feedback for "7 Simple Family Meals"

1. That beef stew looks good. Last night I poured a bag of frozen turkey meatballs into a pan with a big jar of spaghetti sauce. It was tasty and my kids loved it. All three of them ate it, which is a rare event. That's more my speed when it needs to be fast.
   
   Amy
   Mom to 3
   www.sofiabean.com

   posted by : AmyE on 9/17/2008 at 3:58 PM Flag For Abuse

2. I have been doing the turkey meatball plus jarred sauce thing since last winter. A friend of mine has replaced all red meat w/ turkey and turned me onto Italian style turkey meatballs - very tasty. I also do a version of the beef stew in the slow cooker. Stir fries are fast too - you can prep before hand and throw it all in when you get home. Stick the rice on the pot at the same time and dinner is done in 20 mins. I have to try those corn fritters... yummmm.... Thank you!

   posted by : BBBGMOM on 9/17/2008 at 4:53 PM Flag For Abuse

3. I love you guys. I hope you know that. And so it is only with love that I say to you: What kid will allow spinach into their grilled cheese? or mysterious green things into their deviled eggs? Quite honestly, I'm a vegetarian and I don't even make those food combinations! I know... you guys think out of the box. But I like the turkey meatball suggestion from BBBGMOM better.

   posted by : sfwork on 9/17/2008 at 6:51 PM Flag For Abuse

4. Here's a quick (and good) one. Stir fry some leeks, shallots and sausage. throw over pasta with a cup of chicken broth and add some cheese of your liking. Dinner Done.
   
   Another favorite - minestrone soup. Stir fry beef with some onion, drain. Add a can of crushed tomato, can of beans and whatever veggies you have on had (frozen cauliflower, peas, carrots, corn, whatever) if you want you can also add pasta. Add a bottle of beer and some worchester sauce. The kids love to throw the stuff in the pot. Simmer. Done.

   posted by : bzmom on 9/17/2008 at 8:22 PM Flag For Abuse

5. Thanks for these great recipes! As a working mom I'm always on the lookout for quick and healthy stuff.
   
   Here's a favorite 5-minute dinner of mine:
   
   Prepare instant Chinese egg noodles, available in the "ethnic aisle" of the supermarket (not the fried (Ramen) kind, but the kind usually made with wheat and duck eggs). They only need to be boiled for one minute.
   
   Toss some protein (cooked shrimp, leftover meat cubes, tofu, scrambled eggs, etc.) in a pan with scallions and a bag of pre-shredded cole slaw veggies. Add the noodles, and stir in some bottled Asian stir-fry sauce. Yum!

   posted by : Marie Eve on 9/18/2008 at 11:35 AM Flag For Abuse

6. Working moms, think leftovers! I do cooking on the weekend, then serve the leftovers, often "re-making" something like roast chicken into a new dish such as blueberry-almond chicken salad or chicken chili — dishes that are quick and easy for weeknights.
   
   We CAN avoid the drive thru and serve healthy foods. Check out more at
   http://expatriateskitchen.blogspot.com

   posted by : BusyMomChef on 9/19/2008 at 12:19 PM Flag For Abuse

7. Actually, My kids have been eating green things all of their lives. In fact we were out at a diner and my oldest sent back her green beans because they were not fresh like the menu said, they were canned. And at 7 she knew the difference. We are not vegetarians, but green deviled eggs is one of those things that is tops on the list for my children. I guess because of the lore surrounding the food. Don't give up on your children. If you are making a face at spinach they will too. I also make this spinach-ricotta cannelloni that kids love...mine do anyway. They are 18 and 15 now and have adventurous appetites. Fresh vegetables are important and should be introduced early and often. I rarely face objections from children. But as a chef I see a lot more adults reject spinach and the like. And I think it is because their parents just assumed that they wouldn't like it. It is a failing as a parent. We owe it to them and to their palates to encourage them to experience vegetables in all forms and all ways.

   posted by : Chef Gillian Clark on 9/21/2008 at 10:20 PM Flag For Abuse

8. My kids eat spinach by the handful..I was being sneaky and hiding it in things (spaghetti sauce, salads...soups...) the bag was on the table one day when I was preparing dinner, and they asked what it was and if they could try it ..I said of course! and now I don't have to hide the spinach anymore..

   posted by : mmmmmmmmooooooooommmm on 4/29/2009 at 3:16 PM Flag For Abuse