From Robin Miller’s Kitchen to Yours

Simple Time-Saving Tips for Fast, Easy and Delicious Home-Cooked Meals

Dinnertime can be quite a stressful time. With busy schedules, it can seem impossible to sit down with your loved ones at the kitchen table to enjoy a simple, satisfying meal. That’s why Robin Miller, chef, nutritionist and Food Network, is sharing her time-saving tips and strategies to help “spring ahead” in meal prep time and get a home-cooked, delicious dinner on the table super fast.

Five or Fewer

Always try making meals with five ingredients or less. Not only will this save time and simplify planning, but it will also save money. For example, take Tyson® BBQ Brisket with Mild Chili Sauce, cheddar cheese, green chilies, salsa and flour tortillas for delicious Brisket Quesadillas. With only five ingredients, you’ve made a perfect dinner!

Designate a Day

Meal planning should start long before stepping into the kitchen. Designate different days to help prepare for each weeknight meal. Make a weeknight evening or early Saturday morning supermarket shopping day, and make Sunday a prep day to pre-chop ingredients for meals during the week. Even with only 30 minutes per day, the payoff of prep time is worthwhile, especially during a super busy week.

“Spring Clean” Your Shelves:

Keeping shelves organized in the pantry and fridge is key to creating fast, home-cooked meals. Take any unwanted or expired items and replace them with ingredients that can be kept on hand for a long period of time. Store canned beans and veggies, a variety of nuts and boxed rice on pantry shelves. Stock fridge shelves with condiments and garnishes (olives, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, etc.), cheeses and recipe ready protein like Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats. It will feel great to clean out your shelves, and keeping quick-fix items on hand will help to get meals on the table in no time.

Buy in Bulk:

Instead of purchasing just one of a given product at the grocery store, consider buying items in bulk next time you shop. You can store extra items in the pantry, fridge or freezer for a meal later in the week. Not only will this save money since buying in bulk often offers a better value, but you’ll save yourself an extra trip to the grocery store, which will definitely help cut down on dinner prep time.

Wash as You Work

Not only is it beneficial to plan ahead for meal preparation, but it’s equally helpful to start clean-up in advance! Ask your spouse to team up with you in the kitchen. While you cook, your teammate can clean the pots, pans and cooking utensils you’ve finished using. That way, the dishes will be at least halfway done by the time you sit down for dinner, helping to make clean-up a snap.

For more information on the new varieties of Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats, or to learn more about Robin Miller’s tips for quick and easy meals, visit www.embracedinner.com

The post Tips from Robin Miller’s Kitchen appeared first on The Mom Maven.

This week’s featured recipe is Brisket Quesadillas with Creamy Salsa Dip. Sounds yummy!

Brisket Quesadillas with Creamy Salsa Dip

Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller and Tyson Foods

Recipe serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

1          package (17.6 ounces) Tyson® Braised Beef Brisket with Mild Chili Sauce

1          cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)

4          ounce can diced green chilies

8          (taco-size or 8-inch) whole wheat tortillas

½         cup light sour cream

½         cup prepared salsa

2          tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Preparation Instructions

1.      Coat a large skillet, griddle or strove-top grill pan with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.

2.      Empty contents of brisket into a large bowl, and using two forks, pull the beef apart into shreds. Add cheese and green chilies and mix well.

3.      Arrange tortillas on a flat surface and spoon the brisket mixture onto one side of each tortilla. Fold over the un-topped side, covering the filling. Place the quesadillas on a hot pan and cook three minutes per side until tortillas are golden brown and cheese melts.

4.      In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, salsa and cilantro (if using). Cut each quesadilla in half crosswise and serve with sour cream dip on the side.

Now…about the giveaway, with each week’s recipe post I will be giving away to 2 winners 1 coupon each for a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree. This has a value of up to $6.99 and is a great way to try something new.

To Enter (mandatory 1st Entry) Leave me a comment telling me how you would serve the Beef Brisket in Fire Onion Sauce. Be creative, I’m always looking for new recipes and meal ideas for my family.

Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each one that you complete)

1. Tweet this “Win a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree from @MomMaven http://bit.ly/V34OE” and leave a comment with the URL of the tweet
2. Stumble, Digg, or Prop this post with a comment and post the URL here in your comment for each one you you
3. Subscribe to my RSS feed-click on the orange heart icon in the sidebar (current subscribers just let me know you subscribe)
4. Follow my blog by becoming a follower on Google Friend Connect (current followers just let me kow you follow)

This giveaway ends 6/19/09 at 7:00pm. US and Canada entries only.

The post Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Giveaway #3 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Judy suggested serving the Beef Brisket in Fire Onion Sauce over a bed of rice sprinkled with shredded cheese and a salad. Jessica suggested that it would be great with egg noodles and steamed broccoli.

Congratulations ladies! Round 3 of the Tyson Heat ‘N Eat giveaway starts tomorrow!

The post Tyson Winners #2 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

This week’s recipe by Food Network host Robin Miller is for Wilted Caprese Salad with Brisket in Fire Roasted Onion Sauce.

Wilted Caprese Salad with Brisket in Fire Roasted Onion Sauce

Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller and Tyson Foods

Recipe serves 4

Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

1          package (17.6 ounces) Tyson® Beef Brisket in Fire Roasted Onion Sauce

4          cups (9 ounces) baby spinach leaves

8          ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into ¼-inch thick slices

2          ripe beefsteak tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch thick slices

2          tablespoons balsamic or sherry vinegar

¼         cup chopped fresh basil, optional

Stovetop Preparation Instructions

1.      Empty contents of brisket into a large saucepan or skillet and set pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and simmer for an additional five minutes.

