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Spice Up Your Cooking With 5 Homemade Spice Blends

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June 6, 2024

Spice Up Your Cooking With 5 Homemade Spice Blends

Cooking is not just about the proper techniques and ingredients—using different spices and seasonings can open up a whole new world of flavor. Here, we are going over the five most popular spice blends and how you can easily make them at home. Doing so will save you money and is a great way to be able to customize your spice preference. Now, let’s get blending!

Classic Italian Seasoning:

Dried Spices Needed

Basil

Thyme

Rosemary

Oregano

Marjoram

In an airtight container, combine all the seasonings in equal parts and mix well. You can use this spice blend for pasta and pizza sauces, sauteed or grilled chicken, and roasted veggies. Italian seasoning can be used in many dishes and gives a savory flair to all your Italian-inspired meals with a herby savory blend.

Smokey BBQ:

Dried Spices Needed

Smoked Paprika

Brown Sugar

Chili Powder

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Cumin

Salt

Pepper

Mix together two parts of brown sugar and smoked paprika with one part of each other ingredient. This makes a super yummy rub that can be used on all BBQ meats. Ribs, chicken, wings, brisket, pork, you name it—this rub flavors all your favorite BBQ.

Garam Masala:

Dried Spices Needed

Ground Cumin

Ground Coriander

Ground Cinnamon

Ground Cloves

Ground Nutmeg

Black Pepper

Blend two parts of cumin and coriander with one part of each of the other spices. This is essential when cooking Indian cuisine, curries, and dishes that contain lentils. Make this spice mix your own by playing with flavors and adding more or less of the things you love!

Tasty Taco Seasoning:

Dried Spices Needed

Chili Powder

Ground Cumin

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Mexican Oregano

Salt

Pepper

This taco seasoning blend is perfect for all Mexican dishes. Season your taco meat, fajitas, and even enchiladas or taco soups! This blend requires you to mix two parts chili powder with ground cumin and one part of the other dried spices. Unlike the store-bought packets, you can control the salt levels, which is excellent for your sodium intake.

Herbes De Provence:

Dried Spices Needed

Thyme

Rosemary

Savory

Marjoram

Basil

Lavender

Combine equal parts of each spice and mix until fully incorporated together. This goes amazingly well in all French dishes and is perfect for poultry and vegetables. You can omit the lavender if you do not prefer a floral flavor in your cooking.

Wrapping Up The 5 Best Homemade Spice Blends You Can Make At Home

These are the top five spice blends you can mix up in your kitchen to keep your foods full of flavor and change up the cuisine—no more bland, boring dinners! You can even use these spice blends as gifts or party favors for weddings or showers!

Homemade Ice Cream: Unique Flavors And Professional Tips

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June 6, 2024

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Homemade Ice Cream: Unique Flavors And Professional Tips

With a specific kitchen gadget currently all the rage, people have been asking how they can create homemade ice cream without breaking the bank. Granted, you will need some sort of ice cream maker to make the creamy base, but you can score some cheaper alternatives! Here are all the tips and tricks for the best creamy ice cream with the most mouthwatering and craving-satisfying flavors.

Building The Base:

Whatever ice cream maker/machine you have, here are the building blocks to the perfect creamy ice cream.

Ingredients

2 Cups Heavy Cream

1 Cup Whole Milk

¾ Cup Fine Granulated Sugar

5 Egg Yolks

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Slat

Instructions:

Begin by bringing the heavy cream, milk, half of the sugar, and vanilla to a slight simmer. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Remove from the heat, then whisk together the egg yolks, remaining sugar, and salt in a separate bowl.

Temper the egg mixture with the cream mixture. Do this by slowly adding the cream mixture to the egg mixture while constantly stirring to help prevent the eggs from cooking and scrambling. If this does happen, you will need to start again.

Once tempered, you will be left with a smooth yet loose sweet custard. Pour the custard back into a small saucepan and heat until thickened, which takes 5 to 10 minutes. Once thickened, strain through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and chill for 2 hours or overnight.

Lastly, add your custard to the ice cream machine/maker—here is when you can add some yummy flavors!

