Kids Camp

Dream Dinners Kids Camp
 
Want something fun and productive for your child over 8 to do this Summer? Drop them off at Dream Dinners for some fun in our kitchen! 

Camp dates are:  9am~1pm each day
Tue June 25th
Tue July 23rd
Wed Aug 14th. 
 
The chefs-in-training will assemble your order for you, learn about food and kitchen safety, play games, and decorate their own apron and chef's hat. Lunch will be provided from a meal they make themselves in our kitchen!  In addition to your minimum order there will be a $40 camp fee, discounts given to siblings.
 
Password is camp

Summer Promotion

This summer you can win a 7.1 cubic ft chest freezer to hold all your Dream Dinners meals! This is the perfect size for a garage or laundry room. Second prize is a $50 gift certificate to our Finishing Touch freezer. Third prize is an insulated tote bag for four lucky winners.

 

 Orders must be for 36 servings or more. Entries are for sessions attended in June, July & August.  A Bonus entry will be given for attending a session all 3 months.  The random drawing will be held the first week of September. All winners will be notified by phone and email and will be announced in our email newsletter and on facebook.com.

Sign up for June today.

In case you missed it

We had a March Relaxation Raffle and the lucky winner was

Shelly Kaylor!

Shelly has been contacted and excited to have an hour massage on Dream Dinners ~ Ventura.
We will be raffling off future bits of relaxation in the future, so stay tuned.

March Relaxation Raffle - enter here!

 Yep, you read it right, we are raffling off some relaxation to one lucky winner in the form of a -

60 min. Massage from Embody Wellness, Ventura, CA

To enter the March Relaxation raffle, all we ask from you is that you follow us on our social media sites, this blog and our facebook.com page. If you already follow us, great! Thank you so much, we really appreciate it.  You have some free entries in the bag. 

Simply sign into the rafflecopter widget below which will keep your information safe, and will randomly select a winner at the end of the month. You have until March 30th to enter, the winner will be selected the morning of March 31st. 

Be sure to follow the directions! If you win, we will check that everyone did what they claim. No substitutions.  No purchase necessary. You will need to go to the store during operating hours to obtain your Gift Certificate.  

If you win, you will have 48 hours to respond to your winner's email.  If we don't hear from you, we will pick another winner.  (Forgive us, but we just can't let 60 minutes of bliss sit around!)

Contest sponsored by Dream Dinners, Ventura.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

St. Paddy's Day!

St. Paddy's Day is almost here and it is on a Sunday this year.  I don't know about you, but with our warm weather and the time change, I just am not feeling very excited about being in the kitchen, so I will be turning to my Dream Dinners options to make a yummy and satisfying meal for my family.  

Shepherd's Pie
A great idea from the February menu if you bought it, is the Cattleman’s Pie which is really like a Shepherd’s Pie and would make a hearty dinner for all your leprechan’s in the family.


OR, try my favorite from the March menu

Pub Style Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
This customer comfort food favorite rates high on our big hit list for leprechan's both large and small! Saucy, marinated all natural chicken breasts are topped with bacon and melted cheese. A little lite ranch drizzle and seasonings finish it perfectly. Bake it in just 25-30 minutes. Super satisfying served over our fluffy mashed potatoes (included).

Dessert - and if you are feeling crafty check out this adorable cupcake idea from Disney. Your Irish eyes will be smilin’ for certain on those wee little faces when they see this finished, or ready to assemble themselves, as a dessert treat.  http://spoonful.com/recipes/rainbow-cupcakes

Did You Know?

The average restaurant meal has as much as 60% more calories than a homemade meal.

If you are curious about our nutrition content for the March Menu, including calories per serving, simply click here. 

A First Friday Bonus

Sign up for a first Friday Session this week and receive a FREE Ready, Set, Stew OR TexMex BBQ Turkey Wraps!  A $38 value!

Have you ever noticed how busy the end-of-the-month sessions can get?  Well, business has been good and our sessions have been bursting at the seams!  We're excited to let you know about two convenient sessions times during the first week of our menu.  Knock one more thing off your to-do list on your way home from work and join us at our 6pm session the first Friday of the Month.

