Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

We want to take this time to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. The store will be closed this week, reopening on Saturday, December 29. If you have any questions please drop us a line at sanjoseand295fl@dreamdinners.com. Be good!

Get Your Friends In To A Sneak Peek!

We at Dream Dinners want to tell you about Sneak Peeks. A Sneak Peek is a great way to introduce the Dream Dinners experience to your family and friends. We’ll provide everything you need for a fun-filled time, from invitations to ingredients, sample dinners and a FREE dinner for everyone to assemble and take home. We believe if you enjoy Dream Dinners, your friends will, too! This is what you do:

• Call us to schedule your Sneak Peek date.

• Email our Dream Dinners evite or send invitations that we provide to 8 - 20 of your friends. Over-invite to assure you will have at least 8 guests attending.
  

• Arrive for your Sneak Peek, put on Dream Dinners' aprons and participate in our Meet and Greet orientation.

• Each guest will assemble one FREE Dream Dinners meal to take home.

• Enjoy FREE samples from the current month’s Dream Dinners menu.

• Sign up for a session and receive a free BONUS dinner when you return for that session. This offer is available to anyone in your party who registers during the Sneak Peek.

Here’s what you’ll receive for hosting:

• A hostess gift.

• One FREE dinner at your next session for each guest who signs up for a session while at the Sneak Peek. That’s up to 20 additional Dream Dinners for you!

• And of course, you’ll receive the FREE dinner you yourself make at the Sneak Peek.

Sneak Peeks take about 45-60 minutes so it's not a lot of time out of your day. It's fun!

Tell your family and friends, co-workers, church family, neighbors, in-laws...everybody... and sign up today!

Something Is Different!

Hi!

Thanks for checking out our blog. Some of you have already noticed there's change afoot at your local Dream Dinners store (no, the puppy is not on the menu, we just thought he was too cute for words!). Our menus are changing to reflect your preferences and we have found that a frequent request is that while change is good, many of you would like to see some of the same items from month to month. Your family has tried a few new dishes and the kids like a few in particular, but alas! The month is over and you did not get back in to make any more of their favorites. Well, we listened and now we are offering several of your favorite dishes to run in back to back months. The choices are culled from your requests so you are sure to find something you really like and it will be available beyond the one month window. We tested this during the months of November and December and the results were very good, so here we are! Look for changes in our menu starting in January. We will offer Monthly Specials, which are new dinners, Classics- tried and true recipes, Best of the Best- our best sellers and ....fanfare please "ta ta taDAH!" our new Fast Lane featuring ready to go dinners. These are dinners you can add to your order that are already assembled for you at no extra charge. These will allow you to get in and out of the store even faster! In addition, we are also offering side dishes to go with your meals. You can choose from various styles of rice, to pasta, to beans to vegetables. Dream Dinners really values your opinions and we want you satisfied. We are listening to you, so don't forget to tell us about anything you are concerned about, or ask a question. We are here to help you get back on track and get the family back to the dinner table. For a peek at the new January menu, go to the Useful Links section on the right side of this page and click on the January Menu Preview link.

Earn Free Dinners!

