Staying Home

There are few things as satisfying as sitting down to a meal that you’ve lovingly prepared for your family. It is a great way to show them how much you care and a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to new flavors and dishes. However, getting everyone’s approval can be tricky – not everyone likes the same thing. So how can you ensure that your culinary creations will be met with unanimous approval? Here are some tips for creating family meals that everyone will love.

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1) Keep It Simple

When it comes to family meals, simplicity is key. After all, you want to be able to prepare the dish quickly and easily without having to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, who has time for complicated recipes when there are hungry mouths to feed?

That’s why it’s a good idea to stick to simple dishes that everyone will enjoy. Think classic comfort foods like spaghetti and meatballs, roast chicken, or mac and cheese. These recipes are easy to make and universally loved by kids and adults alike. So why not give them a try next time you’re planning a meal?

2) Get Recommendations From Everyone

If you want to ensure that everyone in the family enjoys their meal, it’s essential to get input from all of them. For example, ask your spouse and children what kind of dishes they’d like to try – this way, everyone can have a say in what’s on the menu.

You can also look for inspiration online or through cookbooks. This is a great way to find interesting recipes for your whole family. No matter what you choose, be sure to keep things balanced by including plenty of fruits and veggies alongside the main course.

3) Use Familiar Ingredients

If you want to ensure that your family will enjoy their meal, stick to ingredients they know and love. This way, even if the flavors are new to them, they’ll have an idea of what to expect. For example, if you’re making chili, use beef and beans as your main ingredients, which are familiar to most people.

On the other hand, if your recipe calls for more exotic ingredients like tofu or tempeh, it might be a good idea to serve those dishes as side dishes instead of as the main course. That way, everyone can still have a hearty meal without feeling overwhelmed by unfamiliar flavors.

4) Experiment With New Flavors

Don’t be afraid to introduce new flavors and dishes into your family’s meal rotation. After all, everyone needs a little variety every now and then! However, if you’re feeling intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients, start small. For example, you could try adding a few new spices to your slow cooker chicken tortilla soup. This way, you can still enjoy a familiar meal with an unexpected twist.

Once you get more confident in the kitchen, you can start experimenting with more adventurous recipes. Just be sure to keep it simple – otherwise, your family may feel overwhelmed by all of the new flavors.

5) Get The Kids Involved

One great way to ensure that your family will enjoy their meal is to involve the kids in the cooking process. Not only is this a great way to teach them valuable life skills, but it can also make them more likely to try new dishes and flavors.

If you’re making tacos, for example, let your children help chop the vegetables or add spices to the meat mixture. You could even have them help assemble the tacos themselves – that way, they’ll know exactly what ingredients went into their meals and be more likely to try them.

6) Consider Dietary Restrictions

Finally, it’s essential to consider any dietary restrictions that might be present in your family. A vegan or vegetarian may need different ingredients than a meat eater, and gluten allergies must also be considered.

Fortunately, many online recipes cater to special diets so everyone can enjoy their meal without compromising their health or beliefs. Just make sure that you double-check the ingredients before serving them – this will ensure that everyone can safely enjoy their meal together.

Making Family Meals That Everyone Will Love

Cooking a meal that everyone in your family will love doesn’t have to be complicated. By keeping it simple, getting input from all family members, using familiar ingredients, experimenting with new flavors, involving the kids in the cooking process, and considering dietary restrictions, you can create an enjoyable and satisfying meal for everyone. With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can ensure that your family loves every meal you make.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home and Recipes collections

Tofu is one of the most versatile foods around. While it doesn’t have any particular taste on its own, you can pair it with just about any flavor – spicy, sweet, sour – and it will come out a winner. This is, of course, providing you know how to prepare it. Below we will look at both sweet and savory versions of tofu pancakes to bring some punch to your Sunday brunch.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home and Recipes collections

Sweet Tofu Pancakes

This recipe uses silken tofu, which is smooth, soft, and perfect for blending with other ingredients to give your finished recipe a creamy texture. The combination of silken tofu and a ‘flour’ made from blitzed oats is perfect for everyone, including those who crave pancakes and don’t eat gluten. Drizzle these babies with maple syrup and fresh fruit, and you’re all set.

