quick and easy

“We have 15 minutes until Soccer!” Quick Dinner Ideas

You know you’ve been there. After dinner activities seem constant and darn it, we still need dinner. FAST.

 

soccer dinners

 


Skip the drive through and keep these 5 handy options at the ready for quick to prep and quick to eat fast dinners. Each one won’t take you longer than 10 minutes to prep and either “relax” and eat at home or pack it to go in the car or eat on the soccer sidelines.



ceasar salad
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Having a secret helper like Et Tu Caesar Salad Kits around helpmake this an easy wrap and to-go dinner. Simply cut the lettuce, toss the salad, cut up leftover chicken or buy the pre-cooked / cut chicken breast. Assemble it all into a tortilla and go! Tucks  veggies and protein into this yummy Chicken Caesar Salad wrap.



Summer Grilled Cheese

We know, grilled cheese... in the summer? It’s faster than heating up the BBQ and it can be fancier than the typical cheddar staple variety.   Creating a Brie and Green Apple on Multi-Grain bread feels more summery than a traditional cheese sandwich you want to dunk into tomato soup.


Stock your fridge with Havarti, brie, cheddar and gouda to liven up the usual grilled cheese. Tuck in fresh basil, sliced tomato or sliced fruit and suddenly this sandwich feels like way more than “grilled cheese”. You could pair with a quick salad (like the Et Tu Caesar Salad above to add a fast salad side.


Super-Fast Chickpea Salad


Super fast and easy! Beans are so good for you and most kids get along with chickpeas. Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, chop up sweet pepper, cucumber and tomato, toss with balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper and you’re done! Have goat cheese around? Crumble some in. Fresh herbs? Rip and add. It’s a great protein salad perfect for fuelling soccer stars. Add a can of tuna and you'd have this Tuna & Fresh Vegetable Salad.

 

Quick Quesadillas


Why run south of the border when you can quick up a yummy quesadilla (this recipe even has grated zucchini in it!) faster than a shoot-out! Combine with our Easy Guacamole and you have hit many of the vitamin and nutrient targets along with providing a fast and delicious meal for your athletes.

 

lemony herbed drumsticks
Crockpot Anything
This is a bit of a cheat suggestion… only because it’s prepped when you walk in the door. However, so many crockpot meals are quick to prep like our Classic Pot Roast, Mexican Chicken or Lemon Herb Drumsticks.


What makes these dinners super fast is having a plan. Stock your fridge and pantry with these staples and then you have a plan of action on busy nights.

Posted by momstown mama on 06/15/2013 - 00:49
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Roasted Salmon Fillets with ET TU Caesar Salad

Whether you're serving some unexpected guests, or it's just another one of those time-strapped evenings, you can never have enough quick, easy-to-prepare, meal ideas. Here's one tasty recipe that pairs a lovely salmon fillet with a classic caesar salad.

 

salmon cesaer

 

Ingredients:

1 box of ET TU Caesar Salad Kit
1  head of romaine lettuce, washed, dried and cut or a 10 oz (283g) bag of pre-washed and cut romaine
4-4oz (125g) skin on salmon fillet portions
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp freshly chopped chives
4 lemon wedges

 
 
Directions:

1.Pre-heat oven to 425° f (225°C)
2.Arrange salmon fillets skin side down on a large plate.
3.Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and chives. Drizzle over salmon and let stand for 10 minutes.
4.Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Transfer salmon, skin side down, to sheet and bake in 425° oven for 10 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove fish skin before serving.
5.Mix salad according to package directions. Arrange equal portions of salad on four dinner plates. Place a salmon fillet on top of each salad portion. Garnish with fresh lemon wedge.

  

et tu salad kitsRunning out to soccer practice?  Whenever you need a quick, delicious salad, ET TU Salad kits will be ready to go. All you need is one head of fresh lettuce (or, a 10 oz. bag of pre-cut lettuce), a bowl to mix it, and about 4 minutes. Each family size Salad Kit makes 2 dinner-size salads or 6 side salads. In almost no time at all, your salad is ready to serve.

