Home Maid Simple

Tag: lunch

  • Make Lunch fun with FunBites + a Giveaway

    Make Lunch fun with FunBites + a Giveaway

    Welcome to our FunBites Giveaway!
    FunBites makes mealtime fun for kids, especially when they’re trying new foods and are picky eaters! We’ve used our FunBites to cut a variety of sandwiches and bread, cheese, melons, pineapple, apples, peaches, bananas, avocado, squash, potatoes, ham, turkey, chicken patties, these 13 Hallloween recipes and more. I love that the cutter is easy to use, and safe for kids because it doesn’t have sharp parts. 

    It’s also dishwasher safe, although we prefer to hand wash ours with the kids sippy cups. FunBites cutters are available in a variety of colors and shapes: Squares, Trianges, Hearts, and now for a limited time Minion Goggle! The winner will receive one FunBites cutter of their style choice and color. Enter using the form below and good luck!
    Disclosure: Practical Parenting Ideas and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway is not affiliated or associated with Facebook or any other social media platform.
  • Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich

    Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich

     
    Pepper Jack Chciken Sandwich is a sponsored post by Tyson and The Daily Meal. Opinion and recipe are 100% my own.
    Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
    Oh em YUM! So lately our lunches have been…interesting…. When it’s just me and the 2 little at home, I have a hard time really making a good balanced meal. At least for me, don’t worry I feed the kids! I just get a little bored of pb&j, mac and cheese, and ramen. Usually I’ll go for leftovers, but lately we haven’t had too many of those either. 
     
    With a renewed focus on taking care of myself this year, part of that needs to be a good lunch. I whipped this Pepperjack Chicken Sandwich up today, and seriously, you are going to love it! It’s not only full of flavor, but it’s extremely quick and simple to make as well. 
      Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
    Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
    A little bit of Spice and a whole lot of Yum can be found in this Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
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    Ingredients
    1. Tyson’s Crispy Chicken Strips
    2. hoagie rolls
    3. The Laughing Cow Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack
    4. Sliced Mozzarella
    5. Sliced Tomatoes
    6. salt and pepper
    7. Shredded lettuce
    Instructions
    1. Spread the pepper jack across both sides of the hoagie bun. Place spread side down in a frying pan on medium-low heat.
    2. Meanwhile place a chicken strip in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
    3. Carefully remove the hoagie from the frying pan – it may stick a little. Use a spatula to pull it up.
    4. Place chicken strip on bottom half of hoagie, and top with mozzarella. Briefly broil in the oven until the cheese begins to melt.
    5. Add sliced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and shredded lettuce. Enjoy lunch
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

      Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich

    Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich

    Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich
     
  • Ghent Waterzooi: A visit to Belgium

    Ghent Waterzooi: A visit to Belgium

    Ghent Waterzooi - a Belgian chicken stew
    When I saw we were visiting Belgium this month for Food of the World, I got pretty excited. My brother just moved his family to Brussels this summer, so I decided to pick his brain. In all honesty, when it comes to cooking, he’s probably the culinary master of our family. I asked him what he found to be the most common dish served in his short time living there, and if there was anything he particularly liked. 
    Of course his resonse was Frites – of Belgian Fries. Along with that though, would also be Mussells. Turns out there’s a very popular dish that is mussells and frites together. I debated, but really, I don’t think I should make mussells the first time I try them – they should be properly cooked by someone more experienced than me if there’s any hope I will like them. Am I right? My husband would agree. 
    Although Belgian Frites are on my menu this month, I decided to turn to the rest of the interwebs for inspiration. I came across this delicious looking recipe for Endive Gratin – but none of my local stores sell endives. So I turned to the next recipe catching my eye – Ghent Waterzooi. Named after the River ghent, because traditionally this is served with fish, that was mostly caught in the Ghent. 
    However, it is served frequently as a chicken dish as well, and since that is what I had on hand, I chose to go for a chicken waterzooi. This recipe yields 2 servings, and can be whipped up for a nice lunch, or doubled for a family dinner.

