Throw a Block Party - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

Block parties are a phenomenal way to celebrate summer with family and friends. With the rising cost of gas and travel many people are staying home for vacations ("staycations") and throwing a block party is a great way to get together and celebrate without traveling way. We have some easy dinner recipes to help create your feast and some ideas to make it happen.
1) Get everyone involved early. Notify people in advance of the event by putting save the date invitations in their mailboxes, then follow up in person so they know they are welcome.
2) Divvy up the tasks to make life easier. Have every family bring their own meat to grill, and assign most people to bring a dish to share. Those not bringing a dish can bring buns, condiments, desserts, ice and beverages. Get a headcount early so people know how much to bring.
3) Ask everyone to bring their own plates so there isn't a huge amount of waste at the end of the party and you can be green.
4) Put out sunscreen and bug spray to keep burns and pesky bugs at bay.
5) Assign someone to bring tables and folding chairs, but suggest to guests that they bring lawn chairs too.
6) Stock up on disposable cups.
7) Bring squirt guns, frisbees, balls, hula hoops and other games for the kids to all share.
8) Bring a CD player and some music to set the mood.
9) Have a watermelon eating contest and give out amazing prizes.
10) After dark you can project a movie against the side of someones house and all gather around to watch. Make popcorn to share.
11) Think about making homemade ice cream. Nothing puts people in a better mood faster. The young ones may have never seen it made and the older ones can share great memories of homemade ice cream from their youth.
12) Assign, or hire some teens to help out with the young ones. Make sure no one gets trampled and everyone has a good time.
Some easy dinner recipes to add to your party:
New Oreleans Flank Steak
This recipe multiplies easily to fit a crowd!
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 Tb Red wine vinegar
2 Tsp Light brown sugar
2 Tsp Creole or Cajun Seasoning
2 Tsp Terriyaki Sauce - reduced sodium
1 Tsp Oregano - dried
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Cracked black pepper
1 1/4 lb Flank steak
Instructions
In a large zip top plastic bag, combine all the ingredients except the steak. Seal the bag to shake to combine the ingredients well. Add the flank steak, seal and shake bag again to coat steak well with marinade.
Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Preheat broiler, or grill, and grill the steak for 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium or cook to your desired doneness. Let the steak stand 10 minutes before slicing crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices.
Honey Mustard Chicken
Simple but delicious. Kids will enjoy it a lot. Use broiler if grill is not available.
Serves 6
Ingredients
5 Tb Honey
5 Tb Dijon mustard
4 1/2 lb Chicken thighs and drumsticks
Instructions
Mix honey and mustard together in a small bowl. Put chicken in resealable plastic bag or plastic dish with lid, and pour or brush marinade over chicken. Make sure chicken is covered with marinade. Marinate in refrigerator for at least one hour, but not more than 24 hours. It's best to marinate overnight.
Grill the chicken on a preheated grill for about 8 to 9 minutes per side, baste chicken with marinade until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Serve chicken warm or cold.
Chipotle Mashed Potatoes
Chipotle chilies, lime, and cilantro transform everyday mashed potatoes into a mouth watering experience. Prep time is 2 minutes, and cook time is 8 minutes.
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 C Milk
2 3/4 C Mashed potatoes - frozen
1 Can Chipotles en adobo, minced
1/4 C Cilantro, chopped
1 Tb Lime juice - fresh
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. Add frozen potatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; add chilies and the rest of the ingredients. Stir until well combined.
Easy Three Bean Salad
Great accompaniment to any meal. Will stay in the refrigerator for up to one week in a tight lidded container.
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 Can Kidney beans - 15 oz, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black beans - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1 Can Chickpeas - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1/2 C Parsley - fresh, chopped
1/4 C Olive oil
1/4 C Balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and toss. Cover and chill.
Julie Languille
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
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Backyard Camp Out - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

When the kids are little or time or money is short, try a backyard camp out for an easy recipe for great family fun. All you need are some willing campers, a tent, some bedding and a spirit of adventure.
Step 1) Acquire a tent. Hopefully there's one in the garage and you can find it. If not, you can ask your friends if you can borrow one, or you can go to the local thrift store and see if you can score a bargain. Alternately you can hit the discount stores, tents should be in the sporting goods section and shouldn't cost a lot of money.
Step 2) Gather supplies. We need sleeping bags or bedding and pillows for each camper. We need at least one flashlight and hopefully a battery operated lantern to light our tent. Some cards and games might be fun too.
Step 3) Find a flat and dry area of your yard and pitch your tent. This can be the funniest part of this whole procedure. Generally, modern tents come with folded stakes that unfold and stamp into each other. These poles are threaded into channels sown on the outside of the tent, then the ends are held in place in the ground with stakes. There is usually a rain shield that covers the whole assembly in case of, you guessed it, rain. If your tent is older, you're on your own for assembly.
Step 4) Food and drink are critical to the success of this mission. Plan to cook your meal outside. See the easy recipe ideas below.
Step 5) Light the grill or BBQ fire and play some games with the kids. Lawn darts, the non-lethal kind are good, as is frisbee.
Step 6) Cook dinner and eat. Plan some dessert too. Roast marshmallows over the fire or grill some peaches and drizzle with maple syrup then top with ice cream.
Step 7) Play games with the kids after dinner. Tell stories. When it gets dark, tell scary stories passing around the flashlight. Fortunately, if it get's too scary, the house is nearby.
Step 8) This is the hard part, get comfortable, go to sleep and stay our in the tent until morning. Take the flashlight if you need to make an indoor privy visit. And the good news about backyard camping is that if it gets too uncomfortable, you can always go inside and go to bed. The best part is the time together, not the snoring in the tent part.
Smoked Cheddar Stuffed Hamburgers
A different kind of burger that everyone will enjoy.
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 lb Ground beef
1/2 Tb Garlic and herb seasoning - salt free
4 ea Smoked Cheddar Cheese , cut into 4 1 inch chunks
1 Tb Olive oil
4 ea Hamburger buns
Instructions
In a large bowl combine the beef and garlic seasoning until mixed. Shape into four patties about 1 inch thick. Press a chunk of cheese into the center of each of the patties, make sure it is well covered with meat. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, or prepare outside grill. Cook the burgers on the skillet or grill about 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium to medium well done. Serve on buns.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes and Scallions
Great on the grill beside your favorite grilled dish!
Serves 4
Ingredients
3 C Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices
3 Tb Olive oil
1 Tsp Thyme, dried
1/4 Tsp Cayenne
2 Tb Butter
2 Scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat grill to medium. Toss sweet potatoes with oil, thyme, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Grill potatoes until tender, 20 to 30 minutes, turning frequently. Re-add potatoes to the bowl. Add butter, and break potatoes into large pieces with a fork. Toss with scallions. Serve.
Grilled Corn
Let your kids shuck the corn. Mine love to!
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 ea Cob of corn, shucked
Butter, melted (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Start the grill, then shuck the corn. Grill corn, turning occasionally. When some kernels are a bit charred, 5 to 15 minutes, corn is done. Brush on melted butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Julie Languille
Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
For more information Click Here!

Concert in the Park - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

Concerts in the park are a great source of cheap family entertainment in the summer. Choices range from the local high school band concerts to full scale professional artists performing on local outdoor venues. In our area a local winery hosts great outdoor concerts that are enjoyable for all ages. Check your community newspaper and event pages for local events, times and schedules. Plan some easy dinner recipes and pack up a delicious family feast. It's a great way to reconnect with neighbors and friends you don't see that often and the music and entertainment are great too. They are great concerts to take the kids to, because they can play on the grass if they get bored. Try to station yourself near the playground equipment so you can keep an eye on the kids and an ear on the concert at the same time.

