Chicken a La King

By Suzie Roberts
How does dinnertime at your home happen? Is it rushed and hectic? Is it stiff and rigid? Is it your time to discipline your kids and have a serious family meeting? I hope not. I hope your dinnertime is calm, fun and inviting. I hope you talk to your children and see how their day was. I hope you have fun and get to know each other. Often, this is the only time families sit and talk together. Make it happen! Studies show that children are less likely to do drugs, drink and have sex as teens if they have dinner with their families at least 5 days a week. It is where your children learn values, open communication with you.

Here are some ways to make this happen:
Plan ahead! Plan dinner so that when it is time to put it on the table, it's done and not stressful and rushed.
Work around schedules. If your son works until 7:00, eat at 7:30.
Make it fun. Play games, talk, and laugh at the table.
Work Together. Have kids help, or even make dinner.

Here is a quick and yummy recipe that you can make-ahead and freeze. When you have a crazy night and don't have time to make dinner, pull it out, heat it up and serve over rice.

Chicken a La King

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup diced green pepper

2 cups cooked chicken, cut up

1 small onion, chopped

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken soup

In skillet, melt butter, cook green pepper and onion until tender. Stir in soup and milk. Blend well. Stir in chicken and cheese. If freezing, place in a gallon size freezer bag and freeze. Otherwise, serve over rice, noodles, or puff pastry shells.