Eating Out At Home

Affordable Fun Family Night Ideas

Save money and spend quality time with your family by planning a night-out in the comfort of your home.  Here are five “theme night” suggestions for adding some restaurant fun and simplicity to your dinner.  So turn the television and computer off, get the kids involved with helping, and spend a quality night in with the whole family.

Make it Italian

Everyone loves Italian food – especially kids.  Whether you’re serving lasagna, spaghetti or the Pomodoro Sauce with Chicken and Linguine, up the ante by adding a few finishing touches to your meal for the true “that’s amore” experience.  Set out a checkered tablecloth, candles and wine glasses.  Even kids can enjoy a fancy glass filled with milk or chocolate milk to make them feel special.  For a restaurant-style appetizer that will get the taste buds watering, make the Fresh Salsa Bruschetta. For some added family fun, use Italian words such as “buon giorno, buon appetito” during table talk, and of course, play some Italian opera music.  Finish the meal with the Luscious Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Sauce (and for the adults, perhaps a sip of some limoncello!)

Mexican Fiesta

Put on some mariachi music and plan to make the Sizzling Mexican Fajitas.  Get the kids involved and have them make some colourful placemats or decorations.  Cover the table with a Mexican-inspired table cloth or even a blanket.  Everyone will love creating their own personalized fajitas – see who can spice it up the most!  Visit your local discount party supply store and look for a piñata for a fun after dinner activity.

Plan a Hawaiian Luau

Can’t take the whole family on a trip to Hawaii?  Then bring Hawaii to you by creating a luau-inspired dinner party for your family and friends. Take the kids with you to your local discount party supply store and look for leis, umbrellas for drinks and other tropical-themed party favours.  For other easy decoration ideas, buy some coconuts and pineapples and use those as decorations.  Put them on the table as part of a centre piece.  It’s always great when you can eat the centre piece.  When the weather gets warmer, hold your luau outdoors.  Buy some tiki torches or citronella candles for some added evening ambiance.  Serve the food buffet style and mix up some fun tropical (non-alcoholic) drinks in the blender.  Try using some frozen fruit, milk and ice for a delicious and nutritious blended beverage.

Pizza Party

The title of this one speaks for itself.  The new twist to this traditional take-out favourite is to try making the Friday Night Cheeseburger Pizza Pie instead of calling for delivery.  This dish combines two family fast food favourites – pizza and burgers.  By using extra lean ground beef, whole wheat pizza crust, Canadian Cheddar and Mozzarella cheeses and some vegetables, this pizza is also likely more nutritious than most take-out versions.   Start to finish, this meal is ready to eat in under 30 minutes and the kids will love it.  For added nutrition, serve with a tall glass of cold milk rather than pop.

The Kids are in Charge

Kids love to help in the kitchen and play dress-up.  After mom and dad have helped plan the meal, shop for groceries, and handle sharp kitchen tools and operate the oven, the kids are in charge!  Let the children play host or hostess and seat you at the table as if you are at a fine dining establishment.  Give them aprons to wear, a pad of paper to take your order and a tray to serve drinks on.  They’ll love playing restaurant!   

 

*Don't limit your dinner plans to immediate family, consider inviting another family, grandparents, or a favourite aunt or uncle and let the kids pretend with a larger guest list.

Courtesy of the Dairy Farmers of Canada www.dairygoodness.ca