Mexican Rice with Fresh Tomatoes

This simple rice packs a lot of punch, perfect as a side with your favorite Mexican dish!

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
1 vine-ripened tomato, diced
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Heat the butter and oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and cook and stir until the onion is soft; be careful to avoid burning.  Add the rice and stir until the rice browns a bit.  Stir in the tomato, broth, and salt.  Bring to boil, cover, and decrease heat to very low.

Simmer 15 to 20 minutes and serve immediately.

(Serves 6-8)

Oreo Truffles

Be prepared to make this one over and over and over again.  The kids love this because it's so easy and soooo yummy.

I N G R E D I E N T S

2 sleeves of Oreos (regular, double chocolate, or mint)
4 oz cream cheese
1 pound dark chocolate bark or chips

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or no-stick spray.  Set aside.

Put Oreos in a ziplock bag and crumble with hands and feet (what kid doesn't love this part?) until very fine.  Mix together crumbled Oreos and cream cheese in a blender until well blended; make into 1-inch balls. Set aside.  Melt chocolate (we did this using a small glass bowl that nestled on top of a pot of boiling water).  Using two spoons, toss in each 1-inch ball coating it with melted chocolate.  Put finished balls on prepared cookie sheet.  Freeze for 20 minutes or until chocolate coating has hardened.

(Makes about 20 1-inch truffles)

Mac N Cheese Kids Will Crave

Such an easy ingredient recipe with a great taste!  No more boxed Mac N Cheese! Well... let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a square baking dish.

Cook the macaroni according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Blend flour, salt, and pepper.  Add the milk; cook and stir until the mixture is thick and bubbly.  Decrease heat to low and add cheese.  Sire until cheese is melted.  Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and place in dish.  Bake 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 4-6 (double if you'll want seconds!)

Kid-Friendly Turkey Meatballs

Kids LOVE making this.  They can't help but giggle and smile when they get their hands dirty to manually mix the ingredients together.  It's gross, it's cool, it's weird.  All things kids love. :)

I N G R E D I E N T S

2 pounds lean ground turkey
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped zucchini
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt*
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

*use half of the sea salt if not using low-sodium chicken broth (otherwise it can be too salty!)

I N S T R U C T I O N S

In a large bowl, mix turkey, panko, carrots, zucchini, onion, eggs, seasoning, and salt until well combined; form 1" balls (let the kids mix it with their hands!) Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Add meatballs and cook, turning until browned, about 7 mins.  Add 1/2 cup broth; cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook until liquid is almost completely absorbed, about 7 mins.  Add remaining 1/4 cup broth, increase heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until liquid is absorbed.

Can be served with rice.  Enjoy!

Pizza Bagel

This recipe is so easy, it hurts.  The kids can make it and they love to eat it.

I N G R E D I E N T S 

1-6 ct pkg of plain bagels

1 jar/can pizza sauce

1 lb mozzarella cheese

Topping Options:

Pepperoni

Crumbled Sausage

Olives

Ham

Pineapple

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Preheat oven broiler. Cut bagels in half, face up on a cookie sheet.  Cook under the broiler for about 1 minute, or until golden brown. Take out of oven.

Add about 3 tablespoons of pizza sauce to each toasted bagel.  Top with mozzarella cheese and preferred toppings. 

Return to broiler.  Cook until cheese is melted.  Don't let it burn!  

(Serves about 6-8)