The kids are back in school and the schedules and time crunch is back!

We need meals that are nourishing and delicious, but also hassle-free. That’s why I LOVE these easy back-to-school night meals. You literally heat, then serve them!

Here are 5 easy ways to make weeknight dinnertime a wonderful experience:

1. Brisket with twice-baked potatoes. The meat is already sliced and sauced. Put it in the oven (the potatoes, too) and voila!
2. Hickory-smoked ham and mashed potatoes with porcini mushrooms. Delicious and different. This meal is a hit!
3. Chicken Spiedini. A new twist on a mealtime favorite – chicken! This Italian dish is so savory your family will devour it. Serve with your favorite noodles.
4. Cold Water Lobster Tails. Did they ace the test? Break out this seafood favorite! You can grill, bake or boil them. Whichever way you choose, it’s simple! Try with creamed spinach.
5. Beef Wellington. Put it in the oven and you have a gourmet meal that is rich and flavorful. Green beans in a mushroom cream sauce are an excellent accompaniment!

May all your school nights be stress free – or at least the ones when you take it easy on yourself and serve these meals!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

When I think of Sunday dinner ideas, images (and aromas) of slow-cooked homestyle meals come to mind.

Roast…meatloaf. Meals that say “home” to me.

What will you be cooking this Sunday?

Sometimes I WANT a meal that takes time to prepare, but I simply don’t have the time. Or I just want to spend Sunday with my family instead of in the kitchen. On those days, these Heat & Serve Gourmet meals are ideal. Everything from Beef Wellington and twice-baked potatoes to brisket to lobster tails and salmon.

Literally, you just put them in the oven and serve them. Even I can do that.

Want to spend some time preparing a home-cooked meal from scratch this Sunday? There’s a plethora of great recipes to try. May I suggest a gorgeous Chateaubriand?

Enjoy your Sunday dinner this weekend – however you plan to spend it!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

It’s “The Day After.” Maybe you trounced around the neighborhood all night last night and your feet still ache today.

Or perhaps you stayed up all evening answering the door to ghosts and goblins.

Either way, it’s November 1st and this date is officially in the “comfort food zone.”

If you want to make it easy on yourself, you can go the bake and serve route with a lovely Beef Wellington (see above) that you can simply pop in the oven and serve.

Or . . . you can try this recipe for a Beef Pot Pie that’s even gluten free! Click here for more details on that.

Come down from that Halloween high with a beefy meal that’ll bring you back to earth. It’s a great place to be . . . the holidays are just around the corner!

Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.