1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 1: Hello everyone. I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. I'm so glad you guys are 4 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: here this week, and you may notice I'm starting to 5 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: lose my voice, so I might keep this podcast episode 6 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 1: a little shorter than usual. But I am committed to 7 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: coming to you every week giving you some simple ideas 8 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: for making dinner a little easier. And so we're gonna 9 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: do it. We're gonna get through it. I feel like 10 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: I'm kind of falling back into somewhat of a regular 11 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: routine around here after spring break, and I am loving it. 12 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: I am here for it. We had a wonderful Easter 13 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: weekend where we did a really casual Easter Sunday, maybe 14 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: the most casual Easter Sunday we've ever done, where we 15 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: did a picnic. So we went to church in the 16 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: morning and we kind of had a lazy afternoon and 17 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: then we met friends in the four clock in the 18 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 1: park and it was so casual and I loved it. 19 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:08,800 Speaker 1: So basically everyone was in charge of bringing their own sandwiches, 20 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: and then we each brought a few salads, and then 21 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:14,119 Speaker 1: on top of that, I wanted to do some sort 22 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 1: of hybrid birthday party for Penny because even though we 23 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: celebrated her is our family on Monday of last week, 24 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: I liked the idea of being surrounded by kids and 25 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: singing her Happy Birthday, and so I thought, we'll do 26 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: a little bit of a throne together birthday party for Penny. 27 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: And it was all just so happy. And the reason 28 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: I bring this up is because I just think it's 29 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 1: funny how we evolve as we get older, and I 30 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: shouldn't be surprised by this. This is something you hear, 31 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: but to actually be living it and experiencing it is 32 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: a totally different thing. But I was joking with friends 33 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 1: that at Ali's first birthday, I actually printed physical invitations, 34 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: put them in the mail with stay up on them, 35 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: and sent them to people. That is how intense I 36 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: was about his birthday. And to make it even more elaborate, 37 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: he was born really early, so he's this teeny tiny guy. 38 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: And so of course I had a theme for the party, 39 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: and the theme was the big Things Come in Small packages. 40 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: So I had gotten these envelopes and made these teeny 41 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: tiny invitations to go with the parties theme. Why am 42 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 1: I telling you this because I clearly went above and 43 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 1: beyond to have this elaborate birthday party for my young child, 44 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,119 Speaker 1: and by the third kid, I'm like, h I guess 45 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: we'll have a birthday party for on each as well. 46 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: It's just funny. And the thing that's so important that 47 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: I want to point out is that, honestly, we made 48 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: just as many happy memories at this throne together birthday 49 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: party that probably shouldn't even be classified as a birthday 50 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 1: party as we did at the elaborate one. And I 51 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: just I mean, there was no invitations. It was a casual, 52 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: textic exchange with some friends where I said, hey, do 53 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: you mind if I lay her on a birthday party 54 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: to an already existing celebration. We did an Easter egg 55 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: hunt on the baseball field, and honestly, we just made 56 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: so many great memories and Penny was delighted. She van 57 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: around like a two year old should, like, unhinged, like 58 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: she had so much fun. So I'm just grateful to 59 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: have walked away from that having like a little bit 60 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: more clarity on what's important. And it was just a 61 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: great experience for me as someone who is Type A 62 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: and who I loved to throw a big party like 63 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: love it, but I just felt like it was a 64 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: learning moment for me as a mother and for someone 65 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: who likes to host and entertain that it just doesn't 66 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 1: need to be fancy and not everyone needs to go 67 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: home with a gift bag in order for it to 68 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: be considered a success. So consider this me giving you 69 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: full permission to simplify even the things you know you'd 70 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: enjoy being a little extra at. Recognize that there are 71 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 1: chapters of life when you need to pare things down. 72 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: That is what I have had to do in this 73 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: chapter of life, and I am learning and growing and 74 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: this was a perfect example of that as we had 75 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:16,280 Speaker 1: just the nicest time this weekend. So after we got 76 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: past Easter and Penny turning to and celebrating