Taco Hero Recipe

Have you ever wondered what to do with leftover taco meat? There are two things that my family is loving right now: the ground turkey that we have been getting at a local farmer’s market, and using that ground turkey for homemade tacos. Earlier in the week, my husband cooked up about three pounds of the stuff using taco seasoning, and we naturally had our tacos that night. My eldest son, who is ten and so skinny that people wonder if he is being neglected at home, can put away eight tacos all by himself. So we usually don’t have … Continue reading

Taco Chicken-ladas

Are you looking for a fast and yummy meal that even the kids will love? Get it here. I threw this one together this afternoon and then left my husband in charge of putting it into the oven on a busy evening, and it turned out perfect. Try it the next time you have some boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or breasts) and no idea of what to do with them. My kids love tacos, so I knew they would enjoy this dish which is much less work. Ingredients: About 10 or so boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or butterfly and cut … Continue reading

When the Food on the Box Doesn’t Look Like the Food in the Box

Those glossy photos of food on their boxes can sometimes mean the difference between purchasing the product and leaving it behind on the shelf. Confronted with an image of a fluffy cream-filled cake or a soup that is steam and filled with chunky vegetables, we instinctively want to enjoy it. That usually means purchasing the product, taking it home and maybe heating it or cooking it first. Unfortunately, somewhere between taking it out of the box and actually eating it, we may be left with a nasty surprise. The actual food looks not much like the picture we were given … Continue reading

Burger Basics

What are the basics of a good burger? It needs to be juicy, a little charred but not too much and cooked to perfection. Here are some tips that you can use this summer to grill yourself the best burgers that you have ever had. The Perfect Size While we all picture big burgers, the best ones start out thin. This is because thin burgers will cook more evenly than thicker ones. Three-quarters- to one-inch thick are perfect. This way you won’t wind up with burgers that are charred on the outside but undercooked in the middle. Better Browning If … Continue reading

Fun Summer Food: Sliders Recipes

I love sliders in the summer because they can feed a crowd and keep everyone happy. These small burgers can be enhanced with all sorts of toppings, from the traditional to the exotic. Consider creating a slider bar for your next party. You supply the sliders, the buns and the toppings, and let your guests pick and choose their combinations. Alternatively, have a few of the best selections already assembled and available. Some ideas for your slider bar might include: fried onions, cheddar, american, provolone and goat cheese, condiments, pickles, sun dried tomatoes, homemade sauces and more. Here are some … Continue reading

Dinner In a Hurry, Your Way

I want out of the kitchen, the only problem is I love to eat. Also, there’s that whole starving to death thing if you don’t eat. Living in Utah there are so many wonderful things to see and do outdoors, I just need to figure out how to get out there. Making dinner can be the biggest time consumer of my evening. If I forgot to thaw something or I have nothing quick on hand, I just pick up the phone, pizza, sandwiches, or Chinese, all on speed dial. This is bad for both my wallet and my waist. There … Continue reading

Classic Lasagna with Turkey Sausage

This past Easter, my husband wanted lasagna, not ham. I suppose my Italian heritage must be rubbing off on him. My youngest son asked for some of the leftovers for breakfast. When a picky five year old does that, you know you have a winner. This lasagna is straightforward and easy to make, so even if you have never made one before, go ahead and try it. It is pretty much full-proof. Plus, it is made with turkey sausage, making it cheaper and a bit healthier. Ingredients: I box of lasagna noodles (1 pound box) A few tablespoons of olive … Continue reading

How to Share Restaurant Meals to Save Money

As our family grew to include five people, the bill for eating out grew as well. But there is also a benefit to having a larger family. You can take advantage of this fact to strategically share meals. Many times when my family does this together, we actually wind up with more food for less money. Think about it. When you are eating at home, you generally serve everyone the same thing anyway? With a restaurant meal, you will often have a little more flexibility and choice, but the idea is the same. Also, all of the extras that come … Continue reading

What Can You Make With Ground Beef?

On the Families.com forums, people were chatting about ground beef. There are so many things you can do with this relatively inexpensive meat, but it’s easy to get into a rut of cooking the same few entrees. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started with some new ideas: 1.Beef stroganoff with ground beef – Simply brown ground beef with a little salt and pepper. At the same time, cook a package ofegg noodles according to package directions. When the ground beef is browned, add a can of tomato soup and a container of mushrooms. Stir together until … Continue reading