Do you like the concept of Dream Dinners? You take a look at the menu, decide which dinners you'd like and then schedule to come in and make them. You take home a freezer full in less than two hours. Sounds great, right? Well, where are you Jacksonville? This idea is taking off in cities across the nation but Jacksonville is special. The largest city in the country in area and pretty sizeable in population, we are a pretty spread out bunch. Right now, there is only one Dream Dinners and it's in the Mandarin area. But think of the benefits. Ya gotta eat and unless you're rich, you cannot eat out all the time. Not to mention the waist-expanding implications. I have been in the supermarket picking up various and sundry and I have noticed as I am sure you have, the skyrocketing prices of many goods. Chicken, tomatoes, milk, bread and don't mention fresh fruit, even in the summer; I mean basic food costs are outrageous. One product I regularly shop for went from 89 cents last year to $1.49 right now. Ouch! Goodness! That's almost a 70% increase! I don't know about you, but my wallet doesn't stretch that far, that fast. When is the last time you got a 70% increase in your paycheck to keep up? So cost is a concern. Did you know that Dream Dinners average $3.69 per serving in our January menu? We provide nutrition facts so that you can see what you are feeding your family. We strive to make our dinners healthy and nutritious while not giving away a millimeter of taste. We use lowfat ingredients where we can, cut down on added salt where we can and use lean healthy protein products. Time. There's a concern. Well, it's just a fact that most of us couldn't come up with 12-14 dinners in two hours or less...even Rachel Ray would have some trouble with that. So if you factor in that you can walk out of our store with this many dinners in that amount of time or less, think of the freedom you'll have. Dinner at home with your family three times a week is an achievable goal, when you do it the Dream Dinners way. If you don't have 2 hours once a month to do this, well, there's the option of having us put them together for you for you to pick up. It costs extra, but come on, labor costs something, ya know? Then there's the freezer space issue. If you have stuff in there that you can't identify, maybe it's time to clean up that valuable real estate. Most of our dinners are packaged in freezer storage bags and don't hog up the whole freezer. But, if that's your problem, make six dinners at a time, twice a month...still only two hours a month in total time invested. Use your dinners. Take three out on Sunday evening, place in the fridge and they will be thawed and ready to cook during the week when you are ready. Still have concerns or questions? Drop on by during session times and we can answer them for you. Do you want to see what it's like? Call us and we'll tell you when you can come in and watch and you can taste a sample too! Talk with our regular guests. They will tell you Dream Dinners is a part of their lives. Hey Dream Dinners regulars: TELL YOUR FRIENDS! If a new guest signs up and completes a session and tells us you referred them, you will get a FREE dinner. FREE!

So, what can we do for YOU? Plenty!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This, the fall season, is my favorite time of year. The holidays, though often hectic, are great times to get together with family and friends. The Dream Dinners staff just wants to take this time to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Slow down and enjoy it. Remember, everything does not have to be perfect and you will be the only one who knows it. Don't let it all go by in a blur. Just stop and breathe. Give thanks to Him.

There, that's better.

Thanksgiving Approaches!

Have you made your dinner plans yet? This is the time the home cook really starts getting down to it. You need to get your turkey, make the dressing (stuffing to ya'll Northerners), and put together all those side dishes that make Thanksgiving a wonderfully delicious holiday. Don't forget that Dream Dinners has made Thanksgiving simple. Even if you want to present that big, bad boy as your centerpiece, we can still help you with sides. This month we present our side dish station created by the food specialists at Southern Living. Included in our Southern Living Side Dish Station are standbys updated and made deliciously simple the Dream Dinners way and each of our side dishes serve 8 people. Here's what you get: Three Cheese Mashed Potato and Green Bean and Mushroom Casseroles which go from freezer to oven to table. We add savory stuffing with sage, rosemary, sausage and cranberries, rich turkey gravy, cranberry sauce and an herb rub for your turkey. The cost? $34.99; cost of time saved: Priceless! You will be very glad you did this on Thanksgiving eve...trust me and trust Southern Living.

Also, if you have already made your dinners this month and you would like to add on, you can! You will have already met your minimum for the month and can make one additional item or 20! Perhaps you've decided it would be a great help to have these wonderful side dishes at the ready. Or if you've got out-of-town guests or family in the house, ordering extra Dream Dinners can make your life easier with our wonderfully quick and delicious meals on-hand. Let us know if we can help; we are ready when you are.

Need Gift Ideas?

Don't you love the smell of homemade soup simmering on the stove? Why not consider presenting a great meal, pre-assembled so it's ready to give to your boss, co-worker, neighbor or other friends? All would be delighted to receive our No Fuss Soup Mix, perfect as a thoughtful gift. This is a warming mixture of lentils, navy beans, carrots and celery, perfectly seasoned and great on a cold day. All you add is leftover ham, chicken or turkey. Yum! You get to present it in a beautiful organza bag complete with gift tags and ribbon. Best of all you will receive three of these which each serve six, in each order! Check out the December menu link to place your order. If you have not yet ordered a minimum order this month, this will count as one of your selections. If you would like to add to an order already placed, just let us know and we'll take care of it.

