Do you ever wonder how to be a good neighbor? It can be as simple as waving hi, chatting up the family next door, or helping someone out when they need a hand. Remember, it’s never too late to strengthen your bond with the people who live next door, across the street, or at the end of the block. Here are 12 simple ways you and the kids can connect with your neighbors today and every day.
1. Ask them their name. This seems like a no-brainer, but so often we don’t know even know our neighbor’s names!
2. Exchange phone numbers. A simple gesture that says you’re looking out for them.
3. Bake something. The holidays often bring this kind of tradition, but why not invoke it on a random Wednesday? Few people will be disappointed in freshly baked bread, cookies, or other goodies. And everybody loves coffee cake.
4. Plant it. A cutting from your favorite houseplant or a pre-potted begonia: even a small bouquet of flowers is a sweet and inexpensive way to say, “Hey!”
6. Make it a double. Next time you’re at the store, grab an extra bar of soap, dishwashing liquid or another cleaning product and gift it to your neighbor. It doesn’t need to be expensive, and keep in mind many people have chemical and scent sensitivities.
7. Make a hello card. Have the kids paint or draw a simple card that just says “Hello, neighbor!”
8. Carry the load. Help unload the trunk of the car or pick up a package from the bottom of the stairs and place it in front of their door.
9. Invite them to dinner. Make dinner at your house or meet them at your favorite place. There are so many options for your comfort level.
10. Do a work exchange. Mow their lawn, shovel their driveway, pull weeds or something similar. Even if you live in an apartment building you can help tidy up communal spaces or carry their recycling down to the street.
11. Organize a pot-luck. If you don’t have the space to do this in your own place, use a nearby park or community center. Make simple invites that you hand-deliver and set a time limit.
12. Start a club. If you share a passion or hobby with your neighbor, do this hobby together or start a group in your community. This could be a book club, knitting club, woodworking club and so on. The options are endless!
Get the freshest fruits and veggies your kids will want more of
San Diego is known for its year-round growing season and the best way to access the very plentiful seasonal truckloads of produce is to scope out the nearest farmers market. Farmers markets provide access to fresh, locally grown foods but are also a great way to teach your kids about where their food comes from and the importance of supporting local farms and businesses. You may also learn some new recipes and preservation techniques, and even hacks for growing your own veggies, but most importantly, they are fun for the whole family! Many feature activities for kids and live music, and most markets are open, rain or shine.
This is San Diego County's largest market filling six city blocks! Shop from California farmers and score fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, pastured eggs, meat, poultry, nuts, honey, and more. Shop for olive oil and bread from local food makers, and don't forget to pick up some gifts from the resident artisans.
Open Saturdays 8am-2pm and Wednesdays 9:30am-1:30pm 600 West Date St. San Diego, CA Online:littleitalysd.com
Locals love this charming two-block market filled with activities for kids, live music, and farm-fresh produce! Shop for fresh-baked bread, bao buns, eggs, avocados, and other goodies and meet some of the artists who also sell their wares under the tents. Come out this Thursday and find everything you need to stock your healthy home.
This is San Diego's original farmers market and one of the largest, with over 175 vendors. Find fresh veggies, clothing, artwork, salty lemonade, and get your green smoothie fix! You’ll find plenty to eat and drink at this market, so head out this week and load up on your seasonal favorites!
Open Sundays 9am-2pm 3960 Normal St. (Hillcrest DMV Parking Lot) San Diego, CA Online:hillcrestfarmersmarket.com
This eclectic and lively market offers gluten-free baked goodies, fresh fruits and veggies, kombucha, flowers, and spreads. In addition, artisan vendors offer American, Filipino, Japanese, Mexican, and Mediterranean prepared food items. Enjoy the market and then walk a few blocks to the beach for a picnic!
The Carlsbad Farmers Market considers itself an open-air grocery store where you can find unique items. With limited packaged food, you will be sure to find the highest quality ingredients and freshest food possible. Whether it’s artisan goat cheese, organic cheese, or cheesecake in a cup – we’re in! You’ll also find nut butter, fruit jams, organic herbs, farm-fresh produce, Indian cuisine, honey, and more. Hot food vendors vary by week. Join the fun on Wednesdays!
