I go through waves. Sometimes I love to cook nice dinners (I really am a good cook, I promise). But other times (the last few months, especially) I don’t want to be bothered to spend two hours in the kitchen getting dinner ready. My biggest problem lately is my lack of planning. I hardly even think about dinner until 5:00, when it’s really too late to make anything nice. Some days I don’t even get home from driving kids to and from practices until after 5:00.
I’m sure a few of you could relate to my predicament.
Eating dinner together is important for my family, and we make it around the dinner table together every night (we rarely miss). However, the hour or two before dinner tend to be the thorn in my side, always causing me grief. There is always something pulling for my attention.
Quick Tips to make the most of your family dinner time:
- Plan ahead. There’s nothing worse than realizing that it’s 5:30 and there’s nothing planned for dinner.
- Have a list of simple-to-prepare meal stand-bys. Years ago, I wrote down a list of a dozen meals that my whole family enjoyed using ingredients that I almost always have on hand. That list has been a life-saver!
- Make dinner time a time to be together no matter what is on the table. Even when we have a mac-n-cheese or sandwich night, we eat together. It’s that important!
Bertolli “Make a Weeknight Meal Special” Challenge
This past week I was challenged to not only try the new Bertolli Meal Soups, but to make our meal into a special, stand-out dinner night. And the catch? We only had an hour to make our meal.
“We don’t have to keep these in here while we drink, do we, Mom??”
In less than 30 minutes from the time I came home from the store, we had a fancy-for-us meal all ready. The kitchen smelled amazing already, but the kids even lit some candles for the occasion.
“The only food that is better frozen is ice cream.”
He was skeptical at first, I admit, but he LOVED the Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken soup. I think I saw him take thirds. I also loved the soup – the chicken and tortellini tasted fresh and the tomato bisque had the perfect blend of spices and flavors.
What are your best tips for making dinner when you don’t have much time? Is family dinner time important for your family? Share your meal time tips on twitter with the hashtag #BertolliMealSoup.
About Bertolli Meals Soups:
- Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the peak of freshness.
- Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stove top in minutes.
- With robust flavors and rich textures, new Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in four varieties: Chicken Minestrone, Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables.
Bertolli compensated me to participate in the Make a Weeknight Meal Special Challenge but as always thoughts and opinions are my own. If you don’t believe me, believe my skeptical husband who doesn’t usually like frozen foods – it’s really good stuff!
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How strange! Maybe they aren’t marketing them much anymore? Sadly, I did this post more than 2 years ago so I don’t really have any recent information. Good luck finding them!
I love the bertolli chicken minestrone bag soup. I have a very hard time finding it in Modesto, Ca. Do you know where I can order it online? I have been looking but can’t find it. I called bertolli they said try amazon, but I havent found it there either.
You made it so special with the tablecloth and centerpiece. That tortellini soup will forever be in my freezer now. It’s sooooo delicious!
I love your floral centerpiece and can definitely relate to your predicament. I love to cook, but there are so many days when I barely have time to breathe, let alone cook!
This is the same one we tried … and I really loved it, too! Your tips were great. I feel strongly about the family having dinner together, too! Times may have changed, but that’s one thing I try hard to carry over from MY childhood.
Nice blog :) Following you now.
Looks so yummy! Family get togethers are so important. We loved the Tuscan Beef & Veggies… Delicious!