2.      Place spinach leaves on a large platter and top with alternating slices of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Using tongs, remove brisket pieces from the sauce, reserving the sauce in the pan. Slice brisket into thin slices and arrange on and around cheese and tomatoes (in a decorative fashion).

3.      Whisk the vinegar into the sauce in the pan and simmer for one minute to heat through. Drizzle sauce over salad to wilt the spinach leaves and slightly melt the cheese.

4.      Sprinkle basil over the top just before serving (if using).

Microwave Preparation Instructions:

1.      Poke three holes in the brisket pouch, and place the pouch in its microwave-safe tray. Cover with a paper towel, and cook on high for 5 minutes. Let stand 1-2 minutes before removing from the microwave. Empty the contents of the brisket pouch onto the microwave-safe tray.

2.      Place spinach leaves on a large platter and top with alternating slices of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Using tongs, remove pieces from brisket (keeping the brisket sauce separate) and place nicely on and around the cheese and tomatoes.  

3.      Take the remaining sauce from the tray and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk vinegar with the sauce in the bowl and microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds. Let stand for one minute before removing from the microwave. Drizzle sauce over salad to wilt the spinach leaves and slightly melt the cheese.

4.      Sprinkle basil over the top just before serving (if using).

Now…about the giveaway, with each week’s recipe post I will be giving away to 2 winners 1 coupon each for a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree. This has a value of up to $6.99 and is a great way to try something new.

To Enter (mandatory 1st Entry) Leave me a comment telling me how you would serve the Beef Brisket in Fire Onion Sauce. Be creative, I’m always looking for new recipes and meal ideas for my family.

Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each one that you complete)

1. Tweet this “Win a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree from @MomMaven http://bit.ly/zlgeL  ” and leave a comment with the URL of the tweet
2. Stumble, Digg, or Prop this post with a comment and post the URL here in your comment for each one you you
3. Subscribe to my RSS feed-click on the orange heart icon in the sidebar
4. Follow my blog by becoming a follower on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends Saturday 6/13/09 at 7:00pm. US and Canada entries only.

The post Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Giveaway #2 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The winners of the first 2 coupons for the new Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entrees are…Maureen from Aunt Rene and Christin. Congratulations ladies! Monday I’ll have two more coupons to give away so make sure you check back!

The post Tyson Entree Winners Round 1 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

• Braised Brisket in Mild Chili Sauce
• Brisket in Fire Roasted Onion Sauce
• Beef Steak Tips in Burgundy Sauce
• Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce

Product Features:
Great Taste — Made with fresh, never frozen high quality chicken, beef and pork, Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats offer a delicious taste that everyone will enjoy!
No Preservatives / Vacuum Sealed — Straight from the refrigerator, Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats are so easy to prepare. Ready in minutes, these great main dishes have no preservatives and are vacuum sealed for freshness.
Lots of Variety-Tyson Fully Cooked Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats are available in a variety of flavors, perfectly seasoned and slow cooked to ensure you have the best culinary experience ever.

We tried the Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce and my kids loved it. We didn’t do anything fancy with it just followed the simple directions on the package and cooked a few side dishes to go with it. My boys went straight for the hamburg buns to make pulled pork sandwiches!

Tyson is currently teamed up with Food Network host Robin Miller and Robin has been working on some fantastic recipe demo videos that show how to make, quick, easy and delicious meals using these new Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Dinner Meats varieties. Robin makes amazing entrees, like a Brisket Caprese Salad, Cuban Pulled Pork Panini Sandwiches and Angel Hair Pesto with Beef Steak Tips. I thought your readers would really like these videos as they show a step-by-step way of putting together delicious meals in a snap, which is what every busy mommy needs! I will be sharing these recipe videos and Robin Miller’s dinner tips with you over the next few weeks.

Here is the video for Cuban Pulled Pork Panini

Cuban Pulled Pork Panini

Recipe Courtesy of Robin Miller and Tyson Foods

Recipe serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Ingredients

1          package (17.6 ounces) Tyson® Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce, thawed

8          slices bread, such as sourdough loaf cut crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces

8          teaspoons whole grain mustard

8          slices (about one ounce each) Swiss cheese

4          slices (about one ounce each) fully cooked ham

8          slices pre-cut sandwich pickles

½         cup thinly sliced red onion

Preparation Instructions

1.      Coat a Panini press, large skillet or griddle with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.

2.      Empty contents of pork into a large bowl, and using two forks, pull the pork apart into shreds. Set aside.

3.      Arrange bread slices on a flat surface, and top each slice with one teaspoon of mustard. Top four of the bread slices with one slice of Swiss cheese, one slice of ham, two pickle slices and red onion.

4.      Spoon the pork mixture over the onions and top with the second slice of Swiss cheese and the second slice of bread.

5.      Place sandwiches on a hot pan and cook three minutes per side until bread is golden brown, filling is hot and cheese melts.

Now…about the giveaway, with each week’s recipe post I will be giving away to 2 winners 1 coupon each for a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree. This has a value of up to $6.99 and is a great way to try something new.

To Enter (mandatory 1st Entry) Leave me a comment telling me how you would serve the Pork Loin in Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce. Be creative, I’m always looking for new recipes and meal ideas for my family.

Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each one that you complete)

1. Tweet this “Win a FREE Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Entree from @MomMaven http://bit.ly/jxQTs ” and leave a comment with the URL of the tweet
2. Stumble, Digg, or Prop this post with a comment and post the URL here in your comment
3. Subscribe to my RSS feed-click on the orange heart icon in the sidebar
4. Follow my blog by becoming a follower on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends Friday 6/6/09 at 7:00pm. US and Canada entries only.

The post Tyson Heat ‘N Eat Giveaway #1 appeared first on The Mom Maven.