her, I 77 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 1: have been working this week on something that I'm really 78 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 1: excited about and I want to share it with you guys. 79 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: I know lots of you who listen to the podcast 80 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 1: are members of Recipe Club. And what recipe Club is 81 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: this recipe resource that I have where you get five 82 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: new recipes each month that are voted on by the 83 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: club members, so that I am creating the recipes that 84 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: you want a need, and there's this exclusive site for them, 85 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,799 Speaker 1: and you get a video walking you through every recipe 86 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 1: in addition to all sorts of recipe resources. My goal 87 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: really is to make the recipes as doable and easy 88 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: as possible. And these are recipes that are intended for 89 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:00,279 Speaker 1: weeknight cooking. So whether you are cooking for you and partner, 90 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: are you and a young family, or you and a 91 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: household full of teenagers, these are very doable recipes. And 92 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: I launched Recipe Club at the beginning of twenty twenty two, 93 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 1: and when you sign up, you get access to all 94 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:16,479 Speaker 1: of the recipes in twenty twenty two, So if you 95 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: were to sign up today, you would get all of 96 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 1: the recipes from January till April, and then all of 97 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: the recipes moving forward through the end of the year. 98 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: And the story behind this is kind of interesting. And 99 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: I wrote a cookbook with Random House nearly ten years ago. 100 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: It's crazy that it's been that long, but I went 101 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 1: through the traditional publishing process, which is long. You spent 102 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,559 Speaker 1: almost a year pitching the book, hopefully you sell the book, 103 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: and then it takes another two years before that book 104 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 1: is actually made. And for the past couple of years, 105 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 1: I've kind of felt the itch to do another book, 106 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:55,839 Speaker 1: but honestly, honestly, it wasn't the greatest experience. It was 107 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 1: really challenging. I didn't feel like I had a ton 108 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: of creative control. I felt like by the time the 109 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: book was published, I had changed as a cook as 110 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: I changed as a mother, and the things that were 111 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: exciting me then weren't the things that were exciting men 112 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: when I had written the book, and so I just 113 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: didn't love the process, and honestly, I was having a 114 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 1: hard time getting excited about it. And that is where 115 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: this whole idea for a Recipe Club came from. Is 116 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: I thought, well, I either want to write another cookbook. 117 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 1: I want to find another way to get people recipes 118 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: that are really good, recipes that go beyond casually sharing 119 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 1: something on Instagram or maybe sharing a recipe that I 120 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: wrote a couple of years ago that I've already shared before. 121 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: And so that's where recipe Club came from, and that's 122 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 1: why I developed this. It's almost like a digital cookbook. 123 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: But the thing that got me so excited about it 124 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 1: was I thought, well, I can really just ask them 125 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 1: what they want from me, and then those are the 126 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: recipes I can create. It makes so much more sense. 127 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: We are so conditioned to receive information digitally nowadays anyways, 128 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 1: that I feel like it was as big of a 129 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: stretch to really deliver great, stellar recipe content in this way. 130 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 1: And that's how this project was born. So I've spent 131 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 1: the past four or five months rolling this out. It's 132 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: been really great. I would consider it a success, but 133 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 1: I find myself wanting to add more and more value 134 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 1: to Recipe Club. How can I think those who have 135 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: joined Recipe Club and make the product even better for 136 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: those who will join Recipe Club. And so I'd like 137 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:34,840 Speaker 1: to say my grandma would say, I got to be 138 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: in my bonnet this week about this, where I thought, 139 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 1: what can I do to make this better? And so 140 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: I've been planning May recipes, which will come out on 141 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: May first, And I looked at the recipes the five 142 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: recipes are most photoed on, and I've been working on those, 143 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: and I've decided to work backwards for the whole month. 