Bringing Families Together In the Kitchen

(Family Features) Studies have proven that cooking together as a family not only strengthens the bond between parents and children, but encourages healthy eating habits.

Here are a few tips provided by Rachael Ray’s Yum-O, a non-profit which empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking:

• Allow your kids to measure ingredients using traditional tools (i.e. cups and teaspoons), and nonconventional methods (i.e. pinch and dash).
• Instruct your children on how to use kitchen shears instead of knives to cut things like herbs and soft fruits and vegetables.
• Teach your children the importance of cleaning cutting utensils and cutting boards after finishing up.

 

For more recipe ideas and information, visit www.UncleBens.com or www.Facebook.com/UncleBens.

 

Chicken and Rice Pot Pie
Total Cook Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Makes: 8 servings

1          cup Uncle Ben's Converted Brand Rice, dry
3 1/2    cups frozen carrot, peas and corn blend
1/4       teaspoon cracked black pepper
2          cans (15 ounces) cream of chicken condensed soup  
2          cups water
1          cup milk
1/2       pound chicken breast, 1/2-inch dice
1          sheet puff pastry, commercially prepared

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Mix rice, vegetables, pepper, soup, water, milk and chicken in a casserole dish.

Cover in foil and bake in oven for 45 minutes.

Uncover and top with puff pastry dough, and bake for another 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Serve warm and enjoy together.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 210; Fat: 3 grams; Cholesterol: 25 mg; Carbohydrates: 32 grams; Dietary Fiber: 2 grams; Protein: 14 grams; Iron: 10% DV