Open Wednesdays 2:30-7pm State St. between Grand Ave. & Carlsbad Village Dr. Carlsbad, CA Online:carlsbad-village.com
This market is different than others in that 100% of the proceeds benefit the La Jolla Elementary School and help fund art, music, library, and technology programs. In addition to farm-fresh produce, eggs, and local honey, you’ll find prepackaged items like organic bone broth and soups, kombucha, yogurt, raw organic smoothies, tamales, freshly-made bread, superfoods, quiche and cookies, cold-pressed juice, hummus and pita, Indian food-to-go, a Mexican food truck, and a coffee cart. So shop till you drop, knowing that you are supporting a good cause!
Open Sundays 9am-1pm 7335 Girard Ave. La Jolla, CA Online:lajollamarket.com
Vista Farmers Market
With over 600 free parking spaces, the Vista Farmers Market is arguably the easiest to access and it's one of the oldest in San Diego county, in operation since 1981. The event consists of five marketplaces featuring food makers, farmers, gardeners, world cuisine, and artists. The hot food vendors represent 14 different countries' food cuisines and sell breakfast and lunch to keep you fueled up while shopping.
Take your sandwich to the next level with two ingredients you already have in your kitchen
Tired of your go-to sliced cheddar on white bread? Mix up your routine with this no-brainer recipe from the food bloggers Jennie and Corelynof Garlic My Soul. With two ingredients we bet you already have in your kitchen–apples and jam–the classic grilled cheese gets a major upgrade. The cooks’ secret to this delicious sandwich? Use Fontina cheese, which Jennie and Corelyn swear takes this dish to the next level.
Serves 1
Grilled Cheese with Apple and Jam Ingredients:
2 slices sourdough bread
2-3 oz fontina cheese
2 tbsp blueberry jam
¼ an apple, thiny sliced
4-5 basil leaves, chopped thinly sliced
butter
soup of your choice, optional
Method:
1. Butter both sides of your bread.
2. Spread the jam on the inside of both pieces of bread, then layer on the cheese, with the basil in the center.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat, and butter well.
4. Cook over medium heat on each side until the bread is well browned. Pro tip: if you want to, you can use a cast iron bacon press or another cast iron to put weight on the sandwich so everyone gets nice and melty.
It’s never too early to have extra hands in the kitchen. From unloading the dishwasher to planning a family meal, getting kids involved in the kitchen is possible at nearly any age, as long as you use common sense, teach your children basic kitchen safety, and help them help themselves. Plus, it gives them a sense of independence and confidence along with a connection to their food that can help build lifelong healthy habits. Keep reading for all the kitchen tasks kids should master before they’re 10.
Clear their own plates. A two-year-old can easily grab their plate and bring it to the kitchen.
Unpack the groceries. When you set your grocery bags on the floor, expect eager toddlers to want to join in the fun. Especially if you have a shelf designated just for them.
Wash fruits and veggies. Step right up to the sink, toddlers and preschoolers; your fresh fruits and veggies need a quick bath before you dig in!
Mix the cookie/cake/bread batter. This is an easy way of getting kids involved in the kitchen, and it's also great sensory work! You can even give your toddler their own "bowl" and ingredients to mix.
Practice knife skills with a butter knife. Don't worry about chopping onions and peppers; let your little one practice early knife skills with a butter knife. They can slice things like butter, bananas and avocado.
Kitchen Skills for Kids Ages 4 & Up
iStock
Make a healthy snack. Simplify your after-school snack routine with a little help from your crew. Preschoolers and kindergartners can prep easy foods like toast, hard-boiled eggs, or fruits and veggies while they debrief about their day.
Tear veggies and herbs. Have the kids help you prep the basil for pasta, or shred lettuce for the salad!
Read a recipe. Put the “if you can read, you can cook” adage to the test with your beginning reader. Once your sidekick has the basics, let him read a favorite recipe while you two whip up a meal together.
Use measuring cups and spoons. Insert a covert lesson on fractions while cooking with your grade-schooler. Before you know it, she’ll be leading the math pack at school.
Load or unload the dishwasher. This easy task is one even four-year-olds can do, and not just because it’s right at their (ground) level. Pulling out silverware or dropping it in baskets will be their new helping-hand fave!
Help set the table. Placing napkins, flatware and cups on the table is a doable kitchen task for kids this age. You may need to get the dishes down for them, of course.
