MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - July 26, 2010) - (Family Features) If busy schedules and digital distractions are getting in the way of family time, help is on the way. Unilever, maker of many leading food brands, recently unveiled The Family Dish, a program aimed at helping busy families discover the joys of cooking together.
Anna Marie Cesario and Lauren Dellabella, experts from the Unilever Consumer Kitchens, agree that cooking is a great creative outlet, and that the simple acts of mixing and measuring together can lead to amazing conversations and memories that last a lifetime. Their advice is:
- Get Them to Plug Into You. Make the experience as meaningful as possible by designating the kitchen as a "technology-light" zone. Have them use their laptop or Smartphone to access favorite recipes, but no texting allowed. This is your chance to simply cook, connect and spend quality time together.
- Redefine Text(ing). Demonstrate the basics by cooking alongside them. Start by teaching them to read a recipe all the way through. Show them the importance of paying attention to measuring and the difference between ingredients. And, be sure to touch on the importance of food safety with hand washing and proper handling of raw foods such as eggs, meat and poultry.
- Celebrate Success. Encourage and celebrate their culinary creations and remember it's the effort, not the outcome that's important. Remember that even the simplest of time spent together in the kitchen can turn into the best of memories ... and good food!
These easy-to-prepare recipes, from Unilever Consumer Kitchens, are designed to help families save time and money using quality staples likely already in their pantries. For information and inspiration, www.TheFamilyDish.com has tips, time-saving family-friendly recipes, and videos of real moms cooking with their families. Get additional inspiration by following Anna Marie and Lauren on Twitter @kitchendishin.
| Succulent Chicken Parmesan | ||
| A delicious, easy to prepare dish the whole family will enjoy. | ||
| 4 servings | ||
| Prep Time: 10 minutes | ||
| Cook Time: 23 minutes | ||
| 1/4 | cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs | |
| 1/4 | cup grated Parmesan cheese | |
| 4 | boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 pounds)* | |
| 1/4 | cup Hellmann's or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise | |
| 1/2 | cup Ragu Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce | |
| 1/2 | cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 ounces) | |
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Combine bread crumbs with Parmesan cheese in shallow dish; set aside.
Add chicken and mayonnaise to large plastic bag; shake to evenly coat. Remove chicken, then lightly coat in crumb mixture. Arrange chicken on baking sheet.
Bake 20 minutes. Evenly top chicken with pasta sauce, then mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 3 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and cheese is melted.
*For smaller portions, use an equal weight of chicken tenders.
| Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo | ||
| A family-pleasing dish that's also delicious with shrimp. | ||
| 4 servings | ||
| Prep Time: 15 minutes | ||
| Cook Time: 15 minutes | ||
| 3 | tablespoons I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spread, divided | |
| 1 | pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes | |
| 1/2 | cup finely chopped red bell pepper | |
| 2 | cups fresh or thawed frozen broccoli florets | |
| 1 3/4 | cups water | |
| 1/2 | cup milk | |
| 1 | package Knorr Pasta Sides -- Alfredo | |
Melt 1 tablespoon Spread in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
Melt additional 2 tablespoons Spread in same skillet over medium heat and cook red pepper 1 minute or until tender. Stir in broccoli, water and milk. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta sides Alfredo. Return to a boil, then cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Return chicken to skillet; heat through.
| Peanut Butter & Jelly Parfaits | ||
| Great for an after-school snack or a fun dessert. | ||
| 6 servings | ||
| Prep Time: 15 minutes | ||
| 1/2 | cup reduced sugar grape jelly | |
| 1 1/4 | cups nonfat vanilla yogurt | |
| 1/2 | cup Skippy Natural Super Chunk or Creamy Peanut Butter Spread | |
| 1 | cup low fat granola cereal | |
| 1 | medium banana, sliced | |
| 1 | cup sliced strawberries | |
Microwave jelly at HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Drizzle 1 tablespoon down sides of each parfait glass; set aside.
Combine yogurt with peanut butter in medium bowl. Spoon 1/2 of peanut butter mixture into each parfait glass. Top each with 2 tablespoons cereal, then 1/2 of the fruit; repeat. Drizzle with remaining jelly. Garnish, if desired, with mint leaves.
