(L)Oven Monday – Three Steps to a Successful Sunday Dinner

February 13, 2017February 12, 2017 RefreshHer5 Comments

Sunday dinner table 1.jpg

Happy Monday, friends, and welcome to the beginning of the posts to help get you ready to prepare a Sunday dinner that provides for the needs of your guests, is delicious, and ready in a hurry! Thank you to so many of you who shared your Sunday dinner struggles with me! I’m going to try to help you solve those difficulties as we touch on this subject for the next several Monday’s.

Today I want to lay out the three steps that are crucial for your Sunday meal to be a success. What constitutes success? I believe it’s the three things listed in the previous paragraph – a meal that

meets needs,

is delicious,

and on the table quickly.

But that doesn’t happen all by itself, of course! I need to start by saying, anything that is worth doing, is going to take effort and it’s going to take being intentional. There is work involved, but it’s so worth the efforts! Here are the three crucial things you need to consider so that your Sunday dinner will be a success:

Ponder the needs – That simply means that you must consider what the needs of the day are, your budget and what your guests will need.
1. Is there a time constraint?
2. Do you only have xxx amount of dollars to feed a crowd?
3. Is there a dietary need – ie. Gluten-free?
  Consider whatever needs are necessary – A baby that will need to be fed, a child will need a nap very soon, someone with low-blood sugar will be shaky at this point, etc. Then, considering those needs, you move to #2.
Plan the menu – Considering your needs, you can now pull out this blog’s Recipe page, your Pinterest boards, your cookbooks – whatever will help you find a menu to meet those needs.
Determine how extensive you want the menu for Sunday to be. If you’re not into the routine of fixing a fresh meal for Sunday, I’d encourage you to start with a simple menu – a Taco Soup in the crock pot, some tortilla chips, and a dessert like the pie linked here, or go with something super easy like a purchased Angel food cake and fresh strawberries. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Take baby steps.
My recipe page has a list of 30-Minute meals, but if you wait until you get home from church to even prep those things, you are going to be frustrated, so stay tuned for #3.

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3. Prepare ahead – I can’t tell you how important this step is! As early in the week as possible, start preparing. The earlier you start, the less stressful it will be! Consider doing these things ahead of time:

Prepare the table. Set the table – The family will know that something good is on the way! Even if you can only do it after breakfast on Sunday, do it before you leave for church. If everyone can eat breakfast at the kitchen island, set the table on Saturday night.
Prepare Foods. Make ahead anything that can be made ahead of time!
1. Salad – I love frozen salads for this purpose, also green salads without the dressing can be made the day before.
2. Dessert – If you were serving Angel Food cake and berries, make the sure the berries are washed, sliced and ready ( or thawed from their frozen state) on Saturday night.
3. Vegetables – Peeling potatoes and putting them in water overnight will make them ready for the crock pot. If you’ll need onions, get them sliced and put into a ziplock bag.
4. Dishes and pans – On Saturday night, set out the crock pot you’ll need, or the pan for the roast chicken. Have them out on the counter and ready.
Prepare an hors d’oevre – Make something ahead of time that everyone can snack (lightly) on as soon as you get home. This is especially wise if you have little children that are fussy and need something to eat right away! Make life easier for you and them and make something they can munch on while you get dinner on the table. It could be something as simple as crackers and peanut butter, celery and peanut butter, apple slices, tortilla chips and salsa. Set out little plates and limit the little ones, so they’ll be ready to eat dinner, of course, but this will make them much happier while they wait.

So, there you have it – Ponder the needs, Plan the menu and Prepare ahead. These three steps will get you on your way to Sunday dinner success!

Can I give you a challenge for next Sunday? Do one thing ahead of time – perhaps set the table, or prepare an hors d’oevre, or get the vegetables prepped on Saturday, and see how much smoother Sunday dinner is next week!

Next Monday we’ll talk about some specific meals that are doable for prepping ahead and eating very soon after getting home! This will include Crock Pot entree’s and sides! Be sure to come back so you don’t miss any tips!

Which of these three steps of success is the most difficult for you?

