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Get Inspired To Break Out Of The Same Mealtime Routine
Posted: 4/17/2010

(NAPSA)-With families preparing more meals at home, it's easy to run out of ideas and slip into a mealtime slump. Christy Jordan, a stay-at-home mom, food columnist and blogger on Southern Plate.com, is no stranger to mealtime madness.

"Like so many busy Americans, I'm always on the lookout for no-hassle recipes that my family will actually eat," says Christy. "No matter if you're a beginner or pro in the kitchen, all it takes is a bit of prep and a dash of creativity to whip up simple and delicious dishes the whole family will love."

Helpful Hints
Christy offers her personal strategies that help her organize meals to leave more time for family fun:

• Designate a day, like Saturday, to grocery shop and plan out meals for the week. Try to make it a family activity-the more you get the kids involved in the process, the more they'll enjoy the end result.
  
  
• Stock up on refrigerator or pantry staples when they're on sale, so you'll have items on hand for last-minute needs. Christy's go-to entertaining recipe is a simple, delicious queso dip made from VELVEETA and a can of RO*TEL.
  
  
• Make your meals multitask for you-repurpose leftovers and turn them into a whole new dish. Save leftover queso dip in the refrigerator and pour over a baked potato or cooked pasta for an easy, cheesy sauce.
  
  
• It's great to incorporate your family's heritage or traditions into mealtime and recipes. Or create new memories, such as having the kids choose what home-cooked meal to eat on their birthdays.
  
  
• The next time you're out at your favorite restaurant, start up a conversation with your servers to see if they'll dish on the ingredients in your favorite menu item. You'll be amazed how you can re-create a restaurant-inspired dish at home for less.

For additional mealtime advice and recipe inspiration, log on to www.Velveeta.com. Until October 30, 2009, VELVEETA is teaming up with five "Kitchenistas" to share recipes and daily cooking tips. Visitors to the site also have the opportunity to enter a daily sweepstakes for a chance to win a VELVEETA it! prize package worth $75. Take the Guesswork Out of Mealtime

If you're in search of a go-to weeknight meal, look no further than this guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice is easy to make and a tasty way to enjoy vegetables.

Cheesy Chicken &  Broccoli Rice

Prep Time: 10 min.
Total Time: 25 min.
Makes: 6 servings, 1 cup each

What You Need!

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 can (141/2 oz.) chicken broth
• 2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
• 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

Make It!

COOK chicken in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 5 minutes or until chicken is done.

STIR in broth. Bring to boil.

ADD rice, VELVEETA and broccoli; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 10 min. Stir until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended.

For more mealtime inspiration and recipes like this one, visit www.Velveeta.com.

RO*TEL is a product of ConAgra Foods, Inc.