My creative juices began flowing and I came up with a fun, kid~friendly menu that is also healthy and pleasing to adults. I would even get the kiddos involved in creating this wonderful dinner! We would start by making our dessert since it is fun, messy and will give the kids incentive to create and eat their dinner. Here's the menu:
Garfield's Gourmet Lasagna Soup
Doggie Bone Breadsticks
Veteranarian Veggies
Odie~Chow (dessert)
Here are the recipes:
Lasagna Soup (modified from http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/03/24/lasagna-soup/)
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients for the soup:
2 tsp. olive oil
1-1/2 lbs. Italian turkey sausage links (casings removed)
3 c. chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 T. tomato paste
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
6 c. chicken stock
8 oz. bow-tie pasta
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
for the cheesy yum:
8 oz. whipped cream cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
pinch of freshly ground pepper
additional cheesy yum:
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Preparation:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.
Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.
Doggie Bone Breadsticks (from http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/breadstick-bones/)
1 can (7 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated breadsticks (6 breadsticks)
1 egg white, beaten
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; separate at perforations into 6 breadsticks. Roll each until 12 inches long. Loosely tie knot in both ends of each breadstick; place on cookie sheet (do not twist).
Brush breadsticks with egg white. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
Veteranarian Veggies
Really as easy as you can make it...if your family likes salad, then mix up a nice colorful salad with Romaine, baby Spinach, shredded red cabbage, grated carrots and any other veggies you like to toss in...if your kiddos are like mine and not that keen on the "rabbit food," set out a few carrot and/or celery sticks or whatever raw veggies your family might like.
Odie~Chow (aka Puppy Chow, Muddy Buddies)
If you're in a hurry, you can simply purchase the Chex Mix version Muddy Buddies, but if you've got a little more time and an adventurous side, grab the kiddos and head to the kitchen. From http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=45860&CategoryId=447
| 9 | cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination) |
| 1 | cup semisweet chocolate chips |
| 1/2 | cup peanut butter |
| 1/4 | cup butter or margarine |
| 1 | teaspoon vanilla |
| 1 1/2 | cups powdered sugar |
| 1. | Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. |
| 2. | In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. |
| 3. | Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. |
