Do dinners where the whole family sits down together really make a difference??
Absolutely!
According to a recent study at Columbia University, teens that sit down to dinner with their families at least five times a week are less likely to use drugs, smoke or abuse alcohol than teens who eat with parents 2x a week or less. That should be incentive enough to start making family dinners a regular part of our days - no matter how busy we might get.
Risotto with melted cheese and bacon should be tempting enough to get everyone to sit down together and eat...it works at our house and we have two of the pickiest little eaters around town!
Kid-Friendly Cheesy Bacon Risotto (This serves about 4)
Ingredients
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
6 oz. Arborio Rice
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth - use reduced sodium to keep recipe healthier
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices cooked crispy bacon, crumbled (I use veggie bacon when I make the Risotto and it is delicious too)
1/4 cup scallions (adds a nice crunch, but is optional )
Salt and Pepper to taste
** If your kids will eat veggies - try adding in some pan-cooked asparagus and broccoli and/or peas when you add the bacon crumbles.
Directions
Heat oil in medium pot, then add rice.
Cook until the rice turns translucent, then add 1/2 cup broth
Stir frequently over low heat until until liquid is absorbed
Add the rest of the broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender (if rice has not cooked and tender when the broth is all gone, then add some boiling water until rice is cooked.) This process will take 15 - 20 minutes. Just be sure to add broth slowly - letting it absorb before adding more.
Add cheese, stir until it melts
Stir in bacon and scallions, remove from heat.
If you want, add salt and pepper to taste.
Tastes yummy by itself, or you can add oven roasted or grilled chicken or salmon to make it an even heartier meal.