Don't forget, Dream Dinners also has gift cards or gift certificates available directly in our store, or you can order online at our website. Cards are available in denominations of $25-$500 in the store. Give someone the gift of time. Life just got easier!

November Side Dish Recipes

Hi,
Want to keep your hand in the cooking game? November's side dish recipes are delicious and simple to prepare. Give these a try and serve alongside your November recipes. For an easy to print page, see the link at the right under "Useful Links."

November Recipes

TURKEY LIVER PATÈ
(Serves 6 as an appetizer)

Ingredients:
1 Turkey liver
2 strips Bacon
2 teaspoons Flour
¼ cup chopped Onion
¼ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
¼ cup Milk, about

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325º F.
2. Put the turkey liver and bacon in a blender container and blend.
Add flour, onion, salt pepper and milk and blend.
(Add enough milk to make the consistency of a thick cream soup.)
3. Pour mixture into a buttered 1 ½-cup baking dish.
Set in a pan of hot water and bake, uncovered, for 1 hour,
or until a small sharp knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Serve with crackers.

BALSAMIC VEGETABLE SAUTÉ
(Serves 6)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 cups sliced Mushrooms
3 Zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
½ teaspoon dried Basil
1 teaspoon minced Garlic
¼ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
¼ teaspoon Sugar

Directions:
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over moderately high heat.
Add mushrooms and sauté 3 minutes.
2. Add zucchini and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until nearly tender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and cook, stirring for 2 minutes.

MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES
(Serves 6)

Ingredients:
1 large Rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 large Parsnip, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large Garlic Clove, peeled
1 Bay Leaf
1 ½ pound Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons Butter
½ cup warm Milk
1 tablespoons minced Parsley
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Directions:
1. Put rutabaga, carrots, parsnip, garlic and bay leaf in a large pot with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook 20 minutes.
2. Add potatoes and cook another 15 minutes, or until vegetables are very tender. Drain, and discard bay leaf.
3. Add butter, milk, parsley and pepper.
Mash vegetables until smooth.

Cooler Weather Is Finally Here

And with it, the urge to eat "comfort" foods. Our menu this month has a number of great options to whet your taste buds. How about Classic Chicken and Dumplings, a delicious casserole loaded with diced chicken breast, carrots, celery, peas and potatoes in a luscious and creamy sauce. Topped off with flaky biscuit dough, this is a wonderful and warm filling meal. That's whats for dinner at our house tonight. New to our store is our Creamy Tortellini with Bacon. We served this at a Sneak Peek earlier in the week and there was nary a piece left as guests couldn't get enough. This dish is quick and delicious and the hit of smoky bacon just tops it off. I'd just add a green salad and dinner is served. Or how about tangy Lemon Chicken Piccata? This is a classic Italian dish of chicken, which is quick-seared and topped off with a zippy sauce of lemon, capers, artichoke hearts and herbs. We are offering it with Garlic and Butter Rice and it is included with your purchase. Let's turn our attention to beef. Keep in mind that our dishes are mindful of the ADA's (American Dietary Association) guidelines, so a little beef now and then won't break the dietary budget. We have Grilled Sirloin with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola Cheese. Okay, calm down...yes it is good, so if you are going to have it, just do it. There is also a Braised Holiday Roast, which is at the height of ease since you simply place it in the crockpot with the seasonings and sauce ingredients in the morning and say "hello" to dinner when you walk in the door. Entertaining? How about the Sesame-Teryaki Meatballs, Glazed Sirloin Skewers or our famous Canadian Bacon Stuffed French Bread. Disclaimer: that stuffed bread recipe is addictive. Any of these recipes make fabulous appetizers. Now we know this is the true start to the Holiday season with Thanksgiving on the horizon. We've got you covered with our Holiday Meal Solution and since we've talked about it earlier, we'll just direct you to our earlier post located below or in the October archives, but would you like to get an extra special special? Call us to order your Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Solution and we'll give you the Southern Living Side Station for $20.00!! That's your complete Thanksgiving dinner for eight for $110.00! My Thanksgiving dinner last year cost way, way more than that. To get your complete dinner for this price, you must call our store by November 12th and you must mention "Blog Thanksgiving Offer." Welcome to November at Dream Dinners!