Or, are mornings better for you?  We also have a "First Friday" 9:30am session.  Join us at this session and you will get to enjoy some tasty morning treats that will surely put a smile on your face.

To get your free dinner simply type in "Free Dinner" in the special instructions box when you sign up.

Calendar of March Events

March Calendar

Made For You       Fri, March 1st        5:30pm
Couples Session     Fri, March 1st        6pm
Kids Day                Sat, March 2nd,      9am
SB Delivery            Tues, March 5th
Made For You       Thurs, March 7th    5:30pm
Gluten Restricted  Sat, March 9th       9am
Made For You       Sat, March 16th     11am
Made For You       Sat, March 21st      5:30pm

Meatless March - Soy Good!

Dream Dinners Ventura has 9 menu items this March that can easily be made with a soy chicken stand-in, plus 3 delicious seafood dinners. These dinners are great for families following a vegetarian diet and families observing Lent.

Soy options:

• Pub Style Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
• Southwest Pulled Pork with Confetti Cornbread
• Sherry Cream Chicken
• Beef Tip Stroganoff over Egg Noodles
• Chicago Style Choice Cut Chicken with Red Skin Potatoes
• Chicken and Pasta with Lemon & Artichoke Sauce
• Meatball Marinara Stuffed French Bread
• Greek Island Shrimp with Pasta
• Pesto Cheese Ravioli with Chicken & Walnuts

Seafood items:

• Greek Island Shrimp with Pasta
• Market Salmon with Corn Medley
• Seafood Cioppino

To place your Dream Dinners Ventura order and sign up for the March menu, click here.

Heart Healthy February

February is American Heart Health Month. Staying heart healthy can be challenging with all of the high calorie, high fat and salty foods readily available as mealtime solutions for you and your family. This month we have 7 heart healthy* dinners and 4 of those can be served in 30 minutes or less.
Consider giving these a try and see just how delicious being heart healthy can easily be with Dream Dinners throughout the year.

• Crispy French Onion Chicken
• Tuscan Steaks
• Buffalo Ranch Chicken
• Mandarin Flank Steak
• Tangy Down Home Pork Chops
• Cola Lime Tender Pork Roast
• Parmesan Pesto Salmon

If you haven't already, Sign up today!

*Dream Dinners “Heart Healthy” selection: each serving contains no more than 10 grams fat*, 7 grams saturated fat, 95 mg cholesterol & 650 mg sodium (recommended limits for a 2,000 calorie daily diet are 20 grams of saturated fat and 2,300 milligrams of sodium)

Our New Freezer Launches this month

If you haven't heard, we have updated our freezer selection at Dream Dinners.  Come and take a look!

We have everything you need to fill your plate now with our new Finishing Touch Freezer.  Be sure to check it out next time you are in.  We are confident you will find many new family favorites to add to your monthly menu.

Our freezer is first come, first serve so the earlier sessions get the cream of the crop first picks.  Yum! 

Today we have:

• Lobster Bisque
• Bacon Ranch Green Beans
• Honey Tarragon Carrots
• Apple Caramel Blossoms
• and more!

Red Dress Month

 

Enjoy the Reds of Dream Dinners This Month!

• Raspberry XOXO Chicken (Available in Finishing Touch Freezer)
• Raspberry Crisps
• Red Pepper Gouda Soup
• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Cherry Crumble Blossoms

Sign up today!

Every Last Spice

You know how you pour out the seasonings from the quart size bags and sometimes, a bit of it sticks to the sides? Co-founder Stephanie Allen is brilliant at providing the simplest little tip that gives you the biggest bang of flavor.

-Simply pour the liquid out as directed.
-Then put a tablespoon of water in the bag.
-Seal it.
-Swish it around and then pour it all out in the pan.
-Voila! You got it all without jeopardizing the recipe or flavor of your dish.

 

 

Please Sir, May I have some more?

Second Helpings?

What is it?

