A to Z Food Challenge: C

Another Friday, another food challenge, another delicious dinner to share with you all. While my previous dinners have been easy AND delicious, they may not have looked like a "fancy" dinner. Well that's not the case for today. Today's dinner is filled with 4 items AND a dessert, all nutricious, delicious, and extremely easy. That's right, I'm sticking to an "easy" theme. Why? Because we are working parents, over-stressed signifacant others, and busy human-beings. Being as such, we deserve to make an easy - but scrumptious - dinner, without sacrificing cost or time. So without further delay, I present to you our "Cheese Tortellini with Baked Chicken, Corn on the Cob, and Cesar Salad, followed by Mini Cinnamon Churros". Talk about a mouth full...

The items consisting of tonight's feast came out to a total of $21.76, which included a dinner for 4 AND dessert. Less than $6 for 4 meals. Yes please! Everything can be purchased at Trader Joe's! 

Cheese Tortellini: $2.29

Caesar Salad (comes with dressing, cheese, and croutons): $3.49

Chicken Tenders: $5.71

Sweet Corn on the Cob: $4.29

Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce: $1.99

Mini Cinnamon Churro's (frozen): $3.99

Other items you'll need: 

Baking pan

Big pot

Seasonings of choice - I chose Garlic Powder, Sea Salt, Pepper, and 21 Seasoning Salute (again, can be found at Trader Joe's)

Butter

Here's how I prepared this fine cuisine:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degree's and place a large pot of water on the stove

2. Put the corn and tortellini into the giant pot and let boil for 20 minutes (or until tortellini is soft and corn is cooked)

3. Prepare chicken: cover chicken with a thin layer of mayonnaise, place inside baking pan, and sprinkle your seasoning(s) over the top of the chicken

4. Place chicken into over for 15 to 20 minutes - ours were perfect at 20 mins

5. Your chicken and tortellini should be finished around the same time, therefore you'll be able to enjoy it all warm together - if you want your pasta sauce warmed up, do so 4 minutes prior to the other dishes be completed (we like ours cold)

6. Create a little serving of salad on your plate, pour the sauce onto your tortellini

7. Serve and enjoy!!!

When it comes to dessert, simply follow the directions and you'll have dessert ready in about 7 minutes! You wouldn't think that frozen churros would be so addicting, but they really REALLY are. They are also excellent with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and ice cream. Oh that thought, please excuse me while I stuff my face..... Alright I'm back. I had to make sure those combinations worked. By the way, they did. 

That's it! That's all there is to it! After "slaving" over a hot stove, my son DEVOURED our meal within a few minutes, as did I. It was quick, easy, healthy, and absolutely amazing. I was actually impressed on how quickly a meal like this could be whipped up and how cheap it truly was. Plus, we have leftovers for tomorrow that can be eaten as is OR re-vamped. The fact that my son enjoyed every bite, ate everything in sight, and even complimented dinner, I was thoroughly pleased with myself. It just goes to show, even an extremely busy mom (anyone really) with 20 minutes to spare, can create a dish that's inexpensive and truly worth your time. 

Don't forget that tonight is the last night for the Gorgeous Giveaway. It ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Click HERE for your last chance to enter! The winner will be announced in Monday's blog post! Good luck and have a great weekend everyone!!!