    Ghent Waterzooi

    Ingredients
    1 TBS butter
    1/2 of 1 leek, chopped
    1 celery stalk, chopped
    1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    1 1/2 cups chicken stock
    1 egg
    1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
    salt and pepper
    green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
    Directions
    1. Saute leek, celery, and butter in a medium sauce pan.
    2. Add chicken, and chicken stock. Cook 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and cut into chunks. Return to pan.
    3. Whip egg and cream together. Stir into the chicken and veggies. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook another 10 minutes. 
    4. Serve hot with bread. 
    Next month – Nov 11th – we will visit the tiny island of Malta. Start checking out recipes from this country’s cuisine. 

  • 2 Sandwiches with Bagel Thins and Sandwich Thins

    2 Sandwiches with Bagel Thins and Sandwich Thins

    *This post is sponsored by Sandwich Thins®, Pocket Thins® and Bagel Thins ®. They provided me with coupons and a gift card to try the products mentioned. All thoughts are my own*
     
    Oscar Eggs Benedict or Sandwich Thins with sprouts
     
    I was so excited when I heard about Bagel thins, Sandwich thins, and Pocket Thins. The gears in my head started turning, as I dreamed up this bagel sandwich with ham, asparagus, eggs and hollandaise sauce. I could practically taste it before I ever bought the ingredients. 
     
    Then I started thinking about the Sandwich and Pocket Thins, and I was brought back to my childhood. I remember my mom stuffing sprouts into a pita pocket with my ham and cheese. I thought it was the best thing ever. I haven’t put sprouts on my sandwiches in forever, so I knew I was creating a treat to take me back home. 
     
    Unfortunately I couldn’t locate the Pocket Thins in any of my local stores *sad face*, so I decided to make do with the Sandwich Thins.  These are great because they contain zero grams trans fat, are cholesterol free, and have no high fructose corn syrup. Plus my favorite thing about them is their thinness. I mean I love sandwiches, but sometimes the bread takes over from being able to taste all the other yummy goodness, am I right? 
     
    I hope you enjoy my adult version of my childhood favorite!
     
    Sandiwch thins Sandwich prep
     
    Start by gathering all your ingredients:
     
    • Sandwich Thins: Healthy Multi-grain Rolls
    • Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke & Parmesan
    • Deli meat – whatever your preference is
    • shredded cheddar
    • shredded Romaine
    • sliced  tomatoes
    • Alfalfa Sprouts
    Sandiwch Thins
     
    I was a little worried pulling the top and bottom apart, but they came apart very easily.  Next spread 1 tsp of the Artichoke Parmesan on the bottom half.
     
    Building a Sandwich Thins sandwich
     
    Add sliced tomato, followed by your choice of deli meats. I used Honey Turkey and Chicken. 
     
    Deli meat on Sandwich Thins
     
    It’s looking so yummy!  At this point, layer with shredded lettuce and cheese – as little or as much as you desire. 
     
    Sandwich thins sandwiches
     
    Now you’re ready for the finishing touch, and highlight of the sandwich – Alfalfa Sprouts (or whatever sprouts you prefer). Be generous.
     
    Alfalfa sprouts on Sandwich thins
     
    Top with the other half of the Sandwich Thin, and then sit down, and really enjoy.  
     
     
    Sandwich Thins and Pocket Thins come in a variety of flavors including
    100% Whole Wheat, Healthy Multi-grain, Honey Wheat, Flax & Fiber
    Connect with Sandiwch Thins on Facebook and Weight Watchers
     
    Ready for the next Sandwich?  This one uses Thomas Bagel Thins.  It wasn’t until I pulled the mix for the Hollandaise sauce out that I realized my idea wasn’t that original. I was making basically Eggs Benedict.  When I researched what exactly Eggs Benedict was though, I came across a list of variations. My sandwich wasn’t exactly any of the variations either, so I combined two to give this sandwich it’s name – Oscar Eggs Benedict. 
     

