TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

INTRODUCTION: DEAR FRIENDS, YOU’RE ABOUT TO COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR FAMILY DINNER ROUTINE FOR THE BETTER

A Note for Grown-Ups

Hey, Kids! This Note’s for You

BEGINNER DINNER TIPS: SETTING UP FOR A GREAT TIME IN THE KITCHEN

Planning Your Meal

Keep It Fun

Decide When to Set the Table Before You Begin

Simple Safety Tips to Remember

Clean As You Go

Keep Your Workspace Neat

Mistakes Happen

The Best Kitchen Tools for Kids

GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE!

You’ve Got Skills: Measuring Dry vs. Wet Ingredients

Easy Cherry Almond Scones

Cinnamon Sugar & Pecan Monkey Bread

You’ve Got Skills: Whisking Eggs and Milk

Vanilla Spice French Toast

Orange–Blueberry Pancakes

You’ve Got Skills: Playing with Flavor Combinations

Pumpkin Patch Waffles

Pear–Berry Muffins

Berry Delicious Granola Yogurt Parfaits

You’ve Got Skills: How to Make Scrambled Eggs

Pretend Huevos Rancheros

Tex-Mex Sweet Potato and Sausage Skillet

Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Breakfast Pie

MIX AND MATCH: SOUP & SAMMIES

You’ve Got Skills: Cutting Food Without a Knife and Beginner Knife-Safety Skills

Confetti Veggie Soup

Way Better Than Canned Tomato Basil Soup

Country Captain Chicken Soup

Ooey Gooey Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Greek Lemon Drop Chicken Soup

You’ve Got Skills: Flipping Foods with a Spatula

Grilled Harvest Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

Zippy French Dip Sandwiches

Shredded Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Cajun Roll-up Fingertip Sandwiches

EASY PEASY DINNERS

You’ve Got Skills: How to Broil Chicken Tenderloins

Chicken Marinade, Three Ways

School Night Chicken Fajitas

You’ve Got Skills: How to Brown Ground Beef

Not Just for Tuesday Tacos

Big Batch Pork Picadillo

You’ve Got Skills: Cooking a Large Cut of Meat

Sweet-and-Spicy Shredded Pork

Grandma’s Classic Roast Chicken

Sweet-and-Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Carrots

You’ve Got Skills: Introduction to Seafood

Magic Crunchy Coated Fish

Mustard-Glazed Salmon with Asparagus

Roasted Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon

CLASSIC COMFORT FOODS

You’ve Got Skills: How to Sauté Veggies

Crustless Chicken Potpie

Old World Tomato Beef Stew

Cozy Country Potato Pie

Tropical Sausages, Pineapples, Peppers and Onions

Mini Meatball Skillet

Classic French Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

FESTA ITALIANA

You’ve Got Skills: Choosing and Cooking Noodles

Better Than Buttered Noodles

Super Simple Spaghetti & Tomato Sauce

Hearty Italian Ragù Meat Sauce

Parmesan Gnocchi

Sausage Tortellini with Peas

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

You’ve Got Skills: How to Make Pizza Dough from Scratch and Roll It Out

Pesto Pizza with Fresh Tomatoes

BBQ Chicken Pizza

MAKE YOUR OWN RESTAURANT FOOD

Chicken Finger Dunkers

Teeny-Weeny Cheeseburger Sliders

Mix and Match Seasoned French Fries

Giant Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

You’ve Got Skills: Making the Perfect Pot of Rice

Cilantro Lime Rice

Pineapple Cashew Fried Rice

Potsticker Stir-Fry

Cashew Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken

FEARLESS FOODIES

You’ve Got Skills: How to Use an Oven

Garlic Knots

Challenge: Dress It Up! Turn a Classic Into Something Uniquely Yours

Creamy Feta & Watermelon Salad

Challenge: Mix Something Sweet with Something Salty

Balsamic Vinaigrette Strawberry Salad

Challenge: Eat Your Fruit with Your Veggies

Roasted Spicy Broccoli

Challenge: Cook Something We Think We Don’t Like a New Way

Better Than Boxed Mac & Cheese

Challenge: Try Cooking a Favorite Restaurant or Packaged Food at Home

Lime Corn Salad

Challenge: Eat Something We Already Love in a New Way

Mustard-Roasted Potatoes

Challenge: Try a New Condiment

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Challenge: When in Doubt, Dip It

You’ve Got Skills: Identifying Herbs and Spices

Perfect Popcorn, Three Ways

Challenge: Spice It Up

Guacamole for Beginners

Challenge: Change the Texture of a Food

Zucchini Apple Bread

Challenge: Learn to Separate Flavor from Texture

DON’T DROP YOUR SPOON AND RUN! MAKING MEALTIME SPECIAL

Plate Like a Pro

Ten Ways to Compliment the Chef (Even When You Don’t Like the Food)

Ten Ways to Describe Your Dinner That Any Chef Will Love to Hear

Fun Dinnertime Conversation Games to Play with Your Family

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

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