Dinner time is my most dreaded time of the day. It seems like we are always rushing around trying to make it to a game, or a lesson, or some sort of practice. My kids are tired and fighting and since my husband works out of town so much, I can’t hand things off to him at night. Plus I have been wanting to get my kids more involved in the dinner-making process.
I recently found a really cool idea that might help my dinner time drama, I thought I would share it with you. {And no, I am not being paid to say this — I bought the book on my own}.
I found this cookbook:
And I just love it! The concept is that each night of the week has a theme. There are:
- Monday : Comfort Foods {like soups, casseroles, beef stroganoff..}
- Tuesday: Italian Night: {lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, penne pasta}
- Wednesday: Hold The Meat: {fish recipes, linguini, homemade mac & cheese, breakfast for dinner}
- Thursday: Mexican Night: {enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, taquitos}
- Friday: Pizza Night: {all sorts of pizza recipes}
- Saturday: Grill Night: {Hamburgers, Sloppy Joes, all sorts of BBQ recipes}
- Sunday: Family Favorites: {pot roast, crock pot recipes, chicken cordon bleu}
Of course, we’ll go out on the weekends sometimes too. But what I’m really excited about is getting my kids involved in dinner. What I’m going to do is:
- Everyone in the family is going to be in charge of dinner one night a week.
- On Sundays we are going to meet to decide who wants to do which theme night.
- Each person will decide on a menu for their day and figure out what groceries they need to make their night’s food and make me up a list.
- On their night, each person will be in charge of making the dinner, setting the table, clearing up the table and cleaning up the kitchen.
I think it’s going to be really fun! And if someone knows they are having a test on a certain day and they need to study, they can choose a day that they will have time to make their dinner. I am hoping that it will help my kids learn how to cook, plus it will lighten my load and get them excited about dinner.
Even Ella {who is 5} will have a night that she is in charge — I will help her. But she loves to make things, she knows how to set the table and I think she will be so proud to make the food for her night and serve it to the family.
Here’s the recipe I’m making for dinner for Pizza Night:
ARUGULA PIZZA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA
AND CHERRY TOMATOES
FRIDAY
PIZZA NIGHT
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Oil a pizza pan with olive oil.
2. Prepare the dough and place it on the prepared pan.
3. Slice the fresh mozzarella cheese and place it on the crust, or top with
shredded regular mozzarella.
4. Bake the pizza on the lowest oven rack for 12 to 15 minutes or until the crust
is brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and
immediately pile the arugula pieces onto the hot melted cheese and top with
the tomatoes. Drizzle on a little olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Serve immediately.
1/2 recipe Basic Pizza Dough (p. 135)
Fresh mozzarella cheese, or shredded regular mozzarella
Fresh baby arugula, torn into pieces
Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and ground black pepper (see Note)
One 12-inch thin-crust pizza
What are your secrets for making dinnertime easier at your house?
I really want to know.
XOXO
And Voila! You have sparkly glitter toes — and fingers. So cute! And a great project to do with your girlfriends or little girls before you hit the pool! 
