5 Recipes to Get the Family Involved

Call your family into the kitchen because there is room for everyone to pitch in and have fun! We’re making chicken cutlets, pulled pork, fried rice, and more.

By
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta has 25 years of experience in the food service industry and has been developing recipes for 3 years. She is the author of Taste & See Cooks: Recipes to Inspire, Equip and Enjoy.
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Published November 30, 2021
Marta Rivera
Week 2 December Meal Plan

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get bogged down in the minute details of holiday planning. There are so many presents that need to be wrapped and decorations that need to be hung. As a result, I tend to spend less time with my family. So this week, I plan to slow it all the way down and bring the family together in the kitchen.

Tuesday’s slow cooker pulled pork is a fork-tender dish that I can serve with a simple salad. The kiddos can prep and toss it together. What’s great about the salmon fried rice later in the week is that the family can chip in with dicing veggies and working the wok. Prep the rice for it over the weekend and keep it in the fridge handy. 

I hope this week’s meal plan encourages you to slow down and hang out with your family in the kitchen. I’m sure there will be some big laughs and epic memories will be created. 

  • Chicken Cutlets with Caper Sauce

    Chicken Cutlets with Caper Sauce
    Elise Bauer

    Chicken Cutlets with Caper Sauce always brings my helpers out of the woodwork. For some hilarious reason, my twins love to help me prepare chicken cutlets. As they pound the chicken breasts into thin cutlets, they imagine conquering some imaginary foe. Hey, whatever works. The caper sauce begs to be ladled over boiled egg noodles. They soak it up so well. 

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  • Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
    Garrett McCord

    Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork is a no-brainer for my family. Dr Pepper is an institution here in Texas and pork is my family’s favorite meat. While one person makes the sides, someone else can shred the pork. I can make this entrée with an easy side and a simple salad (with this dressing!) for Tuesday’s dinner, then pile leftovers on toasted buns for lunch the next day. 

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  • Salmon Fried Rice

    Salmon Fried Rice
    Elise Bauer

    Salmon Fried Rice is a gluten-free dinner that swaps out the standard proteins in fried rice for a heartier fish. I add a bit of spice by tossing in a thinly sliced Thai chili pepper with the ginger and garlic. Have the kids help by dicing the veggies, cracking the eggs, or measuring out the ingredients for the sauce. 

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  • Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Kale

    Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Kale
    Nick Evans

    Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Kale always garners, “They’re so cute!” from my easy-to-impress daughter that loves the small dimpled pasta. I’m glad she likes this dish so much, because I ask her to de-stem and tear the kale for me. If you want to add a bit of heat to this dish, use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild. 

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    Continue to 5 of 6 below.

  • Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Mustard Glazed Potatoes

    Sheet pan meatloaf dinner on a plate with broccoli and potatoes.
    Sharon Lehman

    Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Mustard Glazed Potatoes are a frequent Friday dinner around here. A quick flavor cheat? I add a store-bought onion soup mix to the meatloaf mixture. Get the family in the kitchen to help wash and cut the broccoli and potatoes. You know what they say: Many hands make light, delicious work.  

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  • Weekend Baking: Caramel Apples

    Caramel Apples
    Elise Bauer

    Caramel Apples aren’t just a fall treat. Set up a dipping station with your family’s favorite nuts, candies, or sprinkles. Each person can customize their apple or make extra to share with neighbors and friends. Coat them with Red and Green sanding sugar to keep in time with the season.

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