In this picnic, I've planned a pan bagnat, a French tuna sandwich that is delicious and perfect for picnics and outings. This easy dinner recipe comes together in minutes, but will hold for hours in a cooler and only gets better as the flavors meld. Bring some crostini and olive tapenade or hummus for spreading as a great easy appetizer. Cold crunchy pickles or green olives or kalamatas would be delicious too.

What to bring:

1) Folding chairs

2) Jackets

3) Beverages! A chardonnay would be lovely the pan bagnat, or if you prefer a red, try a merlot or a pinot noir. Bring juices for the kids and plenty of water, especially if it is a sunny day.

4) Sunscreen - a must for summertime whether it is sunny or not. Sometimes those cooler days can surprise you with a sun burn.

5) Bug spray - after the sun begins to set, the mosquitoes may come looking for you.

6) A plastic tarp in case it rains or the ground is wet.

Easy Recipes:

Pain Bagnat

This is a French style tuna sandwich. I love it for a quick summer dinner. It is also great to make ahead - it only gets better. It is wonderful to take to a picnic, because there is no mayonnaise.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb French bread loaf about 14 inches long
2 Can Tuna - 6 oz - preferably in oil
1/4 C Olive oil
1/2 C Basil - fresh
2 ea Tomatoes, chopped
1/2 C Kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 C Capers, rinsed

Instructions

Slice the bread in half horizontally. Brush the bread with olive oil and layer with basil leaves. Open the tuna, but do not drain it. (If using tuna in water instead of oil, drain and add 2 TB olive oil). Combine remaining ingredients and layer into the sandwich. Wrap very well in plastic wrap and press down hard with a skillet. This gets the juicy goodness into the bread. Some have suggested sitting on the sandwich, but we will not go there. Now if you are taking this sandwich somewhere it is ready to go, remember to pack a knife to cut it. Otherwise, you can unwrap and slice to serve immediately. This sandwich is great made in the morning for a quick grab on your way out to the ballpark. Enjoy!

Easy Three Bean Salad

Great accompaniment to any meal. Will stay in the refrigerator for up to one week in a tight lidded container.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 Can Kidney beans - 15 oz, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black beans - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1 Can Chickpeas - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1/2 C Parsley - fresh, chopped
1/4 C Olive oil
1/4 C Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and toss. Cover and chill.

Julie Languille

Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash

Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families

For more information Click Here!

Easy Sides Save Dinner

Day after day you are responsible for feeding lots of mouths, your own included! I have no doubt you get pretty tired of trying to keep things healthy, interesting, and easy. There are some things you can do to lighten your load. We've all heard, "work smarter, not harder". That is what these tactics are all about!
First, consider roasted veggies. This is such an easy solution for everyday dinners and maybe even some special occasions. It is very simple to wash, cut, and assemble this dish. Simply choose three to four veggies you and your family like. A couple examples include: sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, or potato, carrot, zucchini. You of course can come up with your own!
Take these veggies and cut them so that they are a similar size. Then simply drizzle some olive oil on them, sprinkle a couple tablespoons of your favorite dry dressing mix, and stir until equally covered. Place in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until all the veggies are tender. Done. A tasty, filling, and healthy side dish that can go with just about anything!
Another easy side dish idea is very common sense and will leave you saying "why didn't I think of that!?" The solution is so simple, make double or triple! Not everyone will like tuna casserole leftovers. However, most people don't complain about leftover mashed potatoes!
Let's say Monday night your sides are mashed potatoes and a side salad. You are already taking the time to prepare these items so why not double it and have sides ready for Wednesday night's baked chicken? In other words, make sure you can get two or three nights sides from one prep time, one dirty dish, and one push of energy. You can always spice things up with the leftovers by adding a few things here or there. Maybe you add some avocado to the salad, or some cheese to the mashed potatoes.
Either way, the point is still the same: conserve energy, time, and thought by making multiple night's servings.
A final step is to skip the idea of sides and do "one-bowl" meals. You can use either of these "side" dishes listed above and complete this idea. For example, add some shrimp with the vegetables when tossing in the oil and seasoning. Bake all together for a delicious dinner. Or consider a lovely seared steak on top of your salad.
Keep it simple. Keep is smart. And above all, keep it healthy. Your family will thank you, and you will have more time and energy to enjoy life with them. Happy eating!
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Picnic at the Beach - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

What could be better than a picnic at the beach for a family dinner outing? Sand in your toes, the roar of the ocean a walk on the beach, and a roaring fire to gather around. If you aren't lucky enough to live near the ocean, a lake, pond, creek or fountain will do. Or simply put blankets down in the back yard. A few easy dinner recipes for a picnic at the beach then later when it gets dark you can do some star gazing.
What you need:
1) A place to go. Choose a local beach, preferably with fire pits or BBQs. One with a bit of shelter from the wind is ideal. It will keep the sand out of your food later.
2) Fire - a fire ring, BBQ, or create your own. You can bring a small portable BBQ or dig a pit and line it with stones. If you are making your own fire pit it is great to involve the whole faily in the digging, the hunt for stones and the search for firewood. It is a good idea to bring a grill to set on top of stones on your firepit. And i always bring some backup firewood in case the search for wood turns up less than an adequate supply.
3) Seating - a picnic bench, folding chairs or a huge old quilt or blanket are wonderful to sit on fireside. Bring several so as the day gets cooler you can all be near the fire and you can switch side s as the wind direction changes to avoid getting smoke on your eyes.
4) Games - It is a great idea to bring some games or toys to occupy the troops until dinner time. A bucket and shovel are classic beach toys and the basis of any good sand castle. It's really amazing how the sand itself is entertaining for kids to play with. It's like at Christmas when all the little kids love to play in the boxes and wrapping; take them to the beach and they love the sand. Of course later they'll have it in every crevice, but that's a price well worth paying for a good afternoon at the beach. Beach balls are another good choice as are Frisbees. Bring another bucket if you've got a shell collector. They'll spend hours combing the beach for treasures. You can make a game of collecting sea shells and sea glass and have a craft day later where you turn your treasures into a craft such as decorated picture frames.
5) Camera - Since we may be making some decorated picture frames later with our collected shells, we may as well bring the camera and capture some sun and sand logged goofiness on film. I love a shot from the end of the day when everyone ir pink and sandy, tired and happy.
6) Safety - Be sure to have the safety discussion with kids early on. Depending on how many you have with you and what their ages are, there rules may vary, but each child should clearly know whether they are allowed in the water, and if so how deep. (To the knees? To the Belly button?) And if we are wandering the beach looking for shells, lets choose marker to show how far it is safe to go and whether you need to have someone come with you.
7) Drying off - Bring loads of towels, preferably big beach towels. Bring more than you think you'll need because someone always gets cold and wet when it is later in the day and beginning to get chilly.
8) Warm clothes - be sure to bring jackets for every one. Once the day turns cooler it is easy to get chilled. Bring something soft in case we're gotten any sunburn.
9) Sunscreen - I hate to have to cut a great outing short because we didn't plan well enough for sun exposure. Be sure it is water proof, plentiful and it is reapplied as needed.
10) Drinks! Be sure to have plenty of bottles of water on hand and well as fruit drinks for the kids and whatever the adults would like. Why not go with a beach theme and have some mai tais on the beach. They needn't even be alcoholic to taste good, although a little rum add good flaover. Buy mai tai mix, orange juice, mango juice, pineapple juice and rum if desired and go to town. It's extra point if you bring cute glasses (non breakable of course) and super extra credit for those little umbrellas.
11) Food! I bet you thought we never get there, but you know the food is the highlight of the day. Today we're doing shrimp boil in foil; succulent tender shrimp, sweet summer corn and spicy sausage all grilled together in a foil packet. The are make ahead and kept in the cooler to pop on the fire when we're ready. Also bring a loaf or garlic bread, all buttered and sliced and wrapped in foil to warm on the grill. For appetizers I like to do little smokey sausage links. Give everyone a weiner roasting stick or fashion them yourselves from coat hangers, spear a little smoky sausage and heat over the fire until sizzling. Careful though, they're hot! Bring more than you think you'll need because appetites get big with all that sun and activity. I'm convinced it makes the food taste better too! For dessert, it's got to be s'mores. Bring marshmallows, roasting sticks, chocolate bars and graham crackers. Again bring more than you think you need to account marshmallows dropped in the sand, burnt like torches and hearty appetites!
Grilled Shrimp "Boil" in Foil
A shrimp boil is a traditional southern dish where shrimp, shellfish, sausage and corn are boiled together with Old Bay seasoning. This has all the good flavor, but is faster and easier to prepare in foil packets.
Serves 4
1 1/2 lb Shrimp - medium - peeled and deveined
1 lb Mussels
1 lb Clams
1/2 lb Kielbasa, sliced
2 Cobs of of corn, shucked
2 Tb Butter
1/4 C Water
1/4 C White wine
1 Tsp Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
Preheat grill to medium high heat. Cut the corn into 1 inch rounds. Tear off 4 large sheets of foil and fold in half to double. Divide seafood, corn and sausage evenly among the packets, dot with butter, sprinkle on Old Bay, and 1 TB of both wine and water. Fold up with double folds to secure well. Grill packets about 10 minutes turning once until puffed. Empty each packet carefully into a bowl to serve.
Julie Languille
Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
For more information Click Here!