Pretzel and Peanutbutter

This is the perfect sweet and salty combination. Before adding your base to your ice cream machine, drizzle some peanut butter into the chilled custard and add 1 cup of crushed pretzels. When serving, top with some decadent chocolate sauce and a few more pretzels to finish.

Marshmallow and Chocolate Chips

If you’re a smores lover, you’ll love this flavor combination. Add ½ cups of mini chocolate chips and ½ cups of mini marshmallows to the chilled custard. Once churned, add some crushed graham crackers, and enjoy!

Honey and Blueberry

Fruity yet sweet, this combination may seem a little strange, but it is absolutely delicious! I prefer using fresh blueberries, but you could always opt for frozen. Add ¼ cup of honey and ½ cup of blueberries to the chilled custard and churn. Once finished, top with even more blueberries, honey, and a handful of honey almond granola.

Wrapping Up Homemade Ice Cream Tips, Tricks, And Unique Flavors

Making ice cream from scratch is a more challenging dessert to master, but by using the proper techniques and practicing patience, you’ll be a pro in no time mixing up your very own flavors!

Guilt-Free Desserts: Healthy Treats For Healthy Living

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June 6, 2024

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Guilt-Free Desserts: Healthy Treats For Healthy Living

Just because you’re on a health kick and trying to feed your body with healthy and nutritious meals doesn’t mean you have to skip out on tasty treats. Here are four desserts that are a perfect fit for your new healthy living lifestyle.

Greek Yogurt And Berry Parfait

Perfect for any time of the day, this greek yogurt and berry parfait is the perfect blend of sweet and savory wrapped into one.

Ingredients

Honey Greek Yogurt

Blueberries

Strawberries

Honey Almond Granola

Honey

Using tall containers or glass mason jars, layer the yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, and honey almond granola. Follow that pattern until the jar or container is filled to the top, and enjoy this sweet yet protein-packed dessert!

Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse

This may sound like a strange combination, but don’t knock it till you try it! Avocados are packed with healthy fats that benefit our health in multiple ways, making this chocolate mousse incredibly luscious and delicious.

Ingredients

Ripe Avocados

Dark Chocolate Chips

Cocoa Powder

Honey

Blend the ripened avocados with melted dark chocolate chips until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and honey and blend until combined. This mousse is super tasty, filled with antioxidants, and has much less sugar than the traditional dessert.

No Bake Energy Bars

These energy bars are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making them an amazing pick-me-up and a sweet treat to smash that chocolatey sweet craving.

Ingredients

Rolled Oats

Almond Butter or Peanut Butter

Honey

Mixed Nuts

Chia Seeds

Flax Seeds

Mini Chocolate Chips

Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Once the mixture is thoroughly blended, form into bars onto a parchment paper or silicone mat lined baking sheet and leave them in the fridge to firm up and keep their shape. From there, you can pack them as a snack or enjoy them anywhere you want a sweet treat.

Banana Oat Cookies

These cookies are blended with all whole foods to give you all the nutritious benefits while still tasting delicious. With much fewer calories and sugar than a traditional cookie, these make you feel like you’re eating a conventional baked dessert while being sneakily healthy.

Ingredients

Banana

Rolled Oats

Egg

Milk

Vanilla

Salt

Cinnamon

Baking Powder

Honey

Dark Chocolate Chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the mashed bananas, milk, eggs, salt, vanilla, and honey in a bowl. Combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and dark chocolate chips in a separate bowl. Combine the wet and dry mixers, scoop onto a lined cookie sheet, and bake until golden.

Wrapping Up Guilt-Free Desserts

Just because you’re trying to cut out some unnecessary sugar or just started eating a bit of a healthier diet doesn’t mean you have to ditch your favorite sweets. With some easy switches and sugar alternatives, you’ll have amazing desserts everyone can enjoy.

Fuel Your Day: Healthy Snacking Options For Work

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June 6, 2024

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Fuel Your Day: Healthy Snacking Options For Work

Snacking at work can be a downfall to any diet. Dieting is not just about weight loss but about maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet. But with quick snacks available from vending machines and gas stations, sometimes it’s challenging to stay on track.

