My family likes to do fun things for Friday night dinner. I've run out of ideas so I'm asking other mom's for help.
What do you do for those fun nights? From taco nights to "whatever", this mom needs some help. Still want to keep a veggie in there somewhere even if it's a small salad on the side.
I appreciate all responses.
Thanks!
Fondue!
My family LOVES fondue.
There are MANY kinds.
Super fun.
Super good.
Real family oriented.
Make your own pizzas. Buy some refridgerated pizza crust, some toppings, and have your kids be creative.
breakfast for dinner!
also, make a meal of bite sized appetizers like cheese/crackers, grapes, peanut butter celery, frozen meatballs, etc
We make tostadas! Or we will do an ice cream & cookie dinner party! That only happens every once in a while...but hey nothing wrong with eating desert first right!
Any kind of "make your own" or bar can be lots of fun. Tomorrow ai plan on making pizza, and while I am just making one for my husband and I (baby eats purred foods still), the idea can easily turn into a make your own pizza night with a toppings bar. The last pizza I made was pineapple, olive, mushroom, and sweet bell peppers, so lots of veggies and even a little fruit was involved! Taco, tostada, or nacho bars can be fun too. Chili nights are always a great night. If you use a seasoning packet and canned beans, it is really quick and easy too. You can add lots of tomato chunks to get extra goodness. Sandwich and salad bars go well together. Or, you can just make one of your regular dinners and have a fun desert. We don't have desserts in our home very often (except for a bowl of fruit), so when we do, it seems like an extra special night.
Upside down pizza, I wrote the recipe on my blog here:
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/08/upside-down-pi...
Also, fall is coming soon, you can do dinner in a pumpkin, or dessert in a pumpkin. Tons of recipes online.
Also, living locurto has weekly meal plans you can print out and I even think a shopping list, all for free!
http://www.livinglocurto.com/weekly-meal-plans/
mmm. nachos! lol i have childhood memories of my dad making homemade nachos and us sitting in front of the tv watching the music awards!
Chili and cornbread.. It can even be vegetarian chili.
Loaded nachos
Sloppy Joes.. I add shredded zucchini to the ground beef while it is cooking. .. my family has never noticed
Grilled pizzas.. Place them on a med grill and cook them for about 12 to 18 min..
Lo Mein
Meatball sandwiches..
Veggie Fried rice and egg rolls.
Fondue
What about planning theme dinners with games and decorations to support the theme-- "picnic" on the floor with sandwiches, etc everything you would pack and bring-- Hawaiian theme--western theme, tailgate party theme, etc etc
I'm Catholic and grew up with meatless Fridays, so we tend to do:
fish sticks (broccoli or peas for a side) and tater tots
veggie fritatas
salmon with brown rice & asparagus
Fish tacos
my family used to do ethnic nights...picking a country & trying a bunch of dishes! It was a BLAST!
we make homemade pizza every friday night...add all the veggies your kids will eat. or salad first-whatever works. Friday used to be our family fun night with homemade pizza, popcorn, movies, icecream, stay up late, etc but now my oldest runs crosscountry and has meets early sat. mornings so we have to rethink this a bit!
I know you wanna keep veggies in but if it is a fun night... think about this. Amp up on the veggies at lunch (pack extra in the lunch boxes-whatever) and even add extra on saturday. Veggie omlet anyone so they are getting plenty but your kids are like wow mom is so cool-we dont even have to eat veggies on friday nights ;)