Ski Trip Tips: After-Ski Meal Preparations Made Easy

It's one of the biggest dilemmas you'll encounter when embarking on a ski trip with your family: What to eat for dinner after a day of skiing. Dining out would be the best answer. But eating in restaurants can be quite expensive. And if it's peak season, you'll have to deal with long queues and last minute reservation woes.
This leaves you with one option: Cooking.
But who has energy to whip out a gourmet dinner after a day on the slopes?
If someone in your family has food allergies, then you probably don't have much choice but to make a bee line to the kitchen.
However, preparing meals after a day on the slopes don't have to be a Herculean feat. You, after all, are on a ski vacation to relax and enjoy the winter holidays.
So how do you cook up a delicious dinner for the family without rushing? Here are a few tips:
Keep it simple. You don't have to prepare an elaborate condo cuisine to feed your famished family. Burgers, sandwiches and quick-and-easy pastas may be enough to whet their appetites and keep them satisfied until tomorrow's breakfast.
TIP: Check out easy "condo cuisine" meals you can cook in less than an hour online.
Plan ahead. Before leaving home and flying to your ski vacation destination, plan out your dinners, and get all ingredients measured and bagged separately. This can cut cooking time in half. But;
Don't overplan. There's a big chance that you won't be eating in the condo for the most part of your vacation.
Shop on the first day of your ski getaway. Better yet, stock the fridge before hitting slopes. This ensures that you have everything ready before you hit the kitchen.
Prepare slow-cook meals. If you're driving and you still have enough room to spare, bring a crockpot. Check out slow-cook recipes online and get everything ready in the morning. Flip the switch and leave for your day on the slopes. After last run, you'll have dinner waiting for you.
Consider pre-cooking. Pre-cooking and freezing can be a good alternative to slow-cooking, if you can't bring your crockpot with you.
Make snacks or appetizers part of your menu. Give your family something to munch on while they wait for dinner. Whether it's biscuits, trail mix or cookies and hot cocoa, make sure your entrees are not too heavy to get them too full before dinner time, or they'll be skipping the meal you have prepared.
Through smart planning and preparations, cooking your own meals during a ski trip will be a breeze.
Tours de Sport is the best place for ski vacation and destinations. We offer a wide variety of ski vacation packages that you will surely enjoy at an affordable and cost-effective rates.
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Three Easy and Delicious Camping Meals

Camping is a favorite summertime activity for everyone who loves the outdoors. Sometimes preparing all of the equipment and packing all of the gear leaves little time to prepare the food. Often times this means a lot of hot dogs and sandwiches. Here are three easy and delicious meals that you can prepare ahead of time and will make this summer's camping trip a hit with the whole family.
1. Tin Foil Dinners: A favorite among boy scouts, the tin foil dinner is a classic camping dinner that is easy and delicious. Start with baby carrots, potatoes cut into 1" squares, onions, and green beans. Place a generous portion of vegetables on a large square of heavy duty aluminum foil. Add one hamburger patty, salt, pepper, seasoning and wrap the tin foil up securely. These meals will keep for a couple of days in a cooler and when you're ready to eat just throw them in the fire or on the grill. Cook until hamburger is brown throughout and enjoy. These simple dinners are amazingly flavorful and filling. You can even let the kids choose their favorite ingredients ahead of time and make sure everyone gets exactly what they want. The best part of tin foil dinners is that you can eat them right out of the foil and then throw it away when finished. Easy to make and easy to clean up.
2. Tin Foil Pizza Sandwiches: The even easier relative of the classic tin foil dinner. Who doesn't love pizza and what better place to enjoy your favorite pie than the camp ground. Just order your favorite pizza, let it cool, take two pieces and place the cheese sides together, crust side out. Take your pizza sandwich, wrap in tin foil, and you're done. Throw in the fire or on the grill and heat until the cheese melts. No utensils or plates necessary, what could be easier than that.
3. First Night Fish: My personal favorite, and perfect for anyone who loves salmon. Take one large salmon fillet and lay skin side down on a piece of heavy duty tin foil. Make sure the foil is large enough to wrap around the fillet completely. Spread butter over the top of the salmon, sprinkle with lemon pepper, dill, and lemon juice. Wrap the whole thing up and pack. You can then cook the salmon at medium heat on your grill until done. Goes great with a can of green beans and rolls. This meal is best served on the first night; the salmon fillet will take up some space in your cooler and won't keep well for more than a couple of days. The skin will stick to the tin foil when finished making this another easy to clean up meal.
Preparation is key to any successful camping trip. Make sure that you are prepared by planning all of your equipment and meals ahead of time. By making your meals at home you will save time and hassle at the camp site. These meals are not only delicious and easy to prepare, they are also very easy to clean up. The tin foil contains the mess and allows you to just throw out the trash when finished. So dazzle the whole family this summer with a new menu of delicious meals.
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Hiking - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

What about going on a family hike together and then having easy dinner recipes at the scenic location of your choice? It's just starting to cool off from the heat of the day and it's a great time to get some exercise outdoors. Taking a nice walk to your dinner location will give everyone a good appetite for dinner.

Choose a location that is a good match for the age and fitness level of your family. Drive to a scenic trailhead and hike until you find a great spot to spread out and eat. Even a walk to a local park can be fun. They usually have picnic tables and playground equipment for the little ones to play on. If you're lucky enough to live near the ocean or a lake, take a hike along the water's edge. Walking in sand is great exercise.

What you need:

1) Good hiking shoes for everyone. It's no fun if someone's feet are hurting.

2) Sunscreen - even though it might not be super hot, the sun can still burn.

3) Bug spray - if appropriate for your area.

4) Drinks - plenty of water for everyone and other beverages if you want to carry them.

5) Portable cooler to tote your dinner.

