(Family Features) After families across the country began cooking more at home during the pandemic, that trend has continued as loved ones seek comfort in the kitchen in the form of their favorite recipes and time spent together.
In fact, according to the “Hunter Food News Study,” cooking continues to change as more Americans come together at the dining table with recipe usage up 21% and dinners cooked from scratch up 14%. Around half (54%) of Americans are cooking more than they were before the pandemic, and 35% said they “enjoy cooking now more than ever,” according to “Harvard Business Review.”
If those closest to you are looking for home-cooked comfort, you can turn to satisfying family meals like Plant-Based Meatloaf Sandwiches or Chicken Souse. These hearty recipes make it easy for loved ones to involve everyone in the cooking process from preparing vegetables and hand-mixing meatloaf to seasoning chicken and simmering ingredients.
With 65% of consumers saying they’re most likely to purchase a whole week’s worth of groceries when shopping, according to research from Datassential, opportunities abound for families to enjoy delicious, comforting dishes together.
Find more family meal inspiration by visiting Aramark’s Feed Your Potential website, fyp365.com.
Plant-Based Meatloaf Sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of Aramark
Servings: 6
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 pounds plant-based ground burger, thawed
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice, chilled
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
2/3 cup barbecue sauce
bread
vegan cheddar cheese
sauteed onions
Heat oven to 375 F. Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
In bowl, thoroughly mix ground burger, cooked rice, onion, bell pepper, paprika, garlic, sage, thyme, salt and white pepper until well blended without overmixing. Shape mixture into loaf on baking sheet. Spread barbecue sauce over meatloaf.
Bake 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 160 F.
Slice meatloaf into six pieces and place each piece on bread. Top each meatloaf slice with vegan cheddar cheese and sauteed onions then close sandwiches with top bread slices. Using panini press, griddle or frying pan, cook sandwiches until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Tip: Pairs well with potato salad.
Source: Aramark