Kitchen Skills for Kids Ages 6 & Up
iStock
Grating cheese. Hand over the block and let them give it a go.
Peeling vegetables. Now hand them a peeler and let them have fun peeling potatoes, carrots, apples, and more.
Prep skewers. From veggies to meat or even fruit, this is a fun task for your budding chef.
Use a stand mixer. Your grade-schooler can pour, sift and mix up his favorite batch of cookies using a stand mixer, without too much supervision, around this age. Waistlines, beware!
Kitchen Skills for Kids Ages 8 & Up
iStock
Use a proper knife. The best thing since sliced bread is letting your kid do the slicing. Around second or third grade, move on from dull butter knives and teach your kids how to carefully cut up fruits, veggies, and more.
Boil water. Teach your second or third grader this gateway kitchen skill and before you know it, she'll be cooking up pasta, hard-boiling an egg and steaming broccoli—scratch that—green beans while you prepare the main course!
Pack their own lunches. Grade-schoolers who've practiced slicing and dicing can make their own sandwiches, cut their own fruit and pack their own yogurts and snacks.
Plan a meal. Once they're ten, they can plan the family dinner and write out the grocery list too! Driving to the store…well, that’s up to you.
Playing with your food can be plenty of fun and it can entice reluctant eaters to try new things. Cooking games are a creative way to involve your budding chefs in meal prep, encourage their developing palates and even teach them some essential life skills. Bring your appetites and try out our picks for the best cooking games that make food fun.
Eat the Alphabet Challenge
Shahrzad Warkentin
Trying new foods can be a lot less intimidating when you tie it to something relatable, like the alphabet! This is an easy game that can stretch across an entire month. For example, start every day with a new letter of the alphabet, and challenge your kids to try a food that starts with that letter. It can be as easy as “D” for donut or up the ante with something a little more daring, like “D” for Dragonfruit. You can also add a scoring system to earn points for the most unique foods they can think up.
Superhero Kitchen
Shelby Taylor Brookings
Want to get your kids to eat spinach and earn cool mom points? Of course, you do! Bulk up like the Hulk and gain superhero strength after making a batch of "Hulk Bread" or spinach muffins, like this recipe from Super Healthy Kids. Have your superpowered chefs help you with baking this tasty treat, and then you can all pretend to have hulk strength when you eat it.
Measure and Guess Game
Shahrzad Warkentin
Cooking with kids can be fun and educational. Shake things up a bit by turning the measuring of ingredients into a guessing game. If you’re making blueberry muffins, for example, fill the measuring cup and then have your tiny chefs guess how many blueberries are in the cup. Whoever guesses the closest gets to eat the first muffin! You can play this game with all sorts of different recipes and ingredients.
Can you make bread in a bag? A great way to teach measuring and how to use fine motor muscles (kneading the bread!) is to have a cooking game challenge for kids. Our friends at Your Homebased Mom cleverly show the best way to do this. Shake, knead, bake and eat.
Cooking and counting go hand in hand and pretzels are easy to make. We love What We Do All Day's brilliant pretzel game using bread dough, salt, butter, a brush and a ruler. Besides practicing letters and numbers, little kitchen helpers can count out the dough pieces and measure the length of each rolled pretzel. We're sure these hot buttery treats will go fast!
Creative cooking! Meal prep takes on limitless possibilities in this free cooking game brainstormed by our friends over at Tinkerlab. Let your little chefs invent their own recipes. Discover, create, validate (with you), then make their dish. Experimenting encourages independent thinking and problem-solving skills in the kitchen. Even more, eating what they make will be easy as pie.
Hot chocolate banana muffins take on a whole new meaning with the read and make game cooked up by Growing Book by Book. First, you read the book If You Give a Moose a Muffin together, then cook up a fresh batch with the littles.
Sometimes the simplest cooking games are the most fun. Who can resist a colorful rainbow fruit parfait courtesy of our friends Mama.Pappa.Bubba. Let your kids pick out fresh fruit at your local farmer's market. Then it's time to peel and chop. Add a whipped cream cloud on top–yum!
It takes two! Making pizza becomes a free cooking game when you add in this genius idea from Fantastic Fun and Learning. You'll need pizza dough, sauce, cheese and toppings. Just put a string down the middle of the pizza and mirror your partner's topping placement. We're sure they'll chow down on their symmetrical creation.
