Fall is a busy time with school, soccer practice, and a bevy of other activities including keeping up with work, raking leaves, and other chores. It is not the time for fancy meals. That's why we rely on our large skillets that look good enough to go right to the table. Dinner's ready in minutes and there's less clean-up afterwards.
Our first menu features chicken breasts and artichokes, a combination that we happen to love. You could substitute frozen Italian green beans if your family doesn't have a taste for artichokes. Either way it's a savory dish that everyone will love. With it we're taking advantage of the ready-to-use bags of prewashed greens, making a simple full-flavored non-fat dressing to drizzle on top. Dessert is a basket of crisp pears. Add glasses of milk for the youngsters and glasses of iced tea for the adults and your meal is ready.
(for the recipes, click on the individual recipe above)
The second meal is a favorite at our house and to easy to make. As the boys grew older, I got bolder with the seasonings to include chile peppers. Leave them out if you wish. The south-of-the-border rice and meat dish will still taste great. With it we suggest a simple fresh fruit salad that will serve as dessert.
(for the recipes, click on the individual recipe above)
Our third selection features pork in with a jumble of other vegetables that comes out hearty and savory. While the skillet's cooking, steam some broccoli, giving it a light sprinkle of balsamic vinegar once it's cooked and drained. Dessert is roasted plums, which bake while you having the main course. Once again, you have a simple and quick meal.
(for the recipes, click on the individual recipe above)
Some people shy away from making risotto because they are not exactly sure how to stir the risotto and when to add the broth. The rules are easy: Add the simmering liquid in small equal amounts and stir or not until it is absorbed. Always cook risotto to al dente. Cooking it too long will make it unpleasantly mushy. The only trouble with risotto is that it's so good you have to make sure you only eat the amount you're supposed to. It would be easy to overdo. With the risotto we've opted for easy-a package of mixed greens that comes with a packet of fat-free dressing. Grapes are for dessert. Another supper that's quick, easy, and delicious.
| Seafood Risotto |
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Seafood Risotto
Packaged Salad with Fat-Free Dressing
Red and Green Seedless Grapes
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(for the recipes, click on the individual recipe above)
BSP and FTG