My alarm (a.k.a., the toddler) goes off around 6:30 a.m. I groggily bring him into the bedroom to nurse (yep, almost 15 months and still going!). When he’s finished, we head out to the kitchen for his breakfast.
Toddlers don’t understand the concept of cooking. They know they are hungry, and why isn’t there any food in front of me?!? What do you mean the frozen waffle takes time to toast??
The morning is a whirlwind of toasting waffles, cutting bananas, feeding dogs, coordinating schedules with The Mister, making coffee, and entertaining the toddler who wolfed down his food and is ready to play. It’s a good hour or two after I’ve woken up before I sit down to eat my own breakfast. By that time, I’m rather feeling like a toddler myself. The last thing I want to do is wait for the butter to soften on the counter before toasting my English muffin or bagel.
So, when I was contacted by Land O Lakes to sample their Butter with Canola Oil, I was more than happy to accept. I’ve used their stick butter in my baking for many years, and they’re a brand I recognize and trust. Their claim is that the butter is ready to spread, straight out of the fridge. Unlike other spreadable products, it contains only sweet cream, canola oil, and salt. I’m not a militant healthy eater, but I’ll take a product with three familiar ingredients over others than can contain up to 15, most of which I can’t pronounce, let alone tell you what they are.
I was curious about how it would taste. I grew up on margarine, before the dangers of trans fats were discovered. I never did like the last or the mouth-feel. I had an assumption in my head that this butter with canola oil would taste and feel like margarine. I was happy to learn that it did actually taste and feel like butter. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more salt, but as promised, it was easy to spread, straight out of the refrigerator.
Land O Lakes also asked me to share some tips for saving time in the kitchen. Between caring for a toddler full-time, working part-time, and writing this food blog (not that being busy is exclusive to moms, employees, or well, anybody!), I do have a trick or two up my sleeve.
First, I’ve already shared my meal-planning strategy. It’s so much faster to check the calendar and see what meal I’ve assigned, rather than stand in front of the refrigerator, looking at its contents and wondering what I could put together.
Secondly, once I get home from grocery shopping, I wash, chop and store all the vegetables needed ahead of time for the recipes I’ve chosen. For example, this week, I’m making roast chicken with butternut squash and potatoes tonight; crab cakes with roasted veggies on Wednesday; burgers with sweet potato fries on Thursday; and pork chops with roasted carrots on Friday. When I’m finished grocery shopping on Sunday, I will wash, peel, seed, and chop the produce needed for all of those recipes as soon as I get home. That way, as soon as I’m ready to cook during the week, most of the work is already done.
Third, I choose weeknight recipes that take 30 minutes or less to cook. Almost every cooking magazine and website has a section dedicated to quick and easy meals. I try to pick the ones that use the least ingredients, but pack a lot of flavor. It not only saves time (fewer ingredients = less prep), but it’s also easier on the wallet! For side dishes, I often utilize packages of frozen vegetables, and add a small pat of Land O Lakes Butter with Canola Oil just before serving. They take just a few minutes in the microwave, and the 10-ounce packages are perfect for a family of three.
Fourth, I keep my kitchen organized. My frequently-used pots, pans, and utensils are sitting on or hanging from my pot rack. Items that can’t go on the pot rack are in a drawer right next to my oven. They are easy to spot and easy to grab, unlike the lesser-used items that kept in the toddler-proofed cabinets.
And finally, our instructors in culinary school drilled into our heads: clean as you go! The soup you’re cooking needs to simmer for 10 minutes? Wash the measuring cups and spoons! Pork tenderloin bakes for 20 minutes? Clean the cutting board and knives. Then there’s less to clean up when the meal is finished.
Now, did I mention that the friendly folks at Land O Lakes offered a gift package for one of my readers to win? It includes multi-purpose spreaders, a cutting board, and a multi-tier oven rack!
To enter the giveaway, you must leave a comment below, telling me your favorite quick and easy meal (just the recipe name or a short description).
You can earn up to four extra entries by:
– Leaving a separate comment that you like The Redhead Baker on Facebook
– Leaving a separate comment that you like Land O Lakes on Facebook
– Leaving a separate comment that you follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest
– Leaving a separate comment that you follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest
Extra entries will only be counted if 1) the mandatory entry is completed and 2) each entry is left as a separate comment – your comment number is your entry.
Good luck!
The fine print:
– Maximum of five (5) entries per person.
– Giveaway ends at 12:01am EST on February 22, 2013.
