Interview with Emily Richards
Home Economist and Mom on How to Cook for Family Dining
Home Economist and Canadian food celebrity Emily Richards knows that when your pocket book is tight, cooking at home makes perfect sense. In this interview, she tells us how to make time to gather around the table for a family meal and why it’s important. Her work with Maple Leaf and their new Prime Chicken products- premium ready to cook offerings including Marinated Chicken Breasts (Dijon mustard and Sante Fe) Saute & Savour Flavours Butter Chicken, Seasoned Flattened Wild Garlic and Herb Chicken and Poultry Sausages, is in her estimation, one quick way to make that happen.
Food Trends (FT): Tell us about the new Maple Leaf Prime Chicken products. Who were they created for and why?
Emily Richards (ER): The new products were created for busy households that want to have a home cooked meal on the table for their families and people who want to have some different flavours without fuss to introduce to the table for creative dinner options.
FT: Why now? Is there something timely about this product that families need/want?
ER: Lots of families want dinner on the table fast while enjoying great tasting food with home- made flavours but without the time and effort it takes. All the chicken products are versatile as they can be cooked in many ways and then incorporated into different recipes and meals like the Flattened chicken being done in the oven or on the grill. By including the sauces for example in with the Saute & Savour product, you don’t have to buy a bunch of ingredients to create a delicious sauce for your dinner. So they’re time and money savers that let you test out ethnic flavours while creating nutritious meals to enjoy.
FT: Given our full speed ahead lifestyles, what can families do to gather round the table and eat a home cooked meal together?
ER: Simple planning is key. I always recommend you try to have groceries at home - sounds silly but most people don’t have the right stuff to create a quick and easy meal. Having those pantry staples is really important. Things like canned tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, pasta, frozen veggies and chicken, beef or other proteins that are in the freezer or in the fridge ready to use. Just check the best before dates and plan accordingly. It’s nice to sit around the table and enjoy a meal. I grew up doing that and am focused on doing that for my kids too.
FT: More and more families are shying away from prepared foods due to artificial flavours and preservatives. What do you say to them about these products?
ER: There are different views on prepared foods. For me I see some prepared or convenience foods such as canned tomatoes as an important ingredient- same as having chicken stock in your cupboard in a can or tetra pack. That is something I recommend to people to help them get a fast, healthy dinner on the table. When it comes to taste appeal, Maple Leaf Prime ready to cook products have no artificial flavours so you don’t have to worry about what you are using. They have that made from scratch goodness and it’s easy to prepare. This is also a good way to get people cooking and feel more comfortable in the kitchen.
FT: What are your top 5 tips for getting dinner on the table in a hurry?
ER: I think I’m still working on those but here’s what I have so far-
- Prepping what I can ahead of time (even if it means the night before or the weekend)
- Using the freezer when I need to or doing a little bit extra one night so I can use it the next night or later in the week. It’s that whole cook once eat twice mentality, it really works!
- Planning ahead regarding what I want to make, to having the groceries in the cupboard, fridge and freezer so it gets done easily because the ingredients are in the kitchen already.
- Having everyone pitch in when they can or if they can-I get my kids involved too, most of the time it really does help. Cooking things that your family likes will help that along.
- Using ingredients that makes cooking quicker- like fresh pastas, boneless chicken, fish is always fast or creating yummy sandwiches and breakfast items that are perfect for dinner.
FT: Any secret short cuts busy parents can take that are healthy, tried and true?
ER: Use the staples, eggs, bread, cheese for quick dinners (typically, there is stuff we have for breakfast or lunch but why not dinner?), using versatile and easy cuts that can be made into many creations like boneless, skinless chicken breasts for stir-frys, cutlets, soups and chilis. Also having spice blends or mixes to add a punch of flavour with one addition is a great thing to use in the kitchen.
FT: What's your family "go-to" meal when you're strapped for time?
ER: Pasta always pasta, the kids love it, we love it! And I can add anything to it for a whole meal or side dish. I usually boil up extra one night so that I can just warm up the extra another night in the week in a sauce for a superfast meal that is all done in one pot. I do the same with green beans, asparagus and grilled meats.
For more ideas, visit Emily’s website by clicking here.
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