Keep 'em guessing (and fully engaged) with this flavorful cooking game dreamed up by Create.Play.Travel. You'll need a muffin tin, food, paper and pen. Let your little one try the item (you can blindfold her too!) then say whether it's sweet, sour, spicy, salty or tangy. When cooking a meal have your kids decide the taste of the main ingredients.
Easy as one, two, three. Le Coin de Mel fosters independent cooking and following directions in this toddler cooking game. Mamma Mel whips up a simple recipe to describe step-by-step to her little chef to make vegan gluten-free chocolate muffins. Expect a mess and for the muffins to go quickly!
It's time for a cooking challenge! A fun and creative game to get kids cooking up a storm crafted by Life as Mom. You can play with two or more. Set out the ingredients to use in separate baskets. Then everyone shares pantry items to add flavor and taste. Put it all together, present it to the judge, and choose the best creation.
Chop, chop! Budding chefs can practice their fine motor skills by making this snack created by My Fussy Eater. Littles can peel the bananas, chop them up (with a kid knife), then roll them around in toppings like coconut, melted chocolate and rice Krispies. Have them rate each topping and pick a winner. The best part is eating with chopsticks.
So you’re keeping the Easter egg hunt uber-local (ahem, in your house or backyard) this year, which means you’re probably looking for recipes and ideas for an Easter breakfast or bunch, too. Lucky for you, we love easy recipes for great food, so we went ahead and rounded up a few awesome ideas that are easy to whip up at home. From french toast and pancake recipes to how to make a perfect omelet and even a casserole that you can make in the Crock Pot, here are our favorite Easter breakfast and brunch recipes.
French toast is a classic breakfast, but this overnight recipe from Kristine's Kitchen adds so much flavor and makes it easier. This recipe is just what your Easter Sunday needs.
This sausage and veggie back from One Lovely Life is a delicious brunch recipe for Easter, but it's also a fantastic way to use up veggies that you need to use up.
For Easter Sunday, it's never a bad idea to up the ante on a breakfast and brunch classic. Think French toast sandwiches filled with a cream cheese-strawberry jam mix, topped with fresh strawberries and syrup. Get the recipe from Boulder Locavore.
Making the perfect omelet is no easy feat, but when you consider how easy it is to make one exactly how everyone at home like it made, it's worth the effort. Luckily, popular food blog Weelicious has an easy tutorial video to help you make it happen.
Who doesn't love pancakes? Lucky for you, we've got a great selection of pancake recipes, so you can choose the one that your family will love best. See them here.
Cheese, pastry dough, bacon? What else is there in life? These bacon pinwheel apps are the perfect addition to your main sweet breakfast recipe. Get the recipe from Eat Well 101.
Ham and Leek Quiche
courtesy Jacques Pépin
A quiche sounds fancy, but it's one of the easiest brunch recipes around. We especially love this ham and leek version that even picky eaters will enjoy. Check out this kid-friendly recipe from chef Jacques Pépin, and be prepared to add it to your regular brunch recipe rotation.
How gorgeous is this waffle board? From the berries to the yogurt and homemade granola, our mouths are watering now! Find out what you need to know to pull this off over at Sandra's Easy Cooking.
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Even those of you who claim to avoid the kitchen at all costs can pull off this Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole. Filled with kid-friendly ingredients like tater tots, sausage and eggs, the hardest part will be to remember to get this ready to go and turned on the night before, as it takes up to 10 hours to cook.
This tried and true recipe for banana bread is a favorite with our entire team. Pair it with bacon, eggs, a casserole or pretty much whatever your family likes for brunch and call it a day. Grab the recipe here.
If the thought of whipping up a full breakfast or brunch for the family sounds exhausting, how about an easy make-ahead recipe for croissant breakfast sandwiches? From Damn Delicious, these yummy concoctions can be popped into the freezer and pulled out why the kids are on the hunt.
If you've decided to go more lunch instead of breakfast for Easter Sunday, then your meal won't be complete without a dish of the ever-iconic deviled eggs. We've got the perfect recipe for you, click here to see what you'll need.
