Families belong in the kitchen for Family Day

The family kitchen is the heart of any home so why not put yours to good use this Family Day with a meal you create together!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Families are like fudge — mostly sweet with a few nuts. — Author Unknown

For Family Day 2015, we plan to just take it easy, kick back with our favourite tunes and enjoy the making of a good meal – together. A Family Kitchen Party is a casual bonding time, but also a time for learning some vital life skills: picking out the recipes, planning the meal, getting the groceries, basic knife skills and sharing the satisfaction of a meal well done and shared. Even math skills come into play, with the measuring of ingredients – especially if you are half-ing or doubling up recipe ingredients.

Here are some ideas to get you started — and the dance-music suggestions too! If you want to see even more meal ideas, go to beefinfo.org for plenty! Dial into our Cooking Lesson videos too if you want to combine dinner with watching videos.

If you’ve got a houseful of boys, steak’s just gotta be on menu! Try out our Strip Loin Steak with Sautéed Mushrooms — a classic recipe that those young men just might serve to their first beau. What woman doesn’t love a man who knows how to cook after all! Broil, pan-fry or use an indoor grill if temperatures dip below -10°C outside or you can’t find your barbecue in the snow. RECOMMENDED SOUND TRACK: A steak deserves something with energy – Coldplay might be a good option.

Life’s a ball with a big batch of meatballs! Divide into meatball-maker teams and make a mix of flavours from our All Kinds of Meatballs recipe. Make a monster batch and stash some in the freezer for speedy future meals. Serve them up with rice, pasta or potatoes and some fresh steamed veggies to finish. Here’s a quick pasta dish idea – toss cooked hot pasta with fresh-made garlic butter, grated Parmesan and some steamed frozen peas – season with freshly ground pepper. Voila! RECOMMENDED SOUND TRACK: There’s nothing quite like Momma Mia to bring out the hamming-it-up side in all of us.

If you like the family kitchen party, but have activities planned during the day, a pot roast is a great way to go — once in the oven or slow cooker, pot roasts simmer away totally unattended for a few hours while your having fun. Try this Rosemary Beef Pot Roast with Braised Vegetables as an elegant meal that basically makes itself. Put some candlelight out on the table and appoint someone to be maître d’ for the event. RECOMMENDED SOUND TRACK: Slow cooked pot roast marries well with Sam Smith’s Stay with Me for some slow dancing – teach those boys how to slow-dance the right way!

Ok – Family Day is all about the kids for this dinner idea: Cowboy Casserole  just might hit the spot. After rustling up a dinner like this one with your cow-pokes, finish off with homemade banana splits – don’t forget the whipped cream and cherries. RECOMMENDED SOUND TRACK: The Shrek sound tracks just can’t be beat for a fun mix of tunes that adults and kids can both enjoy. Who gets to wear Puss’s boots?