~How food creates unbreakable bonds! 👪~
s we go full swing into the school year, there are a plethora of new things that now weigh on our minds. School lunches, homework, and hectic after school schedules. Between all the chaos of the season, family time can become scarce. We understand that sometimes it’s hard to connect and bridge conversations with our families in the current age of face-paced technology. That’s why Heartland’s here to help, however we can!
We suggest bringing back an old classic: cooking together.
Not to mention that sometimes life’s most important moments don’t just involve cooking, they revolve around serving delicious and soul-warming food. The benefits of cooking together are many so let’s explore a few! (Stay tuned at the end for our nutritious, kid-friendly Mini Chicken Pot Pie recipe at the end!)
s we go full swing into the school year, there are a plethora of new things that now weigh on our minds. School lunches, homework, and hectic after school schedules. Between all the chaos of the season, family time can become scarce. We understand that sometimes it’s hard to connect and bridge conversations with our families in the current age of face-paced technology. That’s why Heartland’s here to help, however we can!
We suggest bringing back an old classic: cooking together.
Not to mention that sometimes life’s most important moments don’t just involve cooking, they revolve around serving delicious and soul-warming food. The benefits of cooking together are many so let’s explore a few! (Stay tuned at the end for our nutritious, kid-friendly Mini Chicken Pot Pie recipe at the end!)
For the Love of Food:
Not only do studies show that smell and taste association are one of the strongest senses in creating lasting memories, but cooking together allows us to get back to basics and remember the simple things. Often in our modern world we can grow detached from loved ones due to the influence of technology and social media. But, cooking together allows us to focus and enjoy quality time. After all, one thing that unites us as a human species is our enjoyment and love of food. We’ve built entire cultures around it and, in a way, our lives are built around it. Food is the foundation of who we are, because of course: everyone eats!
Building New Skills and Sense of Pride:
Cooking with children is especially beneficial to their growth into a happy and healthy adult. It helps build your child’s communication and teamwork skills as well as create positive memory association around family and food. Not only are you teaching your kids valuable life skills and tricks that will help them down the road as they get older, you are teaching them to become self-sufficient, and giving them a sense of pride. Cooking with children also helps them develop a deeper understanding of things like math, critical thinking skills and widening their vocabulary. This time together will foster a positive relationship with food which encourages them to not only enjoy a variety of foods, but build a diverse palette for an all-around healthier life.
Unbreakable Family Bonds:
We all have precious memories to look back on when it comes to food. And as we know, those began early. A savory family stew bubbling on a chilly evening, grandma’s buttermilk biscuits rising in the oven, the sizzle of dad’s burgers on the grill. It’s time to create these with your own family! Not only are you spending valuable time together and building your own family legacy, but in the process you are passing down history. Vintage cookware, beloved family recipes, or even developing new traditions for them to have in their toolkit as they get older! Not only are generational recipes treasured but they will serve as a sense of comfort to your children, even once they leave the nest. Cooking together fosters bonds and creates memories your children will revisit and repeat with their own families.
Coming up! A warm and hearty favorite that is perfect for the upcoming chilly months, Heartland style! We’ve put our own twist to make this classic American favorite a bit lighter but still full of the flavor you love!
Ingredients:
1-2 5oz Southern Herb Chicken Breast
1 cup of Heartland’s Mixed Veggies Medley (Carrots, Peas, Corn, Green Beans)
2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon flour
5 tablespoons of cream cheese
1 ½ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
your favorite frozen or homemade biscuit dough (Making your own homemade biscuit dough is a fun and kid-friendly activity to do with them!)
Makes approximately 10-12 “mini pies.”
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375. If applicable, season and bake your chicken breast for 20 minutes or until done. (Leftover chicken works great too and saves time!) While chicken bakes, create your roux for the filling. Melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat and once butter is melted, whisk in your 2 tbsp of flour.
- Add the chicken broth, water, cream cheese, and seasonings.Then, add your mixed veggies, whisking until well combined. Remove from heat and finally add your cooked chicken breast. (Chopped or shredded is fine!)
- Cut circles from your biscuit dough and press them in greased muffin tins. (If you have a favorite frozen biscuit brand, you can use those to save time!) Fill up your hollow crusts with the prepared filling and brush the tops with butter.
- Bake mini pot pies for 17-20 minutes or until biscuits are gold brown on top.
Dinner is served!
These mini pies are great for breakfast or leftovers and are perfect for small hands! Simply refrigerate, or freeze and reheat in an oven or toaster oven to preserve texture.
We strive to keep your families around the dinner table and in the kitchen too! So we hope that this recipe will go on to be another one of your family’s favorites as another easy and hearty meal that you can enjoy and prepare together.
If you have tried this recipe be sure to let us know on social media and post your own glamor shot in our Facebook Foodie Group!
