(ARA) - Juggling work, parenting and homemaking, a "modern mom" is the quintessential multi-tasker, and with 75 percent of meals being prepared at home, getting wholesome family meals on the table is at the top of the daily to do list.
As you, the modern mom in your household, are already starved for time, making meals that are quick and effortless go hand in hand. Consider then, adding an invaluable helper to the kitchen: a toaster oven.
For centuries the kitchen has been considered the heart of the home; this is where your children and their friends hang out, where special occasions take place and where hurried weeknight dinners are held. Being able to gather with friends and family in the kitchen ensures the making of memories you will cherish for years to come.
With the help of a versatile toaster oven, you can prepare delicious meals, focus less on cooking, use less energy than a conventional oven and spend more quality time with your loved ones. And because sandwiches allow creativity and are easy to prepare, Black & Decker's appliances team put some modern moms to the test by inviting them to submit their favorite sandwich recipes to the Ultimate Sandwich Recipe contest. The winning recipe, by mommy blogger Melissa Cleaver, was the "Nacho Ordinary Sandwich;" a fun, delicious, and unique combination of sandwiches and nachos.
To prepare the Nacho Ordinary Sandwich, simply follow these helpful tips provided to you courtesy of Black & Decker and visit www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/blog for the Nacho Ordinary Sandwich recipe.
Spend time with the kids.
Connect with your kids during busy weekdays by preparing the Nacho Ordinary Sandwich together and letting them customize it to their liking.
No time for homework and cooking? No problem. While you play teacher, cook the frozen chicken strips in your Black & Decker toaster oven, and its timer will let you know when the cooking is done.
You can also season and bake fresh chicken strips instead since the countertop oven lets you adjust to a wide range of temperatures, and its stay warm feature retains heat until you are ready to serve. Plus, with its large capacity, baking more than one sandwich for multiple kids is a cinch.
Plan a themed meal.
While a weekly schedule can be a lifesaver, special themed meals can help you bond with family over creative and interesting flavors.
Theme your night around nachos by serving chips and dip while sandwiches bake in the oven. Using the convection feature means your chicken will cook faster and evenly. If you're in the midst of family fun when the timer goes off, don't worry; the auto shut-off helps prevent overcooking.
Entertain for a fun occasion.
While weeknight dinners are just for family, your weekends can often be filled with guests and special occasions like birthdays. It can be especially convenient to have a toaster oven during holiday times like Thanksgiving, when cooking large meals can be daunting. You can cook all of a meal's individual components and then keep warm until your guests arrive, use the broil setting to brown the top of your special casseroles or heat up frozen party appetizers in a snap.
Whether you're feeding your kids and their friends, creating a themed meal or entertaining weekend guests, your toaster oven will prove invaluable as you prepare meals like the Nacho Ordinary Sandwich. Visit www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/blog for more recipes, including this one.
Nacho Ordinary Chicken Sandwich
Olive oil
4 ounces frozen Southwestern flavored cooked chicken strips
2/3 cup drained and rinsed black beans, mashed
2 whole wheat pita breads
2/3 cup coarsely crumbled multigrain tortilla chips
2/3 cup shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
1 medium leaf green leaf lettuce, chopped
1 medium Roma tomato, cored and chopped
4 pitted black olives, finely chopped
Sour cream
Guacamole
Picante sauce
1. Preheat Black & Decker toaster oven to 400 F. Lightly oil baking pan of Black & Decker toaster oven.
2. Arrange chicken in single layer and bake for about 16 minutes or until chicken registers 160 F when tested with a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and keep warm. Reduce temperature in oven to 350 F.
3. Meanwhile, spread half of the black bean mixture on the top of one of the pita breads. Top with crumbled tortilla chips and shredded cheese. Place directly on oven rack in lower rack position and bake until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
4. In small bowl, combine lettuce tomatoes and olives. Spread remaining black bean mixture on bottom of the remaining pita bread. Top with chicken and tomato mixture. Invert the cheese topped pita over the chicken mixture. Cut in half.
5. Serve halves with sour cream, guacamole and picante sauce for dipping, if desired.
Makes 2 sandwiches.
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