Here are a few grab-and-go options and some homemade work snacks to help you achieve your health goals!

Grab and Go Snacks

There are tons of healthy options now at grocery stores that are the perfect work snacks. No matter where you shop, you can find snack packs and other individualized options.

Prepackaged dried fruit and nut mixes, fresh veggies and dip, and granola bars are all satiating snacks that keep you going!

Homemade Snacks:

Protein Balls

These protein balls taste like your favorite candy bars rolled into one, but they’re packed with protein to keep you feeling full.

Ingredients

1 Cup Rolled Oats

½ Cup Peanut Butter

¼ Cup Honey

¼ Cup Protein Powder

¼ Cup Shredded Coconut

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and roll into inch-sized balls. Chill on parchment paper in the fridge and keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are packed with good-for-you fiber and will keep you full until lunchtime.

Ingredients

½ Cup Rolled Oats

½ Cup Milk

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

½ Teaspoon Vanilla

Pinch Salt

Place all the ingredients in a container with an airtight lid and whisk until thoroughly combined. Close the lid and let sit overnight. Top with fresh berries, nuts, or your favorite nut butter!

Homemade Protein Bars

1 ½ Cups Rolled Oats

1 Cup Protein Powder

½ Cup Nut Butter (Almond or Peanut)

¼ Cup Honey

¼ Cup Almond Milk

¼ Cup Mini Dark Chocolate Chips, Dried Fruits, or Nuts

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Pinch Salt

Combine the oats and protein powder in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and set aside. In a microwave-safe dish, add the nut butter and honey and heat until you can stir. Then add the milk and vanilla and stir until incorporated.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until both are combined and spread into a lined 8×8 baking dish. Top with the chocolate, fruit, or nuts and set in the fridge to cool. Once firm, cut into bars and enjoy!

Crunchy Snacking Options:

Roasted Chickpeas

Skip the chips and grab some of these tasty chickpeas! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse and drain a 15oz can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and dry thoroughly.

Line a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and toss the chickpeas onto the pan. Drizzle olive oil over everything and sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and a touch of cayenne for heat.

Bake until crunchy, 20-30 minutes.

Wrapping Up Healthy Work Snack Ideas

There are tons of healthy snacking options available for you to bring to work. Whether you’re working a labor-intensive job or a desk job, all of the above snacks offer a natural energy boost to keep you going until you’re ready to clock out!

Edible Gifts: The Perfect Treats For Friends And Family

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June 5, 2024

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Edible Gifts: The Perfect Treats For Friends And Family

When it comes to finding the perfect gift, edible options are a surefire way to please. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift, something for the person who has everything, or a thoughtful housewarming gesture, homemade treats are always a popular choice. From spring to winter, we’ve got you covered with our top five most wanted edible gifts.

Cookies Or Brownies

Universally loved, giving the gift of freshly baked cookies or brownies is something no human can turn away. Some popular cookies you can bake are chocolate chip, sugar, and snickerdoodle. Of course, if you’re not a baker, you can opt for some pre-packaged cookie dough or boxed brownies—don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Hot Chocolate Mixes

Homemade hot chocolate mixes are so simple and perfect for the colder months. They make the perfect holiday gifts or chilly-weather birthday gifts! These mixes can be customizable and can use dairy-free powdered milk and optional peppermint stick flavorings.

Use a textured mason jar with a sealable lid and layer the ingredients inside. Create a tag with instructions to tie around the neck of the jar, and even add a sprig of holly or a birthday candle!

Honey Roasted Nuts

Who doesn’t love a honey-roasted snack? All you need to do is pick up some unsalted pecans, walnuts, or almonds in the baking section of the grocery store, toss with honey, salt, cinnamon, and sugar, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Package in a nice glass container or cellophane wrapper and tie with ribbon or a bow. Either way, your house will smell fantastic, and your gift will surely be a huge hit!

Jams And Preserves

Jams and preserves are one of those gifts that are amazing to receive because you know just how much work goes into the preparation. Truly a labor of love, making personalized jam jars is a sure way to get some impressive compliments!

