Every week I plan our menu and make a grocery list. I pull recipes from old cookbooks, blogs of friends, Pinterest and various other places. Sometimes I’m excited because there are new recipes to try. Some sound super tastey, while some are so easy and kid friendly that I’m sure everyone will love them! Menu planning is not always exciting because it gets hard to come up with a week long menu to please everyone, especially if you are pressed for time and want something easy. And, you can most definitely get into a rut with meal planning. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a freezer full of exciting and delicious meals that just require thawing and cooking? How does Pesto Cheese Ravioli with Chicken and Walnuts or Meatball Marinara Stuffed French Bread sound?
Enter Dream Dinners!
Dream Dinners is a dinner time solution that helps you serve a great meal to your family, easily and with little to no thought. It answers that nagging question…”What’s for dinner tonight?”
The ingredients are pre-assembled, but not cooked, we leave that part to you! You will feel like a hero serving this homemade and thought free meal to your family!
I had the chance to visit the Anderson Dream Dinners on Beechwood Avenue in Cincinnati. It was a fantastic experience. First I chose my meal by viewing their on-line menu and registering. I decided on the Pub Style Chicken and Mashed Potatoes. When I talked to my contact, she informed me that this was one of the most popular menu items.
I arrived at Dream Dinners, put my purse in a cool cabinet and hung up my coat. I was first asked what my dinner needs were. Did I want something with little clean up? Am I looking for healthy fare? Was the meal for kids or adults only? Next, I put on my apron, washed my hands and got ‘cooking’.
Each menu item has it’s own station with ingredients, and an ingredients list with measurements and supplies. The beauty of Dream Dinners is that you don’t have to be a ‘cook’ or a chef to make a delicious dinner. You don’t even have to know how to use a measuring cup. All of the ingredients are measured with color coded scoops so you can easily prepare your dish. I measured my ingredients and placed them in the provided baggies in about 10 minutes.
Then I placed the baggies in my specially marked space in the freezer and perused the side items that are already prepared. Some of the dinners are already made by the Dream Dinners staff and frozen so you can just grab and go. You can even select dinners to make that are ‘heart healthy’, a grill item or take 30 minutes or less to cook at home.
Other services supported by Dream Dinners in Anderson is Comfort Food. Comfort Food helps provide meals for families fighting critical illnesses. Wouldn’t this be a great service project? Dream Dinners also offers private parties. What a great girls night!
We tried our Pub Style Chicken and Mashed Potatoes that evening and everyone gave it two thumbs up. There were no leftovers. The chicken was tender and the sauce was rich. And, the clean up was a breeze.
Does this sound wonderful to you? A gourmet-style dinner that’s already made and has minimal clean up. But, you are still cooking it, so you can soak up all the kudos!
Please note the giveaway is closed. Congrats to FFC reader, Alisa M.
When not blogging for Family Friendly Cincinnati, you can find Michelle writing at her personal blog, I’m Living the Good Life.
Disclaimer: Dream Dinners was nice enough to give my family a dinner in exchange for writing this giveaway. They also provided the giveaway prize. All opinions in this post are my own.
I checked out the Facebook page. I texted some friends about it. I’d like to try the Cajun scallops.
I looked at Dream Dinners online and I think Junes’ item of Firecracker Beef Sliders is going to hook me. YUM
forgot my name
I visited Dream Dinners Anderson and friended.
Forgot my name….
Liked you on Facebook….looks delish!
I shared the give away on Facebook and by email
I checked out their facebook page:)
I love their Chicken Enchiladas!
I shared this giveaway by email and word of mouth.
I checked out Dream Dinners in Anderson on Facebook.
Pub Style Chicken with mashed potatoes is one of our favorites.
I would make the outlaw chicken marinara.
I went to the Dream Dinners FB page!
I shared with a friend about this giveaway
I’d choose the Sesame Marinated Flank Steak
I checked out the Dream Dinners in Anderson page on FB
I shared the giveaway by email and word-of-mouth.