Would you like a "second helping" of something from our menu this month? Did you already eat your Canadian Bacon Stuffed French Bread or Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce and now you wish you had more? Or are you regretting that you didn't order our new Coconut Mahi Mahi (which is amazing, by the way)? There is no minimum order!

Simply call or email!

Sandwich Ideas

Have some leftovers or want to change up the serving suggestion on a few of your January Dream dinners? Here are a few ideas you can use at dinner or for lunch!

• Kentucky Pork Chops – These also make delicious sandwiches served cold. A little sweet, spicy mustard and a slice of tomato on a bun or roll of your choice and you have an easy, delicious alternative.
• Meatloaf Milano – A slice of cold meatloaf is great on a sandwich and cold mashed potatoes formed into pancake size patties are wonderful pan fried like hash browns for breakfast.

Yum!

February Gluten Restricted Menu

Every second Saturday of each month all meals and materials at each station are gluten-free.  February 9th, 9am is the gluten-restricted session for February. Substitutions, where needed, will be available at this session. Sign up today!

Sign me up!

Dream Dinners also adds new gluten free menu items, recipes and freezer items each month.

Be sure to try our scrumptious and moist gluten free cake mix. You can adapt it to a spice cake, chocolate cake or lemon cake. Only $4.00 with minimum session.

We also have many potato, sweet potato and vegetable side dishes in our freezer.

February 2013 Gluten Restricted Menu

I can't seem to upload pictures today, for beautiful, scrumptious pictures of the following menu items, please click here.

Rio Grande Chicken Fajitas
Smell the aroma of sizzling onions, sweet peppers and chicken tossed with an authentic marinade to transform your kitchen! Two tortillas per serving make a satisfying, whole balanced meal. (Whole wheat tortillas where available.) Quick cook time of just 20 minutes!

Tuscan Steaks
Zesty sun-dried tomato pesto is spiked with balsamic vinegar and a pinch of Italian herbs that wrap around these melt-in-your-mouth steaks. Your family will think they're on a trip to Tuscany with this easy 20-minute dinner. It's heart healthy, light and easy!

Buffalo Ranch Chicken
This healthier version of a New York favorite takes boneless, skinless, all-natural chicken breasts in a mild Buffalo wing marinade you cook up in just 20 minutes. Your secret is the kicked up lite Ranch dressing glaze. Finish with a sprinkling of Gorgonzola cheese.

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches
Tender pulled pork is downhome country and comfort in every bite! In just 25 minutes heat up this lean, shredded pork with our delicious, tangy barbeque sauce and serve on warm gluten-free rolls. Quick, easy and family approved!

Creamy Chicken Risotto
Favorite This one is creamy, elegant and easy. This traditional Italian dish with broth and Parmesan cheese turns magic when you assemble it with all our secret ingredients: chicken, bacon, fresh vegetables and zesty seasonings. It’s rich and smooth that serves in just 40 minutes.

Cattleman's Pie
New Comfort foods draw families together in this classic English dish that combines ground beef, rosemary, herbs and vegetables. Then it’s topped with velvety mashed potatoes and Parmesan cheese. You'll brown the beef and assemble to perfection in just under an hour.

Blackened Mahi Mahi
New A traditional Cajun blend of spices with a sweet touch of butter makes this entrée irresistible! This definitely has a kick to it, but you decide how hot you want it, adjust the heat to your liking. It's also easy on busy nights and cooks in less than 30 minutes.

Mandarin Flank Steak
Fast Lane Take your taste buds on a trip to the Orient with this epicurean delight! Sweet mandarin oranges, fresh cilantro and zesty hoisin sauce make this a perfect combination for our tender, juicy steak. Cook it easy in an hour and make time to breathe and enjoy.

Terracotta Chicken with Pita and Hummus
So delicious and versatile! Serve as an entree or when entertaining. Mediterranean flavor with tangy fresh lemon, herbs, garlic and yogurt create a nice aromatic marinade for all natural chicken breasts. Serve with traditional hummus and pita bread on the side!

