The Start of the Summer Season

Last year around this time, I shared the Cool Chicken Pasta Salad, which is perfect for a warm day at the beach. This year, I wanted to share with you a sandwich perfect to help get you ready for the beach and that means eating a bit healthier.

The Lowfat Chicken Salad Sandwiches from Campbell’s Kitchen® are super easy to whip together before work and they travel nicely when on the go. As we get ready for the 2011 summer season, keep in mind that eating a healthy meal doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavor. Experiment with the below recipe. Try substituting a little curry powder instead of onion powder or maybe kick up the spice with a dash of cayenne pepper.

Enjoy and remember to have fun with your food!

Lowfat Chicken Salad Sandwiches

From Campbell’s Kitchen®
Prep: 10 minutes
Makes: 2 sandwiches

1 can (4.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
2 tablespoons chopped celery
3 tablespoons low fat or fat free mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
4 slices Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse™ Soft Oatmeal Bread
4 tomato slices
2 lettuce leaves

1. Stir the chicken, celery, mayonnaise and onion powder in a small bowl. Divide the chicken mixture between 2 bread slices. Top with the tomato, lettuce and remaining bread slices.

Best, and until next time, Kaitlin!

Just a reminder, in case anyone forgot, I’m fortunate enough to work with Swanson Chicken, which is why I love to share all these delicious recipes, great tips and money saving offers on Entertaining Escapades!

Easter Sunday Dinner: Buffet or Family Style?

Easter Sunday is this weekend, and if your family is anything like my family, it’s usually celebrated with a large feast on a bright Sunday afternoon. 

This year, I am faced with a daunting decision: buffet or family style dinner?  I really enjoy family style because of the natural interaction with guests as they pass around the various dishes.  However, there are a few benefits to serving a buffet.  First, if you have limited space on your table, serving a buffet on the counter or separate table frees up a lot of room.  Second, as your guests move down the buffet, they won’t have to feel like they are insulting the host if they skip certain dishes they may not like.  I also think the set-up of a buffet is a bit easier than serving family style.

Since this year I’m feeling that easy = better, I’ll serve dinner buffet-style. 

Today, I want to share a few great tips I found online to help serve Easter dinner buffet-style:

1.     Set the table.  Even if you are serving your dinner as a buffet, you still need to create an aesthetically pleasing tablescape for your guests to enjoy.  They can simply grab their plates from the table and help themselves when dinner is served.

2.     Table Placement.  In order to avoid congestion on your buffet, separate your stations by salad, main dishes, drinks and dessert.  This will help with flow and avoid any back up of your guests.

3.     Serving Food. Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and don't leave any food in the danger zone (between 41ºF and 140° F) for more than 2 hours.

What is your favorite style of serving dinner: buffet or family style?

Best, and until next time, Kaitlin!

For more great entertaining tips and recipes, visit Campbell’s Kitchen.

Spring Fever

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." - Doug Larson

How can you not love that quote? Now that we have set the mood for our “Spring Fever” post, I want to share with my Entertaining Escapaders the top five reasons why I love spring!

1. This is quite obvious -- but the warmer weather kicks off my list of favorite things about spring. The warm weather also comes with green grass, spring flowers and a little bit more daylight every day.
2. A fresh new start. Spring offers a feeling of new beginnings. Whether it’s planting a new garden, getting back on track with your exercise routine or a recommitment to a personal goal, spring is the perfect time to start over and have a fresh new outlook on life. 
3. Nothing says spring more than Spring Training! How I enjoy the Philadelphia Phillies coming back from Clearwater to start a new season. Go Phils!
4. I love having the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors more often. Whether I take my little doggie for a long walk or simply enjoy sitting outside on our deck, the fresh air is purely rejuvenating.
5. Delicious fresh food such as asparagus, apricots, spinach and fennel are all in season during the springtime. We just love visiting the local farmer’s market to pick the freshest fruit and veggies!

Best, and until next time, Kaitlin!