I’d like to make SANTA FE SHREDDED PORK BURRITOS
I checked out Dream Dinners in Anderson on Facebook.
I checked out their facebook page.
The Spitfire pot roast would have gone over well with my crowd, but the grilled pork chops with sweet potato fries sound good.
I would make the chipotle chicken ravioli!
I checked out the Dream Dinners Anderson facebook page.
The Seafood Ciappino looks tasty!
I checked out Dream Diners Facebook page too!
Just shared on Facebook. This looks awesome!
I checked out the Dream Dinners website- sounds great!
I shared this on facebook- would LOVE to win!
Shared via email.
Penne chicken with peanut sauce sounds yummy.
Checked out the FB page.
I Tweeted this giveaway (aighmey77).
After perusing the menu I’d choose to make the Outlaw Chicken Marinara. Looks delicious!
I checked out and “Like”d the DD Anderson FB page.
I shared the giveaway on Twitter.
I would love to try the Asian Pork Loin.
I checked out Dream Dinners on Facebook.
I would definitely try Cajun scallops!
I liked the facebook page. I also think the chicken piccata looks awesome.
Cajun scallops look amazing!!!
I would so pick the Outlaw Chicken Marinara – sounds soooo good!!!
LEMON CHICKEN PICCATA WITH FETTUCCINE!
Everything looks amazing, but the cajun scallops sound yummiest!
I checked out Dream Dinners on FB!
Shared it with some friends!
Checked them out on FB– and LIKED.
Would love to try the peach bourbon chicken
Checked them out on FB!
I shared this giveaway on facebook.
Pub Style Chicken.
I liked Dream Dinners facebook page.
Shared! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
I would make your Swiss Bacon Burger & steak fries. 🙂
I checked out your FB page! 🙂
Word of mouth to my book club!
Outlaw chicken marinara – breakin’ the law!
Checked it out on FB!
Peach Bourbon Chicken is my winner winner chicken dinner choice 🙂
Checked out the fb page!
Checked out the Dream Dinners Anderson facebook page.
The peach bourbon chicken sounds really good!
I checked out Dream Dinners Anderson on Facebook.
Chicken ravioli.
Like Dream Dinners Anderson. shared on facebook and blog. Like the pork burritos or swiss burgers or even the pork chops and sweet pot fries.
I liked Dream Dinners on FB – what a great thing! brendaherring731 @ yahoo . com
I would choose the CHICKEN BACON RANCH STUFFED FRENCH BREAD
Shared the giveaway on Facebook
Checked out the Dream Dinners Anderson location Facebook page
Shared via fb! 🙂
I would love to try the Peach Burbon Chicken with Garlic Asparagus Spears
I checked out the Anderson location Dream Dinners fb page & like it! 🙂 I left a comment on their wall.
I have always wanted to try Dream Dinner! See you at the open house.
chicken raviloi
tweeted
checked out: Dream Dinners Anderson location on FB
Dream Dinners Anderson on FB checked out
I shared this article & giveaway on face book.
I’ve wanted to try Dream Dinners before, I hope to have the opportunity to do it soon!
From the April menu I think my family would enjoy the Santa Fe Shredded Pork Burritos.
It’s a tough choice, but I think the first thing I’d try to make is the lemon chicken piccata, because it just sounds so much more ambitious than anything I’d normally attempt to make at home while my toddler is (literally) hanging on my leg. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I am so happy to see that Dream Dinners is on Facebook and visited their page right away! I had never heard of this before and would LOVE to try it. It sounds like a working mom’s dream!
I checked out the Dream Dinners facebook page.
For April, the Outlaw Chicken Marinara looks delicious.
I checked out their facebook page
I’d make the Cajun Scallops with Mini Potato Pancakes — sounds delicious!
Checked out and liked the Dream Dinners Anderson location Facebook page.
I shared this contest on twitter @mom22kids1
I liked Dream Dinners Anderson location on FB.
I’d choose Family Pizza night from the April menu. Those would be so convenient to pull from the freezer and bake.