This salmon salad platter from The View from Great Island almost looks too good to eat! What we really love though, is that the options for what you add to your salad platter is endless. Use what veggies you have on hand, what you've gotten from your produce box, or what the Farmer's Market has on special.
Strawberry Apple Crisp
A warm crisp right out of the oven is the perfect complement for a savory brunch menu. We love this strawberry-apple version.
Fancy up your go-to strata by whipping up this Chiles Rellenos version from Kitchen Treaty. Filled with yummy ingredients like eggs, jack and cheddar cheese, and of course, green chiles, if you've got picky eaters at home, be sure to check out the option without spicy chorizo.
We just can imagine our kids tearing into this yummy egg bread! From start to finish, it'll be done in under an hour, and there's an option to swap the ham for bacon. Here's a meal-prep tip: Assemble your bread the night before, so it's ready to pop in the oven on Easter morning. Get the recipe from It's a Keeper.
We are drooling over this Challah French Toast with berries from Boulder Locavore. The Challah bread makes this dish light and airy, and, since Passover occurs nearly at the same time as Easter, it's easier to find this bread. Don't want to bother hunting it down? Try the overnight french toast casserole instead.
If you love baked goods and math, it’s almost your lucky day! We’ve got the scoop on where to get free pie—and a whole lot more—for Pi Day. Arithmetic enthusiasts already know that Mar. 14, a.k.a., 3/14 is the first three digits of the mathematical constant known as Pi. In celebration of this day, plenty of eateries are offering either deep discounts or straight-up freebies.
Here’s where can you find Pi Day pies this year, of both the sweet and savory varieties.
Get a free slice of ABC Crumb Pie, with any purchase, at all 15 of the Michigan-based pie shops on Mar. 14. GT Pie Company’s ABC Crumb Pie features apples, blueberries and cherries—all from Michigan! If you don’t live in or near one of GT’s shops, order your Pi Day pies online via the company’s website. You’ll need to order by Mar. 10 for Pi Day delivery. Sorry, the promotional free slice doesn’t apply to online orders.
With locations in Charleston, Columbia and West Ashley, South Carolina, this pie place has slices on sale for $3.14 from 5 pm through 10 pm on Mar. 14.
Looking for a little variety in the routine that the kids will actually still eat? Try these twists on an old favorite
If you’ve got a picky eater, there’s one thing you can almost guarantee they’ll eat—a PB&J. It might not be the most exciting combo in the world, but the good news is, there are a bunch of inventive recipes with peanut butter and jelly out there to help you kick it up a notch. To keep things fresh, we’ve found 15 ways to enjoy this classic treat for breakfast, snacks, and dessert.
As much as we'd like to have a sit-down breakfast every morning, sometimes we just have to grub on the go. That's where this tasty breakfast bread from Cook Nourish Bliss comes in super handy—no messy knives and no sticky fingers, just a hearty slice of heaven to start your day. A word of warning: do NOT try and toast this bread, it will make quite a mess!
Using pancakes instead of bread? Why not? Before you go thinking you're spoiling your little jelly monsters, take a look at this recipe from Weelicious—it's healthy! We're pretty sure you won't hear many complaints, as your kids will be too busy snacking on their new favorite way to eat PB&Js.
These energy bites could work as a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack. Full of protein and flavor, they take 15 minutes to make. Get the recipe from Favorite Family Recipes.
Our kids are already big fans of the cheesy variety, so we're pretty confident that they'll be beside themselves when they hear you're making them Nicole's special PB&J pizza for snack. They'll be even more excited when you let them pick a topping or two—banana slices for pepperoni, coconut flakes for shredded cheese, get creative! Major style points if you can pipe the jelly out onto the pizza like this.
How do you make a sandwich even more finger food-y? Roll it up and cut it into sushi rolls. These would be great for feeding a bunch of little rugrats, as they could just pop a few of these in their mouths. We love Brit + Co.‘s idea of topping them with fresh fruit to compliment the flavors of the jelly.
Peanut Butter Quesadillas with Jelly Dipping Sauce
This PB&J from Home Cooking Memories goes south of the border. Reducing the jelly down to a sauce makes a sweet, syrupy mixture that is great for dunking. Another great snack choice for multiple hungry mouths, whip up a few of these and lay them out for an afternoon snack.