Posted by momstown team on 05/29/2013 - 12:42
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Easy to Make Pizza Bread

Want to get kids to love eating their veggies?  Try it on pizza!  Better yet, let them help you make this pizza bread and dip it into the sauce!

 

pizza bread recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 c Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1 Large Egg, beaten
1/4 c Milk
2 tsp Granulated Sugar

1/2 C Grated Medium Cheddar Cheese
1/4 C chopped Roma Tomato, seeds removed
1/4 C Grated Carrot
1/4 C Grated Zucchini (with peel)
2 tbsp Diced Red Pepper
2 tbsp Sliced Green Onion

 

Directions:

 

Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Make a well in centre.

 

Combine next 3 ingredients in small bowl. Add to well.

 

Add remaining 6 ingredients to well. Stir until just moistened. Spoon into mound on greased baking sheet.

 

Bake in 375F oven for about 25 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

 

Remove bread from baking sheet & place on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Slice into biscotti type slices.

 

Serve warm and dip into marinara sauce!

photo credit

 

Posted by momstown team on 02/25/2013 - 18:42
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Barilla Farfalle Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Mint

A simple yet tasty recipe that brings summer colour to the table, all year round.  In just a few moments of preparation, you can have a quick, easy and nutritious meal for your family! 

 

Barilla is Italy’s #1 brand of pasta owned and operated by an Italian family from Italy for over 135 years.  In Canada, Barilla is proud to offer Canadian families a wide selection of the highest quality products, ranging from its Classic Blue Box pastas to its Whole Grain pasta line, made with 51 percent whole grain.  Barilla pasta is delicious, nutritious and can be served any day of the week in thousands of different ways!

 

Barilla Farfalle with cherry tomatoes and mint

 

Ingredients:

Tomatoes on the vine 350 g
Mint 1 bunch
Extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons
Salt and Pepper as needed

 

Directions:

1. Bring a pot with plenty of salted water to a boil.

2. Blanch, peel, and slice the cherry tomatoes. Remove the seeds. Sauté them in a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Next, add another 2 tablespoons of oil and cook everything on medium heat for approximately 105 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, cook the Farfalle. Drain and add them to the sauce.

4. Serve the dish garnished with washed and shredded mint leaves.

 

Nutritional values per serving prepared according to this recipe.
Energy value  404Kcal - 1685Kj
Protein11g
Carbohydrates 65g
Fat 10g

 

barilla pasta recipesVisit the Barilla Canada Facebook page and share a winter pasta recipe and a photo of the finished dish with Barilla through Facebook by February 27, 2013 for a chance to win a Barilla Prize Pack valued at $250! You can learn more about the contest at:  http://on.fb.me/12Ev5I5

Posted by momstown team on 02/15/2013 - 17:53
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Turkey Slow Cooker Chili (5pts on Weight Watchers)

Trying to eat healthy but also make a meal the whole family can enjoy is a difficult task sometimes.  Add to that a recipe that is quick as well as a family favourite and it gets even harder!

 

Chili is the type of meal that can be adjusted easier to accomodate different tastes as well as modified to be lower in calories and fat.  If you are on Weight Watchers or a similar plan, this is the perfect recipe for you! 

 

slow cooker turkey chili- weight watchers

 

 

Ingredients:

 

2 packs of 20oz (1.25lbs) ground lean turkey

1 red pepper

1 zucchini

1 can of corn

cut up mini carrots

garlic puree or fresh garlic

1 onion

2 cans 28oz Crushed Tomatoes with garlic

1 can 15oz of tomato sauce

1 pack of taco seasoning or Club House chili seasoning

2 cans 15oz Kidney Beans (or combination of beans)- you can leave these out if you aren't fans of beans, like me!

low fat Tex Mex shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)

sour cream (for garnish)

torilla chips crushed (for garnish)

 

 

-Dice the onion and saute in the frying pan on medium heat.

- Add turkey and garlic.  Saute until golden brown.  Transfer into slow cooker.

- Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, uncooked veggies, and seasoning pouch into the slow cooker and mix well.

- Drain and rince the beans (if you are adding them).  Mix into the slow cooker.

- Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or more. 

- Serve in bowls with low fat cheese, low fat sour cream or even crushed torilla chips.

- Makes several meals and is PERFECT to freeze!