This recipe below serves 4 people.

Sweet Tofu Pancake Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups rolled oats, divided
• 1 small packet of silken tofu (8 ounces)
• 3/4 cup plant-based milk (almond works well, otherwise any kind)
• Maple syrup (2 tablespoons for the recipe, plus more for serving)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted* (plus either cooking spray or more coconut oil for cooking pancakes)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Sea salt
• 1 egg (OR 1 tablespoon chia seeds, soaked in 4 tablespoons water for vegan pancakes)

*If your coconut oil isn’t already soft – this is to enable it to blend. You can melt it gently in a bain-marie or the microwave.

Method

Blitz 1 3/4 cup of the oats in a food processor or blender till you get a fine flour. Add the silken tofu (without the liquid) along with the remaining ingredients. Blend till smooth, and then pour into a bowl. Stir in the rest of the oats, and let the batter stand so that it can thicken (about 10 minutes).

Now melt 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a large pan or skillet (nonstick) over medium heat. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup for each pancake to pour the batter into the pan. Let it cook till you can see bubbles forming on the top. The edges of your pancake should start to turn golden brown. At this point, flip over the pancake and fry for another 2 minutes or so.

Repeat this process till all pancakes are cooked, adding a teaspoon of coconut oil in between pancakes if needed (you can use a nonstick cooking spray instead if you wish).

Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit, if desired. Enjoy!

[Read: Quarantine Baking Recipes Your Kids Will Love]

Savory Tofu Pancakes

These pancakes make great additions to any brunch, as well as an easy treat for packed lunches or an accompaniment to dinner.

This recipe serves 5 people.

Savory Tofu Pancake Ingredients

• 1 packet extra-firm tofu
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
• 2 tablespoons tahini or nut butter (peanut, almond)
• 1/3 cup water (possibly more, see method below)
• 1/2 cup gluten-free or all-purpose flour
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Savory dipping sauces (optional, for serving)

Method

First, set the tofu to drain while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. The drier your tofu, the better it will soak up flavors like a sponge. If you have a tofu press like this, place the tofu in the press. Leave it for about 5 minutes or more, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you don’t have a tofu press, press your tofu by hand. Wrap your tofu in a towel and put it in a colander, and put a weight on top. Leave it to drain for about 30 minutes.

Heat a large nonstick pan, griddle, or skillet over low to medium-low heat.

With your hands, crumble the tofu into your food processor and add the diced shallot, soy or tamari, nut butter, and 1/3 cup water. Process well till the mixture is smooth. The batter should be fairly thin. Taste the batter and add a bit of salt or a bit more soy sauce if desired.

Now put the tofu mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the flour and a few grinds of black pepper. Check the consistency: your batter should now be thick like pancake batter. If you need to, add a bit more water or flour to adjust.

To cook your pancakes, use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to scoop up the batter and pour it into the hot pan. Spread it out gently for a thin pancake, making sure there is enough room between pancakes to flip them.

Cook each pancake till the bottom is golden brown and you can see bubbles forming on the surface (about 4-6 minutes).

Serve warm and enjoy with your favorite savory dipping sauces on the side.

[Read: Veggie-Packed Lasagna (Grain Free)]

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home and Recipes collections

Quarantine Baking Recipes Your Kids Will Love

Quarantine is hard. Even the most introverted home bodies amongst us can agree that this time in lockdown is becoming a little boring. It can be hard to come up with new and exciting ways to fill our days, especially when we have kids to keep busy. But there are family resources for staying home and entertained during the COVID-19 Quarantine.

So, if you are feeling a little slump in your mood during this lockdown period, there is something you can do right now to help pass the time: baking. Making some fun baking recipes will not only pass the time in lockdown, but it will also be a good way for you to get some much needed sugar!

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home and Recipes collections

Simple, Delicious Baking Recipes

Here are some great recipes you should try during this time that will wow the whole family. They are not complicated to make, but they will provide some much needed and appreciated comfort food that everyone will love!

Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe

Using berries in cakes is a great thing, from a berry chantilly cake to a sweet strawberry Swiss roll. For this recipe we are taking a classic gateau and taking those flavors to a cheesecake!