144 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: Where As I share things on social media, primarily Instagram 145 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:59,679 Speaker 1: because that's where I'm the most active, I really wanted 146 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: to make an effort to share tips that specifically address 147 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: the Recipe Club recipes. So, as you are probably aware, 148 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: reels are very popular on Instagram right now, and as 149 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 1: a creator, you're motivated to create reels because that's really 150 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: the only content that's being seen by your audience. So 151 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: if you're going to go to the effort to create it, 152 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: you want to make sure it's seen and that it's 153 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: helpful to people. So my focus right now is doing 154 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 1: a lot of these reels. And I thought, why don't 155 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: I take each Recipe Club recipe and create at least 156 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: three reels that are either a tip, technique or tool 157 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: to help the user, the home cook execute that recipe. 158 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: And so as I've been shooting the recipes, I've been 159 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: shooting these three tips in addition and then creating these 160 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: reels that will roll out in May. And I feel 161 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: so excited about it. All of a sudden, it makes 162 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: so much sense to me, and I think that it's 163 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: a way to, like I said, add value to those 164 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:00,079 Speaker 1: people who are cooking the Recipe Club recipes and enjoying it, 165 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: and just kind of as a thank you, thank you 166 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: for being here, thank you for cooking these and it's 167 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: been a blast. So, like today I did some reels 168 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: about how to chop cilantro and how to cut a pineapple, 169 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: and one about what do you do when you have 170 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: two extra chicken breasts that you're not going to cook 171 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 1: for a recipe but you want to freeze them? What's 172 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: the proper way to freeze them? So I feel like 173 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,959 Speaker 1: it's going to be a great way to really address 174 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: some of those common questions or situations that you may 175 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: find yourself in as someone who's cooking regularly throughout the week. 176 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: So anyways, I'm excited about that. Keep an eye out 177 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,199 Speaker 1: for it, and may I think it's going to be 178 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: a really fun way to naturally talk about Recipe Club 179 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 1: and like I said, really reach those Recipe Club members. 180 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: The other thing that I'm excited about for next month 181 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 1: is I'm going to start offering an opportunity for anyone 182 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: in Recipe Club to jump on a texting chain. So 183 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 1: there's some really cool platforms now where I don't know 184 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: about you guys, but my inbox is so overwhelming to 185 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 1: me and I don't love email, but I far more 186 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,839 Speaker 1: responsive to text. And so for anyone who would like to, 187 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: they can sign up to receive a weekly reminder from 188 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: me about a recipe clab recipe. What are you cooking 189 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:20,959 Speaker 1: this week? Have you thought about your meal plan? Here's 190 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: an idea for you, here's a short shopping list, here's 191 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: a quick video if you want to watch how to 192 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,559 Speaker 1: make it, and so forth. And so that's going to 193 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,080 Speaker 1: roll out in May as well, and once again just 194 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: adding more value to those people who are supporting me, 195 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 1: and in turn, I hope I'm supporting you as you 196 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 1: try and get dinner on the table, because it's no 197 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: shock to any of you that at the end of 198 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: the day, what's most important to me is that we 199 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: are getting to the table. I want to help you 200 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: come up with ideas of what to make to serve 201 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: your family, but ultimately I don't care what you serve 202 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 1: your family. You could serve cold pizza or cold cereal. 203 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 1: What's most important is that you gather with those people 204 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: every single day. So anything I can do to ease 205 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: that burden, because let's be honest, it's really hard to do. 206 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: Even as someone who's considered a professional in this industry, 207 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 1: it is hard. It is so hard, and that is 208 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: why I created a recipe club, and that is why 209 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: I do what I do. Clearly, I'm excited about it. 210 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: Let's get into a couple of ideas for your meal 211 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 1: plan this week. So first up, I want to talk 212 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 1: about something that has recently become a hit at our 213 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 1: house which just kind of makes me giggle. My kids 214 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: really haven't grown up with ramen noodles. Now, top Ramen 215 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: Ramen noodles. That was something I had a lot as 216 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:38,319 Speaker 1: a kid, and I have got a lot of I mean, 217 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 1: maybe I didn't have it a lot, but I have 218 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: a lot of childhood memories. And then one of the 219 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 1: first things I did in my career was I had 220 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: this college cooking show, Kelsey's Kitchen, and I would It 221 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: was a college cooking show where I would make fast, 222 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: