How Nestle Meal Solutions Make Me Look Like Wonder Woman #shop

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Momma Told Me: I don't have time to be a chef today!

I have a reputation both on and offline for being a sort of modern Betty Crocker. While my immense modesty forbids me to confirm or deny the validity of such a handle, it is an expectation I try to live up to none-the-less. Believe it or not the parade of tantalizing Instagram shots, and Pin-worthy blog pics do not happen overnight. In most cases I brainstorm various snack or recipe ideas over the course of a month, or longer; often postponing the actual replication due to forgotten ingredients, dead camera batteries, or last minute schedule changes. Most parents can identify with this pressure to delivery tasty and fun meals for their families; and the amplified stress involved with the back to school season. Throwing together easy meals your family will rave about is hard enough on the Summer or weekend, let alone in between recitals, sports practice, homework tutoring, and early bedtimes.

So, today, I am here to tell you not everything that hits my table is made 'from scratch.' That's right, I cheat. But the difference between food they simply eat, and a meal they absolutely love is in the key to the right components. Not all pre-made family size entrees are created equal; some have an excess of sodium, others require 16 steps to preparation (including ample flipping, poking, prodding, and the sacrifice of a small animal- okay, I might have made that last part up.) My point is, I am a successful family chef because I make smart buying decisions when it comes to my main course; and this enables me some spare time to create a delicious home-made side, and even whip up a tempting dessert kit (or two). Since my own childhood my family has trusted the Stouffer's brand for hearty family meals that warm the stomach, clear plates, and bring us together.

There are dozens of Family Size Stouffer's entrees to choose from at my local Walmart, and the preparation instructions are always minimal; so I can focus on creating a time saving side and rewarding dessert. With a little help from Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk, Breyer's Slow Churned, and Nestle Baking Kits, I can have a complete meal on the table in less than 30 minutes. Unless I'm thawing freeze-ahead home made meals, this would otherwise be a challenge on a school night. In fact, Nestle has several family favorite brands trusted worldwide to fill seats around the table, even during the busy school season. In addition to the wide range of Stouffer's Family Entrees (from lasagna to enchiladas), Tombstone and Digiorno easy bake pizzas offer me time saving entrees to keep our family out of fast food restaurants and eating dinner at home.

As the Summer winds down I'm already beginning to put together weekly meal plans and #BTSIdeas for the upcoming school year. Recently, between building a lemonade stand and navigating swim lessons, I reached into my bag of tricks for a simple and hearty meal I could fit within the busy schedules. Already a cafeteria favorite for Sabrina (10), Stouffer's family size Salisbury Steaks offered 5 generously portioned roasted beef patties smothered in a thick caramelized onion and mushroom sauce. With 55 minute slow-prep oven instructions, and 16 minute no-fuss microwave instructions, I could easily prepare this entree while whipping up 2 desserts and a side, thanks to Nestle and Carnation Baking Kits. Using some potatoes I had set out to boil earlier that afternoon, I (literally) whipped up some creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Mashed Potatoes with a simple Mushroom Sauce (gravy) using Carnation Evaporated Milk and Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup.

With just over 10 minutes, combined, prep-time, the Nestle and Carnation complete baking kits pleased both the chewy and creamy palettes in our house. I'll admit, I don't always serve 2 desserts after dinner, but there was so much debate (Cookie Brownies vs. Chocolate cream Pie), and so little preparation involved, I made both! I'd never used the Nestle baking kits before, but was thrilled to see the 'necessary ingredients' were nominal and primarily consisted of butter and water. The Chocolate Cream Pie Kit even included a can of Carnation Evaporated Milk for a silky finished texture that truly had me feeling like a cheat. When I shared a few leftover slices with the neighbors that evening I was embarrassed by the "You really should be a professional baker" comments I kept hearing. Paired with a fresh scoop of No Sugar Added Dreyer's Slow Churned Vanilla the Cookie Brownies made for tough competition for the title of favorite dessert. Thanks to Walmart's back to school values, and a few minutes of elbow grease, this was one dessert worth raving about!

Sometimes I feel guilty, during the school year, that I don't have enough time to devote to my family. I wish I could give them a 'from scratch' meal every night of the week, but it simply is not practical. Thankfully there is a wide range of Nestle meal solutions products to incorporate into my weekly meal plan routine. When I save time substituting these delicious favorites on our table, I have more time to round out the meal and even whip up their favorite mashed potatoes. I know a lot of 'Type A' moms, like me, have a hard time leaning on meal helpers and ready-made entrees; but the simple truth is in the smiles on my family member's faces. I may not have spent 4 hours slaving over a stove, but their stomachs feel loved anyway. And the Nestle baking kits are simple enough the younger aspiring bakers can even help out and feel included! Check out our trip to Walmart for some back to school meal staples, in our Google+ album.

What Daughter Says: Smart meal aids can truly help ease back to school season stress for the entire family.

Continue reading for recipes.....

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Mashed Potatoes

***click for printable mashed potatoes recipe

***click for printable Mushroom Sauce (Gravy) recipe

Ingredients:

* 6 Medium Potatoes, Peeled, Cubed, and Cooked

* 3/4 C Nestle Evaporated Milk

* 1/4 C (1/2) Stick Butter or Margarine, melted

* 1/4 C Buttermilk Ranch

* 1/2 C Bacon Crumbles

* 1/2 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

* Garlic Salt (To Taste)

* Pepper (To Taste)

* 1/4 C Diced Chives (Optional)

Directions:

1.) Return Cooked Potatoes to pot and add evaporated Milk, Butter, and Ranch over medium heat. Mash until all chunks are gone. Beat with handheld mixture until creamy and smooth.

2.) Stir in shredded cheese until fully melted and evenly combined. Fold in bacon crumbles and chives; season with garlic salt and pepper as desired.