Three Easy & Delicious School Lunch Ideas

October 5, 2020October 4, 2020 RefreshHer8 Comments

Whether your children are at home for lunch or you’re packing their meal for them to take with them, I have a few great suggestions to make their noon meal something to look forward to!

It’s easy to just pack a PB&J sandwich, but how about bumping up your lunch game with one of these instead…

English Muffin Pizzas – These couldn’t be easier!

English muffins, split
Pizza Sauce
Toppings of choice
Mozzarella Cheese

Toast the English muffin then spoon Pizza sauce on each half. Top with toppings and cheese. Place on a baking sheet and then place it into the oven under the broiler. Heat until cheese is melted.

Cold pizza is good, so you can pack these in a lunch for your children to take with them!

Tortilla wraps are a great alternative to a regular sandwich. Pile it with fresh things you love – tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, banana peppers, cooked chicken, cheese, sour cream and salsa! Roll it up and secure it with a toothpick, or wrap it into a piece of waxed paper or syran wrap.

This is a simple take on the old Corn Dog! So easy and just as delicious as that dog you got at the fair!

Corn Dog Muffins

Jiffy Corn bread mix
Milk
Egg
Hot Dogs of choice

Mix up the Corn bread mix and place in greased muffin tins or tins lined with cupcake liners. Slice hot dogs and add slices to each muffin. Bake as directed. Serve with your favorite condiment!

These taste great at room temperature, making them the perfect addition to a lunch on the go!

What is your “go-to” when packing lunches? What creative additions do you add?

Refresh that noon meal!

Getting the Most Out of Your Easter Dinner Leftovers

April 13, 2020April 12, 2020 RefreshHer1 Comment

Happy Monday, Friends! I trust you had a blessed Easter yesterday! We had a special day celebrating our risen Savior!

After our church’s on-line service, I fixed a Roast Chicken dinner for my husband and me – quite different than it would normally have been, but it was good! However, we Continue reading “Getting the Most Out of Your Easter Dinner Leftovers” →

Brunch · Lunch · Sunday Dinner

Sunday Brunch

February 17, 2020February 16, 2020 RefreshHer7 Comments

sweetpotatopancakes2

Sunday dinner at our house is typically the traditional southern Sunday meal. We eat a full meal like roast beef or roasted chicken, served with a couple sides and probably a little dessert of some kind.

But sometimes even tradition needs to be changed up just a little. Recently I was pondering what to fix for our Sunday dinner, when it dawned on me that I’d been considering making brunch foods for this first day of the week feast. With that much Continue reading “Sunday Brunch” →

Cooking · dinner in 30 minutes · Lunch · main dish

(L)Oven Monday – Fajita/Burrito Bowls

June 5, 2017June 2, 2017 RefreshHer9 Comments

burrito bowls 2a

If you love Mexican foods the way we love Mexican foods, the title of this recipe alone will draw you in! I mean what could be wrong with combining a fajita and a burrito? You have the sauteed vegetables, the rice, the fresh veggies and sour cream and cheese…yeah, you know what I mean! This past year I was introduced to the Burrito bowl. You take all the stuffings of a burrito and eat it out of a bowl rather than a tortilla. What a great lunch idea! I usually always have all the ingredients for this recipe on hand, so it’s a perfect addition to my menu!

Not only is this recipe DELICIOUS, it’s also super fast and super inexpensive! There is no meat in this fajita – instead there are black beans. Beans are a great source of protein and much cheaper than meat, so if you’re looking to reduce your grocery bill, adding a meal or two a week like this will really help you save! Here’s how you make it:

Fajita/Burrito Bowls
Ingredients:
1 {16 oz} can black beans rinsed and drained
1 sweet pepper sliced
1 onion, sliced
1/2 Cup Corn – Fresh or frozen
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Heat a medium sized skillet with vegetable oil and onion and peppers until cooked through. Add the beans, corn and all the spices and sauté for few minutes more.
burrito bowls
Remove from heat and add a little chopped cilantro (I forgot to add that!). Serve over a bed of rice. Serve with your choice of other burrito ingredients such as:

Tomatoes
Cheese
Avocado
Sour Cream
Salsa

burrito bowls 2

The bowl below might look like a bowl of mush, but it’s soooo good!

Burrito bowls 3

Have you ever had a burrito bowl? What did you think?

I hope you’ll give this meat-free recipe a try! Enjoy!

From my country kitchen,

Denise Signature 150 px

breakfast · Cooking · Lunch · Uncategorized

(L)ovin’ Monday

November 28, 2016November 27, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Every Monday I’m showing you what’s been in my Oven that I’m lovin’! Ready?

omelets2

This was Thanksgiving Dinner at my mom’s last Thursday at 1:00. Don’t you wish every day’s lunch looked like this…

Ha, well, maybe not that much food, but tell me, is it just me, or do others find lunch a difficulty? I’m usually well into a busy day and just need a quick bite to eat, but I find it hard to stop my day and fix something that’s tasty and quick.

As a matter of fact, even breakfast poses problems. I’m not ready to eat when I first get up, and by the time I’m ready for a bite, it’s too late to want to get into any big cooking ordeal to accomplish what I need to give me energy for the rest of the morning!

Recently I prepared these Make-Ahead Omelets and froze them. I made tiny ones for the shower I hosted. I took the leftovers and froze them in a plastic container, putting sheets of waxed paper in between the rows of omelets.

Then I popped a frozen muffin into the microwave and it made the perfect breakfast! In a matter of about 4 minutes everything was hot and ready to eat. That’s better than instant oatmeal – and a lot tastier!

omelets1

Then another help came for lunch. I had made Sloppy Joe’s for our meal after Sunday night church, and had plenty left over. Wrapping them individually in waxed paper, I warmed them at about 80% power for about 45 seconds.

It dawned on me then – why don’t I make up something like this at the beginning of each week and have it prepared in the fridge? Lunch could be less than a minute away each day! If you take your lunch to work, it would be so easy to have it packed and ready in the morning before you head out the door.

I’ve come up with a few ideas of things that would be made ahead and ready. Here’s my starter list:

Breakfast:

Omelets

Waffles

Baked Oatmeal

Lunch:

Sloppy Joes

Broccoli Soup

Salad in a jar – Like this one (I haven’t made this particular recipe, but I made one similar and they are great do-ahead salads!)

Chicken Salad – Ready for sandwiches, or to eat alone.

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I hope this encourages you to prepare ahead for your busy mornings and lunchtimes. When you’re heading into Christmas, why not take away a little stress by having some nutritious breakfasts and lunches all ready to serve?

What quick tips do you have for breakfast and lunch?

With love from my country kitchen,

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