The most popular are strawberry jam, raspberry preserves, and peach chutney. Place them in decorative containers or mason jars topped with bits of fabric and tied with twine for a rustic yet beautiful look. Add a tag with the ingredients used and a recipe for using the jam if desired.

Milk Chocolate Bark

Chocolate is a worldwide favorite when it comes to delicious treats, and this milk chocolate bark is super to impress even the biggest chocolate lovers. The great news is you don’t need to be a professional chocolatier to make this recipe either!

Start with 16 ounces of chopped milk chocolate and microwave for 30-second intervals until fully melted and smooth. Pour the milk chocolate onto a silicone-lined baking sheet and tilt the pan to ensure a smooth, even layer.

This is where the fun comes in. Now, you can top this chocolate with anything your heart desires! For the holidays, add some crushed peppermint sticks for birthdays, sprinkle on some of your most colorful sprinkles, fruit and nut lovers, and add some roasted pecans with dried cherries. The options are deliciously endless.

Package in decorative tins, separating the layers with parchment paper. For even more charm, you can include a handwritten letter.

Wrapping Up The Top 5 Edible Gifts

You don’t have to spend much money on gifts to make it memorable. Homemade edible gifts are meaningful, and you don’t have to break the bank to purchase them.

Deliciously Healthy Smoothie Bowl Breakfast Recipes

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June 5, 2024

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Deliciously Healthy Smoothie Bowl Breakfast Recipes

Looking for a different kind of breakfast than plain ol’ eggs and toast? If you love fruit smoothies, you must try smoothie bowls. These bowls are completely customizable and packed with nutrition, which is the best way to start your day!

What Is A Smoothie Bowl?

A smoothie bowl is a mix-match of blended fruits similar to a smoothie but with a thicker consistency. It is eaten in a bowl instead of drank through a straw. Because of the density of the smoothie bowl, you can top it with nutritious toppings such as nuts, seeds, nut butter, fruit, coconut, granola, or any other healthy add-ons!

Very Berry:

Ingredients

1 Frozen Banana

1 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries

½ Cup Almond Milk

¼ Cup Greek Yogurt

1 Tablespoon Honey

Toppings

¼ Cup Fresh Strawberries

¼ Cup Fresh Blueberries

¼ Cup Slivered Almonds

Drizzle of Honey

Sprinkle of Chia Seeds

Mix your ingredients in a blender until you reach your desired consistency. Pour into a bowl and top with the various toppings, and enjoy!

Tropical Fusion:

Ingredients

1 Frozen Banana

½ Cup Frozen Pineapple

½ Cup Frozen Mango

½ Cup Almond Milk

½ Cup Greek Yogurt

1 Tablespoon Honey

Toppings

½ Cup Freshly Cubed Mango

¼ Cup Coconut Shavings

1 Tablespoon Flax Seeds

Drizzle of Honey of Agave Nectar

Blend your ingredients until you reach your desired consistency, then top with your toppings. This is an amazing tropical-inspired smoothie bowl perfect for summer.

Green Goodness:

Ingredients

1 Frozen Banana

1 Cup Spinach or Kale

½ Cup Frozen Mango

¼ Cup Frozen Blueberries

½ Cup Almond Milk

¼ Cup Greek Yogurt

Toppings

1 Sliced Kiwi

½ Banana Sliced

¼ Cup Coconut Shavings

¼ Cup Honey Garnola

Blend all ingredients until desired consistency. Top with toppings and enjoy this healthy breakfast!

Chocolate Lovers:

Ingredients

1 Frozen Banana

½ Ripe Avocado (adds creaminess and richness)

½ Cup Almond Milk

½ Cup Greek Yogurt

2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter

Toppings

½ Sliced Banana

¼ Cup Sliced Strawberries

¼ Cup Cocoa Nibs

¼ Cup Honey Granola

¼ Cup Crushed Peanuts

Drizzle of Peanut Butter

Blend all of your ingredients until they reach a thick consistency. You may need to add a few ice cubes. Top with your toppings and enjoy this healthy yet chocolatey smoothie bowl.