fun and affordable meals for college students. And I had 223 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: a couple of episodes where they were literally called Raman 224 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,440 Speaker 1: recipes because it's one of the cheapest things to buy 225 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 1: at the grocery store and this kind of, you know, 226 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:04,679 Speaker 1: quirky ingredient, and believe it or not, the first recipe 227 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: I am recommending this week is one that uses ramen noodles. Now, 228 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: if you want to go to the Asian market and 229 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: get fancy, schmancy, authentic Asian noodles, knock yourself out. This 230 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: is one of those pantry staples that's pretty great to 231 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 1: have on hand. And my kids like to call them 232 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: curly noodles. Like I said, they're new. We haven't really 233 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: had them a lot, but I ended up buying them 234 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: because we were sick. Hence my voice. For me as 235 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: a child, I would always have ramen top ramen when 236 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: I was sick, and so I had bought some, and 237 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 1: my kids just thought curly noodles are the greatest. So 238 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 1: this recipe I want to share. It is called Honey 239 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: Ginger stir fry Noodle Bowl, and it is a recipe 240 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 1: from April Recipe Club, and it is so good. What 241 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: I love about it is it comes together so quickly, 242 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 1: partially because you're using the ramen noodles that cook in merely, 243 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: not even minutes. I'm convinced I swear those noodles cook 244 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 1: in seconds because you don't want to overcook them. That's 245 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 1: the one thing. But nearly everything else in this recipe 246 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: comes from your pantry. I'm talking soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, 247 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: some creamy peanut butter, chili, garlic sauce, some frozen garlic. 248 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: Just really really great and then stur fried vegetables. And 249 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 1: I tested this recipe with two different types of stir 250 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: fried vegetables frozen stir fried vegetables, and Trader Joe sells 251 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: a stur fried vegetable almost like a kit in the 252 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: produce section. It's like three ninety nine and it's awesome, 253 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 1: and I tested it with that as well. I like 254 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: to add some cash shows or some sesame seeds on top, 255 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: and if I've got them, some scallions comes together so quickly, 256 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,520 Speaker 1: and if you've got picky kids like I do, you 257 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 1: can kind of deconstruct it where you do the raw 258 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 1: veggies separately, you do your curly noodles in a separate bowl, 259 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: and then if you want to add a protein, by 260 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 1: all means you could use some shredded add some shredded 261 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 1: chicken in here, some you know, thinly sliced beef. You 262 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: could do whatever you wanted. You could even do a 263 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 1: ground beef in here and would be really good. But 264 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 1: that is the first recipe, and if you're not a 265 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: member of Recipe Club, I also wanted to suggest another 266 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: favorite that uses ramen noodles on my website, Thaie Coconut Raman. 267 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: It's another really good one, amazing flavors, really utilizes pantry staples. 268 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: This is one that we made so often a couple 269 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 1: of years ago that my husband had to be like, Kelsey, 270 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: we need a break from the Thaie coconut Roman. We 271 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: need a break. So anyways, that's another great one to 272 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: take a look at. And if you're not in the 273 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: habit of buying ramen noodles, maybe picks them up this 274 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: week near grocery order. They've been hit around here all right. 275 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: Second is another very pantry friendly recipe, this creamy spinach 276 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: artichoke pantry pasta. So I love this recipe and initially 277 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: created it specifically for people who were asking for pantry recipes. 278 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: Let's talk about some of the pantry staples it incorporates. 279 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: And I gotta be honest, the real inspiration for this 280 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: was spinach artichoke dip. I love a spinach arter choked dip. 281 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: I would eat that all day long. You can use 282 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: fresh or frozen spinach. I keep frozen spinach in my 283 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: freezer all the time, and then I always have a 284 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: can of artichoke carts. I really like that briny flavor. 285 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: I don't find it to be too strong. That like 286 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: my kids find it off pudding, but I love it. 287 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: I love the texture. And then sundry tomatoes, which are 288 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: another like huge flavor enhancer. I have kind of refallen 289 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: in love with sundry tomatoes this past year. For a 290 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: long time, they kind of reminded me of like an 291 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: ingredient from the nineties or the early two thousands for 292 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: some reason. But man, they are good. They're so good. 293 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: And those three ingredients together with a little bit of 294 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 1: parmegan cheese and some pasta, some lemon juice, garlic makes 295 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: her a really nice kind of skillet pasta dish. So 296 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 1: check that one out. That one's on my website. And 297 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: then last, but not least, I have some skillet skirt 298 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: steak fajitas. This is another recipe you'd find on my website. 