 

Weight Watchers Points:

5pts with beans and no toppings

4pts with no beans and no toppings

Add 2 pts for 1/4 cup of shredded tex mex cheese

Add 1 pts for 4 torilla chips crushed on top

 

photo credit: Vanessa Lachey

Posted by momstown team on 01/28/2013 - 10:41
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Tex Mex Chili Recipe


We are certainly into comfort food season.  And while I love a good meaty chili, this Tex Mex Chili recipe that uses chicken instead of beef is so delicious that its part of my dinner roster just as often as the more traditional versions.  I also love that you can add a few different toppings to dress it up and make it your own. This is a perfect recipe to have simmering on the stove while you play outside in the snow!  This recipe makes 6 servings.


tex mex chili recipe

 

Ingredients:


3 chicken breasts, diced
1/4 all purpose flour
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/4 cups canned corn, drained
2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 1/2 cups canned black or white beans, drained and rinsed
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (store bought or home made)
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp sedded and finely chopped jalapeno pepper OR 1 1/2 tsp hot chili sauce
pinch of pepper


Topping options (divide between the 6 servings):
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
1/2 cup shredded aged cheddar
1/4 low fat sour cream
1/2 diced avocado


As with any chili recipe, adjust the spiciness level to your liking by adding more or less chili sauce or jalapenos.


Toss the chicken with the flour.  Lightly coat a sauce pan with non stick spray and add 1 tsp of the vegetable oil and heat on medium.  Cook the chicken until it is brown on all sides but not cooked through.  Remove from the pan and set aside.  Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.  Stir in corn and garlic and continue to cook until the corn is browned.


Stir in the rest of the ingredients (not the toppings) and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, stir and reduce the heat to a simmer and add the chicken back in.  Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until thickened. 


Pick your garnishes and serve!

Posted by momstown team on 11/27/2012 - 17:36
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Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow cooker recipes are a staple around my house. In fact, we have a Top 10 slow cooker recipe list at momstown! As the weather turns cooler, I move the crock pot back up from its summer home in our basement to the kitchen pantry since it will be used weekly through the fall and winter.

 

Here is one of my favourite recipes, easy and delicious beef stew.

 

slow cooker beef stew

 

 

Ingredients:

olive oil 2-4tsp for browning
2lbs (or 1pkg) beef stewing cubes
2Tbs flour (any flour will do)
Salt and Pepper

1L of Beef Stock
1 medium onion
2 tsp chopped garlic
(optional bay leaf)

2 cups Baby Potatoes or new potatoes quartered
2- 3 large carrots chopped
2 stalks celery
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas
1Tbs cornstarch

Directions:

In a skillet over medium high heat, add 2 tsp of olive oil. In a large bowl or zip lock bag add the stewing beef and flour and salt and pepper. Mix to lightly coat beef. Shake off excess flour.

When the oil is hot fry the beef in small batches until it is browned, adding to the crockpot.
You can chop and saute the onion at this point too or just add it straight to the pot.

Add the remaining ingredients (except the cornstarch and the peas). Turn to combine, and cook on high for 4-5hours or low for 8 hours.  45 minutes to half hour before you want to serve, dissolve the cornstarch in a few tablespoons of water, get the peas ready and dump all into the pot, stir quickly and return the lid. Switch crock pot to high and leave for 1/2 hour until bubbly and thickened.

 

photo credit: basilkitchen.com

submitted by momstown Mississauga

 

Posted by momstown team on 11/26/2012 - 17:52
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Cooking with Kids: Easy Fireman's Chili Recipe

 

Whether you like two alarm or four alarm...you can choose your own heat for this easy recipe that is great to try with the kids! 

Chili is a great meal to have on a busy night of after school activities, reheat for school lunches or even freeze or a quick dinner out of the freezer!  With tons of protein and veggies, momstown Milton has the recipe to give the kids all that they need in one bowl!

