Moms + Meals: Family Dinner Challenge

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A few weeks ago, we told you all about the annual Rock4Kids Zombie Run from our sponsors at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fitness. What a great family event to get you and your kiddos moving and having fun together!

This year, the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fitness has teamed up with the Missouri Beef Industry Council to remind us all the importance of eating family dinner together when possible. And we couldn’t agree more!

Please take a minute to read the benefits of eating a family meal together and also enjoy two yummy recipes provided by the Missouri Beef Industry Council at the bottom of the post. We can’t wait to give them a try!

Moms + Meals: Cheesy Corn Chowder

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I love soup season, my kids, on the other hand, don’t eat it too well. Sure, they will pick at a bowl of chili or eat all the potatoes out of a bowl of stew, but they never seem to get full and are inevitably begging for a snack before I can even get the dinner dishes put away. A sweet lady at my church introduced me to this yummy corn chowder recipe and my kids love it! They scarf it down and are usually asking for more!

We made a big batch this weekend and it was a hit! I am feeding a family of four and this recipe also leaves us with plenty of leftovers to have on hand for lunches for the week.

Cheesy Corn Chowder:corn chowder

  • 1 pound sausage, cooked and drained
  • 1/2 diced onion
  • 2 diced celery ribs
  • 2 cans of cream of potato soup
  • 1 1/2 empty soup cans of milk
  • 1 can creamed corn
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 pound Velveeta cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • chicken broth, make it as “soupy” as you like

Stir frequently in large pot or crock pot. Soup is done with the celery is soft.

Moms + Meals: Easy taco soup

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My momma is an outstanding cook (and I am not just saying that, she REALLY is). The problem is, I can’t follow her recipes. I wish I could, but her instructions often include terms like:  pinch of this, a dab of that or just a little of this. Huh?! I am not a great cook and I am very much a direction follower, and that just does not work for me.

Her taco soup recipe, however, is easy peasy. Even I can do it! With this cold and rainy SWMO spring weather, we had it this weekend, and as usual, it was a hit. Enjoy!

Trish’s Taco Soup

  • 1 pound ground beef (I have also used ground turkey or ground venison)
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can pinto beans
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 can Rotel
  • 1 package of ranch seasoning
  • 1 package of your favorite taco seasoning

Directions: Brown meat with taco seasoning. Drain. Mix everything together (no need to drain the canned goods!) in a large pot or crock pot. Cook as desired. My mom serves with Doritos, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, sour cream and jalapenos.

We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 small kids). This makes a pretty big pot of soup, so I almost always freeze half of it or invite friends over to share. I have never had a bad experience freezing it, so you might try that if you have a lot of left-overs.

This fail proof recipe is sure to fill your tummies and will no doubt be a crowd pleaser!

Moms + Meals: Buffalo Chicken Pizza

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pizzaThis time of year, all of the time, I am on the look-out for quick, easy, delicious meals I can serve my family. I am not a great cook, but I try. One of my favorite things to do is throw something in the crock-pot in the morning before rushing out the door to work. It is the best feeling to get home after a long day and know dinner is basically done.

buffalo-wingsOne of our favorite crock-pot dishes is shredded buffalo chicken. You literally throw three ingredients in the crock-pot and done:

  • frozen chicken breast (4-5 large breast)
  • Frank’s buffalo sauce
  • one packet of ranch dressing mix

Set on low and enjoy 6-8 hours later! I typically serve on warm tortillas, on a baked potato or just eat plain. My husband pops a couple of pieces of  bread in the toaster and eats it on a sandwich. I can’t lie though, my kids (2 & 5) won’t eat. They do, however, like buffalo chicken pizza.

This week, I attempted to whip-up a buffalo-chicken pizza and, well… It was a success! Both kids ate 1.5 pieces!

So, here is what I did:

  • made the buffalo chicken (just like above)
  • took half of the chicken, drained, and mixed with ranch dressing
  • spread mixture over a pre-made wheat pizza crust (doesn’t have to be wheat, just whatever your family likes best)
  • asked the kids to sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top
  • Baked at 425 for around 10 minutes

Like I said, I am all about easy! This was a win at my house… Maybe your family will enjoy it too! Happy cooking, mommas!

Produce for Kids: Banana Fro-Yo

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Just like you, we struggle to get dinner on the table night after night (after night) and also find healthy options for dessert. While this is a sponsored post, all opinions are our own.

My family LOVES sweet treats! My kiddos are always asking to go out for ice cream on a daily basis. We as parents of course don’t let our kids eat ice cream daily, but they would if we would let them. So, needless to say we are always in the hunt for a healthy alternative that also taste great.

When we found this Banana Fro-Yo recipe from Produce for Kids, we knew we had to try it. Not only was this the simplest dessert to make, it was so amazingly delicious. My girls were licking the blender for more.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bananas, chopped
  • 3 cups lowfat yogurt
  • 1 cup chopped pineapple
  • 1/4 cup caramel dip

Directions: 

  1. Place bananas in freezer bag and freeze overnight.
  2. Blend bananas, yogurt and pineapple in blender until thick and smooth. Portion and freeze for 25 minutes.
  3. Drizzle with caramel dip.

Side note from Kelli: My girls asked if we could have this dessert every night! 🙂 Also the drizzle of caramel dip over the top is the perfect finishing touch. 

If you want to see the full nutritional value of this recipe click here. For more healthy and tasty recipes from Produce for Kids click here. 

In addition to delicious, healthy and quick recipes, Produce for Kids cares about our local community and feeding the hungry right here in SWMO. They have  partnered with Associated Wholesale Grocer (AWG) in our area to support Feeding America® food banks. Many of those food banks are right here in Southwest Missouri. They are helping moms like you and I provide healthy meal options for their families–and that is a big deal!

Look for signage in your local AWG store in the produce department. When you see the signs, stock up on your produce and have peace of mind–not only are you providing your family with nutritious grocieries, you are helping others in our area too. And we think that is a win-win!