Tag Archives | making dinner

Tortellini Soup and Spinach Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

By on April 25, 2011 in Making Dinner

Tortellini Soup and Spinach Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza may just be one of the simplest… yet tastiest recipes on the menu from The Organized Cook.

Tortellini Soup with Spinach Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza

Tortellini Soup with Spinach Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza

The meal is also a perfect example of a cooking technique from my upcoming book that I like to call “reincarnating the leftover“.

Let’s face it, as a busy mom of four, by the end of the week I start to run our of steam… and new ideas for dinner.

Balsamic Chicken with Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

Balsamic Chicken with Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

However, using my cooking technique, this dinner only takes about 10 minutes to prepare from my family-favorite Weekly Meal Plans.

By simply cooking and storing extra Italian sausage on Monday, along with extra chicken from Wednesday’s Balsamic Chicken and remaining Gorgonzola cheese, and leftover Tomato Soup (pizza sauce); this meal really is the ultimate “reincarnated” dinner!  But it tastes anything but- it’s always a favorite for friends and family.

By the time Friday rolls around, I simply assemble all of these prepared ingredients and have dinner ready in minutes.

 

Now, how’s that for a “10-minute meal”?

The Organized Cook Weekly Meal Plan System

 

 

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Helping Hands

By on January 10, 2011 in Saving Time

My love for cooking has rubbed off on my girls (ages 4 and 6); they are my sous chefs.  The only thing is that the more they help me, the more independent they want to be in the kitchen.

I’ve always included them in cooking and baking since they were about two years old.  It’s easy to find things for them to do: stirring, pouring, spreading, etc.  Before they were out of diapers they both knew how to crack an egg.  So, I’m always looking for new ways for them to help.  And, when it used to be more of a drain on my time to include them, it’s now turned into a time saver for me.

Now, when I make Italian, Cassidy insists on making her “famous salad”.  If any of you are worried about how I could possibly let my six-year old slice a tomato or chop a carrot safely, in order to meet her demands to do this task independently, I found “kid friendly” knives from Gerber that actually work for her…. a bit messy, but they work. 

Share in the experience of family meal preparation by letting children help.  Small hands are perfect for tearing lettuce for salads, rolling meatballs and setting the table with napkins and flatware.  Older children can help by peeling vegetables, mixing marinades and assembling garlic breads or pizzas.  Not only is this a good way to spend time with your kids, it’s also a great learning experience for children.

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