3 Easy Recipes to Hit the Reset Button

September means turning our lives from the laid back days of summer to a little more structure in the classroom and at home. 3 Easy Recipes to Hit the Reset Button will help make your transition a smooth one…

I’ve teamed up with Bumble Bee Tuna, TRISCUIT Crackers and Barilla Gluten Free Pasta to reboot your routine this fall.  I know you’re going to love these simple and quick recipes to get your family back on track!

I’ve been eating Bumble Bee Tuna for years. As a kid, I loved tuna sandwiches! Still do today. Someday, I’ll have to tell you the story about Grant eating two tuna sandwiches a day for the entire summer while he studied for the bar exam… I traditionally make tuna sandwiches the same way my mom made them for me growing up. Tuna, mayo, chopped sweet pickles on bread with lettuce and tomato. I’m still a fan. This recipe is a grownup version of the usual tuna and mayo sandwich and is the perfect way to get out of your lunch time rut! The Tuna Nicoise Sandwich from the kitchen of Martha Stewart Living is healthy and packed with so many ingredients that I love: Bumblebee Solid White Albacore Tuna, thinly sliced onions, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, Bibb lettuce and hard boiled eggs. Oh, did I mention Nicoise olives? Over the top delicious. Tasty enough to invite your friends over while the kids are at school and sneak in a little girl friend lunch!

Quick and simple is the best way to feed kids when they walk in the door hungry after a long day at school. When my kids were young, I always tried to have something that was ready to go in a few minutes before heading out the door for piano, volleyball, baseball or other activities. Finding a snack that’s healthy and appealing to kids is easy when you use this recipe inspired by Meghan Gibson at PB&Jams.

Can I just say I love TRISCUIT crackers. Original flavor is my favorite. This snack is so simple, a preschooler can make it with a little bit of help!  Slice the apples and cheese ahead of time and place them on a plate. Let the kids spread the peanut butter on the TRISCUIT crackers ( I love PB&Jams nut butter), and top with apples and cheese. One warning. Make sure to buy enough crackers so you can make this the next day as well! My big kids will eat this snack until the box of crackers is completely empty.

This adorable plate is from the Martha Stewart Whim Collection and available exclusively at Macy’s. I’m ordering a set of the Zebra appetizer plates to have a little tea party with my granddaughter, Ani. I showed them to her on FaceTime and she immediately said “Gaga, I want to come to your house and eat on that plate!” Done.

Every busy mom wants to know how to make quick and easy dinners that taste good.  I love this recipe from Barilla Gluten Free Pasta! It takes about thirty minutes to make and was a huge hit in our home.  I served this to my husband and son, who both enthusiastically gave this dish two thumbs up! I didn’t tell them until after the fact, the pasta was gluten free. Simple, fresh and delicious. The caramelized onions and roasted tomatoes make this dinner seem like a special meal, instead of a typical weeknight dinner! I love Barilla pasta and the gluten free variety makes this recipe a winner in my book. Often times when I take dinner to someone with a  gluten allergy, I worry about what to take. This will now be my go-to recipe for a quick and easy gluten free meal.

Barilla Gluten Free Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

1 box Gluten Free Spaghetti

2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 up red onions, sliced thin or chopped

1 tablespoon parsley chopped

1/4 cup Pecorino cheese, grated

1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted

salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat the oven to 425°F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Toss the cherry tomatoes in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Place on a sheet tray and roast in the oven until blistered and browned.

Meanwhile, in a skillet caramelize the onions in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat for about 10 minute.

To the skillet add the roasted tomatoes

Cook pasta according to package directions, reserve 1 cup cooking liquid

Drain and toss with sauce and cooking liquid, stir to combine.

Remove from heat and add toss in the parsley, cheese and pine nuts.

Serves 6

I hope you’ll use all of these ideas to refresh your daily lunch, afternoon snack and midweek dinner menus!

This post sponsored by the folks at Bumble Bee, TRISCUIT crackers and Barilla Pasta. All opinions stated are my own.