Sounds good, looks good, tastes great. This Chocolate-Covered Katie recipe uses a mixture of milk and vanilla extract instead of ice cream, so it's at least a little healthier for you. Adding in frozen berries for jelly also makes this shake extra smooth without the extra guilt. Best enjoyed with a crazy straw.
Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich
Peanut Butter & Co.
After this treat, you may never want to sink your teeth into plain ole PB&J again! Peanut Butter & Co.'s Dark Chocolately Dreams spread, preserves and coconut is all it takes to make the sandwich of your dreams a reality.
Sweet and savory is a classic flavor combo, and no two things bring together these tastes like peanut butter and jelly. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Jessica of How Sweet It Is thought to create a PB&J-inspired dessert. Using whole wheat flour makes this cake a little more healthy, so you don't have to feel guilty about eating it for dessert...and next morning's breakfast.
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a PB&J pop? We're not sure, but we know of a few little ones who wouldn't mind being our guinea pigs for this little experiment. Thanks to Catherine of Weelicious for another great PB&J recipe.
We love bite-sized desserts almost as much as our kids do. Plus, desserts always seem that much more adorable when they're just pop-able enough to warrant eating at least two or three. Jamie of My Baking Addiction makes these cupcakes with white cake in lieu of white bread, and have a hollowed-out center filled with sweet jelly, then topped with peanut butter frosting. Simply decadent.
There’s something irresistible about freshly baked bread, whether it’s chocolate chip banana bread or focaccia studded with vegetables. If you’ve got a free afternoon and a few cups of flour, head into the kitchen to make a loaf or two with your kiddos. Below, we’ve rounded up all our favorite bread recipes, everything from yeast-free quick bread to Challah bread and more. There’s even a garlic bread recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Read on to see them all.
You can’t go wrong with this classic, especially if you’ve got some overripe bananas hanging around. Our Editorial Director swears by this banana bread recipe, which has plain yogurt to make it extra moist. Click here to check it out.
Get some extra veggies into your kids with our favorite zucchini bread. It’s not too sweet, making it the perfect light breakfast or afternoon snack. To get the recipe, click here.
Pumpkin Bread
Tasty Kitchen
Pumpkin bread isn’t just for fall! With warming spices like cinnamon and ginger, it’s delicious enough to be added to your year-round rotation. Click here to get the recipe.
Switch up pizza night with this awesome idea from FoodNetwork.com. Using store-bought pizza dough and your favorite toppings, this is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Grab the recipe by clicking here.
If you’ve got a gluten intolerance in your family, this pumpkin honey bread is a must. Flax seeds keep it moist and give an omega-3 boost, and you can add walnuts or chocolate chips for some extra flair. Click here to get the recipe.
Need a pizza fix ASAP? Go for this instant pizza dough from Inside the Rustic Kitchen! It skips the rising time of your standard homemade pizza dough and can be whipped up in just about five minutes. Get the kids to help, and you'll be all set! Snag the recipe here.
Color us impressed by this uber-creative idea from A Taste of Madness. Not only is it a bread recipe with no yeast, but it also gets a sneaky dose of flavor from salsa! Pair it with your fave soup or chili for a big dose of comfort food. Get the recipe here.
Want to make your whole house smell like a bakery? Turn to these cinnamon rolls from The View From Great Island. It's a no-knead and no-rise recipe, so these rolls are ready to eat in under an hour. Don't forget the icing! Get the recipe here.
There's no need (and no knead) to wait for St. Patrick's Day to enjoy this Irish Soda Bread from Dinner at the Zoo. It's perfect for raisin bread lovers and a great option when you can't decide between sweet and savory. Score the recipe here.
Ready for a batch of biscuits that's no-frills, flaky and fluffy? Trust us, it's way easier to make than to say. This dreamy recipe from Well Plated is delish as-is, but you can also add extras like cheese and herbs. Get the recipe here.
When you're feeling fancy, try perfecting these popovers from Boulder Locavore. They've got fresh flavor and are easily customizable if you have different herbs on hand. Pop over here for the recipe.
Forget your standard batter pancakes—these are actually a type of savory flatbread made from dough. They're super popular in China and Taiwan and a tasty way to bring something new to your dinner table. Get the recipe from Rasa Malaysia.