     

    Oscar Eggs Benedict on Bagel Thins
    This was some serious yum. It was hours later and I could still taste the melding flavors from this deliciousness. I hope you enjoy.
     
     
    Oscar Eggs Benedict
    Serves 1
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 Plain Bagel Thin (they also come in 100% Whole Wheat, Cinnamon Raisin, and Everything)
    2. 1 slice of Ham
    3. 3 Asparagus Spears
    4. 1 egg
    5. Knorr’s Hollandaise Sauce
    6. Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke Parmesan
    7. Garlic Pepper
    Instructions
    1. Open your Bagel Thin and spread 1 TBS Artichoke Parmesan on the bottom half. Set aside
    2. Heat 1 TBS Olive Oil in a medium frying pan.
    3. Break the Asparagus Spears in half and add to the oil.
    4. Sprinkle with a dash of Garlic Pepper.
    5. Fry for about 5 minutes. Remove asparagus, and set aside.
    6. Break your egg into the pan, and add the slice of ham as well.
    7. Fry your egg however you desire. I prefer a soft yolk, but others don’t. If you want it more Benedict traditional, poach your egg. I was going for quick and easy.
    8. Meanwhile cook the Hollandaise sauce according to package instructions. Or make your own – The Pioneer Woman’s recipe looks pretty simple.
    9. Place the ham on the Bagel Thin, top with asparagus, egg, and Hollandaise sauce.
    10. Add bagel top and enjoy.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
    Serve with a Fresh Fruit Smoothie for an extra burst of yummy. 
     
    Thomas Bagel Thins are 110 calories and cholesterol free. 
    These along with the Sandwich and Pocket Thins are only 3 Weight Watchers Points – as for adding the rest of the ingredients, I couldn’t tell you what the points are. 
     
    Connect with Thomas Bagel Thins on Facebook and Weight Watchers
    Oscar Eggs Benedict on Bagel Thins
     
     
    Giveaway! *EXPIRED*
    1 winner will receive a $25 Visa gift card and Free Product Coupon. Plenty to make both of these sandwiches!  
    Open to US residents only. Enter on Rafflecopter. 
     
  • Mozzarella en Carrozza: A visit to Italy

    Mozzarella en Carrozza: A visit to Italy

     
    I had all intentions of revamping, and getting better pictures of my Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip, but the more I researched Italian Cuisine, the more I wanted to try something new. Of course, I’ll still be heading back to that dip, because it is divine, but today I decided to go with something new. 
     
    Mozzarella en Carrozza. 
     

    Basically a cheese sandwich. I know it doesn’t sound all that new, but trust me it is!  I found the recipe first on Mangia Bene Pasta.  I really enjoyed browsing her recipes, and learning a little more about traditional Italian food. I kept coming back to the Mozzarella en Carrozza though, because my parents recently told me about this new Gourmet Cheese Sandwich shop that they visited.

    Normally my cheese sandwiches consist of buttered bread and Cheddar cheese, sometimes a slice of ham.  This sandwich is so much more though! It’s just as easy to make, giving you a new lunch option.

    Mozarella en Carrozza
    Yields 3
    Visit Italy and spin your normal grilled cheese with this Mozzarella en Carrozza
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    Ingredients
    1. 6 slices Bread
    2. Mozzarella Cheese – make it as cheesy as you want
    3. 1/2 cup flour
    4. 1 cup milk
    5. 1 egg
    6. a pinch of salt and pepper
    7. Olive Oil
    Instructions
    1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
    2. Whisk egg with salt and pepper.
    3. Place slices of the mozzarella between 2 slices of bread.
    4. Dredge sandwich through milk, then flour, then egg.
    5. Carefully place in frying pan.
    6. Cook until golden, then flip and cook the other side. It takes no longer than 1 minute per side.
    7. Eat alone, or dip in some marinara sauce.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    You can eat the Mozzarella en Carrozza by itself, but I enjoyed mine dipped in Hunts Italian Sausage sauce. It was like a pizza, but in sandwich form. So delicious!
     
