I have been compensated to facilitate this review; however, all opinions are my own.
As parents, a usual refrain we hear from the kids -- as well as what goes through my mind each and every day -- is, "What's for dinner?" Maybe you're great at advanced meal planning for the week or only arrive at a menu about 5:30pm after a quick glance at the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Either way, having nutritious options that are easy to assemble and cook means the whole family will be enjoying tasty dinners together in no time. That's where Birds Eye becomes Mom's (or Dad's) best friend in the kitchen! I recently had the opportunity to try new Birds Eye products that are now in stores and come up with different ideas of how to serve them during meals while hosting some PTA parents and other busy families.
The newest offerings include Birds Eye OvenRoasters™ Sheet Pan Vegetables, and there are four varieties available: Broccoli & Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts & Carrots, Red Potatoes & Onions, and Sweet Potatoes, Carrots & Red Potatoes. I always like the idea of roasting veggies, but there are different spices to consider in addition to the time to prep, so Birds Eye has made it very simple because the pre-cut vegetables are perfectly pre-seasoned to allow for deliciously crispy texture right on your sheet pan. No matter which selection you choose, you'll pre-heat the oven, add some cooking spray to the pan, spread the veggies in a single layer, and then cook for about 20 minutes. As someone who does not generally attempt elaborate recipes, this was rather ideal for me. I decided to try the Brussels Sprouts & Carrots and the Sweet Potatoes, Carrots & Red Potatoes as straightforward side dishes to complement some frozen fish nuggets that I could cook at the same time and oven temp and would also appeal to all family members, but side dishes are exactly that -- meant to accompany whatever main entree you dream up! Keeping it easy might mean grilled or baked chicken, steaks or fish, hamburgers or hot dogs, pasta or casseroles, or even a rotisserie chicken from the grocery deli. The vegetable and potato combinations with their pre-seasonings were flavorful hits with my parental taste-testers!
I also made the Broccoli & Cauliflower from the line of Birds Eye OvenRoasters™ Sheet Pan Vegetables, but I decided to add these veggies to other recipes. I initially roasted them as instructed and then chopped the broccoli and cauliflower into smaller pieces as ingredients to a frittata I cooked. Frittatas in general are very simple and are meals unto themselves since eggs and veggies make up the bulk of the yummy goodness, so having Birds Eye offer an easy method for roasting vegetables means everyone can and should attempt a frittata. I further combined the broccoli and cauliflower with cooked pasta for a vegetable-pasta dish, using chicken broth instead of water to boil the pasta. Again, I chose a couple already uncomplicated recipes so that the roasted vegetables were an effortless addition as well, and since there is already seasoning on the vegetables, I didn't worry about needing more seasoning for the overall entrees. All variations were a hit with everyone who agreed that these dishes were great ways to get the kiddos to eat veggies, too! With the vegetables being simple and quick to prepare, a favorite comment was how much parents especially love shortcuts, like Birds Eye, when it comes to making meals for the family!
Besides Birds Eye OvenRoasters™ Sheet Pan Vegetables, the company now offers Birds Eye Veggie Made™ Riced Cauliflower & Broccoli that includes Chicken Flavored Riced Cauliflower, Riced Broccoli & Cheese, and Family Sized Riced Cauliflower Original. I happen to love broccoli and often add it to meals when I can. Cheesy broccoli in any form has instant appeal within my household, so I was happy to pick up a few bags of Riced Broccoli & Cheese. The riced broccoli has 75% fewer carbs than traditional rice in addition to the amazing nutrients of broccoli. You can make it on the stovetop, but with easy being my party theme and cooking style, I opted for using the microwave -- right in the bag, so no pot to clean! After a few minutes, you'll have this side dish ready to serve, but I wanted to also turn it into an entree of its own. Once the Riced Broccoli & Cheese was done in the microwave and then emptied into a serving bowl, I added some rotisserie chicken pieces and even more shredded cheese that melted and blended well with the warm broccoli. Mixed it all up and done -- a chicken veggie "rice" bowl to have alone or still as a complement to another dish. Many of the parents and I really appreciated how you can serve the Birds Eye roasted or riced veggies as quick sides or use them to enhance other recipes!
One PTA Mom even shared that since being introduced to the Riced Broccoli & Cheese at our get-together, she's already gone out and picked up some to have with her husband and children.
No matter if you choose Birds Eye OvenRoasters™ Sheet Pan Vegetables or Birds Eye Veggie Made™ Riced Cauliflower & Broccoli, Birds Eye vegetables are flash frozen within hours of harvest, locking in their nutrients. Birds Eye has many offerings that contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, so you can really make the veggies your own and know that you are feeding your family nutritious and delicious options that are thankfully easy and relatively quick to prepare as well!
To learn more about these new products and other meal options offered by Birds Eye, please visit the website or find Birds Eye on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