If you’ve never made yeasted bread before, focaccia is a great place to start. It’s a breeze to make with this recipe from Laughing Spatula, and you can easily make it by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer. Click here to get the recipe.
Ready to conquer sourdough bread? The Clever Carrot has everything you need to make the perfect loaf, from starters to shaping and rising the dough. Click here to get the scoop.
Make your next barbecue extra special by making your own hamburger buns. This recipe from Gathered at My Table is simple but has great flavor thanks to the addition of roasted garlic. To get the recipe, click here.
There’s nothing better than fresh garlic bread, especially when it’s served up Texas toast style. This version from Amanda Cooks & Styles is a winner, with a buttery mix of garlic and spices on top. Get the recipe by clicking here.
For a twist on classic sandwich bread, try this recipe from Foods I Like. The banana helps keep the bread tender and adds a subtle fruity taste—perfect for that PB&J sandwich. To get the recipe, click here.
Break out the Dutch oven for this fabulous cinnamon raisin bread from Elementary Kitchen. It has a perfectly crunchy crust and a moist, tender interior. Grab the recipe by clicking here.
Everyone needs a basic French bread recipe and this one from Eat. Dessert. Snack. is a great pick. It's delicious fresh out of the oven or toasted for breakfast. To get the recipe, along with tips on how to make your loaf tall and fluffy, click here.
Try your hand at homemade Challah with this great recipe from Scotch & Scones. The braiding process is easier than it looks, and it makes for a gorgeous finished product. Get all the details on how it’s done by clicking here.
Bread can be a work of art, like this pretty focaccia loaf from Ruchi’s Kitchen. The kids can help make designs on the bread using veggies like bell peppers, red onions and olives. Click here to get all the details.
These fluffy dinner rolls from The Subversive Table are just the thing to make your Sunday dinner special. The dough comes together mostly in the food processor with a little kneading by hand. To get the recipe, click here.
For a slightly more ambitious (but still doable!) cooking project, you’ve got to try this chocolate babka from Smitten Kitchen. The braided bread is gorgeous once it’s baked, and it tastes even better than it looks. Click here to get the recipe.
Soft pretzel lovers, take note! These bites from The Tailgate Foodie make the perfect appetizer for game day or any day. Paired with your favorite dipping sauce (ketchup, ranch, cheese—the possibilities are endless), these will disappear in no time. Get the recipe by clicking here.
If you’ve never tried Japanese milk bread, now is the time! This recipe from Simmer + Sauce creates a springy, soft loaf with a hint of sweetness. It’s made through a unique process involving a roux. Click here to grab the recipe.
These buttery biscuits from Fixed on Fresh are delicious and super easy to make. The dough can be made in the food processor in minutes, and adding cheddar cheese and chives gives it an extra flavor boost. To get the recipe, click here.
After a long winter day who has the energy to make dinner? Not us! Take a night off and check out these restaurants and catering services in the DMV that offer budget-friendly portions large enough to feed your entire family. Keep scrolling for the best places to pick up curbside family meals for hungry kiddos and tired parents.
DC
Chicken Whiskey
Chicken + Whiskey Slip through a the freezer door at this establishment and you're transported to an adults-only speakeasy in the heart of DC. You don't have to wait for date night to sip their tasty libations, though. Cocktails are elegantly bottled for pick up. For your mains, order the Combo Familiar ($45.99) for family-sized portions. You can two South American rotisserie chickens along with four large sides (like black beans and sweet plantains). This steal-of-a-meal is sure to be a fam favorite.
Estadio DC Estadio DC is known for small plate Spanish cuisine in the heart of Logan Circle. But when you want to feed the family, small plates aren't going to cut it. Paella, one of Estadio's specialties, is a rich, comfort food meant to be shared. You can order this dish to go in oversized portions meant to serve 3-4 ($50-65). Choices include seafood, chicken chorizo and vegetarian paella. Be sure to add the cinnamon dusted churros (served with chocolate ganache) to your order for a sweet treat after dinner.
1520 14th St. NW Logan Circle 202-319-1404 Online: estadio-dc.com
Occasions Caterers You don't have to be throwing a party to call up this local caterer. Occasions creates weekly meals for families so you can have a festive dine-in experience without the pretense. The company's Marketplace offers easy to heat-and-serve meals that serve 2-4, like aromatic short ribs ($30) or cauliflower mac-and-cheese ($20). Sweet treats include pecan bars, mini cupcakes and double fudge brownies.
