Family dining action

Recipe - Seasons Best (FW15 SB)

Recipe - Seasons Best (FW15 SB)

(NAPS)—Here’s an idea many families may warm up to: You can cook up some togetherness and nourish your relationships when you create great, comforting and wholesome meals together as a family.

Why To Dine Together

According to researchers at Cornell University, when families eat dinner together, the children are 35 percent less likely to engage in disordered eating, 24 percent more likely to eat healthier food and 12 percent less likely to be overweight. Eating together may even lead to fewer behavior problems and more academic achievement.

How To Dine Together

The researchers suggest that families should plan to dine together at least three times a week, and while you’re eating, turn off the TV, phones and other outside distractions. Have a conversation. This is a good time to share important information, ideas and ideals with your children. Ask your kids questions about their day, school, friends, goals and so on. Tell them about yours

.

To help, the Family Resiliency Center at the University of Illinois, and Pampered Chef, the largest direct seller of kitchen tools, developed a few tips to make mealtimes easier:

• Make one night a week a special (stress-free) meal. It could be build your own pizza or taco night. Everyone will look forward to it and the cook is off the hook.

• Invite friends over for a cooking club. Cook several meals together that can go in the freezer for those nights you just don’t have the time or energy to cook.

• Prepare meals that are “double hitters.” Cook extra so there are leftovers that can be used in another meal the next night.

• Get everyone involved. Ask for favorite meal ideas for the week.

As for what to eat while you’re enjoying this together time, here’s a recipe to try:

Serves 5

1½ lbs (700 g) cauliflower (half of a large head or 1 small head)

8 oz (250 g) uncooked elbow macaroni (2 cups/500 mL)

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1½ cups (375 mL) chicken stock or chicken broth

½ cup (125 mL) milk

2 Tbsp (30 mL) flour

8 oz (250 g) reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups/500 mL grated)

1 cup (250 mL) 2% plain low-fat Greek yogurt

Salt and black pepper (optional)

1. Cut cauliflower into large chunks, keeping core intact. Using a Veggie Strip Maker, grate cauliflower florets into large Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl to measure 3 cups (750 mL).

2. Place cauliflower and macaroni in Rockcrok Dutch Oven or Deep Covered Baker. Using Garlic Slicer, slice garlic into Dutch Oven.

3. Whisk stock, milk and flour with Stainless Steel Whisk until blended. Pour into Dutch Oven; mix well.

4. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 17–20 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring once halfway through cooking.

5. Meanwhile, grate cheese with Microplane Adjustable Coarse Grater.

6. Using Silicone Oven Mitt Set, carefully remove Dutch Oven from microwave to Stackable Cooling Rack. Add yogurt and 1½ cups (375 mL) of the cheese; stir until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

7. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 1 minute or until cheese is melted.

The easiest way to grate the cauliflower so it stays in the bowl is to hold the Veggie Strip Maker at an angle into the large bowl while grating the florets. You can add color and flavor by adding two large peeled carrots, grated into short pieces with the Veggie Strip Maker.

At the company’s in-home cooking shows, you can see and try products, prepare and sample recipes, and learn quick and easy food preparation techniques as well as get tips on how to entertain with style and ease—transforming the simple to the spectacular. For more information, visit www.pamperedchef.com or www. facebook.com/PamperedChef. For other mealtime tips, recipes and cooking supplies, visit www.pam peredchef.com/mealtimeminutes.

More in News

Gavin Ley stands with the “Go-Shopping Kart” he designed and built in his career and technical education courses at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski students learn professional skills through technical education

Career and technical education gives students opportunity to learn skills, express themselves creatively, work cooperatively and make decisions.

Nikiski teachers, students and parents applaud Nikiski Middle/High Principal Mike Crain as he’s recognized as the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals 2025 Region III Principal of the Year by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski principal named Region III principal of the year

Crain has served as Nikiski’s principal for three years.

An 86 pound Kenai River king salmon is measured in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 29, 1995. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion File)
Kenai River king salmon fishing closed entirely for 3rd year

Kenai River king salmon were designated a stock of management concern in 2023.

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Board of Regents to meet in Soldotna

The last time the board met on the Kenai Peninsula was April 2012.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education member Penny Vadla and student representative Emerson Kapp speak to the joint Alaska House and Senate education committees in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Screenshot courtesy Gavel Alaska/KTOO)
KPBSD among dozens of districts to deliver in-person testimony to Alaska Legislature

Districts spotlighted programs already lost over years of stagnant funding that hasn’t met inflationary pressure.

Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by his office at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Education dominates Elam’s 1st town hall as state rep

Education funding dominated much of the conversation.

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Work soon to begin on Kenai Middle security upgrades

The security upgrades are among several key KPBSD maintenance projects included in a bond approved by borough voters in October 2022.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai adds funds, authorizes contract for study of emergency services facility

The building shared by Kenai’s police and fire departments hasn’t kept up with the needs of both departments, chief says.

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai awards contract to develop Parks and Rec master plan

The document is expected to guide the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Most Read