Busy Mom Tips: Kitchen Helpers ~ 100 Easy Recipes

As much as I love to create a meal or dish from scratch for my family, this Mom's busy schedule, not to mention the rest of the family's week day rushed ins and out, can make that difficult.  Heading into the holiday season simply compounds that simple fact.  Even so, my bustling family needs sustenance to keep themselves fueled up and going strong.  For those reasons, I welcome kitchen shortcuts for busy Moms, especially those that are as tasty as Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ Cooking Sauces!

With five inspired flavors in the Recipe Starters collection and over 100 delicious family meal recipes, Progresso makes planning quick week day meals easy, even for a busy Mom like myself. 

Progresso Recipe Starters

Inspired by the five "Mother" Sauces that form the basis of classical French cooking, including Béchamel, Velouté, Tomato, Espagnole and Hollandaise.

Creamy Parmesan Basil 

Creamy, full-bodied and indulgent sauce, inspired by alfredo and creamy pesto sauces.

Suggested Dishes  

Crispy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken, Creamy Chicken Alfredo, 

Basil Chicken Ravioli Carbonara and Basil Chicken Thai Noodle

Creamy Roasted Garlic with Chicken Stock 

Caramelized, roasted chicken broth, garlic and a touch of cream.

Suggested Dishes  

Creamy Lemon Chicken, Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Enchiladas

Fire Roasted Tomato 

Medium-thick tomato sauce,with roasted, caramelized tomatoes, 

oregano and bell peppers..

Suggested Dishes  

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan, 

Cheese-stuffed Mini Meat Loaves and Mole Tacos

Creamy Portabella Mushroom 

Creamy and highly indulgent, smooth sauce with sautéed Portabella mushrooms..

Suggested Dishes

 Easy Weeknight Beef Stroganoff, Steak and Mushroom Sandwich and Tetrazzini

Creamy Three Cheese 

Blend of yellow and white cheeses, savory background of chicken stock, onion,

 garlic and cracked pepper, 

Suggested Dishes

 Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac & Cheese, Twice-Baked Potato Pizza 

and Cheesy Egg Breakfast Tacos

I am looking forward to taking advantage of the Progresso Recipe Starters for easy meals to serve during the week, particularly for those days when everyone seems to be coming and going.  Both varieties I have to experiment with would be perfect for either a quick tossed pasta dish with a fresh steamed vegetable side or for a crock pot slow cooked creation with tender chicken and fresh baked bread.

Progresso Recipe Starters

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***GIVEAWAY***

Progresso is generously offering That's What She Said readers an opportunity to win a Recipe Starter Prize Pack, including a Joseph six piece kitchen tool set, two Recipe Starters and mini recipe book!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US, 18+ and will end on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 9:00 am EST.   Winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries.  Winner will be notified by email and must respond by 1:00pm EST or an alternative winner is chosen.  If you email address is not available through your comment name, please leave it in your entry comment in anti spam format.

***MANDATORY ENTRY***

Explore Progresso's Recipe Starter recipes and tell me in a comment which dish you would love to try on your family and why!

***BONUS ENTRIES***

*Like on Progresso on Facebook, leave comment here with Facebook name, 1 entry

*Follow That's What She Said (@tsue1136) on Twitter , leave comment here with Facebook name, 1 entry

*Enter any other active That's What She Said giveaway, leave comment letting me know which, 1 entry

*Follow That's What She Said on Google+, leave a comment here with your Google+ name, 1 entry

*Comment on one of our posts, either our Holiday Entertaining Survival Guide or our Family Finances - Best Places To Retire, leave comment here telling me which, 1 entry for each post comment.

*Share one of your favorite family quick meal ideas or busy mom tips in a comment below, 1 entry.

GOOD LUCK!

I  received a Progresso Recipe Starter Kit  to explore for the purposes of creating this feature.  The opinions above are both honest and of my own experiences.  Sponsor is responsible for supplying and shipping prize.  Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ are not involved in nor responsible for this giveaway in any fashion.  Dish images sourced from Progresso. Disclosure:  The information, products and ProgressoTM Recipe StartersTM gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.