655 Taylor St. NE University Heights/Brookland 202-546-7400 Online: occasions-caterers
La Collina La Collina's Pasta Club is so popular, you'll now have to add yourself to a waitlist for a chance to boil their handmade pasta at home. A worth-the-wait subscription, members get 1 lb. of freshly made, rustic pasta and house-made sauce to feed a family of four. Herb garnishes and cheeses are also included in this bi-monthly kit ($85). For an additional $20, La Collina will deliver within the beltway. Prep for this take-home kit couldn't be simpler; just boil and serve.
Oohh's & Aahh's This legendary soul food restaurant is offering hearty comfort food that can fill a whole family's belly for $49.95. Catfish, shrimp, chicken wings and more are all on the menu (and the portions are generous). Don't forget family-favorite sides, like mashed potatoes with gravy and mac & cheese. Add 2 cocktails or 4 beers for an extra $10! This meal is sure to melt away the back-to-school blues.
5933 Georgia Ave Washington, DC 20011 202-882-2902
1005 U Street NW Washington, DC 202-667-7142 Online: oohhsnaahhs.com
Federalist Pig For an easy family meal, order meats by the 1/2 pound at this BBQ joint. Hungry families should consider the Feed the Fam platter which includes your choice of four means and four large sides. Choose from brisket, chopped pork, a half chicken, sausage links and more PLUS four large sides. Each family pack also comes with Texas toast and pickles. If this restaurant isn't already on your radar as a fam fav, it will be now: it consistently earns praise as one of the best cheap eats by the Washingtonian.
Chaia Tacos The vegetarian taqueria has an enchilada supper club for your whole crew. Order a pan of mushroom or black bean enchiladas to serve a family of 4-6 for $42. Or mix and match your own custom Taco Tray ($42) with your choice of 12 tacos. You can also get their tasty margaritas to-go.
3207 Grace St. NW Georgetown 202-333-5222
615 Eye St. NW Chinatown 202-290-1019 Online: chaiatacos.com
SER You don't have to dine in to order "For the Table" entrees at this Ballston restaurant. You'll find grown up dishes like roasted suckling pig, angus bone-in ribeye and whole roasted rabbit on this menu that serves between 2-6 and start at $50. While plenty of the dishes can serve the whole family, pickier eaters might want to order from the kid's menu that offers standard fare like cheeseburgers and pasta alongside more sophisticated options like chicken croquetas and a Spanish omelet.
1110 North Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 703-746-9822 Online: serrestaurant.com
Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company You can pick up meat by the pound from three different locations in the DMV: Arlington, Alexandria and Washington, DC. Or save more by choosing one of their bundled packages aptly named Family Meal and Feast for Five ($65-80). Each packaged kit includes a selection of meat, 3 pints of sides, potato rolls and cornbread.
Worth the Drive: Magnolias at the Mill If you spend the day at one of Loudoun County's kid-friendly wineries in NOVA, it's worth stopping at this charming restaurant in Purcellville, VA to bring one of their heat-and-eat meals home. Fried chicken with gouda mac-and-cheese pleases all palates. They also offer shrimp and grits, beef Bourgogne with whipped potatoes, chicken panang curry, meatloaf and more. All meals serve 4 and range from $50-75.
198 North 21st Street Purcellville, Virginia 20132 540-338-9800 (540) 338-9800
Gary's Grill This neighborhood favorite is bringing family dinner back ($40-$75), and we're here for it. The pickiest member of the family will be satisfied with this family-style menu, salad and sides included. Oh, and they didn't forget about breakfast, either. Early morning pick ups include four of their famous pumpkin muffins to jump start your day. Don't forget to call 24 hours in advance for this one.
553 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Severna Park, MD 410-544-0499 Online: garrysgrill.com
True Food Kitchen Not only does this national chain offer family-sized portions with mix-and-match options to feed parties of 4-6, but they offer the raw goods, too! Order a Meal Prep Kit ($60) and select proteins, sides and your choice of sauce for a simple, healthy, no frills dinner. Take the guess work (and the actual work) out of dinner by upgrading to build-your-own family meal ($56-78).
