Favorite Dishes Parents as Teachers Pot-Luck Dinner

Just a few of their FAVORITE DISHES

by Meta West 

Tables laden with turkey and crisp apple strudel

Plates full of beans, salads, and noodles

Families laughing and sharing a meal

A fun-filled evening that was the ideal!

Okay, it may not be the perfect rendition of Julie Andrews' “My Favorite Things,” but the families at USD 435’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) December 8^th Pot-Luck Dinner had lots of fun and shared a few of their favorite dishes.

According to Lori Portelli, PAT Coordinator,  “During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this was a chance to sit down and share a family meal, and also an opportunity for young families to connect with one another.”

Besides it’s K-12 offering, USD 435 offers an early childhood education component. The Parents as Teachers program has offered services to parents with children from birth to age three since 1989. In addition to providing personal visits and developmental screenings, the program offers opportunities for social interaction and family learning through group meetings such as this family meal.

According to information at The Family Dinner Project, “Researchers have confirmed what parents have known for a long time: sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members.”

While the food was certainly a central focus at the PAT holiday dinner, families were also encouraged to relax, recharge, laugh, visit and catch up on the day’s activities. “Conversation starter” kits were also available with questions such as, “What made you smile today (laugh, giggle, feel happy)?” As Portelli explained this phase of the evening’s events she emphasized the importance of table-talk which helps children learn to listen. Studies (cited at http://thefamilydinnerproject.org) also indicate that dinner conversation is a vocabulary-booster and even helps establish healthy eating patterns.

The December family gathering is a tradition and many of the families brought their family’s favorite dishes that were gobbled up by the group. A few of those favorite dishes included . . .

Kelly’s Deviled Eggs     24 servings

Deviled eggs were a welcome addition to PAT’s holiday pot-luck dinner. Kelly Zizelman’s measurements for condiment and seasoning ingredients are approximately and can be varied according to taste.

1 dozen hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut in half

¼ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Salt and pepper to taste.

Remove cooked egg yolks to a bowl; mash with a fork.

Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix.

Fill egg whites and chill deviled eggs until ready to serve.

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole      Makes a 9x13-inch casserole.

Not only is this a favorite of Keely Mead’s family, it proved to be quite popular at the holiday buffet, too.

10 cups (32 oz. pkg.) frozen shredded hash browns

¼ cup + 2 tablespoons butter

1 (10.75 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup

12 ounces sour cream

½ cup milk

½ cup chopped green onions

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

1 cup crushed corn flakes

1.     Preheat oven to 350°.
2.     Melt ¼ cup butter and pour into 9x13-inch baking dish, then add 5 cups of frozen hash browns.
3.     In separate bowl, mix soup, sour cream, milk, and green onions; then pour half of this mixture over hash browns. Salt and pepper to taste.
4.     Sprinkle 1 cup grated cheese on top.
5.     Add remainder of hash browns and pour remainder of mixture on top, salt and pepper.
6.     Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, then cover with crushed corn flakes.
7.     Drizzle two tablespoons melted butter over mixture and bake for 60 minutes.

For more information about the PAT program or to inquire about enrolling call 263-4006 or visit the USD 435 Parents as Teachers webpage.

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