     
    I am so excited that Diane has invited us all to join in the Food of the World party. A big welcome to all the Co-Hosts. Take a moment and go visit them. 
     
    If you have any Italian recipes you’d like to share, please link up below! This party goes all month long, so come on back and see what new recipes are being shared. 
     
     

    [inlinkz_linkup id=369590 mode=1]

  • Feed a Child, Nourish a Mind

    Feed a Child, Nourish a Mind

    It’s Monday morning, you’re getting your child ready for school.

    What should you put in their lunch? A water bottle or a juice box? Sandwich or salad? Fruit cups or chopped vegetable?  Maybe you’ll just send them with some lunch money?

    “Lack of food can diminish concentration, erode willpower, and strip away a child’s potential. Compound that with prevalence of HIV/AIDS or the trauma of losing parents and loved ones, without food, a child’s attendance and performance at school is severely jeopardized.”

    You aren’t worrying that your child is getting the right nutrition because you are present in their life. You are there making sure they eat healthy, go to school, and have all that they need to succeed.

    “Nearly 20% of all children in South Africa are orphans, with approximately 1.9 Million of those children orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS.”

    You take your children to the doctor and dentist, making sure they are as healthy as possible. You change their diets if needed.  You do this all after school so they don’t have to miss any education.

    “65% of all South African children live in poverty. Receiving food encourages these children to stay in school and obtain their education.”

    What are you eating for lunch today?  I’m having a salad. I really nice big salad full of romaine lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, croutons, and a hard boiled egg.

    A salad like this doesn’t cost me very much. Especially in the spring and summer when a lot of the vegetables. I don’t always eat this healthy though. Sometimes I head to the nearest fast food. I spend a lot more when I do that. At least $5.  When my kids are with me, it’s a lot more.

    Did you know that just $10 can feed a child their only meal for the day. So if I donate $5, and you donate $5 together we can feed a child.

    The Lunchbox Fund is a campaign working to feed 100 South African children a daily meal for a year!  Will you be a part of this movement?

  • The Green Earth Pan from Ozeri

    The Green Earth Pan from Ozeri

    *I received free product in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are 100% my own.*

    After talking to the people behind Healthy Child Healthy World, I’ve been a little more conscious about what chemicals we are exposing our family to.  It wasn’t until Ozeri contacted me that I hadn’t taken a second thought to all my non-stick cookware.

    Who doesn’t  love non-stick pans?  They make cooking, especially with kids, quick and easy. Since I’ve started using my Green Ozeri pan, I had to do a little more research into what exactly is up with PTFE and PFOA.

    Let’s start with the word Teflon. If you cook, you’ve heard of Teflon. Just about anything non-stick is coated in teflon – that’s what makes it non-stick after all.  So what is Teflon?  The chemical name for Teflon is polytetrafluoroethylene aka PTFE.

    As far as I have been able to tell, PTFE itself is pretty safe, unless heated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.  The real issue from Teflon coated cookware comes from the PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid which is a chemical used to make Teflon.

    PFOA has been linked to cancer in lab animals and thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and infertility issues in people. The kicker though, is as far as studies have gone PFOA is not actually leaking out of your Teflon coated cookware into your food. However again, if heated at high temps some fumes can be released which may give you flu like symptoms.

    With all my research, it seems like our cookware is probably safe, but I’m still excited to be using our new Ozeri pan. Unlike Teflon coated pans, Ozeri uses Greblon Ceramic coating from Germany to get a top of the line, but eco-friendly non-stick surface that is completely PTFE and PFOA free.