Wrapping Up Healthy Smoothie Bowl Recipes

These four smoothie bowl recipes are perfect for a healthy breakfast besides boring oats or plain eggs. Switch up the flavors, try something new, and play around with toppings. Any of these smoothie bowl recipes can be changed to fit your needs or added to, to give them another boost!

Budget-Friendly Meals: Healthy Dinners That Won’t Break The Bank

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June 5, 2024

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Budget-Friendly Meals: Healthy Dinners That Won’t Break The Bank

Due to ever-increasing prices, our grocery budgets have been tight lately, and we need some healthy yet wallet-friendly meals more than ever. Here are the best tips to ensure a budget-friendly weekly shop, along with four healthy and satisfying meals you and your family will love!

Helpful Tip: Plan Your Shopping Trips

Meal Planning

Meal planning is a must when trying to be budget-conscious with your groceries. One way to do this is to look through that week’s sales ads and see what is on sale and what can be made into meals around that item. This will also help when it comes to impulse buying since you’ll know exactly what you need.

Grocery Lists

Once you have your meal planning down, make sure you have a list and stick to it! Go around your kitchen and through your pantry to ensure you have what you need to make your weekly meals, and only purchase what is in the budget and on your list.

Shopping The Sales

Sales are great, especially buy-one-get-one sales. Stock up on items you can freeze, such as bread, veggies, and meat. Always meal plan around the best sales to get the biggest bang for your buck.

Buying In Bulk

Bulk buying is one way to save money on items you use quickly throughout the month, such as meats, fruits, and veggies. It may seem like a large bill at the checkout, but if planned correctly, it should last you the entire month.

Rice And Beans

Simple and classic, rice and beans are a staple meal in many homes and can be spiced up to enhance flavor and changed to create different dishes. You can add extra protein or keep with the plant-based bean protein. Either way, this is an extremely nutritious and budget-friendly versatile meal option.

Stir Fry Vegetables And Tofu

Delicous, healthy, and packed with mouthwatering flavors, this tofu stir fry is healthy and easy on the wallet. To make it even more budget-savvy, plan what veggies to use depending on your store’s weekly sale. Skip the store-bought stir fry kits and sauce and make your own—it tastes just as good, if not better!

Hearty Lentil Soup

Lentils are an amazing way to add inexpensive protein to your diet. This hearty soup, packed with celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and spices swimming in a vegetable broth, is the perfect way to get some vitamins while enjoying a delicious meal.

Baked Chicken And Vegetables

Baked chicken and veggies is a completely versatile meal that only requires a whole chicken and whatever veggies you like! To roast your chicken, season liberally with all your favorite spices and bake at 350 degrees until internal temperatures reach a minimum of 165 degrees. You can either steam or sautee your favorite veggies or toss them in the oven to get nice and roasted.

Wrapping Up Budget-Friendly Healthy Meals

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to eat delicious, mouthwatering, and healthy meals. It may take some careful planning, but ensuring your family gets the best while you’re on a budget is easy!

Top 5 Crowd-Pleasing Memorial Day Appetizers

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June 5, 2024

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Top 5 Crowd-Pleasing Memorial Day Appetizers

If you’re looking for easy appetizers for a crowd this Memorial Day weekend, you’ve come to the right place! These easy-to-assemble dishes will please your guests while keeping the ingredients simple yet delicious and you out of the kitchen!

Large Batch Spicy Jalapeño Poppers

These spicy peppers are a huge crowd-pleaser, offering a bit of spice and some cheesy smokey goodness. Better yet, you can prepare them ahead of time and pop them into the oven right before your guests arrive.

Begin with a pound of fresh jalapeño peppers, slice them lengthwise, and remove the inner seeds. Add softened cream cheese, shredded mild cheddar, and a ton of freshly cooked crunchy bacon in a large mixing bowl and combine.

Fill the peppers with a spoonful of filling, top with even more cheddar, and bake until golden and bubbly.