Tangy Down Home Pork Chops
Lean, moist and tender boneless pork chops are cooked until golden brown, then simmered in a sweet and sour sauce of apples, brown sugar, raisins and spices, and brightened with just a hint of cider vinegar. Truly a winning combination!

Cola and Lime Tender Pork Roast
Fast Lane Customer voted hit with a little lime twist! Tropical, roasted pork becomes a party dish when you glaze it with our special blend of tropical flavors. Let the cola tenderize this pork to make it moist and irresistible. An easy and slow bake in 75 minutes.

Arroz con Pollo
A signature Dream Dinner on our greatest hits list! It’s a balanced Mexican dish with all great ingredients: layer rice, black beans, corn, zesty red salsa and now with chicken tenders. Then top with cheese and bake until bubbly and golden brown for about 1-1/2 hours.

Parmesan Pesto Salmon with Cheese Crisps
Parmesan cheese and rich green basil pesto coat our light, flakey pink salmon fillets marinated in a blend of seasonings, a touch of wine, and the freshness of lemon juice. You easily whip these up in less than 30 minutes and then top them with homemade Parmesan crisps.

Spitfire Beef Roast with Mashed Potatoes
Fast Lane Spice up this beef roast with our amazing marinade. We’ve got full bold flavors in the juice and then top the roast with our secret horseradish sauce and herb crust. Perfect for crockpot cooking or oven bake slow. Serve with roasted mashed potatoes (provided).

Every Last Drop - Saucy Tips

Sometimes it is hard to get all of the sauce out of your sealed bag. Especially if the sauce is thick. Here is a great way to get all of that yummy sauce out.

-Take the sealed bag and push it flat and get as much of the sauce out of one corner as you can.
-Take your scissors and snip the empty corner so that you have an opening that you can pour out from.
-Squeeze the sauce out of the bag and get it all without leaving a drop behind.

 

Here is a video from Dream Dinners Corporate for those of you who are more visually inclined (like me!).

 

 

Healthy Habits, for the body and pocketbook

Start out the new year right by ...

Eating healthier meals
Spending more time with your family around the dinner table
Saving money at the grocery store
Wasting less food
All are immediate benefits by choosing Dream Dinners!

Have you made any resolutions this year?  I tend to stick to vague ones that can be completed with a little extra thought, usually something I have been contemplating for a while.  This year I am going to try to actually read the books on my bookshelf, exercise a bit more, eat healthier meals and reduce snacking.  Those are relatively loose, but I have plenty of help because of those meals I have in the freezer from Dream Dinners.  When I am at the end of my rope and don't know what to make for dinner, (because I am tired from no snacks in the afternoon), I am covered with very little extra thought on my part!  :)  Usually they are made in 30 minutes or less so I can fit a little exercise in without getting dinner on the table late, AND I don't have to worry if I have the ingredients already in the kitchen.  Sounds like a dream to me!

 

Important Dates - January 2013

January 2013 Important Dates 

@ Dream Dinners Ventura

 

 

Tuesday 8th    Santa Barbara Delivery

 

Thursday 10th   5:30pm Made for you

 

Saturday 12th   Gluten Restricted 

 

Saturday 19th   11am Made for you

 

Saturday 26th   11am Made for you

 

 

Gluten Restricted Menu - January 2013

Every second Saturday of each month all meals and materials at each station are gluten-free.  January 12th, 9am is the gluten-restricted session for January. Substitutions, where needed, will be available at this session.  Sign up today!

Sign me up!

Dream Dinners also adds new gluten free menu items, recipes and freezer items each month.

* We have a scrumptious and moist gluten free cake mix. You can adapt it to a spice cake, chocolate cake or lemon cake. Only $4.00 with minimum session.

January 2013 Gluten Restricted Menu

Kentucky Pork Chops
Guest Favorite These chops are rubbed in a blend of spices sweetened with brown sugar, then brushed with a smoked glaze flavored with sweet molasses. They caramelize to perfection in less than 20 minutes stovetop for an easy homemade dinner on those busy nights.