Ingredients for Black Forest Cheesecake:

• 1 pack chocolate digestives
• 50g butter
• 6 tbsp black cherry jam (sour cherry)
• 300ml double cream
• 400g cream cheese
• 150g icing sugar
• 60g sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 100g dark chocolate

Directions for Black Forest Cheesecake:

1. Crush the digestive biscuits and mix with melted butter. Into a cake dish, add the mixture and press to create a solid base. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine 200ml of cream, cream cheese, icing sugar, sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Add 4 tbsp cherry jam and marble through the mixture. Pour into the cake tin, smooth, and chill for 20 minutes.
3. Make ganache by heating 100ml cream and then adding chunks of chocolate and stirring to melt.
4. Pour ganache over cake, chill for 10 minutes, then add remaining 2 tbsp jam in the middle.

Triple Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes are the most amazing sweet treat! Here you can vamp them up even more by making them triple chocolate! Enjoy 🙂

Ingredients for Triple Chocolate Cupcakes:

• 185g caster sugar
• 120g self raising flour
• 65g cocoa powder
• 285g butter
• 3 large eggs
• 100g white chocolate chips
• 100g dark chocolate chips
• 50g milk chocolate, melted
• 200g icing sugar

Directions for Triple Chocolate Cupcakes:

1. In a bowl, cream together 185g butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Fold in the flour and cocoa powder.
2. Add chocolate chips and mix well.
3. Cook in the oven at 190C for 15-18 minutes. After 15 minutes check with a skewer and if clean, they are ready.
4. Make buttercream with icing sugar, 100g butter, and melted chocolate. Spread or pipe onto cooled cakes.

Millionaire Shortbread

Millionaire shortbread is an amazing treat! This version is super simple to make, and will satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients for Millionaire Shortbread:

• 300g flour
• 200g butter
• 100g sugar
• 200ml double cream
• 200g dark chocolate
• 150ml dulce de leche or caramel

Directions for Millionaire Shortbread:

1. For the shortbread: cube softened butter and mix with your fingers into the flour and sugar. You should end up with a crumb like consistency. Keep mixing until a loose dough is formed.
2. Spread the dough into a cake dish or baking dish and press lightly to flatten. Sprinkle some sugar onto the dough and bake at 180C for around 15 minutes until golden. Cool.
3. Spread dulce de leche or caramel over your shortbread and chill for 30 minutes.
4. In a microwaveable bowl, heat cream until almost boiling and then drop in the chocolate, stirring to melt.
5. Pour the chocolate ganache over your millionaire shortbread and chill.
6. Cut into slices or cubes!

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home and Recipes collections

We are living in an unprecedented time as our entire world is battling the Coronavirus. Many of us are isolated from our friends, family, and co-workers. We are home much more than we are used to, and that can present some challenges for sure! Cooking during COVID-19 can be a challenge, which is why we’re sharing tips for feeding your family during coronavirus isolation

Having worked from home for the past 5 years, I understand the challenges our current situation has placed on parents. Whether it is the change of working remotely, grocery shopping on-a-dime, or even homeschooling children; I have faced these obstacles before. But something new I have had to navigate, as I’m sure you have as well, is the longer stretches between grocery shopping trips and making the food you have in your pantry stretch as far as possible. In an effort to help each other – I have put together this article to provide tips, tricks, and recipes to help keep you safe and healthy as we move forward.

Tips for Cooking During COVID-19

• What food to stock in your pantry
• How to stretch a meal
• How to preserve and stretch your food longer
• Recipes using what you have
• Tips for grocery shopping

This article is written by Katie Strohecker
For more on this topic, check out the full Surviving at Home collection

During Isolation, Buy Foods That Stretch a Long Way

Try to stock-up on foods that can stretch and feed a lot of people (for larger families), or can provide you with leftovers (for smaller families). We have to make what we have last us for longer stretches than we are used to.

Ideas of these foods include:

• Pasta
• Eggs & veggies
• Rice and Beans
• Lentils
• Childhood Favorites (PBJ, grilled cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets)
• Breakfast for dinner (pancakes, eggs, waffles, quiche, casseroles, etc.)
• Whole Chicken (roasting your own or purchase from Costco/Local grocery chain)
• Soup (either canned or homemade)
• Baked Potatoes (can be topped with canned chili, loaded with toppings or frozen veggies)

Check out our Recipes page for simple, nutritious, and delicious options that your family is sure to love!

