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  3. Recipes for Your Next Snack Dinner

Recipes for Your Next Snack Dinner

By Ann Taylor Pittman August 14, 2017
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Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
Bring your crew together over eat-anywhere dishes that are meant to be shared—whether that's at the dining table, on the patio, or in the living room.
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The New Moveable Feasts

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree

As the Executive Editor of Cooking Light, I find this pretty embarrassing, but I'm going to fess up: Most weeknights, my family does not eat at the dinner table. When the kids and I get home, it's go time. While they hop in the shower and then go over homework with their dad, I get cranking on dinner. I typically don't have the meal ready until well after 7 p.m., and that leaves only about an hour of togetherness before the boys have to get ready for bed. So we make the most of our family time by multitasking—we eat together at the coffee table while we play games or watch a little TV.

I've made my peace with this because, well, life is too short. It's good that we can gather at the same time to enjoy the same good food, after all. And I've put my mind at ease because I'm serving more communal dishes these days, food eaten from a common pot, so to speak. I believe you when you share food from the same dish, you are instantly bonded in an intimate way—whether that happens at a dining table or a coffee table. These recipes get you to that place; they bring the family together in the midst of all the hectic push and pull of life to commune over a shared experience. And that quality time is something I'll cherish in whatever form it takes.

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Family-Style Meatball "Fondue"

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Family-Style Meatball "Fondue"

We're using the term "fondue" loosely; the idea is that everyone scoops into a skillet of cheesy meatballs with hearty bread slices. The meatballs are more tender than traditional versions because they don't include breadcrumbs; we like the softer texture for this type of dish, where you want them to give way easily on the bread.

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Chicken-and-Mushroom Dumplings with Bok Choy

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Chicken-and-Mushroom Dumplings with Bok Choy

We keep these dumplings weeknight-doable by using easy-to-find wonton wrappers (look for them near the tofu) and the simplest folding method. To make this a communal meal, set ou the steamer baskets on a towel so your family can help themselves. If your bok choy is larger than what we call for, cut it into quarters so it will fit in the baskets.

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Sheet Pan Beefy Nachos

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Sheet Pan Beefy Nachos

If you have young kids serving themselves, lift the nachos off the pan with the parchment paper (and remove the hot pan from the table). For the creamiest nacho sauce, start with a block of cheese and shred it yourself.

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Pesto Yogurt Dip

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Pesto Yogurt Dip

Use this herby dip to anchor a tray of what we call Snack Dinner. Surround it with lots of fresh vegetable dippers, seasonal fruit, sliced cheese, olives, nuts, and a little meat.

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Cheesy Chicken-and-Spinach Stromboli Ring

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Cheesy Chicken-and-Spinach Stromboli Ring

Instead of serving pizza, shake up dinner with a gorgeous stromboli ring. Though it may look difficult to make, it's actually an easy process (see our step-by-step instructions). Most store-bought pizza dough comes in 1-or 1 1/2-pound portions, but you only need 12 ounces for this recipe. Use the leftovers to make breadsticks or flatbread the next day.

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Creamy Hummus With Spiced Ground Beef

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Creamy Hummus with Spiced Ground Beef

Typically, this style of supersmooth hummus starts with dried chickpeas; we discovered a shortcut with canned chickpeas where a little baking soda softens or dissolves the peas' skins. Be sure to use a blender; a food processor will not get the hummus this smooth. Serve with soft whole-wheat pita and crudités.

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Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps

This dish is great for a casual get-together or a weeknight meal (with leftovers). The seasoning paste is modeled after Korean ssamjang—a concentrated, salty, slightly spicy concoction. Unlike traditional versions, through, ours is made with grocery store ingredients for ease and convenience.

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By Ann Taylor Pittman

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    1 of 8 The New Moveable Feasts
    2 of 8 Family-Style Meatball "Fondue"
    3 of 8 Chicken-and-Mushroom Dumplings with Bok Choy
    4 of 8 Sheet Pan Beefy Nachos
    5 of 8 Pesto Yogurt Dip
    6 of 8 Cheesy Chicken-and-Spinach Stromboli Ring
    7 of 8 Creamy Hummus With Spiced Ground Beef
    8 of 8 Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps

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