With love from my country kitchen,

Denise Signature 150 px

Dinner · Family life · hospitality · memories

(L)Oven Monday – Memories of Sunday Dinner

February 6, 2017February 6, 2017 RefreshHer11 Comments

The term “Sunday dinner” carries with it sweet memories of wonderful aromas and samplings of things like roast beef, gravy, Southern green beans, mashed potatoes, salad and rolls. The meal was finished off with a special dessert – perhaps homemade pie or a layered cake.

In my mind’s eye we are seated at the dining room table, cloth napkins in the lap and beautiful dishes before us to hold the prepared feast. All this wasn’t to impress anyone – it was tradition, whether it was just family, or if guests were invited.

Sunday Dinner followed the morning worship service at church. It was what happened after the gathering with believers for study, worship and the preaching of God’s Word. We marched into the house after church, set down Bibles and purses, and donned an apron over our Sunday clothes to finish the preparation necessary to get the meal on the table in a surprisingly short amount of time.

Because of the prep that had been done ahead of time, it wouldn’t be long before the call to dinner came. The table had been set, the roast promptly put into the oven before leaving for church, the salad made the night before, and potatoes peeled and bobbing in the boiling water in the crock pot so they’d be ready to mash. The dessert stood at attention under the cake dome and dessert plates stacked beside it, ready to hold the finale – to most, the best part of the anticipated meal!

In record time, we’d set each filled bowl on the table, giving the meat platter the grandest place, like a bouquet of roses or a crystal chandelier in the middle of the table. Those seated around the table held hands, and bowed their heads as they gratefully gave thanks – for not just the food before them, but for another opportunity to gather like this on Sunday, the first day of the week to worship at church, and now to share in this meal at home with all the warmth of fellowship, tradition and the best food on the planet. It was time for “Sunday Dinner” and were thankful.

I wonder if you have memories of Sunday dinner like I do? Did your family gather for a meal that was different from the rest of the week? Recently my daughter was telling me that she’s finding it hard to do those Sunday dinners because of the time it involves. It does take time, but once you gather some recipes that work well to make ahead of time, and learn some skills in starting your efforts early so there’s not even a ton of clean-up afterwards, you will be able to pull off Sunday dinner without spending the whole weekend in the kitchen.

Sunday dinner communicates to your family a desire to go above and beyond. It gives that sense of family and belonging that I described earlier. So why not learn and stretch yourself and go the distance at least a couple times a month for starters and make a fantastic meal and experience in your kitchen? You’ll be making more than good food!

For some future Monday posts, I’m going to be sharing some recipes that are good for Sunday do-ahead meals. They’ll be recipes that you won’t have to spend tons of time working on once you get home from church. Please leave me comments here with any questions or problems you would have about making a meal like this.

What stumps you when you go to prepare a “Sunday Dinner?
What keeps you from making a home-cooked meal on Sunday?
Do you feel intimidated to invite people over on Sunday?
Do you feel confident about the how-to’s of a meal like this?
How could I encourage you?

I’m gathering some of my favorite Sunday dinner recipes and will have a list of entrees, sides, salads, and desserts that will be simple to make and serve to your family. I’ll also be sharing some TIPS that will make you feel confident to make Sunday Dinner a part of your weekly routine!

Let the comments/questions begin!

Dinner · entertaining · main dish

(L)Oven Monday – Hot Chicken Salad

January 30, 2017January 29, 2017 RefreshHer4 Comments

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If you thought Chicken Salad only came in the cold variety stuffed onto a piece of bread, I have news for you – there’s a hot chicken salad that is totally a comfort food perfect for winter dinner!

In my hunger for some good ol’ American comfort food after our trip to the Middle East, I pulled out this old recipe last week. It’s one I often made for company because it’s a great do-ahead dish. Southerners love their chicken salad, and this is a hot version! Hot Chicken Salad is the best chicken salad with a cheesy addition. That cannot be a bad thing!

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If you keep roasted chicken breasts in your freezer, you could whip this together in minutes! The potato chip topping is both crunchy and a little salty – a perfect addition to the creamy/cheesy chicken salad underneath! Without further ado, I give you the recipe:

Hot Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast meat, cubed
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar Cheese
2/3 cup crushed potato chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, celery, almonds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and cheese. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the crushed potato chips on top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly.

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Add a potato dish and a salad and the meal is complete! It’s a picnic to make, but you’ll be glad you don’t have to wait until picnic season to enjoy this recipe!

