Bring Good Moments to the Dinner Table with McCain Potatoes

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for McCain Foods. I received a sample to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating. All opinions expressed are my own.

One of my biggest complaints about my life is how busy and hectic our household is.  We are pretty much always in a rush and that includes getting dinner on the table.  We have 3 children with 3 different levels of pickiness when it comes to food.  Our 9 year old son is most open to eating almost everything we serve him.  Our 6 year old daughter is open to trying everything at least once, but her list of foods she likes is definitely shorter than her big brother's.  Her twin brother is reluctant to try anything new and randomly moves foods from his 'likes' list to his 'does not like' list.  All of the above is true, even when it comes to the most kid-friendly food in the world . . . french fries.

Luckily for us, McCain potatoes makes it easy for us to please everybody.  Every member of the family has his or her own favorite.  It's so easy for us to make more than one variety of french fries.  The three types of fries we usually serve are McCain 5 Minute Fries, Seasoned Spirals, and Smiles.  Also, somehow our children seem much more willing to eat their veggies when they are served next to a generous serving of fries.  Bottom line is that, thanks to McCain Potato products, at least some of our family dinners can be less stressful and even fun, bringing good moments and memories to the dinner table!

Recently, we served the children a dinner consisting of 3 types of McCain french fries, freshly made hamburgers (with optional bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss or American cheese), and a tiny bit of spinach salad.  If you can believe it, our 6 year old son complained about having to eat his bacon cheeseburger.  He did end up eating it though!  Why? . . . because we also gave the children empty plates to use as canvases to make food art.  Yes, we told them they could play with their food as long as they were eating it too.  Well, they didn't dare eat all their fries first because that would end their play all too quickly, so they gobbled up their burgers and salad.

After I showed them a few things I could make using my food, the children enjoyed themselves thoroughly making their own creations while they ate.  Here are some examples of what they came up with . . .

Here's another one of mine (yes, I had fun playing with my food too!) . . .

McCain wants you to have plenty of chances to bring good moments to your dinner table!  Through November 4th, McCain will randomly draw one winner every week to receive a $500 grocery gift card.  Be sure to enter by visiting McCain on Facebook.  After you enter, remember to grab your coupon for $1 off any one bag of McCain Potato products.

“Load up on groceries your family loves, and bring naturally good moments to the dinner table every time you serve McCain Potatoes."

To learn about how McCain has reformulated its potato product lines to be more natural and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives when possible, visit www.McCain.com.

Easy Recipe: Seasoned Roasted Red Potatoes

This is a favorite potato side dish recipe that my husband and I have made for years.  Even though it was always easy to make, we have managed to make it even easier throughout the years.  For example, we have learned that using olive oil spray on the potatoes after they have been placed on the baking sheet is not only quicker, but it makes the potatoes come out much less oily tasting than tossing them in the olive oil.

Today's Recipe:  Easy Seasoned Roasted Red Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs small red potatoes, quartered (or baby red potatoes, halved)
olive oil cooking spray
1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
dried basil
salt (or garlic salt)
ground pepper

Step 1.  Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Step 2.  Wash, dry, and cut potatoes, leaving the skin on.  For small red potatoes, cut them into quarters.  For baby red potatoes, cut them in half.

Step 3.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Then spray foil with olive oil cooking spray.

Step 4.  Spread the cut potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer.  Then spray potatoes evenly with olive oil cooking spray.

Step 5.  Sprinkle salt or garlic salt evenly over the potatoes.  Season to your liking.  Repeat with the pepper.

Step 6.  Generously sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over potatoes.

Step 7.  Sprinkle dried basil evenly over potatoes.  Then spray potatoes lightly with the olive oil cooking spray again.

Step 8.  Cover the potatoes tightly with aluminum foil.  Then bake for 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

This is a super easy side dish to reheat in the oven or microwave, making it perfect to take with you to a game day gathering or to have leftovers.  Also, if you are a fan of rosemary, you can also add a light sprinkling of dried rosemary prior to baking.