Salami Mozzarella Pinwheels

With summer finally arriving, having some cold and refreshing appetizers on the table is a nice spin. These salami and mozzarella pinwheels offer all that Italian sub-flavor in a cool bite.

Start by using an extra-large sun-dried tomato tortilla and begin layering your flavors! Add thinly sliced salami, freshly shredded mozzarella, diced tomato and onion, freshly shredded lettuce, and finally, drizzle with your favorite Italian dressing. Roll them up and stick them in the fridge overnight. Once the party is underway, simply slice and serve.

Crockpot Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Who doesn’t love a quick and delicious crockpot appetizer? These meatballs are everyone’s favorite. They feed a crowd and are so simple without sacrificing any flavor.

Pick up a bag of homestyle meatballs from the freezer section of your grocery store. Toss them into the crockpot with your favorite BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, chili sauce, and a can of crushed pineapple juice and all!

Cook on low and serve! They will be gone before the burgers hit the grill!

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Sugar, bacon, shrimp—can you think of a better match? These bacon-wrapped shrimp are the perfect balance of sweet and savory and offer a more fancy twist on a Memorial Day appetizer.

Using fresh jumbo shrimp, clean and devein them and lay them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Take thinly sliced hickory smoked bacon and wrap each shrimp.

To make the sugary sauce, combine ½ cup of BBQ sauce, three tablespoons of brown sugar, and a splash of orange juice for a bit of zing. Brush the mixture onto each shrimp and bake until fully cooked and glossy.

Caprese Skewers

This is a tasty, bite-sized version of everyone’s favorite summer salad. It is so easy to prepare–– these skewers come together quickly and offer all the summertime flavor.

Pick up some cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella pearls, and balsamic glaze. Layer the tomato, fresh basil, and mozzarella on a skewer, then place them on a serving dish. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, and boom, a crowd-pleasing appetizer is ready to serve!

Final Thoughts On Memorial Day Appetizers

These crowd-pleasing appetizers will not only score you some good cook points this Memorial Day weekend, but they’ll also bring joy to your guests’ taste buds!

Picky Eaters: The 5 Best Kid-Approved Dinners

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June 5, 2024

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Picky Eaters: The 5 Best Kid-Approved Dinners

When you’re faced with a house full of picky eaters, the thought of preparing dinner can be overwhelming. But with these easy-to-make, picky eater-approved meals, meal times are now a breeze, at least for this week!

Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

All kids love hot dogs. If your littles love pool days with hot dogs on the grill, they will love this baked alternative.

Simply place your hot dog buns in a prepared baking dish and add the hot dogs inside. Open a can of chili (or use homemade) and top each dog with a good helping. Before tossing the hot dogs into the oven, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar and bake until bubbly. Don’t forget the side of oven fries!

Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos

Nachos are a versatile option for picky eaters. They can also be a great vessel for introducing new flavors, like these BBQ chicken sheet pan nachos. It’s a small step towards expanding their taste buds.

Cover your sheet pan with parchment paper and layer on tortilla chips. Using a rotisserie chicken, shred two cups and place over the chips. Add some diced tomato, onion, and green pepper. Sprinkle two cups of Mexican-style shredded cheese and, to finish off, drizzle on your favorite sweet BBQ sauce.

Bake until the cheese has fully melted, and serve immediately.

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Most picky eaters have no issues eating pasta, but the same old pasta night after night can be monotonous. Instead, try some cheesy stuffed shells.

Begin by cooking jumbo pasta shells per the box directions. While that is cooking, prepare your cheese mixture. Combine ricotta, parmesan, shredded mozzarella, one egg, and freshly ground pepper. Mix well, fill the shells with the ricotta mixture, and place them in a baking dish.

Pour your favorite marinara sauce over top and add a helping of shredded mozzarella. Bake until bubbly and delicious.

Texas Toast Pizza

Savory, buttery Texas toast smothered in tangy tomato sauce, spicy pepperoni, and gooey cheese sounds like the perfect kid-friendly dinner. Plus, you can whip this up on a busy school night in about 20 minutes!

