,” is now available at MrFood.com. It’ll give your dinner table a whole new look just in time for the cooler weather.

In “Mr. Food: Fall Favorites,” there are 35 fantastic fall recipes…everything from meal-starters like Apricot-Pecan Brie Tarts and Beefy Onion Soup and side dishes like Cherry-Yam Bake, Golden Corn Pudding and Fruited Acorn Squash to warming main dishes that include Classic Goulash, Burgundy Beef Stew, Saucy White Chili, Cheesy Chicken Potpie, Pizza Casserole and more.

And the comfort doesn’t stop there! “Mr. Food: Fall Favorites,” has tempting fall desserts like Piled-High Apple Pie, Cranberry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip Bars, Apricot Bread Pudding, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie.

All that and it’s FREE! How can you resist? Download your copy of “Mr. Food: Fall Favorites” and our other free eCookbooks today!

 
 

 

 

 

pink and white cookies1 1024x768 Mr. Food Cookie Recipe Helps Raise Funds to Fight Breast Cancer

Try my sister's pink and white version of Mr. Food's Black and White Cookies

 

From Mr. Food Team Member Jaime 

We all want to help any way we can.

My sister and I share recipe ideas all the time for everything from weeknight dinners to entertaining and pot luck lunches. Since I am a self-proclaimed foodie and I work for Mr. Food, I am exposed to new recipes every day…and I love to share them!

When she told me what she needed a recipe for this time, I made it my mission to help her. Her office has a community service team that holds a fundraiser each month for a different organization. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they decided to have a bake sale to benefit Pink On Purpose. My sister was looking for an idea for something pink to bake. She said they already had several pink cupcakes, so she was looking for something different. I offered her the Mr. Food recipe for Half Moon Cookies, but instead of chocolate and vanilla, I suggested she substitute with pink and white frosting. She loved the idea and decided to give it a try. Not only did they look great, but everyone loved them and they sold like hotcakes…or, should I say, Half Moon Cookies!

My sister then told me that her husband’s aunt, who is a breast cancer survivor, is coming to visit her this weekend, so she is going to make another batch of these delicious cookies. This time she is going to frost them not only with pink and white, but pink and chocolate as well, for a little variety. So, I was thinking…it’s football season. Why not try them in your favorite team colors, or how about orange and black for Halloween? All you need is a little food coloring and the possibilities are endless!

Most importantly, money was raised to help a worthwhile cause and, in some very small way, I feel like I helped. Well, me and Mr. Food!

Comments (1)
Categories : Tips

School Lunch Ideas

Monday, October 11th, 2010
BLT Rollups RE School Lunch Ideas

Mr. Food's BLT Rollups are a trade-proof lunch

From Mr. Food Team Member Jaime

I have a confession to make: I hate packing school lunches every day. Once a week, I allow my 10-year-old son to buy lunch at school. Even on those days, I still have to pack snacks. If I let my son do it, his lunch bag would be full of chips, sweets and juice. That’s okay in moderation, but not all the time.

I wish I could tell you that my son loves to eat every kind of fruit under the sun – but he doesn’t. As he has gotten older, he’s become a picky eater. Some of that may also have to do with what snacks are considered “cool.”

The lunch staples are typically turkey or cream cheese and jelly sandwiches, and some days I can even sneak in leftovers if I think he’s feeling adventurous.

A couple of popular recipes for the kids’ lunchboxes are Mr. Food’s Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap and Mr. Food’s BLT Rollups.

I also stumbled on a very informative website that has given me some great ideas for the lunchbox dilemma. It’s http://weelicious.com. Idea-sharing with my friends is a terrific resource, as well; other moms have tricks I’ve never thought of to keep lunch-trading to a minimum.

No matter what type of sandwich or snack ends up in his lunchbox, I try to always include a note that tells my son how much I love him and to have a good day. Maybe that won’t fill up his tummy, but I know it will nourish his soul.

Comments (4)

“High Flavor. Low Labor” Cookbook

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Taping with J.M. Hirsch 300x200 High Flavor. Low Labor Cookbook

On set with J.M. Hirsch, National Food Editor for The Associated Press

Wow! Once I get to the office every day, it’s non-stop. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my crazy schedule. It’s just…CRAZY!

After grabbing my morning cup o’ joe, I usually stop by our test kitchen to see how things are going, followed by a quick hello to the rest of the gang, and then I head into my office to see what’s on tap for the day. Usually I start by reviewing my calendar, to see if it’s physically possible to be in two places at the same time. I haven’t quite mastered that one yet, but if it was up to my team, they’d find a way.

Next I usually go through a pile of products, cookbooks, gizmos & gadgets that people send in for us to review. Some are quite clever and, you guessed it, occasionally some are pretty silly or useless.

One book that caught my attention recently was High Flavor. Low Labor by J.M. Hirsch.  Have you heard his name? He’s the national food editor for The Associated Press and, whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably read many of his articles in your local newspaper. The reason his book made me stand up and take notice is, as you know, I’m a big fan of any recipe that’s high in flavor and low in labor. How refreshing! A book — or, should I say, a man — after my own heart.

Sharing recipe from J.M. Hirsch of AP 300x200 High Flavor. Low Labor CookbookThe more I read High Flavor. Low Labor, the more drawn in I got. Let me tell you, this guy can really write, not to mention cook! I’m not talking fancy schmancy chef-like cooking. I’m referring to getting-dinner-on-the-table-without-a-lot-of-work kind of cooking. His trick is to use high-flavor ingredients like Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and bacon to really add a punch to every dish.

I was so impressed with J.M.’s  book that I invited him to do a show with me so I could share his no-fuss, flavor-packed style with all of you. Howard, who oversees my TV show, will share more details of J.M.’s visit in his own blog soon but, for now, let me just tell you that the recipe J.M. and I made together was dangerously delicious! (Notice there’s chocolate in this photo!) You’re gonna love it!