Kids Fun Food Week – Chicken Surprise Bundles

I say it all the time…

The easiest way to get a kid to eat,

Is to involve them in the process.

These little bad boys are so much fun to make…

And even better to eat.

Check out our Chicken Surprise Bundles…

kids lunch ideas kid favorite recipes getting kids to eat featured dinner baking with kids    Kids Fun Food Week   Chicken Surprise Bundles

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 tube Pillsbury refrigerated dough

1 cup grilled chicken, diced

1 cup shredded swiss, cheddar or mozzarella cheese

8 sliced cooked chopped bacon

1 cup baby spinach

WHAT TO DO:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Spread out your dough on a cutting board.

Cut it into 8 equal squares

Place the rest of your ingredients in an assembly line and call the kids into help.

kids lunch ideas kid favorite recipes getting kids to eat featured dinner baking with kids    Kids Fun Food Week   Chicken Surprise Bundles

Let them decide what goes into the center of each of their bundles.

Keegan built his with bacon and cheese and chicken.

Brady and Cooper loaded up on the spinach.

You can get creative and add whatever you think your kids will like!

Next wrap up your bundles.

Take each corner and pull it up towards the center.

Pinch together at the top and place on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 12-14 minutes.

kids lunch ideas kid favorite recipes getting kids to eat featured dinner baking with kids    Kids Fun Food Week   Chicken Surprise Bundles

Serve with a side salad or soup or veggie sticks.  Make a bunch, these bundles go fast!

Mad Props to Mommie

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes dinner    Mad Props to Mommie

Admit it…

You’re hungry.

Looking at that skillet full of cheesy, pasta goodness is making you think about dinner.

It’s ok…

Same thing happened to me.

This is of course ages ago when I first stumbled upon one of my favorite gals out there in bloggyland.

In case you haven’t yet, meet Julie from Mommie cooks

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes dinner    Mad Props to Mommie

And that pan filled with deliciousness was what I saw the first time I laid eyes on her site…I was hooked.

And I finally made it.

The boys loved it.

Big thumbs up.

Even Keegan ate some spinach.

You have to try her Gnocchi Skillet Dinner

1 Pkg of Gnocchi
1 Pd of Ground Turkey or Italian Sausage
1 Onion, Diced
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 Can of White Kidney Beans
1 Bag of Fresh or 2 Cups of Frozen Spinach ( I used fresh)
1 28 Oz Can of Marinara Sauce
1 tsp of Basil
1 tsp of Oregano
1/8 tsp of Crushed Red Pepper
1/4 Cup of Vegetable Broth
2 Tbsp of White Wine
1 Pkg or Marinated Mozzarella or 2 Cups of Shredded
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Cook your gnocchi up according to package directions. While your gnocchi is heating up, grab your turkey or sausage and cook it up along with the onion and garlic on medium high heat. If you choose to go vegetarian, simply leave the meat out and add in a tablespoon or two of butter with your onion and garlic.

Once the meat is cooked through, turn the heat down to medium and add in the beans and the spinach.

Cook the beans and spinach until heated through and then add in the marinara, basil, oregano, crushed pepper, vegetable broth and white wine.

Stir it all together, let the dinner heat up one more time and throw in some salt and pepper to taste. Finally place the mozzarella on the top of the skillet dish, put the top on the pan and let it sit for about five minutes until the cheese is melted.

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes dinner    Mad Props to MommieThat’s it! It’s easy, delicious, and there’s enough for leftovers. I even followed her recipe and didn’t let my recipe OCD take over. It was worth it! Thanks Julie!

I was also thinking it would be great to make this dish with some stuffed tortellini?  Maybe some 4 cheese or roasted mushroom?   Mmmm!  What do you think?  I may try it soon.

And don’t forget about our Apple Recipe Contest!!! Leave us your favorite Apple Recipe Here for a chance to win a copy of our cookbook of your very own!!!

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes dinner    Mad Props to Mommie

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes dinner    Mad Props to Mommie

Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

Ok, so this was a recipe I found on a great foodie website, The Ungourmet .  Her site is amazing and her photography…oh, well let’s just say I worship at the altar of her awesomeness!

As many of you may know, I am not a lasagna fan.

GASP!

Yes, it’s true…

I don’t do ricotta.

And before you say it, yes I’ve had lasagna without ricotta and still, it doesn’t work for me.

It makes no sense.  I like everything in there, but alas, I can’t do it.

BUT…

I kinda liked this one.

AND my family LOVES lasagna, like most normal human beings in the world.

Not to mention the fact that the boys had  a BLAST helping me construct these little towers of yummyness.

They are a much healthier alternative to the kind your granny made so give these a whirl…

You’ll be glad you did.

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

Serves: 4   Prep Time: 25 minutes  Cook time: 40 minutes

1 lb ground chickenrecipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

2 cloves minced garlic

8 oz canned petite diced tomatoes undrained

8 oz canned tomato sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp cracked pepperrecipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

8 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

1 beaten egg

2 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1 tbsp dried parsley

1/4 cup shredded or grated Parmesan

Thoroughly cook the ground chicken in a large skillet. Add the tomatoes, sauce, garlic, spices, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Combine the egg, ricotta, and parmesan.recipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

Using a glass or cookie cutter that is close to the size of the muffin cups, cut 3 circles out of each noodle for a total of 24 circles.

Place 1 noodle circle in each muffin cup. Layer meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and shredded mozzarella. Repeat. Top with a bit of parsley and grated Parmesan.

recipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakesCover loosely with a piece of foil that has been sprayed with oil and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes to brown on top.recipes for kids kid favorite recipes healthy eating for kids dinner    Chicken and spinach lasagna cupcakes

Let the “cupcakes” sit for at least 10 minutes for easier removal.

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