6) Jackets in case it gets cool on the way back.

7) A blanket or beach towels to sit on when you get there.

8) The family dog, leash, poop bags, portable water dish, water and treats.

9) The family, with a spirit for adventure (or as good of attitudes as can be mustered if you have teens).

10) Food! Bring wraps for dinner, trail mix for the road, cookies for dessert, chocolate bars (if they get melty, dip the cookies in them - yum).

Vegetarian Roasted Portobello Wraps

Quick, delicious, and portable. Take these wraps to picnic at the park, ball field or beach.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 Portobello mushrooms, stemmed and thickly sliced
1 Tb Olive oil
1 Tsp Garlic - minced
4 Flour tortillas - burrito size
1 pkg Red pepper hummus - 7 oz
4 Oz Goat cheese, crumbled
1 Romaine hearts, chopped
1/2 Sweet onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Toss sliced portobellos with olive oil and garlic to coat. Arrange on a foil lined, rimmed baking sheet, and bake 15 to 20 minutes until softened. Sprinkle with salt.

Microwave tortillas briefly to soften. Spread each tortilla with hummus; top with mushroom slices, romaine, onion, and goat cheese. Roll up, and serve.

Ham Wraps with Brie and Papaya

Easy to take for lunch, or to eat on the go. Great addition to you lunch time routine!

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 ea Flour tortillas - 8 inch, warmed
4 Tb Honey
8 Oz Brie
12 Ham slices - thin
1 C Papaya, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
1 C Watercress leaves

Instructions

Lay tortillas out on a flat surface and spread 1 tablespoon of honey over the tortilla. Top the honey with 1/4 of the Brie, spreading with a knife. Top Brie with 1/4 of the ham slices, papaya slices and watercress. Make an even line down the middle of each tortilla. Roll up and serve.

Julie Languille Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash [http://www.dinnersinaflash.com]

Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families

For more information Click Here!

Nascar Tailgating - Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas For Family Fun

Everybody loves Nascar racing, it's a great family sport enjoyed by fans of all ages. Why not pack up the family and some easy dinner recipes for tailgating and enjoy some great family time together. Don't forget to wear the colors of your favorite driver. Here are some great tailgating recipe ideas you can use at Nascar, or at a football game or any other party where you have access to a grill. The flavors here are big and bold, but the recipes are easy. Purists might go early and get those deep red rings from low and slow cooking of ribs or brisket. Those are divine, but a lengthy time commitment. Here are some easier recipes that can be finished in a flash. That might help save on beer consumption. Or it might not. (grin)
Bacon and Cheddar Bratwurst
This is a great grilled meal for father's day or a tailgate party where flavors are big and diet is a four letter word. Yummy though!!!
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Bratwursts
1/4 lb Cheddar cheese, sliced in strips
4 Slices of bacon
4 Hot dog buns
Bratwurst condiments - mustard - sauerkraut - minced onion
Instructions
Soak toothpicks in water for 30 minutes.
Preheat BBQ or grill for indirect cooking.
Slice the brats lengthwise but not completely through to make a pocket to hold the cheese. Stuff brats with cheese and wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick.
Grill brats, cheese side up, over indirect heat for 20 minutes until hot throughout and bacon is crisp.
Serve in buns, toasted (optional) with condiments on the side.
Shrimp Kabobs with Pineapple
Easy to put together and so fun and colorful. Great flavor and kids love them.
Serves 4
Ingredients
Cooking spray
Metal or wooden skewers
1 1/4 lb Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/4 C Pineapple - fresh or canned in juice, cubed
1 Red onion -large, cut into 2 inch chunks
2 Tb Hoisin sauce
3/4 C Chicken or vegetable stock - low sodium
1/4 C Dark rum
2 Tsp Cornstarch
Instructions
Soak skewers in water if wooden. Turn on outside grill to medium high heat, and if using a stove top griddle spray with cooking spray and preheat over medium high heat. Prepare skewers by alternating shrimp, pineapple, and onion. After the skewers are assembled brush all sides with hoisin sauce. Place the skewers on the grill or pan and cook about 5 minutes, turning frequently. Shrimp should be bright pink and cooked through. In a small saucepan whisk together the broth, rum and cornstarch. Set the pan over medium high heat and simmer until sauce thickens about 3 minutes. Stir frequently. Drizzle the sauce over the skewers just before serving or put sauce on table for dipping.
Easy Three Bean Salad
Great accompaniment to any meal. Will stay in the refrigerator for up to one week in a tight lidded container.
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 Can Kidney beans - 15 oz, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black beans - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1 Can Chickpeas - 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1/2 C Parsley - fresh, chopped
1/4 C Olive oil
1/4 C Balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and toss. Cover and chill.
Julie Languille
Mom, step-mom, foster mom and adoptive mom and owner of Dinners In A Flash [http://www.dinnersinaflash.com]
Easy Dinner Recipes, Menus and Meal Planning for Busy Families
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7 Cheap Easy Dinners and Recipes

Grocery's are a huge part of most families monthly expenses. In most households the grocery bill is the second highest bill other than the rent or the mortgage. Here are delicious quick easy recipes for a weeks worth of meals for about $50.00. A great way to save more money is to shop grocery sales and cater your meals around them. Save even more by grocery shopping with a list and using coupons.
Monday: American Chop Suey 1 box of pasta $1.00, 1 26.5 oz Can of Hunts tomato sauce in a can $1.00, 1 lb of ground turkey 2.00, 1 8 oz bag of fresh Parmesan cheese 2.50 Boil pasta and drain, cook and drain ground turkey, add tomato sauce and pasta to cooked ground turkey and heat through serve topped lightly with Parmesan cheese. Total Cost $6.50
Tuesday: 6lb bag of Tyson boneless skinless chicken breasts individual packaged approx 24 6 meals cost ($14.00 at BJ's) Costs $2.40 per meal (3 meals for next week) 1 can of cream of chicken soup $1.69, 1 box of bagged brown rice 6 packets in it Cost $.50 (Cost $3.00 you will have bags left over for next week) favorite 1 lb bag of frozen veggies $1.50(you can save move by using can or ripened veggies I just prefer frozen) Place Chicken in a 13x9 pan and cover with cream of chicken soup mixture made to cans directions Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour. Serve chicken over rice with sauce and veggies on the side. Total Cost $6.09
Wednesday: 1 chicken Caesar salad 1 head of your favorite lettuce Costs $2.00, 1 cucumber Cost $.50, 2 tomatoes costs $2.00, 1 bottle of favorite salad dressing Cost $1.50 4 chicken breasts $2.40 1 carrot (salad will make 2 meals) Rip half a head of lettuce leaves in put into 4 individual bowls use 1/2 a cucumber, 1 tomato, shred 1 carrot and place in bowls top each bowl with 1 grilled and sliced chicken breast topped lightly with shredded Parmesan cheese Total Cost $8.40
Thursday: Sloppy Joes 1lb of ground beef Costs $2.50, 1 26.5 oz can of Hunts tomato sauce garlic and onion Costs $1.00, 1 6 or 8 pack of Hamburger rolls $1.89 Cook and drain ground beef add tomato sauce and heat thoroughly serve in hamburger rolls with salad Total Cost $5.39
Friday: 1 1 1/2 -2lb London broil cost $4.00, 1 5lb bag of potatoes Cost $3.00 use 5-7, 1 can of Campbell's mushroom and garlic cream soup cost $1.69, use 8 carrots from lunch. Mix soup as per direction plus 1/4 can of water place beef, quarter potatoes and carrots, pour soup over top of all ingredients in baking pan and bake for 60-90 minutes until beef starts to fall apart. Don't let it dry out cover with foil if needed. Total Cost $8.69
Saturday: 1 1lb canned ham cost $3.00, 5-7 potatoes, 1 1lb bag of frozen broccoli Cost $1.50 (you can save move by using can or ripened veggies I just prefer frozen), 1 can of cream of cheddar soup Cost 1.79, chunk ham and place in baking dish quarter potatoes, add frozen broccoli and top with cheddar soup mixed per instructions on can add a quarter can more water if needed bake at 350 degrees for about an hour until potatoes are soft, lightly sprinkle with any leftover Parmesan cheese. Total Cost $6.29
Sunday: 4 boneless chicken breast Cost $2.40, grilled with barbecue sauce Cost $1.29, 1 zucchini Cost $1.00, 5-7 potatoes, 1 green pepper costs $1.00, 4 ears of fresh corn on the cob Cost $2.00,1 bag of brown rice Cost $.50. Grill veggies and serve over the cooked brown rice with grilled chicken. Total Cost $8.19
I know these days people are trying to make every penny count. Hopefully these recipes will help stretch your dollar. I work at home and this is one way we have cut our grocery bill by just eating simple home cooked food.
Laurie Karras
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Having Weekly Family Dinners

