If you work and have kids, two of the most pressing day to day questions are how can I get a fast dinner ready, and how can I make sure my kids eat healthy? Here are three great suggestions for quick, healthy easy dinners.
1. Go east, young woman. Many oriental dishes are quick, easy and healthy stir frys that kids and adults love. Try this easy combo: In a bowl, soak shitake mushrooms in a cup of water for about 15 minutes. Drain the liquid and reserve. Cut off mushroom stems and discard; slice caps. Blend a tablespoon of cornstarch into the mushroom liquid and cook 6 ounces of fettuccine according to directions. While it is cooking, mix 12 ounces of boneless chicken breast that has been cut into bite sized pieces with 2 Tbsp. sherry, 2 Tbsp.of soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves. Let chicken soak in mixture. Coat a wok or large fry pan with spray oil and sauté 8 ounces each of snap peas and baby carrots for 4 minutes; add 4 sliced green onions or scallions and sauté for another minute. Remove the vegetables, set aside and add the chicken mixture to the pan and cook 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Move the chicken aside in the pan and put the mushroom liquid in the center. Cook until it thickens, then stir chicken back in, add vegetables and cooked fettuccine. Toss to heat all the ingredients through. Makes four delicious servings.
2. Chili today. In a large pan, combine one large can (15-16 oz) each of kidney beans and great northern beans that have been rinsed and drained; a large (14 oz.) can of plum tomatoes, cut up with their liquid; an 8 oz can of tomato sauce; 3/4 cup chopped green peppers; 1/2 cup chopped onion, and the following spices: 1 Tbsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. snipped fresh basil, 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, 1/4 tsp. salt, a dash of red pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Bring all to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over fluffy white rice. Never knew you could make dinner for four so fast, easy and healthy, did you?
3. Schnitzels! This classic German dish is easy and delicious. Bathe 6 thinly cut pork cutlets in beaten egg and dip them in a flour mixture that has garlic powder, celery powder, seasoned salt, celery salt and paprika in it. Cook cutlets in canola oil for about 12 minutes, turning once. Meanwhile, boil broad noodles according to package directions, and heat jarred red cabbage in a small saucepan. Remove cutlets from pan, and tent with aluminum foil to keep all warm. Prepare a dill sauce for the cutlets: into the pan used for the pork, pour 1-1/4 cups chicken broth and heat over medium heat, scraping up the brown bits from the pan to incorporate into the sauce. Mix 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp. flour and 1/2 tsp. dill in a bowl and stir into skillet; cook until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. This hearty but healthy fare will serve 4-6, depending on portions. Gutten apetit!
Guest Blogger
Sometimes you don’t have time to cook and you will have to hire someone to do the work for you. Did you know that many housekeepers or maids are also only too happy to cook for you? Try using people search engines to find a local maid or cook in your area.