With love from my country kitchen,

Denise Signature 150 px

Dinner · main dish · salad

(L)Oven Monday – Short Ribs in the Crock Pot

January 16, 2017January 2, 2017 RefreshHer1 Comment

I have some tried and true recipes that I have fixed many many times over the years, and yesterday’s dinner was one of those. I fixed Short Ribs and Lima Beans. Don’t turn your nose up at the Lima beans; I don’t like Limas except when they’re served in this dish! This recipe is a great one for Sunday since it’s cooked in the slow cooker. The ribs fall off the bone and are so delicious after cooking in the soups that season them and the beans. Here’s my recipe:

Short Ribs and Lima Bean Casserole – In the crock pot

Short ribs – a couple packages – sorry I don’t have the “pounds”

1 pkg. frozen lima beans

1 pkg. Lipton Onion soup

1 Can vegetable beef soup with barley

1/2 can water

Place the ribs in the bottom of crock pot. Mix the beans, soups and water in a bowl. then pour over ribs. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Remove ribs and beans. Thicken the liquid in the crock pot with about 1/3 cup of water and 3 tbl. flour mixed together. Turn crock pot to high and stir in flour/water mixture. Cook until thickened (about 10 minutes).

Baked potatoes or mashed potatoes are good with this meal because of the nice gravy.

A great salad to serve with this meal is Mandarin Orange Tossed Salad. On Saturday night I prepared the lettuce, celery, green onions and almonds. After church all I had to do was mix the ingredients in the salad bowls and stir the quick dressing together. It’s light and refreshing!

Mandarin Orange Tossed Salad

1/4 cup wine vinegar

1/2 cup oil

1 tbl. sugar

salt and pepper to taste

3 3/4 oz. slivered almonds

2 tbl. sugar

1 head lettuce, chopped (I like leaf or Bibb lettuce)

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup chopped celery

1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

Combine vinegar, oil and 1 tbl. sugar, salt and pepper in bowl; mix well. Set aside. Combine almonds with 2 tbl. sugar in skillet. Cook over low heat until sugar melts and almonds are coated and light brown, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature. Combine lettuce, green onions, celery, oranges, and almonds in salad bowl. Add dressing at serving time, tossing gently to mix well.

What was cooking your kitchen yesterday?

children · Crafts · Dinner · Family life · memories · Winter

Family Friday – Wintertime Fun at Home

January 13, 2017January 6, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

As promised last week, I’m dedicating Friday’s to Family matters. Did you see the Winter Date Night I posted last Friday? You can see that here if you missed it.

What better memories can you create than fun in the home? It’s wintertime, and a great time to stir up, craft up and cozy up some good fun at home!

EASY Snowman Pancakes - the perfect idea for the kids on Christmas morning and one they can help make too! — How adorable is this winter treat from Lil’ Luna?

The weather’s been cold for many days almost everywhere in the country, and if your children are used to going outside they probably haven’t – unless there’s snow to play in. The winter months can create restlessness in children and parents alike. Before there’s a meltdown in attitudes with your young ones create some fun activities they can participate in inside.

Food and cold weather just go together, don’t they? How long has it been since you’ve popped popcorn on the stove instead of popping a bag of the microwaveable corn? Here’s a simple video to remind you how easy (and inexpensive) it is to pop it the old fashioned way! Your children will love watching the kernels pop and then you’ll have a yummy treat to enjoy together!

A fun activity on a snowy day is a snowman craft. This one is adorable!

Making an army of these little pom-pom snowmen would stir up some creativity and fun in an otherwise drab day!

Make snowman cupcakes. Go here to see a video on how to create a tasty treat. Use your imagination – if you don’t have the ingredients they call for to decorate the cupcake look

in your cupboardand get creative!

Go to pinterest and search for Mitten game and you’ll find a variety of fun games for their age and level.

Snowman pancakes like the ones pictured above would make a great winter supper! Let your children help mix the pancakes, set the table, even create a snowy centerpiece! Put the pom-pom snowmen in the middle of the table!

Whatever your weather is like where you live, I trust you’ll have some fun times at your house with your children. Winter memories are fun ones because everything’s cozy and homey when you take the time to do things together as a family.

Stay warm!

What fun does your family have on winter days?

Denise Signature 150 px