Would Love To Hear From You

Thank you for coming out to the Taste of Dream Dinners! We served up tasty entrees from the October menu including the Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya and the Apple Crisp and the Sesame-Teriyaki Meatballs from the November menu. We'll have these open houses from time to time to give you a chance to taste items from the current and upcoming menus. If you have friends who are new to the Dream Dinners concept, bring them along and have a great time! Keep your eyes on our blog pages for upcoming events at our store. Any comments? Please do!

October Reviews

Well we've had a chance to hear some comments about October's dinners from our guests and as expected, the Apple Crisp, Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya and the Herb Crusted Flank Steak are runaway faves. Other favorites are the Chicken Enchiladas and the Pulled BBQ Pork with French Rolls. The Chicken Enchiladas are tangy, creamy and cheesy concoctions guaranteed to put a smile on your kid's faces. They combine diced white chicken meat, sour cream and salsa among other ingredients, wrapped in large flour tortillas. We would find it hard to believe anyone would turn their noses up at these and predict you'll hit Dream Dinners again for a refill. The Pulled BBQ Pork sandwiches are wonderful. A mild barbecue sauce is combined with mustard for a bite that won't bite back. These are meaty, full sandwiches and all you need on the side is the ubiquitous cole slaw. If you want another filling option, try the Mexican Meatballs. We just had these the other night, and I had to stop myself from getting more. I used the meatballs as filling in tortillas and simply topped them with salsa and loved it. Now you can go the Mexican dinner route with rice and beans, but we liked them with a simple green salad with red onion and my own vinaigrette. We also suggest guacamole as a topper and I had my mouth all set for this addition, but when I cut into the avocados I found them filled with dark spots, although I'd bought them rock hard and waited for them to soften. Don't you hate that and at the cost of avocados these days? Those suckers are going back to the market I bought them from. If you want something with an Asian flare, try the Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange. I like this with simple Jasmine rice and broccoli. The chicken breasts are tender and slightly sweet with a hint of orange. Just plain tasty. We'll be trying the Peanut Crusted Fish Filets and the Pork Chops with Sweet Ginger and Apples next. Write a post of your own and let us know how you are enjoying your dinners.

The Best of the Best- October at Dream Dinners

Well, finally, the "Best of the Best" month has arrived. We are featuring the dinners from the last year chosen as being the best by our guests and store owners from all over the country. We also have a new dinner, body + soul Moroccan Chicken with Pumpkin. body+soul, is a Martha Stewart publication and their kitchen whizzes in association with our chefs, have created this special dinner. Pumpkin, a "power" food, is combined with all-white meat chicken, carrots, green beans and warming spices, with just a slight sweetness delivered by raisins. This northern African inspired dish is unique and delicious and great for a family dinner or for entertaining. You will recognize many favorites this month, such as the Herb Crusted Flank Steak(pictured above), the Apple Crisp and the Chicken Mirabella among others. When we do a benefit or promotion, we rely upon the Herb Crusted Flank Steak and the Apple Crisp. They have become our calling cards so to speak...they are that good. The flank steak is tender and fully flavored and my favorite way to serve it is at room temperature or cold. On a buffet table, it stands out and never lasts long. At our house, I put it on crisp greens for a knock-out salad, dressed with a nice, simple vinaigrette. Or of course you can hit it out of the ballpark for your family and serve it with scalloped potatoes and green beans. The Apple Crisp. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....Now I can do a mean dessert myself, but my hat is off to our chef who created this winner. It combines tangy apples and raisins in a buttery, sweet filling that is topped off with a crunchy topping that includes walnuts. Oh, you have to taste it to believe it. We always get multiple requests for it. The Chicken Mirabella is very, very good. Both tangy and sweet, you will have it for dinner and then you will crave it after it is gone. I have been there and done that and I am not alone. Then there is the Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya. This is a baked rice dish that is filled with sweet shrimp, smoked sausage, tomatoes and other savory ingredients. Yummm. I add lots of hot sauce to mine and even a little red pepper. We like things a little spicy at home. Now that brings up a point. You can add to or subtract from your dinners, elements that you would like a little more or less of. My suggestion is that you try the dish the way the chef designed it, but if you know you like more garlic or that onion makes you burp, well, just do what you need to do. You know your family best. Well, that's just the tip of the October iceberg...there's lots to choose from this month. Click on the October Menu link to the right and get a look at what's in store right now.

