Cabin Fever Cure: Family Night!

If winter evenings find you with a bit of a lull following the festive holidays, launch a new habit: Bring the family together for a simple night at home. Put it on the calendar and plan a night "in".

Simple can be special:

• Choose a not-too-involved, family-pleasing recipe and fix dinner together

• Rent a favorite or neverseen before movie

• Get out a favorite board or card game or play charades

• Plan next summer's vacation; make a "wish list" of fun possibilities for a family trip

• Watch old family videos

• Pop popcorn, bake cookies, set up a make-your-own-sundae bar

Make memories together: check out great "family night" recipes that are easy for both kids and adults at www.VeryBestBaking.com. You might just make "being in" a habit! Find these recipes and more in Carnation's new 40- page recipe booklet, "Family Favorites: A Collection of Delicious Dinners." For your free copy and to enter to win a "Family Fun" trip to San Diego, visit VeryBestBaking.com/Carnation. Contest ends March 31, 2008. Each entrant has up to five chances to win!
Wheely Easy Mac
and Cheesy
2 cups dry (8 ounces) wagon
wheel or rotelle pasta
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
(shelled soybeans)
1 can (12 fluid ounces) NESTLÉ
Carnation Evaporated Milk
2 cups (8-ounce package)
shredded Monterey Jack and
cheddar cheese blend or
other cheese blend
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes,
cut in half

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding edamame to boiling pasta water for last 2 minutes of cooking time; drain.

Meanwhile combine evaporated milk, cheese, garlic powder and black pepper in medium saucepan. Cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

Add pasta and edamame to cheese sauce; stir until combined. Add tomatoes; stir gently until combined.

Tips

• Look for edamame in the frozen food or organic section of your local store.

• Frozen peas can be used in place of edamame.

Nutrition Information per serving: 560 calories; 230 calories from fat; 26 g total fat; 15 g saturated fat; 80 mg cholesterol; 400 mg sodium; 56 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 13 g sugars; 31 g protein; 70% calcium
Ham & Tater Corn
Chowder
18 frozen potato puffs (such as Tater
Tots)

2 cans (14 fluid ounces each) reduced
sodium chicken broth
2 cans (12 fluid ounces each) NESTLÉ
Carnation Evaporated Milk
2 cups (8 ounces) cooked ham, cut
into 1/2-inch pieces
1 3/4 cups instant mashed potato flakes
1 can (15 1/4 ounces) no-salt added
whole-kernel corn, drained
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Sliced green onions (optional)
Prepare potato puffs according
to package directions.

Meanwhile combine broth and evaporated milk in large saucepan. Bring mixture just to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Add ham, potato flakes, corn, onion powder and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 8 minutes until creamy and slightly thick. Top each serving with three potato puffs and green onions, if desired.

Nutrition Information per serving: 350 calories; 120 calories from fat; 13 g total fat; 7 g saturated fat; 55 mg cholesterol; 780 mg sodium; 39 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 15 g sugars; 19 g protein; 30% calcium

Tater Tots is a registered trademark of Promark Brands, Inc.

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.- com.

Courtesy of Family Features