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Celebrate Life's Special
"Everyday" Moments Through Meals
(Family Features) - Glasses click together in celebration. Robust laughter fills the
air. Families gather around the dinner table. What is the special
ingredient that ties these occasions together? Food. A special
meal is often the centerpiece when celebrating life's special
moments such as graduations, reunions, weddings and
anniversaries.
It's equally important to celebrate life's special
"everyday" moments, such as cooking for a significant other,
honoring a child's report card or scoring a soccer goal in the
big game. Planning a special meal to celebrate these important
everyday moments, however, can be challenging and sometimes
stressful, especially for those with busy schedules. Chef Mark
Susz, Corporate Executive Chef for Birds Eye Foods, offers tips
to help prepare a chef-inspired meal with little advance
preparation.
- Visualize success: Stay calm. If you're entertaining for the
first time, prepare something you've made before and add a new
side dish to make it fresh and exciting.
- Tap into your creativity: Selecting the main course and its
accompaniments will go hand-in-hand if you pick and stick with a
theme.
- Add flair: Keep your kitchen stocked with everyday spices
and special sauces. A dash of Italian seasoning or a dab of
barbeque sauce can turn a boring meal into a memorable one.
- Frequent the frozen food aisle: Cut down on your cooking
time by keeping your freezer stocked with ready-to-serve side
dishes.
- Involve friends: Alleviate stress by turning the meal into a
group activity. By involving others in the cooking, you'll have
more fun and so will they.
An essential part of any well-balanced, delicious meal is
vegetables, which are often the last items considered. In fact,
vegetables can provide the inspiration for the meal — adding that
extra finesse that turns a simple dinner into a special occasion.
The new Birds Eye Steam & Serve recipes offer innovative
chef-inspired vegetable creations perfect for any special
everyday meal. Complemented by fruit blends and light, flavorful
sauces, the Steam & Serve vegetables are full of fresh
ingredients and authentic flavor.
A revolutionary steaming process helps vegetables retain
their natural flavor and crisp texture. Each side dish can be
prepared in less than six minutes and budding chefs can choose
from six varieties, including:
- Asian Vegetables with Roasted Cashews
- Beans with a Twist
- Italian Herb Harvest Vegetables
- Spring Vegetables in Citrus Sauce
- Lemon Pepper Vegetables
- Carrots and Cranberries
"Vegetables should be an important part of every meal," said
Sandra Woodruff, registered dietitian and cookbook author. "They
provide needed nutrients for the entire family, especially for
growing children. Frozen vegetables are an easy and delicious way
to serve up more healthy food choices. Whether a special holiday
meal or daily family gathering, colorful, nutritious vegetables
will please all ages at your table."
For additional information regarding mealtime solutions and
the new Birds Eye products, visit www.birdseyefoods.com.
SOURCE: Birds Eye
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