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National Eat Dinner Together Week
Serve Up Traditions
by Creating Fun Dinnertime Family Rituals
Pork and Pepper Fajitas,
Ginger Pork and Stuffing Skillet and
Ham, Egg and Potato Supper Skillet
 (Family Features) - From "assigned" seating to favorite topics of conversation,
traditions at the dinner table are what make each family's
dinnertime ritual unlike any other. The 7th annual National
Eat Dinner Together Week (October 6-12) celebrates America's
tabletime traditions-and offers mom mealtime solutions to
help her create a dinner that the whole family will enjoy,
without spending hours in the kitchen.
"While 53 percent of American families are eating dinner
together four to six times a week, it remains a challenge
for families to turn time spent eating dinner into shared
quality time," says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, nutrition
expert, mother of three and author of the new book Healthy
Food, Healthy Kids: A Complete Guide to Nutrition for
Children from Birth to Six Years Old. "Dinner is the perfect
time to establish everyday traditions that will last a
lifetime-the entire family will benefit from strengthened
family bonds."
In order to have more quality time spent around the family
dinner table, it's important to keep dinner preparation to a
minimum while still providing delicious balanced meals. With
a little planning and by keeping the pantry and freezer
stocked with staples like instant stuffing mix, pork chops
and salsa, on-the-go cooks can have a variety of family-
friendly options for their mealtime solutions.
Tabletime Traditions
Everyday traditions, like sharing dinner together as a
family, create structure and routine for children in an
otherwise unpredictable world. Ward notes that simple
traditions can foster family bonds and positive memories
that children can take into adulthood. "Why not start
developing tabletime traditions with your family today?"
Ward asks. "Who knows. perhaps your grandchildren will honor
your traditions with their own children someday." Following
are a few simple suggestions to get you started:
- Start at the Beginning - Ignite interest in the meal before
anyone even sits down at the table. Let everyone contribute
by giving each member of the family a task, whether it's
setting the table or combining ingredients. That way
everyone will feel like they played a role in the meal
preparation process.
- Cause to Celebrate - Turn even the smallest events into
special occasions by celebrating milestones or achievements
like losing a tooth, scoring a goal or getting a good grade
on a pop quiz. By using the dinner table as a place to
celebrate, parents and kids alike will look forward to
having dinner together each day.
- Lighting the Way - Small gestures can signal the importance
of gathering together. Try lighting several candles on the
dinner table when dinner begins and blowing them out when it
ends to signify the beginning and end of the meal.
- Equal Representation - Encourage family members to take
turns suggesting a topic of discussion at each meal so
everyone feels involved and valued.
- Mix It Up - Add an element of fun by turning tradition on
its ear once in awhile. Whether it's changing roles and
letting kids plan the meal or just swapping seats, a little
break from routine can help liven up dinnertime.
Getting Started
For tips on how to create your own family mealtime
traditions, log onto the newly redesigned otherwhitemeat.com
to request a free "Tabletime Traditions Toolkit." This
interactive kit is full of fun activities and simple meal
solutions that will make family dinnertime enjoyable for
family members of all ages.
For more information on creating tabletime traditions with a
twist and hundreds of mealtime solutions, visit
otherwhitemeat.com and kraftfoods.com.
Pork and Pepper Fajitas
1 pound boneless pork loin roast, cut into thin strips
1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
3/4 cup Taco Bell Home Originals Salsa
4 (8 to 10-inch) flour tortillas
1 cup Kraft Shredded
Cheddar Cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
Coat large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray;
heat skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry pork and green
pepper in hot skillet for 3 to 4 minutes or until pork is
lightly browned. Stir in salsa; heat through.
Wrap tortillas in paper towels. Microwave on High power
about 30 seconds or until warm. Spoon pork mixture onto
tortillas; sprinkle with cheese. If desired, top with
cilantro or parsley. Fold in ends; roll up tortillas. Serve
with additional salsa. Serves 4.
Tip: For a variation, use ground pork instead of pork roast
strips. Cook ground pork until meat is brown; drain excess
fat.
Total time: 20 minutes
Nutrition Information: 550 Calories, 23g Fat, 10g Saturated
Fat, 100mg Cholesterol, 910mg Sodium, 45g Carbohydrates, 38g
Protein, 3g Fiber
Ginger Pork and Stuffing Skillet
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
4 boneless pork top loin chops, 1/2 inch thick
Ground pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 2/3 cups water
1 package (6 ounces) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Pork
2 tablespoons orange marmalade or apricot preserves
In large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over
medium-high heat. Sprinkle chops lightly with pepper; add to
skillet. Cook about 5 minutes or until chops are slightly
pink in center, turning once. Remove chops from skillet.
Stir remaining 2 tablespoons butter and ginger into skillet;
add water. Bring to boiling. Stir in stuffing mix just to
moisten. Top with chops. Spoon orange marmalade or apricot
preserves over chops. Cover and cook over low heat for 3 to
4 minutes or until heated through. Serves 4.
Tip: For a variation, use garlic powder instead of ginger.
Total time: 20 minutes
Nutrition Information: 250 Calories, 15g Fat, 7g Saturated
Fat, 55mg Cholesterol, 350mg Sodium, 15g Carbohydrates, 14g
Protein, 0g Fiber
Ham, Egg and Potato Supper Skillet
1 tablespoon cooking oil
3 cups refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes with peppers and spices
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
6 beaten eggs
1/3 cup water
3/4 cup Kraft Shredded
Mexican Style Cheese
Coat large nonstick skillet with oil; heat over medium heat.
Spread potatoes evenly in bottom of skillet. Cover and cook
6 to 8 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring once.
Stir in ham.
In medium bowl combine eggs and water; pour over ham and
potato mixture. Cook, uncovered, just until eggs are set,
turning mixture occasionally with a wide spatula. Sprinkle
with cheese. Serves 4.
Tip: For a variation, substitute Kraft Shredded Colby and
Monterey Jack Cheese for the Mexican Style Cheese.
Total time: 20 minutes
Nutrition Information: 470 Calories, 28g Fat, 10g Saturated
Fat, 40mg Cholesterol, 990mg Sodium, 34g Carbohydrates, 23g
Protein, 2g Fiber
SOURCE: Kraft® Foods
National Pork Board
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