The dinner table can be one of the best places to bring your family together. Eating a nice home cooked meal with your whole family is a wonderful experience, and can bring great discussion, or humor to everyone attending. My family has a wonderful pasta dinner every Sunday night. My mother spends all day preparing her sauce, meatballs, and whatever else it takes to create her masterpiece. After hours of preparing it's finally done. The family gathers at the dinner table and begins the feast. On Sundays we always sit at the dinner table. Your asking, where else would you sit? Well, during the week we have an island counter top which we eat our meals at. The island is simply more convenient, and easy to use for my mother when she's cooking. For our Sunday feast, we always set the dinner table, and sit at the table together to eat our meal.

I look forward to every Sunday for a number of reasons. The main reason being I love to eat, and I love to eat pasta more than anything. We are an Italian family and we all enjoy a fabulous pasta dinner every week. Besides the eating part of our feast, I enjoy joining my family and starting conversation. It's not often you get to sit down with your whole family at once for an extended period of time. Being able to talk to my all my brothers at once is pretty cool. I got three brothers, and having them all there at once can be quite exciting. Asking one brother one thing can lead to a fun conversation, or sometimes a ruthless argument. Overall it's a fun experience and you get to learn a lot about your siblings, and/or parents.

My brothers all attend school, and two of them work full time jobs, theres just no time to spend time with them. Having a weekly dinner is a very exciting aspect of our family. No matter what is happening that week, I know that the upcoming Sunday I will see my whole family whether it's at our dinner table, or simply out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants. Not everyone can make it every Sunday, but that's understandable and we forgive them. Most Sunday's we have the whole family attending, including my grandma, who I feel is the most important person at the dinner table.

My grandma, who we call "nuni" or "nonna" which is Italian for grandmother. Our nonna came over from Italy over 50 years ago on a boat, and has never been the same since. I love talking to her at the dinner table about the old times in the old country. She teaches us some cool things about cooking, and just being Italian in general. Sometimes my nunna will teach us some Italian phrases, or secrets to different things that she's learned over in Italy. I love comparing her different ways to go about doing certain things to the way we do certain things over here in America, it's very interesting.

One of the coolest things I've learned from my grandmother is how to make homemade pasta. My grandmother grew up in a village in Sicily, and was taught to produce her own pasta noodles when it came to their family feasts. Learning how to make my own homemade pasta was easily one of the coolest things I've learned from here. I currently attend the University of New Hampshire for Culinary Arts, and cooking happens to be my passion. Having my grandma around is so awesome, and I learn a lot from her every day. She taught me the basics of using a Pasta Machine, and how to make my own pasta from scratch. After a few hours of preparing our noodles, our product was done. I had produced enough pasta for weeks! We ate the homemade pasta later that night and it was fantastic. May not taste like it was store bought, but it definitely tastes homemade, and delicious.

The moral of the article is to make more people aware of the power of food, whether your preparing it or eating it. Take advantage of your family dinners, who knows how much longer you'll have with them. Whether you sit and enjoy the presence, or strike a conversation with your family members, a family dinner is a great way to gather the family each week.

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One-Dish Dinners Take a Bite Out of Daily Dinner Prep Stress

For many of us, this is the busiest, most hectic, and stressful time of year. Halloween is over, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas are on the horizon. We have gifts to purchase and wrap, parties to host and attend, travel plans, work deadlines, and church activities on top of our normal everyday activities and duties.
In order to make the season enjoyable and reduce the amount of stress that I feel as a mother of two young children, I always look for quick and easy dinner time meals that will taste good and satisfy my family, while keeping my workload to a minimum. One of the best solutions that I have found is to look for recipes that have only a few easy- to-find ingredients, that can be made hours (or days ahead of time.) One dish meals (not necessarily traditional casserole recipes) are easy and have been my saving grace in that they are less complicated to make and serve. Not only is preparation more simplified, but getting a one dish meal from the oven to the table is much easier, as well. A delicious meat and pasta dish served with a lovely green salad is all everyone needs on a busy weeknight.
This pasta pronto, one-dish wonder, that I found in the December 2011 edition of Cuisine at Home is sure to delight children and adults, alike. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so the pasta takes on additional deep rich flavors while the sauce thickens from the starchiness of the pasta. In this type of dish, Cuisine at Home recommends using short-shaped pasta like penne, because they cook more evenly, and starting with a bold-flavored sauce. A richer more flavorful sauce can stand up to the additional liquid that needs to be added to cook the pasta.
One Dish Sausage & Penne Ragu

• 12 oz. bulk Italian sausage
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 cup diced yellow bell pepper
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 2 Tbs. each minced garlic and tomato paste
• 2 tsp. each dried oregano and dried basil
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 cup dry red wine, divided
• 1- 28oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1tsp. sugar
• 1 cup water
• 8 oz. dry penne pasta
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 lb. fresh mozzarella, sliced
• chopped fresh basil

Brown sausage in a large saute pan in oil over medium-high heat, 5 minutes. Add bell pepper and onion, cooking until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, dried basil, and pepper flakes; saute until fragrant, 1 minute.
Deglaze pan with 1/4 cup wine, increase heat to high and cook until liquid nearly evaporates. Stir in tomatoes and sugar, simmer until thickened, 5-8 minutes. Stir in water and remaining 3/4 cup wine, then add pasta. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat broiler with rack 6" from the element.
Divide pasta among 6 individual oven safe dishes, like the Fiestaware 4 1/2" diameter ramekins and arrange on a baking sheet. Top each dish with cheese; broil until cheese is bubbly, 2-3 minutes. Garnish each serving with fresh basil and enjoy!
Sarah is the modern day renaissance woman. Living and teaching in Japan and also fluent in Spanish, Sarah has been exposed to cultures across the globe. She has a degree in Marketing, but most of all, Sarah is a mom to a growing family and uses the kitchen as the central hub of gatherings with family and friends. She's a writer for http://www.myamericankitchen.com and frequently writes a daily blog.
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Freezing Food - Plan B for Easy Dinners

The freezer compartment belongs to the most important accessories of my kitchen. It keeps me a happy housewife. On any given day I have 3 or 4 frozen meals tucked away. When I don't feel like cooking for whatever reason, I take out a meal and dinner is done. I don't remember my mother using frozen food. She never put ready cooked meals into the freezer: This space was dedicated to ice creams. The capacity of my mother's freezer compartment was limited and she had to cook every day. I remember her asking desperately: "What do I cook today? Give me an idea!" If I run out of ideas, I open my freezer and study the contents.

