r
What's a busy parent to do? While a home cooked weeknight meal may sound labor-intensive, it can really payoff economically, nutritionally and environmentally—all in the form of leftovers.
Child nutrition expert and mother Jodie Shield, RD, understands the challenges families face in trying to balance full calendars and tight checkbooks while serving nutritious and delicious meals.
“Busy moms don't always have time to plan ahead and make two meals each day,” said Shield. “Transforming last night's dinner into tomorrow's own bag lunch, for my kids or myself, can save time and maximize budgets without cutting corners on nutrition.”
Shield's tips—which incorporate plenty of nutritious vegetables—will help parents prepare family meals that stretch from dinner to lunch:
• Presto, chango! Transform last night's meatloaf into tasty tacos—crumble ground beef or turkey and sauté with taco seasoning. Enjoy wrapped in a soft whole-wheat tortilla or layered over shredded lettuce as a salad; add diced tomato and onions, low-fat cheese and a drizzle of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing.
• Kids like ‘em hot! Reheat leftover vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato or snap beans) in the oven at 400° F for about 10 minutes. Let cool five minutes, then serve warm with ranch dressing to dip.
• Get egg-cited for dinner! Serve your family a backward eakfast for dinner. Use leftover veggies like tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and new potatoes, and whip up a southwestern omelet, frittata or quiche.
r
r r
Jammin' Jambalaya
r
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 (2 cup) servings
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen okra cut, thawed
1 14.5-ounce can stewed tomatoes, undrained
12 ounces chicken east, cut into strips (tenders)
12 ounces fully cooked Cajun-style andouille sausage or smoked turkey sausage
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
2 cups cooked own rice
1/4cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing
Heat one teaspoon of olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot. Add onion, bell pepper and okra; cook and stir until crisply tender. Remove and set aside.
Add the other teaspoon of oil and heat; add chicken tenders and stir-fry about five minutes until lightly owned.
Return vegetables to skillet with chicken and stir in sausage and Cajun seasoning; ing to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in rice and dressing; continue cooking until liquid is almost absorbed and rice is thoroughly heated.
Tip: The next day, wrap leftover jambalaya in a whole wheat or veggie tortilla for a special own bag lunch.
r