    I am really in love with my Green (in color too!) Ozeri pan. It truly is a non-stick surface. The company suggests still using a small amount of oil in your pan, to help season it, but you can cut the amount down pretty well. I haven’t used any oil in my pan yet though, and it’s doing just fine. 
    I was also impressed with the depth. Most of my frying pans are pretty shallow, but the Ozeri is almost twice as deep, which helps in cooking for my whole family. 
    Since we still want to protect the coating on the pan, you should not use any metal utensils on the surface or store other pans on top of it. Also keep the heat around medium or lower for a good even heating that doesn’t break down the ceramic coating. 
    To top it all off, the pan is extremely easy to clean as well! You don’t want to put this pan in the dishwasher, but a little soap, water and a quick wipe with a rag and your pan is clean. 
    Chicken Egg Sandwich
    Ingredients
    2 slices Multigrain Bread
    Miracle Whip or Mayo
    lettuce
    tomato, sliced
    breaded chicken
    1 egg
    Directions
    Fry up the chicken until cooked through. While frying, spread some Mayo on one side of each slice of bread. Top one bread with lettuce and tomato as desired. Add the cooked chicken to your sandwich and fry up an egg. I personally love them runny, but Mark likes them cooked through. Enjoy! This sandwich is delicious! If you want a little extra yumminess, add some cheddar cheese to the hot chicken (I didn’t have any on hand today). 
    Purchase The Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri on Amazon
  • Quick and Easy Pack Lunches

    Quick and Easy Pack Lunches

    I can’t believe I’m going to have two kids in school this year!  Where did the time go?  Princess V is headed to first grade and Princess C to Kindergarten.  With a first grader, it means I’ve got to think about school lunches now. I’m not big on getting school lunches – so for the most part she’ll be taking a pack lunch. Of course, I’m sure we’ll periodically let her eat at school, I’m not that set in my ways. It will just be reserved for special occasions.

    School starts tomorrow here!  Where did our summer go? I had all these fun plans, but I don’t think we got to any of them. We did however move, and are still settling in. Unpacking has been put on a slight hold though, while I get ready for the girls to start school. We’re pretty lucky here in that the elementary schools provide all the supplies, so we didn’t have to purchase anything for the classroom. That left me with a nice little budget for school lunch items. Even better, was while we were unpacking I realized we bought some tubs that would be perfect for storing all our lunch items – making it a quick and easy job to pack lunches.

    I’ve got one more container I need to unpack, and then I’ll really be ready. But right now this is going to get use through the first week or two of school. I’ve left sandwich stuff, and fruit and veggies out of them for now, but in the future I’ll put the bread and peanut butter and honey into it’s own tub. For now this is what I have.

    With Mark working a regular 9 to 5 type job now as well, I get to make him lunches as well. It makes me excited!  This makes it both easy for me to make lunches, but also for Mark to grab a lunch in case I forget, or am not feeling well (as was the case this morning).

    I’m stuck on ideas other than sandwiches (and I need to figure out if we have a no peanut policy at our school), but after browsing pinterest, I know I’ll be able to make some awesome lunches for Princess V this year. Peanut Blossom’s 30 days of lunch ideas is going to be my first stop before the next grocery trip I make.

    How are you getting ready for back to school?

    You can find this and other posts linked up at these fun parties
  • Round Up of Recipes {Foodie Friday}

    Round Up of Recipes {Foodie Friday}

    BWS tips button
     
    After browsing what I have for you today, head over to my co-host, Diane at Simple Living and Eating, for another fabulous recipe!
     
    It has been one of those weeks for me.  To be honest, I really don’t have them that often. Days – yes. But full on weeks of pull my hair out craziness, not too frequent around here. I feel like I’ve spent most of the week in the car driving from dentist to school to dance and back to dentist.  The week isn’t over yet!  Tonight took the cake as I took all 4 kids to see Mark’s high school band and choir concert. They did great!  The students that is. My kids – not so much. Princess R almost made it on the stage – twice – and Prince L had a sudden burst of spitting up all over mommy.
     