Beware of freezer burn

There are only a few rules to follow when freezing food: One thing to avoid is the so-called freezer burn. When food is not properly wrapped, it looses moisture in the freezer. It can absorb or transfer smells from other frozen foods. It is rather simple to avoid freezer burn: Use special food grade plastic bags with a zip or press seal or containers made for this purpose. When using freezer bags, be sure to remove as much air as possible before closing. When you want to freeze liquids in containers, for example fish stock or pasta sauce, keep some head room for expansion.

Label frozen packages

Write the name of the dish and the date of freezing with permanent marker. Frozen food changes appearance and you might forget what you have stored. One time, I thought I was thawing tomato sauce for pasta, when in fact I had pulled out fish soup - labeling prevents similar mistakes. I try not to keep anything longer than 2 months in my freezer.

Never put anything warm into your freezer. Food to be frozen should have room temperature or - even better - be cooled to fridge temperature. The outer edges of a warm dish will freeze quickly while the inside may not cool in time to avoid spoilage.

Freezing meat:

Sometimes I see a nice piece of fresh meat at the supermarket, but I don't really need it straight away. When I reach home I clean the meat, wrap it tightly into cling film and freeze it.

Mostly I freeze prepared foods like meat balls, chicken nuggets or goulash. I fill meat with sauce into plastic containers. I spread meat balls and other small pieces on a tray and freeze them, until they are hard. Then I place them into freezer bags, squeeze out excess air, label and store them. In this way the items do not stick together. You can take out as many as you need at a time. It is not necessary to thaw these meats before frying or baking them. You can put them straight away from the freezer into the pan or the oven.

Freezing vegetables:

Seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts or asparagus can be frozen after blanching. Clean the vegetables and remove any unwanted stalks and leaves, then cut them into bite size pieces. Without blanching many vegetables lose color and flavor when frozen straight away. To blanch vegetables, boil water in a pot and place a bowl of ice water next to it. Put a handful of vegetables for a couple of minutes into the boiling water, and then transfer them to the ice water. Pat dry, package and freeze them. Most vegetables require around 3 minutes blanching. Brussels sprouts need about 5 minutes.

Freezing herbs:

I stock a variety of rare herbs in my freezer compartment. Frozen herbs are not good for decorating food, but they keep the taste. It is perfectly fine to use frozen herbs in sauces and salad dressings. As always, packaging is most important. I own many small containers for freezing herbs. When I find herbs in the market I take them home and immediately wash them well. After chopping I fill them into containers and stash them in the freezer. Only sage does not need chopping before freezing, because you don't eat the leaves.

The author Kornelia Santoro manages a website called 'Kornelia's Kitchen', http://www.mediterraneancooking.in. This website focuses on Mediterranean cuisine and provides free recipes which are easy and fast to execute. She addresses all the needs of busy mothers and fathers who want to feed their families in a healthy way without spending hours daily in the kitchen.

One section of the website contains information about the nutritional value of ingredients. Articles about freezing food, kitchen design and weight loss without diet help organizing your kitchen for happy cooking experiences. 'Nothing equals home cooking when you want to keep your family healthy', says Kornelia. 'Chemicals in industrial food and bad fatty acids from restaurant fare are largely responsible for widespread overweight today.' She promotes the use of healthy fats like olive and coconut oil and butter. Living in India with a limited supply of ingredients has forced her to experiment with classical Mediterranean recipes. The result are easy, yet delicious dishes with ingredients you find everywhere on the planet.

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Family Dinners After Divorce

Divorce can be such a difficult time for everyone, especially children. It's confusing for children to transition from having easy access to both parents to rarely seeing them in the same place at the same time.
Scheduling family dinners on a regular basis after the separation or divorce can ease the confusion for children. My ex and I did this when we got divorced over 20 years ago and the kids have actually thanked us many times since for making the effort.
We actually started the family dinners as a way to ease the kids (and maybe us) into the separation, but they continued long after we had moved on and into new relationships. Every Thursday, my ex would pick up groceries and come over after work for dinner. Even as the kids got older and more involved socially, they rarely skipped the Thursday family dinners.
The great thing about the family dinners was that they allowed the kids to feel connected as a family even though we were no longer living together. They also diminished the conflict they felt when their dad and I moved into new relationships. They could see that we were okay with the new situation so they felt more comfortable with it. They knew that there was no need for them to guard what they said to each of us because they could see that we were open with each other.
In addition to the weekly family dinners, we also spent holidays, the children's birthdays, and special occasions together (along with our new significant others).
Parental team work is especially important as children move through their teenage years. When our children were teens, their dad and I drew on the good working relationship that we maintained through our family dinners and special occasions. We were able to present a united front for the children and guide them through challenging issues as they arose.
My children are now grown, with families of their own. The interesting thing is that I've recently learned that those family dinners so many years ago were not only good for our children, but made a positive impression on their friends, some of whom are now facing their own divorces. Having seen the family dinner work so well for our family, they want to follow a similar path.
Try it in your family!
Mary A. Wollard, JD, is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator with over 20 years experience in solving the legal issues of divorce, parenting (custody), marital property and support. In addition to helping families through mediation and arbitration, Ms. Wollard provides parenting coordination and decision-making services to families when on-going conflict prevents them from fully implementing their parenting plan after divorce. Visit http://www.cofamilysolutions.com/downloads.htm for free downloadable worksheets you can use to organize your family's transition.
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Foil Dinners - A Camping Meal That's Easy to Make

One of the simplest meals you can make while camping is a foil-wrapped dinner. It has an added bonus of being easy to assemble and to cook, plus everyone can prepare the dinner the way he or she wants it. This makes it a great dinner for getting the kids involved in campfire cooking because they can make up their own packet.

Basically, this meal is kind of like a one-pot dinner, like a pot roast. It's the steam inside the sealed foil packet that really does the cooking, so keep this in mind when you choose your ingredients. Here is our suggested list:

One-quarter pound ground beef patty or boneless chicken breasts

One large onion, peeled and cut in half

One large potato, cut into sections no bigger than an egg

One large carrot, sliced

You can use any kind of meat (or even seafood) that you prefer. Back in our Boy Scout days, we mostly used ground beef. The grease cooking into the potatoes, onion and carrot gave everything a wonderful flavor, even though it might not have been all that great for our arteries.

A healthier choice, which we've made recently, was a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Just be sure to use some seasoning (Old Bay is a good choice) because the chicken won't have the same bold flavor as ground beef.

Ground beef and boneless chicken breasts are pretty forgiving about their cook times, but if you are a bit more attentive a good piece of fish, such as cod, is really delicious steamed in a foil packet. Just be sure not to overcook it.

Foil dinners are just as delicious made without meat. Just sprinkle the veggies with your choice of seasoning to add zing before sealing the foil wrappers.

Use a heavier duty foil for this meal. (Lacking that, we recommend double wrapping your foil dinners.) Use a piece about 18-inches long. Put in the meat, sliced potatoes, carrots and onion. Add a little water to help generate steam. Don't forget the salt and pepper. Now fold over the foil and seal tightly. You don't want the steam to escape or any ashes to get in.

For this foil dinner, you want nice hot coals, not roaring flames, so allow the fire to die down. Using a stick or better yet a camp shovel, make a depression in the coals and lay in the foil packet. You can then shovel or nudge more coals on top for an even heat. Allow a good half hour for cooking. It's not really necessary to flip your foil packet as long as it has good, even exposure to the coals.