– Winner will be selected by the random number generator on Random.org.
– Prize must be claimed within 7 days or it will be forfeited.
– Winning “extra entry” comments will be subject to verification.
– Giveaway is open to residents of the United States only.
– Official giveaway rules can be found here.
Disclosure: I received a coupon for a free product sample for Land O Lakes® Butter with Canola Oil for review purposes. All opinions regarding said product are my own. Land O Lakes also provided a gift package, including multi-purpose spreaders, a cutting board, and multi-tier oven rack to give away to my readers.
There were 66 total entries. The random number generator at Random.org chose comment #35. Congratulations to the winner, Stacey!
My favorite quick and easy meal is Breakfast for Dinner! Eggs, Bacon or Sausage and Cinnamon,Sugar toast or pancakes and sausage
I like The Redhead Baker on Facebook
I like Land O Lakes on Facebook
I follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest
I follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest
My favorite easy meal is spaghetti marinara.
I like LOL on Pinterest
When we are in rush stir fry is my go to. I always have veggies cut up in the fridge so we can do a veggie stir fry or quick defrost some frozen shrimp and have dinner ready to go in 15 minutes without much though.
I like The Red Head Baker on FB
I like Land O Lakes on FB
We made an Asian noodle with beef sauce when we’re pressed for time. It’s quick, easy and delicious.
I like the Redhead Baker on FB.
My favorite quick meal is a stirfry with peanut sauce. I like to use whatever fresh veggies we have on hand, but frozen are great, too.
I like The Redhead Baker on Facebook.
I follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest!
I like Land O’Lakes on FB.
I follow Land O’ Lakes on Pinterest.
My favourite quick and easy meal is pasta with pesto and grilled chicken. I add in whatever veges are in the fridge, and … dinner is served.
I follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest.
I like The Redhead Baker on Facebook.
We have lots of quick and easy pasta dishes that we rely on for busy nights.
I like you on FB.
I follow you on Pinterest.
I follow LOL on Pinterest.
My favorite quick and easy meal is a stir fry, sometimes with meat or sometimes with tofu, but always with lots of veggies!!
I like the Red Headed Baker on FB!
I like Land O Lakes on FB.
I follow The Redhead Baker on FB.
Should be follow on Pinterest, oops.
I follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest.
(My entry before should be follow on Pinterest too).
My favorite quick & easy meal is macaroni!! Throw some beans and veggies in it and it’s even healthier as well as quick.
I love fritatta- it’s a great way to clean out the fridge but still have a healthy easy dinner!
I love to buy the frozen or pre-chopped stir-fry veggies, thinly sliced beef, and make a quick stir-fry! It takes next to no time to whisk up a sauce from staples that I keep on hand, and the veggies and beef cook very quickly, too!
I like a piece of fish with steamed broccoli and another veggie for a quick meal.
I like you on Facebook.
I follow you on Pintrest.
Burritos! So easy to make and everyone loves them!
I follow you on Pinterest.
I follow Land O’Lakes on Pinterest.
I like Land O’Lakes on Facebook.
My favorite quick and easy meal is chicken over salad. I mix canned chicken from Costco with some salad dressing and then throw it over salad. It’s a family favorite
Liked The Redheaded Baker on Facebook
Following the Redheaded baker on Pinterest
My fave quick meal is baking pork chops with potatoes and sour kraut in a low oven for a couple of hours. Delish and easy!
Follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest
I’m a fan of The Redheaded Baker on Facebook .
I’m a fan of Land O Lakes on Facebook
I follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest
Bacon lettuce and tomato salad
Pasta dishes (either spaghetti or tortellini) are my quick go to dinners!
I like The Redhead Baker on Facebook
I follow the Redhead Baker on Pinterest
I like Land O Lakes on Facebook
I follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest
Homemade bread is my favorite thing to make. The kitchen smell so good!
My favorite quick meal is pasta with sauce (homemade, ahead of time) and a salad
Karen Goodwin Delaney likes The Redhead Baker on Facebook
Karen Goodwin Delaney likes Land O Lakes on Facebook
karengdel follows The Redhead Baker on Pinterest
karengdel follows Land O Lakes on Pinterest
My favorite quick meal would be spaghetti or a pot of chili. I always have these ingredients on hand.
I like The Redhead Baker on Facebook
I like Land O Lakes on Facebook
I follow The Redhead Baker on Pinterest
I follow Land O Lakes on Pinterest
I like you on facebook!
My favorite quick and easy meal is quesadillas!