May 16, 2020

Do you often stand in the kitchen wondering what to make for dinner? You’re not alone. Meal-planning can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but your Hy-Vee dietitians have you covered. Here are 7 simple steps to help save you time and energy in the kitchen:

Step 1: Plan, Plan, Plan. Find 20 minutes to sit down and think about your weekly meal ideas. Use resources such as Hy-vee.com or your grandmother’s old recipe book to give you inspiration. You can also consider theme nights such as pasta night, taco night, or kids cook night that can help you decide what to put on the menu for the week.

Step 2: Shop with a plan. Once you have your menu decided, take inventory of your pantry and refrigerator before you head for the grocery store. This will save you time and money so you aren’t putting unnecessary duplicate items in your cart.

Step 3: Get the kids involved. If your kids help decide the meals or even prep them, they are more likely to enjoy them – which helps everyone’s mood at mealtime.

Step 4: Jump-start dinners with short-cut ingredients. Using products like Hy-Vee Short Cuts can save time and energy in the kitchen. If you have recipe ingredients that you can prepare for the week ahead of time, try to get them prepped right when you get home from the store.

Step 5: Stock the freezer with favorite ingredients for when prep time is short. Make a list of those go-to recipes you enjoy making when time is at a premium. If you need ideas, ask a friend or family member what their go-to recipes include, and make a list that you can reference on short notice.

Step 6: Serve kids new foods alongside familiar favorites so they’re less intimidating. When you want your kids to try a new recipe or a new food, try serving it with one of their favorites. They will be more likely to not only try the new item, but to enjoy it when presented with something they are familiar with.

Step 7: Offer variety to satisfy differing food preferences. Giving options allows everyone in the family to enjoy the meal. Think of meals like a pizza bar or a potato bar that allow family members to choose their favorite ingredients but you only make one meal.

Try this easy foil pack dinner recipe that cooks everything in one pouch, makes it easy to customize for your family and – the best part – means little to no cleanup.

Foil Packet Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
Serves 4

All you need:
4 ice cubes
1 (1-lb) pkg Hy-Vee Short Cuts grill-ready perfect vegetable mix (mix of red onion, red peppers, potatoes, summer squash, snap peas and cherry tomatoes)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 tbsp Bolthouse Sweet Heat Sriracha dressing or any flavor of your favorite sauce
Hy-Vee salt and Hy-Vee black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

All you do:
Preheat a gas or charcoal grill for direct cooking over medium heat.

Spray 4 sheets of heavy duty foil with nonstick cooking spray. Top each with an ice cube, vegetable mixture, chicken breast, sauce, salt and black pepper. Fold foil in half to cover contents; make narrow folds along edges to seal.

Grill packet for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Carefully open packet and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Check out hy-vee.com for more foil packet recipes. Recipe source: hy-vee.com. This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.