October Reviews

Well we've had a chance to hear some comments about October's dinners from our guests and as expected, the Apple Crisp, Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya and the Herb Crusted Flank Steak are runaway faves. Other favorites are the Chicken Enchiladas and the Pulled BBQ Pork with French Rolls. The Chicken Enchiladas are tangy, creamy and cheesy concoctions guaranteed to put a smile on your kid's faces. They combine diced white chicken meat, sour cream and salsa among other ingredients, wrapped in large flour tortillas. We would find it hard to believe anyone would turn their noses up at these and predict you'll hit Dream Dinners again for a refill. The Pulled BBQ Pork sandwiches are wonderful. A mild barbecue sauce is combined with mustard for a bite that won't bite back. These are meaty, full sandwiches and all you need on the side is the ubiquitous cole slaw. If you want another filling option, try the Mexican Meatballs. We just had these the other night, and I had to stop myself from getting more. I used the meatballs as filling in tortillas and simply topped them with salsa and loved it. Now you can go the Mexican dinner route with rice and beans, but we liked them with a simple green salad with red onion and my own vinaigrette. We also suggest guacamole as a topper and I had my mouth all set for this addition, but when I cut into the avocados I found them filled with dark spots, although I'd bought them rock hard and waited for them to soften. Don't you hate that and at the cost of avocados these days? Those suckers are going back to the market I bought them from. If you want something with an Asian flare, try the Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange. I like this with simple Jasmine rice and broccoli. The chicken breasts are tender and slightly sweet with a hint of orange. Just plain tasty. We'll be trying the Peanut Crusted Fish Filets and the Pork Chops with Sweet Ginger and Apples next. Write a post of your own and let us know how you are enjoying your dinners.

Thanksgiving at Dream Dinners

Hello,

We have received a communication from our corporate office that indicates that supplies are limited for the Thanksgiving turkey dinner, (Holiday Meal Solution, November). We have been asked to estimate the number of dinners our guests will order by October 8. We would be greatly appreciative if you can assist us in this endeavor by letting us know if you would like for us to pre-order your Thanksgiving turkey dinner. This will assure that you have the meal you expect. You can contact us at the store at the phone number shown in our blog or the website, by fax or email. If you would like to use our Delayed Payment feature, please let us know and we will manually input your order for you. The details of the dinner are featured below. Thank you in advance for your order!

Welcome to Fall at Dream Dinners

Ummm, fall is finally here and with it all the foods we love. Thanksgiving is going to be really easy and really elegant for you this year. Just do it the Dream Dinners way. Our Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Solution which serves 8, is a really smart way to let you, the cook, take it easy for a change. This fabulous dinner includes an assortment of delicious appetizers, Jennie-O oven ready boneless turkey breast, and a luscious New York style cheesecake with apricot-pumpkin sauce. Add the Southern Living Side Dish Station which also serves 8 and includes Three Cheese Mashed Potato and Green Bean and Mushroom Casseroles, savory stuffing, rich gravy and tangy cranberry sauce, plus an herb rub for your turkey and dinner is served! Can you imagine an easier or more delicious Thanksgiving dinner? These dinners are available in limited quantities and you will need to order early in order to assure your Thanksgiving dinner is available for you. Order your Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Solution and the Southern Living Side Dish Station by October 8 and we'll give you a gift certificate for $25 good toward your next purchase at Dream Dinners, or save it and give it as a thoughtful gift. Don't forget, you can always use delayed payment which allows you to order your dinner with a 25% deposit. Simply call your order in to us, tell us you would like the delayed payment feature and we'll input your order. When it is five days before your scheduled session, the balance of your payment will be charged to your card. Life just got easier!