Remove from the fire and unwrap to test for doneness. (Don't lean in too close because the steam can be wicked hot right from the packet.) You can always seal it up again and replace on the coals, but thirty minutes should be sufficient.

Now, sit back and enjoy your dinner. The second best part, after eating, is that there are no dishes to wash. Just crumple up your packet and throw it away.

Ian Fitzell is the editor of Camping Sky, a blog dedicated to upscale family camping.

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Easy and Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

It is customary to have a dinner for your bridal party and immediate family following the wedding rehearsal. While sometimes rehearsal dinners are as lavish as the wedding reception, they definitely don't have to be a big production. Check out these easy and affordable rehearsal dinner ideas.
There is a lot of wedding advice out there on how to save money on your reception, but less attention is paid to the rehearsal dinner. The great news is that you really can have a very affordable party that everyone will enjoy. Start by choosing your location. The best ones are free. You could reserve a pavilion in a local park, have it in your parents' backyard, or use a private room in a family style restaurant. There is no need to spend extra money for a party site that charges a room rental fee.
Then there is the food to consider. You truly do not need to have fancy food at your pre-wedding dinner. There are really two main reasons why people have rehearsal dinners. The first is to show hospitality to your wedding party and out-of-town guests, and the second is to allow the bride and groom's sides of the family to get to know one another a little bit. A casual gathering will definitely serve these purposes. You could have a cook out in the park, get barbeque from a local place, have a pasta buffet, or even just order pizzas. As long as you have plenty to eat and drink, everyone will be happy.
Another way to make your pre-wedding dinner easy and affordable is to choose inexpensive decorations. You really do not need to hire a florist to create grand centerpieces, rent custom table linens, or anything of the sort. A simple way to make the dinner tables pretty is with potted flowering plants. Stick with whatever is in season to keep the cost low. Flowers like potted geraniums, pansies, or mums are perfect. You can pop them in baskets or cover them with pretty fabric to hide the plastic pots they come in. For about $5 a table, you will have great colorful centerpieces. As for the tablecloths, if you are having the dinner at a restaurant, just use whatever they provide. No one will give it a second thought.
People get so crazy about weddings sometimes that they forget that it is not necessary to go overboard with entertainment and "wow" moments. This helpful wedding advice definitely pertains to the rehearsal dinner as well. Think of it like a big family holiday dinner, only with more people. You wouldn't feel like you had to hire a band for Thanksgiving, would you? The same applies to your pre-wedding party. The entertainment is conversation and eating, just like at Thanksgiving. People will have plenty to talk about, especially with a wedding coming up the next day. You provide the food and drinks, and let the rest take care of itself.
A laid back rehearsal dinner is the perfect way to set the stage for your ceremony and reception the next day. Your families will have more fun at the wedding after getting to know one another a little the night before. So go ahead and plan a rehearsal dinner that is easy and inexpensive. You will have plenty of time to torture yourself and spend a fortune over planning the wedding itself!
Laura is interested in wedding advice [http://greatweddingplanningideas.com/expertadvice.html] and planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Visit us today at Silverland Jewelry for the most beautiful selection of wedding jewelry you will find anywhere.
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Stocking the Kitchen For Convenient and Healthy Family Meals

A well-stocked kitchen can make the decision between cooking a healthy meal at home or running out for fast food or take-out. Here are some staples for the pantry that should always be on the grocery list and in your kitchen, so preparing snacks and planning meals is simple and convenient.
For the Refrigerator
Pre-cooked chicken and meats - already grilled or steamed. Ready to add to pasta, salads, stews, stir frys, and fajitas.
Pre-cut vegetables and fruits - found in the fresh produce section of supermarket. Veggies are perfect for stir frys and pastas. Fruits are ready for snacking, salads or smoothies.
Shredded cheeses - found in the cheese or deli section of supermarket. Great way to save time when making your favorite Italian and Mexican dishes.
Fresh dips and salsas - found in cheese and meat sections of supermarket. Can spice up sandwiches, raw vegetables, crackers, pasta, and baked potatoes. Store in freezer or refrigerator for last minute get-togethers, meals and snacks.
Pizza and bread dough - found in the freezer or refrigerator section of supermarket. Let each family member create their own meal with lots of healthy topping options.
Dairy Products
Choose pasteurized, whole milk and dairy products for those under 5 years old. Some pediatricians say to cut back on whole milk products as young as 3 years old, and introduce low and skim milk options. Be sure to check dates on packages to be sure you're getting the freshest and longest lasting.
Yogurt - particularly plain yogurt which you can add your own fruit and purees. For those under one year, be sure the yogurt is made from whole milk and active cultures. Soy yogurt is an option for those who are lactose intolerant. Plain yogurt is also a good base for salad dressings, smoothies, sauces and a healthy alternative to sour cream for topping baked potatoes, and Mexican foods.
Milk - you may have a few different types of milk (whole, low fat and non-fat) for family members based on age and diet. Soy and rice milk are also good alternatives, especially for those with allergies and lactose intolerance. Have on hand for drinking, making smoothies and baking.
Cheeses - soft cream cheese makes great dips and spreads for all ages. Adding calcium to your family's diet is as easy as sprinkling fresh parmesan over pastas and vegetables. Cheddar cheese is always welcome for sandwiches and homemade macaroni and cheese. Cottage, ricotta and goat cheeses can be part of a healthy meal or snack. Pre-shredded and grated cheeses are very convenient for Italian and Mexican favorites.
Eggs - eggs can make all kinds of quick meals by themselves - omelets, egg salad, frittatas and quiches. Some kids think "breakfast for dinner" is a fun family meal. Choose cage free and organic for the least exposure to harmful bacteria.
For the Freezer
Fresh is usually best for taste and nutrients, however frozen can be convenient stand-by. Frozen items such as peas and blueberries make convenient finger foods for older babies and toddlers. Frozen poultry, meats and fish will create all kinds of meals.
Don't forget to use the freezer for left-overs and storage to create your own convenient "frozen dinners". Your baby's purees, as well as sauces and broths store beautifully in ice cube trays and zip top bags.
For the Pantry
Dried Foods
Bread, grains and pastas are good sources of carbohydrates that can be the basis for a quick and healthy meal. Some dried beans and legumes require more cooking time and preparation but are economical and healthy.
Pasta - this can be any shape or size, so you're ready to make spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, udon, and soups. Best choices are egg-less noodles for those under 12 months and wheat semolina for those over 12 months.
Dried Grains - these include couscous, quinoa, polenta and risotto. These make good side dishes to meats and fish dishes as well as appropriate main dish with steamed vegetables or stews. A good staple for Indian and Mediterranean dishes.
Beans and legumes - these include lentils, red kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, and white beans. You're prepared for healthy dips such as hummus and black bean, as well as side dishes, soups and salads.
Breads - including pita, multi-grain, lavosh, bagels, and tortillas. Different breads allow for various stuffings. Create healthy pizzas, burritos, wraps, sandwiches and more.
Rice - infant rice for first meals and to mix in with vegetable and fruit purees. Brown rice makes a good and healthy companion for Asian stir fry, and Mexican dishes.
Dried fruits - these are great healthy snacks alone, as well as good mix-ins for yogurt, granola, oatmeal, and cottage cheese.
Breakfast cereals - these include muesli, granola, low sugar cereals, oat bran, wheat germ, and oatmeal. It's also easy to make your own cereal mix by simply combining your favorite grains such as rolled oats, toasted wheat germ, and oat bran with dried fruit.
Canned and Jarred Foods
Some canned foods are high in fat, sodium and sugar, but many are also high in nutritional value. Check the labels to identify those with the least additives. These include: light tuna in water, organic natural nut butters, all-fruit spread, beans, and tomatoes. Be sure to thoroughly rinse canned beans and vegetables to eliminate extra sodium and oils. Remember low sodium broths and stocks for poaching and boiling meats and vegetables, as well as creating your own soups.
Condiments and Spices
A good supply of bottled sauces, condiments, oils, herbs and spices will allow for lots of creativity. Ingredients such as naturally brewed soy sauce, mustards, ketchup, salad dressings, tomato paste, and Worcheshire give flavor to many dishes as well as create many dips and sandwich spread options.
Use healthy oils such as olive and canola for cooking and baking as well as preparing dressings and marinades. Vinegars such as balsamic are also a good way to add flavor. Remember to refrigerate after opening.
Herbs and spices are best when fresh, but even dried can wake-up a boring food. If possible buy whole herbs and grind them yourself (a clean coffee grinder works well) for maximum flavor.
Lisa Barnes is the owner of Petit Appetit, a cooking service devoted to the health and nutrition of infants and toddlers. She is the author of the iParenting award winning cookbooks, Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink and Be Merry and The Petit Appetit Cookbook and teaches cooking classes to parents in Northern California, who want to provide fresh, healthy, organic foods to their family. For information and to sign up for a free newsletter
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Easy to Eat Dinners For Casual Outdoor Picnics

