Category Archives: Family Dinner

Surprise!  The Kids Can Cook!

The other day I came downstairs a little late to find Mia (7) had fried her brother an egg and arranged it on a plate with some fresh blueberries and dried cranberries (his favorite).  Her unappreciative brother was mad because he wanted to fry it himself!  My best friend thinks all kids under the age of 12 should at least be able to make a grilled cheese:)
Tonight:  Teach the kids to use chopsticks!

CHICKEN STIR-FRY:   Make sure pan is hot!

1. Drop some vegetable oil in the pan and cook 1/2 an onion for 5 minutes.  Add the (4-6) cut-up chicken breasts and a little soy sauce until cooked through and then set aside.   Stir-fry fresh (or frozen) vegetables (whatever you have, I like broccoli, red pepper, baby carrots, baby corn, asparagus, water chestnuts) for a few minutes.
2. Stir in Special Sauce:  Use any of the  ‘House of Tsang’ Stir-Fry Sauces or make your own:  Combine 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 4 TBS of soy sauce, 2 TBS of cornstarch, and 2 tsp of brown sugar,
   sprinkle garlic and ginger powder to taste.  Cover veggies to cook through.
3. Add chicken and stir together.
   If you made the sauce from scratch, you should clear a space and pour the sauce into the center of the pan first to let it get thick before you mix it all together.  You also need a final hit of soy sauce before serving.

Rice:  Cook brown or white rice (10 mins.)

Edamame:  Microwave frozen edamame in a bowl with a little water and sea salt for 2 minutes.  Drain and serve.

What can the kids help with?

• My daughter made up a game to point out which broccoli spears needed to be cut.  She pointed and called out “long-neck!” and I cut that piece of broccoli
• Measure and whisk the stir-fry sauce and pour it in the pan
• Learn how to use can opener to open the baby corn/water chestnuts
• Measure water and help cook the rice
• Set/clear the table
• Chinese Coloring Pages:  http://www.childbook.com/Chinese-New-Year-Greetings-Coloring-Pages-Pictures-s/212.htm

Did you know?

• Chinese chopsticks are usually made of unfinished wood and are 1 1/2 inches longer than Japanese chopsticks which are usually made of lacquered wood (or bamboo)
• People in China were the first to drink tea
• There are nearly 3 x’s the number of chinese restaurants than there are McDonalds franchises

How ’bout Brussel Sprouts?
Mia (7) and I were in the grocery store yesterday and I asked her what we should serve with our pork roast.  She said “hmmm….how about brussels sprouts?”.  The man working in Produce turned around in amazement and said “Did she just say what I think she said?!!”.

1. CHICKEN:    Dip thin chicken cutlets in egg, then dip in Progresso ‘Italian’ breadcrumbs.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with oil (I used PAM, organic ‘olive oil’).  Place chicken on tray and spray again with PAM or EVOO.  Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
   I had some leftover sauce in the freezer so I sprinkled some shredded mozzarella on the chicken and topped it with the sauce (or as I call it, gravy).  Baked for another 5 minutes until melted.
   
2. PASTA/QUICK SAUCE:   Make sure you salt your water generously before it comes to a boil.  I will post my real Sunday Gravy recipe separately however, here is my mother’s secret quick sauce when in a hurry (don’t tell).  Heat a drop of EVOO and some fresh garlic in a pot and cook for a minute or two.  Add a jar of sauce (yes I said a jar).  My mom loved CENTO, but RAO’s and L.E. Roselli’s (less expensive) are the best.  Add some fresh basil (or in a tube) and some pepper and ta dah!  Almost home-made sauce!
3. SALAD:  I had Romaine in a bag and sliced some leftover red pepper and carrot for color.  I added some fresh-cut fennel but this is pretty strong for kids.
   
   NOTE:  I was finishing dinner and looked over and saw Mia grating carrots over the salad “Look Mom!  I shredded carrots to make the salad look so pretty!”

 

HOW CAN THE KIDS HELP?  Think about how your little ones can help with each meal:
*   Crack and whisk the eggs
*   Pour the breadcrumbs
*   Spray the Oil
*   Make the salad
*   As always, set the table and get the drinks

Shut Up and Eat It!

Once I took on the attitude of “shut up and eat” (in a figurative way of course), my kids quickly understood that the conversation was over.  If you maintain this stance however, it is your responsibility to cook a healthy meal with simple flavors that your children can enjoy.  You can’t make chicken fingers every day and decide one day make “Curried Lamb” and expect your kids to gobble it up.  Start your flavors and textures slowly, and gradually introduce them into a variety of choices.  If you keep this up, I guarantee your children will not only try the food, but will enjoy it too.  Oh shut up – I promise.

This recipe has simple flavors and is simple to make – perfect for the kids!  This is a great dish to start your transition to the family dinner.

• CHICKEN:  Salt/pepper chicken cutlets and toss them lightly with flour (try a ziploc bag).  Heat a drop of EVOO and cook chicken in pan until golden brown but not cooked all the way through.  Flip and cook the other side.  Place chicken on a plate.  Heat 1/2 cup chicken broth and juice from 1/2 lemon (in same chicken pan) for 3-4 minutes until it gets a little thick.  Add a splash of white wine and capers if you like.  Put chicken back in pan and simmer until cooked through for about 5-8 more minutes.  I like to flip the chicken over to coat both sides with the sauce. 
• CARROTS:   I like the carrots on the stem.  Just scrape and boil until tender.  Add a little butter, salt and drop of orange juice or honey.
• PASTA:  Cook 1/2 pound of pasta (I used orchiette) according to directions.  Mix 2 TBS of EV olive oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, basil (fresh or keep a tube on hand in fridge), and sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Add salt/pepper, pour on top of pasta and stir.
  
  
• RAW SALAD:  Cut up whatever you have!  Tonight I mixed a yellow/red pepper, cucumber, grape tomatoes and mixed with 1 TBS of EV olive oil and salt/pepper and a splash of vinegar.  I like to use rice vinegar AND red wine vinegar for a sweet and sour taste but use balsamic if you prefer.
• How the kids Can Help
  1. Ask the kids to shake the chicken in the Ziploc bag.  Teach them about the dangers of raw meat and to always wash their hands.
  2. Teach them how to use a peeler if they are old enough.  Watch out for your fingers!
  3. Kids love to test the pasta to see if it’s cooked “needs one more minute!”.
  4. Have your child press the lemon on the counter to release the juices before you cut and squeeze it.
  5. Let them do a taste test – “needs more cheese….”.
• Did You Know?
  1. Lemon-juice is a powerful antibacterial –the bacteria of malaria, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases are destroyed in lemon-juice.
  2. Lemon can help cleanse your body – drink with a drop of honey on an empty stomach.  Lemon has been used to destroy intestinal worms!
  3. Lemons assist mountaineers with their lack of oxygen and breathing.  Edmund Hillary, the first man to put his foot on the top of Mt. Everest, has admitted that his victory over Mt. Everest was greatly due to lemon.