299 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 1: It's so simple. I love it because it incorporates some 300 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 1: bell peppers, some flower tortillas. You can use flank or 301 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 1: skirt steak. Those are the cuts of steak that I 302 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: most recommend for fajitas, but you could also do this 303 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 1: with chicken. And honestly, I have started buying taco Bell 304 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: sells a taco seasoning at the grocery store and it 305 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: is pretty darn good. And all I'm gonna say is, 306 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: if buying the Taco Bell seasoning is going to make 307 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: it so that you are more likely to cook dinner 308 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: at home rather than actually going to Taco Bell, I'm 309 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: all in favor of it. I'm just here to say 310 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: I bought it once and I have returned as a 311 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 1: customer to the Taco Bell taco seasoning. It's pretty darn good. 312 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: Sometimes I'll also add it to like a can of 313 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: black beans or pinto beans as a side when we're 314 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: doing like Taco Nite, and it's pretty darn good. This 315 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 1: recipe could not be more simple. And if you don't 316 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 1: want to make it in a skillet, you could also 317 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: do it in a sheet pan and it translates really 318 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: simple for that as well. All Right, you guys, there 319 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 1: are three ideas. You've got your honey ginger sturrefry noodleball, 320 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: you have your creamy spinach artichoke pantry pasta, and then 321 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:10,640 Speaker 1: those skillet skirt steak fajitas. Since I am losing my voice, 322 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: we're going to keep the back half of the podcast 323 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 1: a little shorter than usual today, and I just want 324 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: to leave you with three tips that are making dinner 325 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: easier for me. Right now, three things that you maybe 326 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: don't hear all the time that I am finding really helpful. 327 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: So first I want to talk about this idea of 328 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: having a set dinner time. So what motivated me to 329 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 1: start thinking about this was we are in the thick 330 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: of baseball season. I have a ten year old son 331 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: almost ten, who's got multiple games a week, and I 332 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: am now in the chapter of life where you feel 333 00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: frustrated about do we eat dinner at four o'clock or 334 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: nine o'clock, and it can be really it's just one 335 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 1: more thing to make dinner complicated. And so what I 336 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 1: decided was that we have dinner at five thirty every 337 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: single night. Whoever is in this house at five thirty 338 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: gets to eat dinner at five thirty. And if you 339 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: are not home at five thirty, then you get it 340 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: when you get home. And so I have set a 341 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: timer in my phone at five o'clock to remind me 342 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 1: now it's time to start making dinner, and I set 343 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 1: the table for everyone in the family whether and my 344 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:23,639 Speaker 1: husband's a coach, so when my husband when my son 345 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 1: has gone for a baseball usually my husband's gone as well. 346 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 1: And so if they're gone, I'm still going to make 347 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: dinner and I'm going to eat it along with my girls. 348 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: And then when the boys get home, the table's already 349 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: set and dinner's on the stove, and I make an 350 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 1: effort to pop down and to spend time with them, 351 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: but I'm usually in the middle of bedtime for the girls. 352 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,880 Speaker 1: But having a set dinner time that we stick to 353 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: to the extent that there is a reminder in my 354 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: phone an alarm that literally goes off, has really simplified 355 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 1: the dinner process for me right now, and I'm loving it. 356 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:58,399 Speaker 1: So I wanted to pass that tip along. And that 357 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:02,199 Speaker 1: may work in a certain chapter of your life and 358 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 1: be irrelevant and another chapter of your life, but for 359 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:07,959 Speaker 1: me right now, that is making things easier, all right. 360 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 1: The next one, number two, ask yourself what's for dinner 361 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 1: at breakfast? So you know, I'm a huge proponent of 362 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: a meal plan, and I'd love to think that all 363 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: of you are making a weekly meal plan, but I 364 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,160 Speaker 1: know you're not, and that's okay, because you are real 365 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 1: people and you have real lives, and it is a 366 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: tough muscle to build when it comes to regularly meal planning. 