Pinterest Tried and True: A Pinch of This and a Dash of That….

By Sharon Marie


What do you think of when you think of DINNER?

Lavish dishes that took all day to make?

Families gathered together around the table, talking about their days and laughing happily?

McDonalds?

In my house dinner is none of the above. With my husband working graveyard shift, and 3 kids that need help with homework, a very busy two year old and a teenage son in football, dinner is often quickly thrown together and eaten in a hurry. It seems that something always gets spilled and there is something that someone doesn't like.

But alas the “Leave it to Beaver” images of what a family dinner should be are always in the back of my mind.

Now I can cook, and I love to cook. I’m not a chef by any means but every meal I make I make with love and good intentions. 99% of those turn out great, the other 1% turn into take out nights. I can follow a recipe, but really hate those that call for items or utensils that I have to look up on Google to find out what the heck they are.

In an effort to make more meals to bring my family together and avoid the “I don’t like this “and the “we had this last week” drama I have turned to Pinterest for recipes and ideas for new meals that DO NOT take forever to prepare, and DO NOT cost an arm and a leg to make but ARE yummy and ARE made from items I already have (or can easily find at the grocery store).

While searching these three jumped out at me: Roasted Parmesan Green Beans Corn Casserole Crispy Ritz Cracker & Cheese Chicken

I was happy to find that most of the ingredients I already had in my home and only need a few things from the market.

All three of these dishes were super easy to prepare and smelled heavenly while they were baking. But the real test was yet to come, the taste test. I dished up my families plates and sat there waiting for the verdict.

Smiles began to form and the cheers of “these are awesome” “great job Mom” filled the room!!! All of them cleaned their plates and even went back for seconds. Yessss! Mom success!!!

Although my dishes didn't look exactly like the ones on Pinterest, each and every item tasted great and really hit the spot. My family has even asked for this dinner again, and we have had the green bean dish 4 other times since.

Warning: These green beans are to die for!!! You may find yourself sneaking them as you cook. They may even become your favorite snack.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/177751516516270668/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/177751516516270658/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/177751516516270665/