Wouldn’t it be a dream to have your whole family help you cook dinner? Sharing meals together as a household is a great way to strengthen relationships and communication. By creating a fun and interactive meal that everyone can participate in, families can bond in a very meaningful way. Here are some ideas on how to get the family involved in dinner.
Taco Night
Everyone loves tacos and they are actually very easy to make. Here are some recipes for vegetable, fish, and chicken tacos. If everyone is undecided on a meat or vegetable, don’t be afraid to use more than one kind. Once all of the ingredients are prepared, spread them out on the table in different bowls. Then let the family members make their own tacos. This hands-on dinner seems more like an arts and crafts table than meal time and is fun for everyone.
Deconstructed Taco Night
Most kids and some adults cringe at the word salad. Save your taco leftovers and use them the next night to have Deconstructed Taco salads for dinner. By adding some extra lettuce and using ingredients that are similar to those in tacos, the idea of a salad doesn’t seem so bad anymore. Set out all of the ingredients on the table like before, except this time give everyone a bowl with only lettuce in it to start. Then they can make their own Deconstructed Taco and forget that they are actually having salads.
TIP: Cut up the tortilla strips and pan fry them in olive oil to add a crunchy texture to the salad.
Mini-Pizza Night
The only thing better than a taco night is a pizza night! Instead of sharing one pizza, use English Muffins to create personalized mini-pizzas for everyone. Don’t be afraid to add more toppings than what this English Muffin Recipe calls for. Spread out all of the toppings, sauces, and cheeses so the pizza creations are endless. When they have finished adding their final touches, just pop the mini-pizzas into the oven or toaster oven. Whose pizza will come out the best?
Getting the whole family together for dinner can be difficult, but with the use of a fun dinner, you’ll have them coming back for more! Who knows, Taco Tuesday may become a staple in your household.
Written by Michelle Baldi, Dietetic Intern
#cookingtogether, #family, #meals