Boxed Dinner Kit SURPRISE!!

As a general rule, I do not like nor use boxed dinner kits, i.e. Hamburger/chicken Helper. Overall, I think they all pretty much taste the same. When I do use one (generally to prepare a very quick skillet meal for my grandkids or at their specific request), I share the Semi-Homemade philosphy of Sandra Lee where the kit is simply the base of the dish, with many additions to make it palatable like fresh diced onions, celery, carrots, garlic and other spices. I NEVER make one just as it is --yuck!!

However, of late I've noticed some different boxed dinner kits at the local grocery store --Wanchai Ferry and Romano's Macaroni Grill. I thought "Why not give them a try?" I purchased one of each a few months ago, but just haven't been motivated to use them...until last night. I had two healthy boneless, skinless chicken breasts thawed out in the fridge and wanted to do something different with them.

I didn't want to have to pull out a cookbook or do a search on the internet to find a new/different recipe. I just wanted something different but quick and easy. Searching through the pantry I pulled out the Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Piccata dinner kit and figured I'd give it a try. Since this was the first time using one of these I wanted to prepare it exactly as instructed on the box -- no special additions or personal touches. Well, let me tell you I was very pleasantly surprised with the results. Following the directions on the box - to the "T" --the resulting dish was VERY GOOD. Where most " -- Helper" dinners tend to taste pretty much the same with little variation and are basically designed to appeal to childish and unsophisticated palates, the Macaroni Grill Chicken Picata kit contains a cooking wine and sauce mix that resulted in an unexpectedly GROWN UP taste. I do not believe this was created with kids in mind, although my grandkids did love it (of course, they have a fairly well-developed palate - after all they are MY grandkids). The directions were well written and easy to follow. From start to plating - about 20 minutes! As prepared it is relatively low in calories - about 280 per 1 cup serving - and fat - 1g. Other nutritional data: 24g total Carbs, 510mg sodium, 4g Protein and 1g Dietary Fiber with 0g Cholesterol. And like I said - it was very good...lots of flavor...a wonderfully easy and tasty change of pace.

So I guess what I'm saying is this: If you want to try something EASY, DIFFERENT, WHOLESOME, SATISFYING AND TASTY, I highly recommend you try the Romano's Macaroni Grill CHICKEN PACATA boxed dinner kit. Do be aware that I don't think most kids will like it because of the wine flavor...but if your kids like more "grownup flavors" they just might like this too.

SPECIAL NOTE: I like my sauces just a tad bit thicker, so when I make this again, I believe I will be adding about 1/4 to 1/3 cup more water and a teaspoon of corn starch to thicken.

Peace all...and I'm outta' here.

Sample Day at BelAir Market

Yesterday I went back to work as a food demonstrator for NCIM (If anyone anywhere is interested in doing demo work, leave me a message). I was preparing and sampling a delicious pasta dish using Johnsonville Four Cheese Italian Sausages. It was super simple to prepare. Even the kids that sampled it liked it. All in all it was a very good day, although I must say I was a bit out of the flow when I first got there...it's been over five months since I did a demo and stood on my feet in one spot all day. But I got through it!! I'm glad my demo involved preparing a "real" dish as opposed to just pouring juice into little cups or putting something on a little piece of bread. Whenever I have to prep and cook something, the day goes by much quicker and before I know it, it's time to go home.

I have another demo next Friday, but I'm not as thrilled about it - all I'm doing is putting bleu cheese on crackers. I expect it may end up being a "slow" day... Anyway, the dish I prepared ended up being so popular I thought I'd share it here. Sorry I don't have a picture of the finished dish, but take my word for it - it may look a little plain, but it's packed with flavor.

JOHNSONVILLE SAUSAGE AND PASTA IN GARLIC/BASIL SAUCE

1 pkg Johnsonville Four Cheese Italian Sausages (5 links)

12 oz (dry) Farfalle (bowtie) pasta

1 medium onion (fine dice)

1-1/2 to 2 tbsp minced garlic (do not use garlic salt--too salty)

3 tbsp Olive Oil

3/4 cup frozen petite peas

1-1/2 tbsp cornstarch

16 oz low sodium Chicken Broth

1/4 cup fresh basil (1/8" chop)

Prepare the pasta according to pkg instructions; drain, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and set aside. Score/remove/discard the casing on each sausage; cut each link into 1/2 inch rounds. Cook the sausage in a 12" skillet until brown. Add the onion, garlic and 2 tbsp olive oil. Saute until onion is translucent/tender. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and broth till smooth. Add to the meat/onion/garlic mixture. Stir well and frequently until boiling and sauce thickens. Add the frozen peas and reduce heat to simmer for 5 min. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat with sauce. Add the fresh basil and toss once more before serving. It should be noted here that this dish requires no other seasonings such as salt or pepper. All the seasoning needed is already in the sausages. Serves 6 to 8.

NOTE: Although you could probably substitue any Italian style sausage, the Johnsonville Four Cheese Italian sausages have mozarella, romano, parmesean and cheddar cheese right in them and it melts out somewhat as you cook them. This adds richness to the garlic/basil sauce. I don't think the dish would be nearly as good with a substitution.

Peace...and I'm outta' here.