 

2 lbs extra lean ground beef

1-29 oz tomato sauce

1-28 oz kidney beans undrained

1-19 oz pinto beans undrained

1 can tomato paste

2 cups water

1 cup of each chopped onion, green pepper, carrots and celery

2 medium seeded and chopped tomato

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chipotle mango spice

2 tsp salt

ground pepper to taste

 

1. Cook up ground beef and drain any liquids.

 

easy chili recipe

 

2. Cut up vegetables (great job where kids can help).

 

cooking with kids, easy chili

 

3. Add all dry ingredients to the pot and stir.

 

4. Add all wet ingredients.

 

cooking with kids, easy chili

 

5. Mix and cook until vegetables are tender.

***If you want a little more heat add more chipotle spice and or add some chili peppers.

 

Serve it up in bowls with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar or tex mex cheese or torilla strips!

 easy chili recipe- cooking with kids

Posted by momstown team on 10/31/2012 - 09:14
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Top 10 Slow Cooker Recipes

 

I'm having a love affair with my slow cooker.  Now that the cooler weather is upon us, I've moved it from the basement shelf to a permanent spot on my counter!

 

The truth is that I didn't open this wedding gift until we had been married 11 years (unbelieveable, huh?). I really didn't know what I was missing! I started to see recipes all over the internet last fall and I had to jump on this retro cooking bandwagon. I finally took it out of the box and never looked back! While the look of my slow cooker could use an update, I sure do love what I can create for my family!

 

Reasons I Love the Slow Cooker:

1. It can cook all day while I work!

2. It is a healthy and simple alternative on those crazy days when you rush to your kid's programs and head for the drive thru.

3. My husband thinks I slaved over the stove...but I really went for a manicure while dinner was cooking!

4.  It is one pot to clean!

5. My kids love to help with the prep work- it is easy and safe for them.

6. There are incredible recipes on Pinterest and spice packages in the grocery store to add to your own imagination!

 

Hearty Beef Chili

slow cooker chili

 

Mexican Chicken

 

Classic Pot Roast

 

Southwest Steak and Potato Stew

 

hearty steak and potato stew

 

Easy Entertaining Meatballs

 

Lemon Herb Drumsticks

slow cooker chicken

Hot Apple Punch

 

Vegetarian Indian Cauliflower

 

Hamburger Casserole

 

 

Turkey and Stuffing Meal in a pot!

 

slow cooker turkey and stuffing

Posted by momstown team on 10/26/2012 - 13:27
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Jambalaya

PC JambalayaLooking for a way to add a little quick & easy spice to your everyday family dinner? President's Choice new andouille sausages make the perfect base for a southern-style jambalaya. Although the list of ingredients may look long, it’s all cooked in stages in one pan, so it’s actually fairly easy to make. Bonus- it uses one whole package each of broth, tomatoes, sausage and shrimp, so no nasty bits of leftovers to go bad at the back of the fridge.



Prep time: 15 minutes 
Cook time: 30 minutes    ]
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Chef: Dana Speers

 

Ingredients:
2 tbsp (25 mL)    olive oil
1    small red onion, chopped
1    sweet red pepper, chopped
3    cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 mL)    long grain white rice
2 tbsp (25 mL)    Creole seasoning
1 box (900 mL)    PC Blue Menu Chicken Broth 98670
1 can (796 mL)    PC Blue Menu Diced Tomatoes 77985
1 tbsp (15 mL)    Worcestershire sauce
1 pkg (500 g)    PC Andouille Sausage, sliced crosswise in ½-inch (1 cm) thick slices
1 bag (454 g)    PC Raw Zipperback Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp, thawed, shells removed 10974
2 tbsp (25 mL)    chopped fresh chives
 

  1. In large nonstick frying pan, heat oil over medium-low heat; cook onion, red pepper and garlic for 4 to 6 minutes or until softened. Stir in rice and Creole seasoning until coated. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and juices, Worcestershire and ½ cup (125 mL) water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Add sausages; cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning sausage once or twice, or until sausages are almost cooked through. Stir in shrimp; cook for 2 minutes or until shrimp and sausages are cooked through.
  2. Serve sprinkled with chives.


Makes 10 servings
Per serving: 260 calories, fat 11 g, sodium 1030 mg, carbohydrate 22 g, fibre 2 g, protein 19 g 

Reprinted with permission by President's Choice

 

Posted by admin on 08/27/2012 - 19:09
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