367 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:33,120 Speaker 1: So if you find yourself not meal planning every week, 368 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 1: one thing you can do is ask yourself at breakfast 369 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: the first part of the day, what are we making 370 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 1: for dinner tonight? And I find that by giving myself 371 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,640 Speaker 1: a heads up whether or not I've created a meal 372 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 1: plan or not, if I think about it at breakfast, 373 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: then I may remember that, oh, I need to pick 374 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 1: up that one extra ingredient, or oh I need to 375 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: pull out that chicken to thought in the refrigerator today, 376 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: and it just makes me feel like I'm a little 377 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 1: bit more in control of my day. Or I don't 378 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: have anything to make for dinner tonight, so I am 379 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: deciding right now that we are grabbing pizza, and I'm 380 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: not going to stress about it for the rest of 381 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: the day because I just decided that's what we're doing. 382 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: So ask yourself what's for dinner dot dot at breakfast. 383 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 1: Side note, sometimes when you don't know what to make 384 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:21,919 Speaker 1: for dinner, breakfast for dinner is always the answer. I 385 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:24,439 Speaker 1: know that might be a little too on the nose, 386 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: but we love breakfast for dinner. I almost always have 387 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,360 Speaker 1: everything to make it, and that is such a good 388 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 1: last minute meal for us. Okay, Number three. I want 389 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: you to intentionally take a night off of cooking dinner 390 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 1: this week. That could look a couple of different ways, 391 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 1: depending on your circumstance in life right now. That could 392 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:52,640 Speaker 1: be assigning your spouse partner a teenager to a night 393 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,360 Speaker 1: to be in charge of dinner. So you could say 394 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,399 Speaker 1: to your spouse, Hey, I need you to take care 395 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: of dinner on Wednesday. I don't care what you make. 396 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: I don't care if it's home cooked, I don't care 397 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 1: if you pick it up, but I can't think about 398 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 1: dinner on Wednesday. I'm taking the night off. Or maybe 399 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 1: you don't have anyone in your household to do that, 400 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:13,080 Speaker 1: and maybe you just decide, you know what, I'm not 401 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 1: cooking on Wednesday. We're going to go pick up our 402 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 1: favorite you know, drive through chicken at Canes or Chick 403 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:23,159 Speaker 1: fil At or whatever. I'm just giving myself an extra 404 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 1: break this week. I don't believe in cooking and on 405 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 1: Fridays anyways, but I want you to not cook on 406 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: Friday and also not cook on one more night, and 407 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,679 Speaker 1: I want you to kind of just relieve yourself of that. 408 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,199 Speaker 1: I think that as we near the end of the 409 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:40,439 Speaker 1: school year, things really start to get busy, and I 410 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: think it's important to practice giving ourselves a break. And 411 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:47,880 Speaker 1: if we're going to give ourselves a break, if we're 412 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:51,119 Speaker 1: not going to cook dinner, you might as well decide 413 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: that earlier on then later, because there's nothing worse about 414 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: stressing about dinner all day and then still not making dinner. 415 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,760 Speaker 1: So I want you just to give your permission, yourself 416 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 1: permission right now to not make dinner once this week, 417 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:08,479 Speaker 1: and ideally you're going to ask somebody else in your 418 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: household to do it, but if not, you'll find another 419 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: way to take a break, all right. So those are 420 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: my three tips. Set a timer for a set dinner time, 421 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: regardless of what's going on in your family life, ask 422 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 1: yourself what's for dinner at breakfast, and intentionally take an 423 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: extra night off this week of making dinner. That's it 424 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: for today. Thank you for being patient with my voice 425 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,360 Speaker 1: as I'm losing it. I hope you all have a 426 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 1: wonderful week. I cannot wait to chat with you next week. 427 00:22:35,359 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: Remember you can rate and review this podcast. It really 428 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,720 Speaker 1: helps people who are looking for dinner ideas and means 429 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 1: so much to me. And hey, don't forget we'd love 430 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: to have you in Recipe Club. I am constantly working 431 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 1: to improve the program and to make it more helpful 432 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 1: to people who are trying to look for dinner ideas, 433 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 1: and we'd love to have you in there. Or you 434 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:56,880 Speaker 1: can join Family Meal Makeover if you're looking for some 435 00:22:56,920 --> 00:23:00,239 Speaker 1: step by step guidance in organizing an outfit in your 436 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: kitchen top to bottom. All right, you guys, we'll catch 437 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:03,360 Speaker 1: you next week.