HOUSTON – Tanji Patton of Goodtaste TV stops by Houston Life with quick solutions for dinnertime.
Starting with some family packs from local restaurants.
Barbecue is always a great option when you need to feed a hungry family.
Tanji recommends Pappas Bar-B-Q with 13 locations across Houston.
The Family Meal from Pappas includes 3/4lbs of both pulled pork and sausage, a half chicken, and 2 family sides.
This meal serves three to four people, and can be enjoyed inside the restaurant or at home for only $29.95.
Family meals are available Monday through Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can also order online and pick up your order curbside.
Pappas Bar-B-Q will start accepting preorders for Thanksgiving starting October 22. Enjoy all of the holiday staples from slow-smoked turkeys, hams, homemade sides, ready-to-serve packs for large groups, to delicious desserts. All of your usual BBQ favorites will still be available as well.
If your family is craving some Tex-Mex, Tanji recommends Lopez Mexican Restaurant.
They have two locations - Houston and Richmond.
Lopez offers Triumph Trays complete with cheese and beef enchiladas, rice, beans, chips and salsa.
They also serve a family pack featuring a jumbo quesadilla or fajita tacos.
These trays cost between $30 to $35 and feeds four to five people. This option was created during the pandemic, and the prices have never changed.
For the adults, they also serve margaritas to-go.
Last on Tanji’s menu is the “bella Bundles” from Bellagreen.
Each bundle feeds four to five people and range in price from $65 to $75 each depending on the protein.
The featured proteins are Whole Chicken, Grilled or Blackened Chicken or Salmon Filets.
Each pack comes with a choice of two vegetables and a house salad.
Many dishes from Bellagreen cater to dietary preferences or restrictions; such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or anti-inflammatory.
Bellagreen has six Houston locations.
If you want to tackle the cooking at home, Tanji has some “one-pan wonders” on her dinner rotation.
These recipes are also known as sheet-pan dinners and she says they are easy to whip up after a busy day on-the-go.
The Dijon‑Crusted Sheet‑Pan Chicken from Goodtaste TV features chicken coated in a tangy Dijon mustard mix - piled high with crunchy, herby breadcrumbs and served alongside a rainbow of roasted vegetables.
CLICK HERE for the full recipe.
Another recipe Tanji shared with the Sheet‑Pan Chicken Sausage & Garlic Veggies from the Hungry Girl.
This recipe features sausage with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, red onion and seasonings.
CLICK HERE for the full recipe.
For wines, Tanji recommends the Non-Alcoholic Sparkling from Josh Cellars and the Cabernet Sauvignon from Lovewell Wine Company.
As always, you can find Tanji’s Fall tablescape at Kuhl-Linscomb.
Watch “Goodtaste with Tanji” weekend mornings on KPRC 2. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 5:30 a.m.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Tanji’s podcast, “Goodtaste for the Soul.”