Potachos...

Moms of multiple children have to be the most creative, or crazy, people on the planet. Tonight, I got a crash course in quick meal prep using masked ingredients teetering on freezer burn.

A busy mom has absolutely no time to prepare a three course meal for a family of seven so creativity is a staple - much like Tylenol, earplugs and naps. So when the clock is nearing six in the evening and a Binky sucking whiner pulls at your leg demanding to be fed the mind goes into overdrive. The freezer door flies open and in stares the busy working mom. It's been a long demanding day at work and now a long demanding evening with children is beginning. Slaving over a hot stove preparing a traditional, made from scratch meal, is the last thing on her mind.

The fine folks of Ore Ida® and Kraft® have saved the evening. Although their 'resealable' bags rarely work - they produce kid friendly foods, even when slightly freezer burned. Then comes the next dilemma. There are three packages with the red and gold label, waffle fries, seasoned fries and tots. Each with only a serving or maybe two in the bottom of the bag, hardly enough for a full meal.

Masking food is a trick many moms use to get picky children eating. Chances are throwing ketchup, ranch dressing or cheese on it will make kids forget that green beans are good for them - or that they really don't like seasoned ground beef. Add a chocolate milk and they eat so fast they don't even taste the broccoli or mushrooms used as fillers.

In kicks in creativity - masking the freezer burned tidbits. The kids will never know the difference.

Cooking the three potato varieties to an even crisp starts the meal, sprinkle on shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and pop back into the oven to melt. When it comes out it mirrors a lot of those late night bar food concoctions many moms were familiar with before the children waiting at the table sucked all the life and fun out of them. When the moment of nostalgia subsides the meal is ready to be served.

These kids absolutely thought the potatoes were the most amazing food ever whipped up by dear old mom. Not only do they like it, there was nothing left on the pan. Clean up was a snap. The kids were fed and happy, proving once again tossing cheese on anything makes kids drool. Give it a fun name that they can scream across the table at each other - even better.

It's going to be the new craze, I just have that feeling.