Firehouse Three Cheese Pasta with Meatballs
Guest Favorite Creamy Ricotta cheese is blended with Italian seasonings and savory marinara sauce mixed with gluten free pasta and juicy meatballs. Topped with a yummy Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend. Choose your heat: mild to 3 alarm. Kids love it!

Texmex BBQ Turkey Wraps
Guest Favorite We've taken our popular recipe and given it a healthy twist using our delicious pulled turkey flavored with tomatoes, garlic, barbecue sauce and salsa. Curb your appetite with these hearty wraps made with warm tortillas filled with white rice & cheddar cheese.

Meatloaf Milano with Mashed Potatoes
Guest Favorite Our Milano Meatloaf secret is the layer of Gorgonzola cheese that bursts of flavor! It's topped and baked with a rich marinara sauce and served with our fluffy mashed potatoes. So satisfying and bakes in just 70-80 minutes. (Leftovers make great sandwiches.)

Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
Guest Favorite Twenty minute, fancy French inspired dish to die for! You'll make a silky, toasted almond butter sauce and then drizzle it over all natural browned chicken breasts. Elegant and light, it makes your home feel like a chateau straight from your stovetop.

BBQ Chip Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce
Guest Favorite Our tender, juicy white meat chicken tenders are marinated in a special sauce and then coated with crushed BBQ chips. Served with our Ranch dipping sauce makes this an easy, fast, kid favorite! Serve for dinner or any entertaining appetizer.

Coconut Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice
New Enjoy a taste of summer in mid-winter! This complete island treat takes your taste buds on a trip and adds more fish for a healthy diet! Even the kids will gobble this one up. Sweet coconut delightfully paired with our brand new Mahi Mahi filets. It’s ready in 20-25 minutes!

Cranberry Buttermilk Chicken
New We have marinated our all natural chicken breasts in seasoned creamy tangy buttermilk and then topped it off with a sauce that uses sweet and savory flavors simmered with whole dried cranberries.

Yum Thai Turkey Cutlets with Dipping Sauce
New This new recipe brings a Thai influence to our tender and moist all white turkey cutlets. Marinated in a lite soy sauce based Thai style sauce made as spicy or mild as you like! Serve with our Thai dipping sauce for an easy family dinner or party in just 20 minutes.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Guest Favorite Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and herbs encrust all natural chicken breasts. Marinated for flavor, you simply bake for 20 minutes until crisp on the outside and tender & juicy on the inside. Pair with one of our vegetable sides or just slice into appetizers.

Pacific Rim Glazed Steak
Guest Favorite Asian inspired aged sirloin steaks make this a favorite everywhere! These steaks are marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame and green onions, and then topped with a gorgeous salt and pepper wonton. This easy meal takes just 20 minutes.

New Orleans Jambalaya
Guest Favorite You may find this dish becomes your new secret for hearty portions with light calories. Loaded with shrimp, smoked sausage, tomatoes, and a confetti of chopped peppers and rice that will satisfy a crowd! Simple to pop in the oven in one pan for 90 minutes.

Fiesta Fajita Shredded Beef with Tortillas
Fast Lane Crockpot favorite! Slow cook Tex-Mex style with onions, garlic and a little heat from the fiesta seasonings (make it as hot as you like). Then just shred the "oh, so tender" beef and wrap in flour tortillas with our mild sour cream and salsa mixture.

Kung Pao Chicken with Jasmine Rice
Guest Favorite Fresh green onions, red peppers, carrots, baby corn and peanuts, all stir fried with generous pieces of tender chicken breast make this dinner gorgeous! Made with a delicious sauce and served with our Jasmine rice in just 30 minutes!

Steak Salsa Verde
Fast Lane These juicy, tender aged steaks are garnished with a Spanish influenced salsa of green herbs, Dijon mustard and a zesty hint of lemon. It's an easy, yet elegant dinner for family and friends that is quick to grill or broil in under 20 minutes.

Couples Night at Dream Dinners

What are you doing Friday? 

Need a date night?

This Friday, January 4th at 6pm is Couples night at Dream Dinners

As of right now, only 4 spots left!

 

Bonus - Win our trivia question at the session and

get 2 tickets to Cinemark

sign up today