September is National Family Meals Month. According to a recent study, having frequent family meals helps build stronger family relationships. Here at Stater Bros. Markets, we understand the importance of sharing family meals together. We recommend making quick, easy meals to save time and make it easier to share a meal together. Start your families morning with some delicious Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast. Pick up our delicious Cleo and Leo fried chicken or rotisserie chicken for a ready meal option. Have a little more time? Take our already delicious chicken and spin it into your own favorite dish. Try making these fun, Chicken Taco Pinwheel Box and enjoy a meal outside together. For dinner time, try new foods like the following Kung Pao Tempeh recipe down below. All 3 of the following recipes are simple, delicious and will help save you time in the kitchen.

1. Banana-Oat Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Pancakes for breakfast is the perfect way to start your morning. This pancake recipe is sure to bring the entire family together for breakfast. With ingredients like banana, oats and chocolate chips make it easy to start the day off with a smile.

Homemade Oat Flour:

Prep: 10 minutes   Serves: 18

1 container (18 ounces) Full Circle Market™ Organic Quick Oats

1. In food processor, in 2 batches, purée oats on high to flour-like consistency. Makes about 4½ cups (1 pound 2 ounces).
2. Store oat flour in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months or in freezer up to 6 months.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (¼ cup): 106 Calories, 2g Fat (0g Saturated), 0mg Cholesterol, 0mg Sodium, 19g Carbohydrates, 3g Fiber, 1g Sugars, 4g Protein

Banana-Oat Chocolate Chip Pancakes:

Prep: 15 minutes   Cook: 10 minutes   Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups homemade oat flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup oat milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• Nonstick cooking spray
• ½ cup maple syrup
• Fresh blueberries, raspberries and/or strawberries for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar and baking powder. In large bowl, mash bananas; whisk in eggs, milk and vanilla extract; whisk in flour mixture until just combined and fold in chocolate chips.
2. Heat griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat; spray with cooking spray. In 2 batches, drop 4 heaping ⅓ cupfuls batter onto griddle; cook 5 minutes or until golden brown and set, turning once. Makes about 8 pancakes.
3. Serve pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with berries, if desired.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (2 pancakes): 515 Calories, 15g Fat (5g Saturated), 93mg Cholesterol, 313mg Sodium, 92g Carbohydrates, 8g Fiber, 49g Sugars, 11g Protein

Chef Tip:

If using packaged oat flour instead of homemade oat flour, use an additional ¼ cup or 1¾ cups total.

2. Chicken Taco Pinwheel Box

Make lunch time easy by picking up some Cleo and Leo chicken and make these taco pinwheels. They are the perfect bit size meal for kids and grownups. You can pair these pinwheels with everyone’s favorite snacks, fruits, or vegetables to enjoy together. This is a great recipe option for a family picnic.

Prep: 15 minutes plus chilling   Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded Cleo & Leo® Rotisserie Chicken Breast Meat
• ¼ cup Stater Bros.® Cream Cheese, softened
• ¼ cup refrigerated prepared guacamole
• ¼ cup Stater Bros.® Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
• 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 1 cup thinly sliced romaine lettuce
• 4 (3-compartment) food storage containers
• 1 large Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup sunflower seed butter

Directions:

1. In large bowl, stir onions, chicken, cream cheese, guacamole, Mexican cheese, pepper and seasoning. Top tortillas with onion mixture; top with lettuce and roll up tightly to enclose filling. Tightly wrap tortilla rolls with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Remove plastic wrap from tortilla rolls; cut each roll crosswise into 1¼-inch-thick slices. Makes about 24 pinwheels.
3. Fill containers by dividing pinwheels into 1 compartment, apple slices into 1 compartment and sunflower seed butter into remaining compartment; cover with lids and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (1 container): 430 Calories, 22g Fat (7g Saturated), 50mg Cholesterol, 738mg Sodium, 40g Carbohydrates, 5g Fiber, 10g Sugars, 20g Protein

3. Kung Pao Tempeh

Trying new foods together as a family is a great way to learn about different cultures. This tempeh recipes is plant-based protein that is rich in nutrients and flavor. This recipe is just under 30minutes and is delicious.

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 14 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) tempeh, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup sugar snap peas, halved crosswise
• 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces plus additional thinly sliced for garnish (optional)
• 1/3 cup Culinary Tours™ Kung Pao Sauce plus additional for serving (optional)
• 2 packages (8.8 ounces each) microwaveable whole-grain brown rice
• 1 teaspoon Full Circle Market™ Organic Sesame Seed

Directions:

1. In large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add tempeh; cook 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. With slotted spoon, transfer tempeh to plate.

2. In same skillet, cook bell peppers, peas and remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring frequently. Add onions; cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in sauce and tempeh; cook 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes about 4 cups.

3. Prepare rice as label directs. Makes about 4 cups.

4. Serve tempeh mixture over rice, drizzled with sauce, if desired, sprinkled with sesame seeds and garnished with green onions, if desired.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (about 1 cup tempeh mixture, 1 cup rice): 507 Calories, 20g Fat, 3g Saturated Fat, 0mg Cholesterol, 384mg Sodium, 60g Carbohydrates, 14g Fiber, 8g Sugars, 6g Added Sugars, 27g Protein

To learn more about National Family Meals Month click here.