    Needless to say, I’m not really looking forward to Kindergarten registration in the morning – with all 4 kids again. Especially when they kindly stated “and your kindergartner doesn’t need to be there”.  I think that’s code for “please don’t bring your kids”.
     
    I haven’t had much time for cooking or baking this week. The 2 recipes I attempted to create for your enjoyment were EPIC FAILS! I kid you not. Let me give you a few quick pointers –
     
    1. Don’t listen to someone if they tell you half and half whips up almost like whipping cream. It doesn’t, and you will not have a frosting for the last minute cake you threw together.
     
    2. Never ever buy Sloppy Joe mix for Food Storage. The sodium taste is horrendous, and you will spend forever trying to find ways to mask it without wasting food.
     
    Since I’m not giving you a personal recipe this week, I thought it would be fun to show you around past Foodie Friday’s in a Meal by Meal layout!  Sit back, scroll and click away (all links should open in a new window), and find some great new bloggers with mouth watering recipes!

    Breakfast

     

    Lunch & Dinner

     
     

    Salads and Sides

     
     

    Desserts

     
     
    I once (or twice or more) said how much I wish I could feature you all!  Since that’s really not possible (hey you’ve all got your links on the bottom of the blog…it’s almost a feature!), I thought this was the next best thing. Diane and I have been hosting this Foodie Friday party for over a year now, and we are both thrilled and sometimes overwhelmed with the response you’ve given us.
     
    Thank you all so much for continuing to make my Fridays fun and full of food.
     
    By the by – did you know I have a Foodie Friday Pinterest Board? I try to get at least all my features pinned.  You should come check it out and follow!
    
     

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  • Sweet Onion Tuna Sandwich {Foodie Friday}

    Sweet Onion Tuna Sandwich {Foodie Friday}

    BWS tips button
     
    One of these days I will be on top of everything!  I can’t believe it already got to Friday Morning, and I’m just putting out Foodie Friday. Life just doesn’t slow down does it?
     
    I’ve been playing around with my lunch lately, because I got pretty bored of mac and cheese, ramen, and PB&J.  It’s the staple for the kids, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. In an attempt to feed them something different, I created a tuna, honey cheese sandwich for the kids – it didn’t go over well. That’s mostly because they won’t try tuna at all. I just keep putting it in front of them though. One day they’ll have to give it a try.
     
    Not a big honey fan myself, I made my sandwich differently, and it was oh so good!  The Sweet Onion Tuna Sandwich has been born.
     
     
    
    
    It looks simple – which it is – but the taste is amazing! 
     
    Ingredients
    2 slices bread, toasted
    1 can tuna
    not quite 1/4 cup mayo
    1-2 TBS Wildtree’s Sweet Onion Spread
    1 tomato, sliced
    2 slices Mild Cheddar Cheese
     
    Directions
    Mix the tuna and mayo in a small bowl.
    Spread the Sweet Onion spread on one side of one slice of bread. Top with desired amount of tuna mixture. Add Tomato and cheese. Finish off with the second slice of bread.
     
    I debated adding some bacon and lettuce, but was in a hurry and had no lettuce. Next time I might try it with those added, but it was quite good without them. Enjoy!
     

    ~FEATURES~

    Grilled Deli-Style Sandwich with Spinach Dip Schmear by Jazzy Gourmet

    Grilled Deli-Style Sandwich with Spinach Dip Schmear
    Another amazing, yet more complicated sandwich than my own. This would definitely up the lunchtime meal.
     
     
    Maine Maple Milk
    I grew up in New Hampshire, and never heard of Maple Milk. I must try it!
     
    Leftover Ham Ideas
    Leftover Ham Ideas
    Still eating ham from Easter? Try some of these ideas! I’m eyeing the quiche Lorraine.
    
    
     
     

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