Q: Margie,My kids really like the basic stuff (mac and cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, etc.), but these are pretty boring. How can I jazz it up some so it appeals to my husband and me, but the kids will still like it? -- delsblog
A: Thanks so much for bringing up a subject near and dear to me and to many other families. As basic as Mac and Cheese, try new cheeses -- Aged White Cheddar gives a "gourmet" nutty taste to Mac and Cheese and call it something fun like "Snowy Mac & Cheese" this time of year.
Pair it with a crisp green salad and get the kids involved in this - choosing the fruits and nuts and making the salads, too. Add lots of color in the way of fruits, fresh and dried -- you are adding color, flavors they like, and lots of nutrition. A salad with fresh blueberries, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, apples, pears, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts is everybit as yummy and nutritious as one with vegetables, yet much more fun and yummy for kids and adults. Experiment with different cheeses -- goat, feta, blue, asiago -- as toppings. Try a healthy raspberry vinagrette or another light salad dressing! Your basic mac and cheese paired with a colorful, delicious salad is now a nutritious meal to be enjoyed by all!
An adult take on the chicken nuggets that my good friend Kristi calls "Margie's Chicken", which her four children ask for once a week: Depending on the size of your family, pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts to even thickness and then cut into serving sizes or "nuggets" if you wish. In a glass pie dish, melt a stick of butter. In a second pie dish, mix 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese with 2/3 cup dried breadcrumbs. Dip the chicken pieces into the butter and then into the breadcrumbs. Place on a greased baking sheet and place in a preheated 400 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes per side, turning once. This Parmesan Chicken recipe is a huge hit with all ages -- juicy white chicken in a light, tasty, crispy coating -- so easy! Pair this chicken with any type of cooked pasta and pasta sauce. If your kids like their sauce plain, pull some plain sauce aside to add to it a few red pepper flakes, sauteed mushrooms or onions, artichokes or chopped roasted red pepper or roasted garlic and fresh basil to jazz it up for you and your husband!
I hope this helps get your creative juices flowing, and I'm happy to add a few more ideas if you wish. Again, thank you so much for your joining in to share cooking ideas!
Happy Cookin'!
-- Margie Potts
Margie Potts, known for creating quick and easy, palate and wallet-pleasing meals, has been a cooking instructor for over 14 years and currently does cooking segments on local television stations as well as for private affairs, fundraisers, and conventions. She has also done "Around the House" seasonal specials, Thanksgiving and Christmas Specials from her home, Do It Yourself (DIY) segments, including 15 taped segments for the national Food Network.Do you have a question for Margie? Click ADD A COMMENT below!
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