Easy Gourmet Recipes You Can Make At Home

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Mary S. Congrats!

We’re finally through the first week of school, and while it’s still too early to feel like we’ve adjusted to the new schedule, I can honestly say that it was much better than I expected. The most difficult adjustment has been ensuring that we’re eating dinner earlier so that my kids can go to bed on time. One morning this week we all stayed up a bit too late after dinner and struggled with the morning wake up that isn’t flexible.

Dinner is always a difficult time. The kids are ~~hungry~~ starving after school so my priority is ensuring I have a meal already prepared by the time they get home. My goal is to always provide a healthy, homemade meal prepared with fresh ingredients and rich in nutrients. Recently I was introduced to McCormick’s new Gourmet Recipe Mixes which include a blend of herbs and spices that can be used to create specific dishes. For example, I could make a simple chicken and vegetable dish with a few ingredients and spices. Or, I can take that meal up a notch by making a fancier, more flavorful dish: Herbes de Provence Roasted Chicken & Potatoes.

Here is the recipe, courtesy of McCormick:

Herbes de Provence Roasted Chicken & Potatoes

1 package of McCormick Gourmet Recipe & Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup of white wine

2 T. olive oil

3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (modified from original recipe which called for bone-in chicken parts)

1 pound small red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 cups baby carrots

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

2. Mix wine, oil, and seasoning mix in bowl

3. Add chicken and vegetables. Toss to coat well.

4. Roast in oven for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

5. Stir vegetables and turn chicken after 30 minutes

This dish actually includes the types of herbs you’d find used in the Provence region of France such as rosemary, marjoram, thyme, and lavender. What you won’t find are artificial ingredients (thankfully!). Both my husband and I absolutely love French food but we don’t typically venture to cook it because the perception is that it’s difficult. With just a few minutes of prep time (15 or less), dinner was served within the hour (including cook time).

The dish itself was rich in flavor and my husband appreciated the fact that the chicken was moist and tender. The true test was whether or not my children enjoyed it. Fortunately for us, they loved it…and most importantly ate it!

Less time thinking, prepping, and cooking dinner means more time with my family. Time for stories and giggles…game nights and movie nights.

McCormick Gourmet Recipe Mixes are available in stores and come in the following varieties:

Bourbon Spiced Pork with Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Creamy Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne

Sweet Basil & Oregano Bruschetta Chicken

Garlic & White Wine Chicken Scaloppine

Smoked Sausage & Pepper Creole Jambalaya

Win It! One of you will win an Elevating Everyday Meal Kit which will include the following:

Samples of McCormick Recipe Mixes (all varieties listed above)

Redbox Movie Gift Card

1 Family Game

Sassafras Little Cook Kids Kitchen Toolkit

Doodles at Dinner Coloring Placemats.

Simply leave me a comment with the variety you’d like to try or how you elevate your meals.

Comments will close on September 21st, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Images: Rockin’ Mama

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.