So, the other day, I decided to whip up some kids’ TV dinners, you know, for old times’ sake and to see if I could make them any better. I remember those compartmentalized trays with everything from fried chicken to mashed potatoes and some sad-looking veggies. This time, I aimed to make something a bit healthier and tastier, but still in that fun, TV dinner style.
First, I gathered my ingredients. I opted for some lean proteins—grilled chicken and tofu. For the veggie part, I picked a bunch of colorful stuff like carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers, just to make it look appetizing. And for the carbs, I went with some quinoa and brown rice. Healthy, right?
I started by cooking the grains. While those were simmering, I grilled the chicken and tofu. I seasoned them lightly, nothing too fancy, just some salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika for a little kick. Once those were done, I chopped them into bite-sized pieces, kid-friendly, you know?
- Grilled Chicken
- Tofu
- Mixed Vegetables
- Quinoa
- Brown Rice
Next up, the veggies. I steamed the broccoli and carrots until they were tender but still a bit crunchy. The bell peppers, I sautéed them lightly with a touch of olive oil, just to bring out their sweetness.
Then came the fun part—assembling the TV dinners. I found some divided trays at a local store, nothing fancy, just those basic ones. I portioned out the quinoa and brown rice into one section, the grilled chicken and tofu in another, and a mix of all those colorful veggies in the last one. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself.
The Result
The final step, I covered the trays with foil and popped them in the fridge. When it was dinner time, I just reheated them in the oven. They came out pretty good! The chicken and tofu were still juicy, the veggies were colorful and tasty, and the grains were fluffy. It was like a TV dinner, but way better and healthier.
Honestly, it was a bit of work, especially prepping all the different components. But seeing everything come together, and knowing it was a healthier take on those classic TV dinners, made it worth it. Plus, it was kinda fun to make. I felt like I was creating something special, even if it was just a simple meal. And the best part? No complaints from the peanut gallery—they cleaned their plates!