Dinners for picnics can be more interesting than just the standard sandwiches or fried chicken. Picnics are a great way to enjoy nature with your family and friends. When was the last time you went on a picnic? It can be very relaxing to get outdoors and have a meal in a natural setting. We spend so much time indoors it's a nice change to enjoy the fresh air and great food makes it even more enjoyable! Surprise your picnic companions with these dinner recipes that are perfect for the picnic as well as delicious! They are easy to prepare and make enough to serve six to eight people.

Breaded Picnic Chicken

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
2 c. cheese-flavored croutons, finely crushed
(you can substitute 2 c. cheese-flavored crackers)
2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. salt
1 c. margarine or butter, melted

1 large greased pan or casserole dish

Pre-heat oven to 400F.
Wash and pat dry the 8 chicken halves.
Mix together the croutons, salt and oregano.
Place melted butter in a bowl.
Dip the chicken halves in the melted margarine, then dip into crumb mixture.
Next place the chicken in the greased pan or casserole dish.
Bake uncovered at 400F for about 25 minutes.

Hint: You can use your food processor to finely crush the croutons.

Now you have eight servings of your entree, just add a salad and you are good to go! Yum!

Here is another great recipe, a little different but super easy to prepare and quite tasty too!

Easy Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

2 medium onion, chopped
2 Lbs ground beef
2 cans baked beans
4 strips of smoked bacon

Directions:

Brown beef and onions in a skillet.
When cooked pour into a lightly greased casserole dish
Add the cans of beans
Cover with the bacon strips
Bake at 425 degrees F. for about 45 minutes

These recipes are easy to transport in a covered casserole dish. You can even pack them up for individual servings in small containers making it easy to pass around to everyone. Your picnic crew can now eat the main course right out of their own container! Just make a nice fruit salad to go with these entrees and you've got a filling picnic dinner.

Try something different on your next picnic with these unique foods. When you are planning a picnic don't forget your picnic basket, tablecloth and supplies like forks, spoons, can opener and napkins. A cooler full of drinks is a must! Have fun!

When planning a picnic don't forget your supplies of tablecloths and picnic baskets and for helpful hints and a super quick fruit salad recipe check out this link Picnic Tablecloths etc

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The Importance and Benefits of Family Dinners

Of all the meals in a day, perhaps dinner is the only time most modern families can really eat together. Everyone's rushing in the morning so the family members won't have time to even chat for a bit over breakfast. How about during lunchtime? Well, for practical reasons, most, if not all, members have their midday meal at work or at school. So that leaves dinner or supper as the only mealtime that would have mom, dad, and kids at the table all at the same time (assuming that either parent isn't doing overtime work or the kids are not out with their friends).
Since dinnertime is the only time of the day when all of you reconnect as a family, make every effort to eat dinner together every single day. There are multiple benefits your family can get by doing this. Here are just a few of them:
Quality time together - After spending the day working or studying and doing other everyday things, the best time to get a break from it all is in the evening. Spending time together at home is the most practical way you can bond as a family, not to mention that it's also the safest since you're right in your own abode. Whatever everyone is doing, make sure they drop it once dinner is served so everyone's present at the table.
Healthier food - We have to admit that oftentimes, when we're rushing, we usually just grab the nearest available food in the fridge or at drive-throughs, and much of this stuff is unhealthy. By cooking for dinner, you can choose the freshest and healthiest ingredients so you can prepare nutritious food for the family. Go for healthy recipes that make use of nutritious ingredients instead of processed stuff.
Lower stress levels - Being out all day means experiencing fatigue at different levels. The stress brought about by work can certainly be debilitating. Because of this, many would just turn on the TV or lie in bed when they get home. No one's stopping you from doing this. However, don't forget that you're not alone in your house. You can't just sleep or TV-view away stress knowing that you have a family waiting to be reconnected to. When you have dinner together, especially if you decide to prepare food as a family, you can exchange stories and how your day went, which can easily lower or even get rid of your stress.
These are just some of the many benefits you can gain by having dinner together as a family. Make sure you'll find ways to make it happen daily.
Cook healthy dinner for your family by getting healthy recipes on FoodPlus site.
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Easy and Delicious Seafood Dinners Start With Salmon

Some people may not give canned foods enough credit, but that's probably because they have never tried red Alaska canned salmon. With the health benefits of fish becoming more prominent in various diets, heart healthy and weight loss plans, everyone is trying to get more seafood into their meals. The catch, however, can be making the time and effort to get to the market to get your hands on fresh fish each and every day. For the majority of us who have other jobs, commitments, appointments and families, sometimes tried and true pre-prepared canned food just has to do. Never fear, for now with red Alaska canned salmon on your side, a new world of fast and easy, heart-healthy seafood recipes will open up to you.

Fresh wild seafood from Alaska cannot be beat for taste, but the difference can be tasted even in canned seafood that comes from Alaska. Known for its great flavor and versatility, salmon is also a source of high-qualify protein, and important vitamins and minerals. As a great source of those hard to find Omega 3 fatty acids, salmon is at the top of every nutritionists hot foods list. This boost in Omega 3 fatty acids is due to being a wild caught, cold water variety of fish, like those that come from Alaska's icy waters. With low calories and low levels of saturated fat, take the challenge of getting kids to eat balanced meals full of protein, vitamins and minerals off the table. Everyone asks for seconds when it's salmon on the menu.

When choosing red Alaska canned salmon, keep in mind the flavor will be deeper, lending itself as an excellent accompaniment to salads, sandwiches, or eating straight from the can! For soups, casseroles and patties, it's fine to go with the more economical lighter colored canned salmon varieties. To make delicious red Alaska canned salmon dishes that will feed the whole family, try adding salmon to favorite dishes like salmon spinach dip, salmon pasta salad, or Alaska salmon chowder. Use salmon as a stuffer for starches like potatoes, or as a delicious grilled topper with pasta or steak dishes. Don't be afraid to get a little wild with Asian salmon noodles or salmon tacos, and watch your family thank you for the effort. Instead of the same old same old for dinner, make a delicious, nutritious, and totally unexpected red Alaska canned salmon meal tonight!

Looking for wonderful Alaskan Seafood recipes? Check out great meals to make for your family from ASMI, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

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