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the frozen Texas toast slices on top. Top each toast with a spoonful of pizza sauce and spread to the edges. Add pepperoni and mozzarella and bake until the cheese has completely melted.

Homemade Spaghetti

This kid-approved meal is perfect for even the pickiest eaters. Pair it with a fresh slice of French bread and a side salad, and dinner is served.

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in a deep pan. Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings. Add two cans of crushed tomatoes and a can of diced tomatoes, seasoning as you go, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. Pair with your choice of noodles for a simple and hearty home-cooked dinner.

Wrapping Up Kid-Approved Dinners

Just because you have some picky eaters on your hands doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice dinner for the whole family. By choosing meals with elements of your picky toddler’s favorites, you can begin to expand their palette and try new things!

Fast And Delicious: 5 30-Minute Meals For Busy Weeknights

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June 5, 2024

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Fast And Delicious: 5 30-Minute Meals For Busy Weeknights

Preparing fast meals doesn’t mean they have to come out of a box. In fact, we have rounded up the top five favorite 30-minute meals that make even the busiest of nights less stressful. Goodbye to expensive takeout, and hello to mouthwatering, speedy homemade meals!

Sheet Pan Salmon And Seasonal Veggies

Sheet-pan dinners are a game-changer when getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. With salmon filets covered in a rich garlic mustard sauce and served alongside roasted asparagus and sweet potato, you’ll have a complete meal in a matter of minutes, and it takes about 5 minutes to wash up afterward!

What’s perfect about this meal is its versatility. You can switch the mustard sauce for a honey garlic one, toss in some broccoli florets and sliced carrots, and serve over rice for an Asian twist. This one-pan dinner is a breeze, bursting with freshness, and can be changed to fit your flavor preferences.

One Pot Chicken Teriyaki With Noodles

This meal comes together in a flash and is way better than any takeout meal. You can swap the chicken for shrimp or add some extra veggies to make this a vegetarian-friendly meal. You won’t be able to get enough of this sweet and savory sauce––in under 30 minutes? What could be better?

Healthy and delicious, this one-pot wonder requires little prep and can be made to fit your needs. Cook seasoned chicken thighs in a large pot, then add fresh cabbage, sliced carrots, onions, and garlic.

Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ground ginger, and sesame seeds to whip up the sauce and toss over your cooked noodles, chicken, and veggies. In under 30 minutes, you have a new go-to meal when nights are oh-so busy!

One Pan Sausage And Veggie Skillet

Smoked sausage, sweet zucchini, fresh sweet corn, and baby red potatoes seasoned perfectly and ready to hit the plates in less than 30 minutes. This skillet dinner requires little effort but a huge payoff in the flavor department!

Add your ingredients to a hot skillet and let the flavors combine. Season with salt, pepper, and a selection of your favorite spices to elevate the already tantalizing flavors of the fresh veggies and the smokiness of the sausage. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal bursting with fresh summertime flavors.

One Pot Chicken Parmesan

Perfect for those days when you just can’t be bothered to figure out what to cook, this one-pot chicken parmesan is all the flavors of that time-consuming yet delicious dish wrapped up into one tomatoey, cheesy pot.

Just dice up some chicken breast, grab the Italian seasoning, your favorite marinara, and rigatoni. Of course, don’t forget the mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend. Serve with some buttery French bread, and there you have it, dinner is served.

Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Craving Mexican flavors with minimal time to spare? Don’t worry. These 30-minute sheet-pan quesadillas are packed with good-for-you veggie protein and an abundance of savory, cheesy flavors.

Layer a sheet pan with your favorite tortillas. Next, add your favorite veggies! Use onions, sweet bell peppers, spicy jalapenos, black beans, corn, and your favorite taco seasoning. Cover with a Mexican blend of shredded cheese, and fold and layer more tortillas on top.

Use some fresh guacamole or pico de gallo as dipping options, and you will have a healthier version of a classic favorite in under 30 minutes.

Wrapping Up 5 Delicious 30-Minute Meals

Just because you’re on a time crunch doesn’t mean you must hit the drive-through or pay for an expensive delivery service. Just whip together these easy meals for a healthier and money-saving alternative!