Easy Tuna Casserole

May 21st, 2007
Dine Without Whine's Weekly Newsletter
An Extension of our Menu Planning Service
www.dinewithoutwhine.com
Publisher ~ Christine Steendahl
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This Issue:

A Personal Note
Easy Tuna Casserole
Quick Kitchen Cleaning Tips

A Personal Note

We are in our last week of school here this week, except for 2 hours on the 30th to pick up report cards and practice songs for the summer picnic. Christian, our preschooler, had his last day today. Now he’s a big Kindergartner! Well, I guess it is official tomorrow evening after graduation. LOL I thought he would be kind of sad since he seems to be our most emotional child, but it didn’t seem to phase him. I think it was the adults that were having a much harder time than the kids.

Things are starting to slowly pop-up in our garden. There is still several things to go, but it is nice to see all our hard work produce something finally. Even the raspberries are starting to show some life, so that is wonderful after my complete raspberry failure last year. We all LOVE raspberries, so if they produce we will be a happy clan. Now I need to go through my seed packets and figure out which things I am supposed to thin. The kids got word that there is a giant pumpkin contest this fall in our area, so they are hoping that our giant pumpkin seeds produce something nice and big for us. We shall see! I guess I better do some more research on pumpkin growing.

I have a special bonus for you this week. It is an e-book called Memorial Day Family Fun. You can find it here: http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/memorialday.pdf It has some great recipes, craft ideas and evening coloring sheets to keep the little ones busy.

Our summer schedule is a bit on the hectic side. I feel like I am in a mad rush this week to get several things done before school is out and the craziness begins. It looks to be a really fun summer but also a packed full one. Have a nice and memorable Memorial Day Weekend!

Christine

“The Menu Mom”

www.themenumom.com

Recipe of the Week

Exerted from this week's family friendly menu plan and convenient grocery shopping list.

Have you tried our sample menu?

Easy Tuna Casserole
Makes 4 servings

     1 16-ounce package frozen tater tots
     1 6 1/2-ounce can tuna drained and flaked
     1 10-ounce package mixed vegetables frozen
     8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (about 2 cups)
     1 10 1/2-ounce can cream of mushroom soup or condensed cream of chicken soup
     1/2 cup milk
     Paprika

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Generously butter a deep 2-quart baking dish.

2. Place half of the tater tots in baking dish. Layer with flaked tuna, then frozen vegetables and cheese. Top with remaining tater tots.

3. In a small bowl, stir soup and milk until blended. Pour over tater tots.

4. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour or until potatoes are browned and sauce is bubbly around edges. Sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately.

Serve with Fresh Melon

This Weeks Top Five Referring Sites
(These sites have a link to DWW somewhere on their site and have sent the most visitors to www.dinewithoutwhine.com this week)

http://www.catholicmom.com/main
http://www.nossgalenbaby.com/twins_resources.html
http://www.imboredmom.com
http://www.menus4moms.com/articles/stop_the_eating_out_cycle.php
http://www.ihomemaker.com/blog/

Kitchen and Cooking Tips, Articles, And Product Reviews

Quick Kitchen Cleaning Tips

It’s said the kitchen is the most lived in room in many households. After all, where do most people gravitate to during a get together? Unfortunately this means it can also be the messiest! The following tips will make kitchen cleaning quick and minimize the mess and clutter.

* Use baking soda to clean the kitchen cabinets, stove, refrigerator and counters
* Sweep your kitchen floor first. This will pick up the majority of debris. Follow by mopping it.
* Toothpaste can be used to remove skid marks on linoleum before washing the floor.
* Keep countertop clutter to a minimum by removing dishes, glasses, utensils cups, and other items you may have lying around.
* Store as many appliances as you can in the cabinets so they don’t take up precious countertop space.
* Out of dish soap? Clean your sink with olive oil.
* Replace your dish rag or sponge regularly as it’s a breeding ground for bacteria.
* Hard-water spots ruining the look of your teapots and kettles? Remove them by pouring in two cups of vinegar and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, then rinse well.
* Cleaning your coffee maker is as easy as making a pot of coffee. Pour straight vinegar into it as if you are making the coffee, no filter is needed. Turn the coffee maker on as if you were making a pot of coffee. Repeat this with a new batch of vinegar until it runs clear of calcium deposits.

Few people love to clean. With preparation, determination, and time management it can be rather painless. Once it’s clean and organized all it needs is a light once-over, and you are ready for the marathon of cooking and baking to begin.