Like most people, we try to eat relatively healthily (is that a word?), and I have a few dinners that are family favorites. But we do tend to have them day after day, week after week.
But the other week Josh told me he was tired of "Salmon on Monday, Turkey on Tuesday... blah, blah, blah..." He asked me to mix it up a bit. But, since it was the end of the month, my grocery budget was down to the bare-bones.
Fortunately, my new issue of "Clean Eating Magazine" came with all sorts of yummy looking, healthy recipes. And, there was an article about feeding a family of four for a week for under $50. It was "dinners only" but still... an improvement! While they all looked good to me, there were only a few that I thought my family would actually eat. Also in the magazine is an article on "Kid Friendly Fare." So I chose a few new recipes to try out this week and see how the family liked them.
On Monday, I tried out the Sesame-Ginger Chicken with Brown Rice. I thought it was good. The boys on the other hand... not so much! There was a lot of garlic in it -- I cut back on what was asked, but still maybe just a wee bit too spicy for the kids.
Then on Wednesday, I made something I'd never made before. Ravioli. The recipe was from the "Kid Friendly" section -- "Quick White Bean & Spinach Ravioli." I wasn't hopeful from other attempts to bring some variety into our diet.
You mix spinach, white beans, low fat ricotta cheese and a tiny bit of low fat mozzarella in the food processor.
Use wonton wrappers to make the ravioli...
Cook and then serve with your favorite tomato sauce...
The verdict?
The boys loved them! Josh even asked today if he could have them again.
The lesson: Sometimes it pays to take a chance and sometimes it doesn't. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try!
Ooh, those Ravioli look and sound good. We have a hard time getting the kids to try new things. Sometimes it discourages us from doing so and sometimes they surprise us and actually like it. Either way, we don't know until we try. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds delish!! Good for you for trying out the new stuff. I try to do the same, but like you said, sometimes it's just easier to go with what's tried and true... This is an inspiration for me to give it another go!
ReplyDeleteThe ravioli's, yumm-o! I used to hate to cook, but in the last 7 years or so, thanks to the Food Network, I started trying new recipes. My fam doesn't care to much to try something new, but if that's what's for dinner, than they have no choice! Usually the new recipe is a success.
ReplyDeleteThe beans in there kind of threw me off, but maybe you can't really taste them. What a good way to get protein in there, too!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried to make raviolis like that; was it time-consuming?
Alicia, no it was not time consuming at all! Took about 15 minutes start to finish. And so easy! Since the beans and spinach and cheese are all processed together, you can't really taste them... it's all really creamy.
ReplyDeleteVery good and I'd definitely do it again!
It's always interesting to see what kids will try and what they won't. I am like you and totally in a rut of making the same few dishes over and over again. We're all getting pretty bored. Those ravioli sound good and look pretty simple to make. I will have to give them a try.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge. those raviolis look great. when you first said you made them I thought - I could never - but using the wonton wrappers is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI need to break out of our rut too. Maybe I'll try these ravioli.
Sounds like it was as good as it looks!
ReplyDeleteYes, always hard to tell what they will like! Congrats on your new experiments!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good! I have one boy that eats anything and one boy that is very very picky. I'm going to have to make this and have them both try it :)
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! I'm too lazy, so I would just stuff that mixture in the big shells, but I am planning to try it soon!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Mom!!
(Sorry again for confusing your cool Savvy site with junk mail! I've had baaaaadddd allergies so I'm going to blame it on that!)
Yummy! I'm always looking for something new to try. Looks like I'll be going to the grocery store tomorrow!
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