Whoever said "summer time and the living's easy" didn't have four children. It gets NUTS around here when school is out. Everyone is home and sometimes they bring a couple of friends with them - they are all playing harder, staying up later, and having a bigger appetite. Maybe it's the swimming. But these are the days I am glad I have quick, easy and healthy in my pantry!
Preparing and storing in the fridge just a few Wildtree blends ahead of time will help you and your kids whip up quick, delicious meals or snacks in a moment's notice. Take a look at these time-savers below.
LIGHT AND QUICK SNACKS: Keep in the fridge 4oz. of cream cheese + ½ cup of powdered sugar + 2 tsp. of any cheesecake blend (flavor is best after a minimum of 2 hours.) Pull out for dip with graham cracker sticks, vanilla wafers, or with fruit. Or spread on rice cakes and top with any fruit.
PASTA: Convert your Ramen Noodle eater into an Alfredo lover. Have boiled pasta in fridge for a quick mix with the Alfredo Sauce. Also great for stirring in at a moment's notice: Basil Pesto Blend with a toss of grated parmesan, Kidz Cheese, Hearty Spaghetti, Italian Dressing (with a little celery, onion and grape tomatoes.) Also pasta is a quick meal with ANY of the grapeseed oils - TONS of flavor with just a quick shake and you can add meat or veggies as desired.
POPCORN: Microwave Popcorn takes on new life sprinkled with Kids Cheez (dry - not mixed!) Also awesome with the Jalapeno Pepper Blend.
VEGGIES: Store some Dill Blend with a little mayonaise and sour cream in the fridge for dipping carrot and celery sticks. Also makes a wonderful spread for any sandwich.
QUICK MEATS: Cheeseburger Bites with the Meatloaf Mix. Mix as directed, then take a small cube of cheese and role the meatloaf mix around the cheese cube (like a meatball) and cook. This will be a favorite with the kids.
Sloppy Joes pre-made and stored in the fridge is a great quick-grab sandwich and Wildtree's has no MALTODEXTRIN in it. PLUS it just tastes better than the grocer's brand. Or let them pile nacho chips on a plate, load it with the Sloppy Joe mix, a little greens from Salad in a Bag topped with salsa and sour cream and your kids have a self made taco salad! Or dollop it in a tortilla wrap, top with some cheese, nuke it for a minute, roll it up and eat!
EASY PIZZA: Everyone can make their own pizza - you don't even have to go to the trouble of using Wildtree's Quick Easy Pizza Dough or Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (although they really are no trouble at all to use....) Just grab a tortilla wrap or an english muffin or bagel, toast quickly for a crisp bottom, coat with pre-made Hearty Spaghetti Sauce you have stored in the fridge and add cheese and toppings galore as your heart desires.
HEALTHIER FAST FOOD: Have someone with a hankering for Bojangle's fries? Throw frozen ones in the oven and shake on Wildtree's Cajun Blend.
Make anything you could get from Taco Bell, better for you and faster than the drive over. Store some chicken or beef seasoned with Fajita Blend or Taco Seasoning, have chips and taco shells on hand and all the toppings - can even make salsa quickly with Fiesta Salsa AND your own guacamole in minutes with the Guacamole Blend! It truly is that easy! Yo queiro Wildtree!
PROTEIN HIT: Any nuts in the pantry taste better with a shake of Spicy Dry Rub or Cranberry Spice Blend. The Cranberry Spice Blend is also one of those that is wonderful mixed with cream cheese and stored for a quick graham or wafer dipping snack time.
CHICKEN SALAD IN A SNAP: The easiest chicken salad I have made in a while was simply a breast or two of cooked chicken (seasoned however you like) torn and mixed with a little mayonaise, pickle relish, chopped onion and Curry Garlic Blend. Incredible - and start to finish took minutes. Great with crackers or as a wrap if a sandwich is too much on these hot days.
Happy Cooking - Happy Summer!
