Food and Health Communications

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Kitchen Hacks: 1 Skillet Meals

I'm back with more kitchen hacks!Today I want to talk about meals that only require a single skillet. With an oven-safe skillet, you can start dinner on the stove an then finish it off in the oven, leaving lots of hands-off time to set the table, prep a salad, etc.Let's take a look at an example. Arroz con Pollo, one of my favorite quick and easy meals, comes together in a snap with this method. Start by browning the chicken in a skillet, then add vegetables and give them a quick sear. Follow those with rice, seasonings, and some water or broth, then cover the skillet and transfer it to the oven. If you make this dish with white rice, the whole thing should be done in about 20 minutes. Brown rice, a more nutrient-dense option, will take roughly 40 minutes to cook. Either way, the results are delicious!Arroz con Pollo is a perfect "pantry meal" that you can make with what you already have on hand. Canned tomatoes, frozen peas, frozen chicken, rice, onions, and your pantry seasonings all come together to make a fantastic dish that won't require a last-minute trip to the store. This in turn will make the whole cooking process easier and more approachable.The "one skillet" strategy should also help you cut down on the total number of dishes you do after the meal. Who doesn't love easier cleanup?The post A Speedy Skillet Meal has all the details for this particular recipe, if you'd like to try it at home or in a cooking demonstration.Now let's backtrack for a moment and talk about the convenience of having a stocked kitchen. It sure helps with the arroz con pollo dish, but it can come in handy in lots of other ways too.Did you know that Romaine hearts can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator? Simply cut and serve as needed. The same is true of washed and trimmed carrots. With a few veggies on hand at all times, it will be easier to meet the fruit and vegetable consumption goals set forth by MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Find some sturdy options that will last between trips to the grocery store and you will always have what you need to start a salad or a snack.That's it for today's kitchen hacks! Which will you try first?Previous Kitchen Hacks:

Oh! As a special bonus, I want to re-introduce you to this classic handout! It's got all the information your clients will need to stock their kitchens with healthy food.Use MyPlate to Stock Your KitchenAnd here are some more kitchen resources from the Nutrition Education Store![shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="cook-for-a-better-weigh-powerpoint-and-handout-lesson" show="all"][shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="healthier-choices-123-banner-stand-24-x-62-health-fair-banner-featuring-choose-myplate-24-x-62" show="all"][shopify embed_type="product" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="digital-my-plate-poster-and-myplate-foods-digital-picture-show-on-flash-drive" show="all"]We are here to help you look your very best, right now.