And check out more inspiration and ideas at TheKitchn.com

Make Meals Last Longer During Coronavirus Quarantine

Another way to make your groceries last longer, and to save money, is by stretching your meals. What does this mean? It’s about filling everyone’s belly up, but not using as much to do it. It means conserving your proteins and being strategic about what and how you serve your meal.

Meal Stretching Tips:

• Add water/stock/broth to stretch a soup or stew
• Use meat as a condiment rather than a main course (salad topping, soup add-in, pasta topper, mix-in for casseroles or eggs, etc.)
• Cook more pasta, rice, and potatoes
• Serve appropriate portion sizes
• Add bread, rolls, or bagels to a meal
• Serve more vegetable and bean side dishes (fresh, frozen or canned)

Check out our Saving Money collection and FunCheapFree.com for more free tips and strategies.

How to Stretch Your Groceries During COVID-19

If you do not already plan your meals, now is the time to start! Plan out what you are going to make for the next 2 or 3 weeks and stick to it. This will be useful for when you make your shopping list. {Look for more tips on grocery shopping a little later in this article.} You may have to get creative with your meals – think outside the box. In the next section, I’ll share some apps and online sources for recipes.

A few other tips for stretching what you have:

• Water down beverages to stretch them (Iced teas, juices, etc.)
• Freeze cheeses before they go bad
• Freeze or use produce before it spoils (bake with it, make a jam/chutney, make sauce, etc.)
• Choose fruits/vegetables that store longer (apples, oranges, kiwi, blueberries, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, pomegranates, squash)
• Put bread/rolls/bagels in the refrigerator to lengthen their shelf life

Search Recipes by Ingredients

The internet is an endless resource for recipes. Try searching for recipes with few ingredients or ones that use canned products. There are even sources (some with convenient apps) that you can type the ingredients you have on hand in your fridge or pantry, and they will provide you a list of recipes using only those ingredients.

Popular Apps (for searching recipes with food in your fridge or pantry):

• MyFridgeFood
• Supercook
• Allrecipe’s Dinner Spinner

I also recommend checking out some of my favorite sources for recipes with few ingredients. One of my favorite recipes for flatbread includes only two ingredients: Self-rising flour and plain yogurt and tastes amazing [source: Jamie Oliver]!

Recipes with Only a Few Ingredients:

• BBC Good Food Family Meals
• Jamie Oliver’s Quick & Easy Food
• Rachael Ray 5 Ingredient Dinners
• 10 Easy Dinners From Canned Goods

Make Food from Scratch During COVID-19 Lockdown

Since you are isolated at home, and possibly need something to do with your children…try your hand at making your own bread, bagels, rolls/biscuits, tortillas, sauces, soups, spice mixes, jellies/jams, etc. (If you can find the ingredients you need!) It will be a memory your children will never forget!

Enjoy these inspirations to help you get started:

• Cooking with toddlers 10 Healthy Snacks Toddlers Can Make,
• Cooking with your older children How to Make Your Life Easier (With Tweens/Teens
• And if you do in fact make something from scratch, use this free printable recipe card to record your creation

Make Quick Safe Grocery Store Trips During Coronavirus

I wanted to end this article with a few tips on how to make your grocery store trips safe and quick. In our area, delivery and pick-up has been unavailable due to demand, so here are a few suggestions to make your grocery trip fast and efficient. Don’t forget to use hand sanitizer and a mask if possible.

• Know what you need (make a list and refer to your meal plan)
• Know how much you need (2 or 3 weeks worth)
• Organize your list by aisle or sections of the store for efficiency
• Be ready to substitute items due to availability
• Only touch packages or cans when you have made a decision
• Gather all produce and then weigh it (leave your cart in one spot)
• If allowed, bag your own items at checkout

I hope this article has provided you with some ideas of how to make meals less of a stressor at this unprecedented time. As much as we are apart, we are in this together. Stay safe and stay healthy!

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Home collection

Featured Contributor: Katie Strohecker

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