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Break free from cooking ruts with easy inspiration for fresh, lively dishes

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(BPT) – Are you in a cooking rut? If you find yourself making the same things over and over again, it’s time for some fresh inspiration. As seasons turn, you might crave different types of food. This is the perfect reason to think beyond the ordinary and experiment with new flavors.

We asked registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner for her favorite tips to help breathe new life into your weekly meal lineup without compromising taste and nutrition.

Eat fresh: Farm-to-table is big at restaurants, and your local farmers market offers a bounty of fresh fare that’s likely plucked within miles of your home. Visit and enjoy exploring the colorful fare for sale while gaining inspiration for your next dish. The sweet peas and strawberries you buy may have just come off the plant that very morning. Stock up on fresh, nutritious foods for snacking and cooking. You may even discover new produce you’ve never had before!

Get crackin’: Let’s face it; we’re all strapped for time these days, which is why it’s important to keep your kitchen stocked with food items that are versatile and quick cooking. Look no further than eggs! Whether they’re the center of your meal, or used in a recipe to thicken, glaze or garnish, this modest kitchen staple is a high-quality protein source that will brighten up any dish. But, not all eggs are created equal. For delicious dishes packed with extra nutrients, I always recommend Eggland’s Best eggs since they are the only eggs with 25 percent less saturated fat, more than double the omega-3s, 10 times more vitamin E, and more than double the amount of vitamin B12 of ordinary eggs. Eggland’s Best even has hard-cooked peeled eggs with all the same nutrition plus the convenience of not having to hard boil the eggs yourself if you’re really in a hurry!

Meal mix-ups: Chicken and waffles might be the classic example of blending two meal-specific foods into one super delightful dish, but meal mix-ups don’t stop there. Have fun experimenting to find combos that tantalize the taste buds. Steak and Egg Hash for dinner? Yum. Whole wheat pancakes instead of tortillas when making wraps? Sure! The sky is the limit.

Grill or steam: When the weather warms up, you probably want to turn the oven off and skip the stovetop frying. To lighten food and maintain freshness, try grilling or steaming. For example, when you grill meat, it allows the fat to drip off while touches of char bring out earthy notes. Steaming is a simple approach that is ideal for produce because it cooks while allowing your foods to maintain their distinct flavor profiles.

Local inspiration: Iconic local ingredients can be the perfect way to add pizzazz to your meals. From Swedish meatballs in Minnesota and Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia, to Jersey tomatoes and Michigan blueberries, there’s endless inspiration for redefining dishes. While experimenting, consider submitting your recipe for Eggland’s Best 2018 ‘America’s Best Recipe’ Contest. You could win $10,000!

From now until April 30, Eggland’s Best is searching for the most passionate egg fan with the best and most creative original egg recipe. Think your hometown recipe has what it takes to be America’s Best Recipe? Submit a recipe inspired by your favorite local/state ingredient or dish for the chance to win great prizes, including the grand prize of $10,000! Enter now at www.americasbestrecipe.com.

For inspiration, check out a 2016 America’s Best Recipe Contest winning recipe for Watercress Confetti Quinoa at www.egglandsbest.com.

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EDIBLES

A comforting crumble for the final month of summer

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(Family Features) August brings the beginning of a new school year and the approaching end of summer in the sun. Don’t let hectic schedules and summer’s fade get you down; this warm Apple Crumble is perfect to put a smile back on your loved ones’ faces. Visit Culinary.net for more comforting treats all year long.

Apple Crumble

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

  • 1 can (20 ounces) apple pie filling
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1 1/2 butter sticks, melted
  • vanilla ice cream or whipped cream topping (optional)
  1. Heat oven to 375 F.
  2. In baking dish, spread apple pie filling across bottom. Mix cake mix with pecans, if desired, then evenly cover apple pie filling.
  3. Cover cake mix with melted butter. Do not mix. If butter pools in one spot, pick dish up and move from side to side until covered evenly.
  4. Bake 30 minutes until crust is brown.
  5. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream topping, if desired.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

A grownup twist on a childhood favorite

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(Family Features) When you’re looking for recipe inspiration, don’t be afraid to take things back to your childhood with a little home cooking. Even better, now you can enjoy those kid favorites as the main course (with an adult touch, to boot) in this Baked Broccoli Mac.

It’s a warm, cozy solution that pairs with bread and a salad for dinner or can be halved and served as a side.

Visit Culinary.net for more ways to turn childhood classics into family dinners.

Baked Broccoli Mac

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

  • 1 box (1 pound) pasta noodles, such as cellentani, elbow or penne
  • 2 cups chopped broccoli
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups mozzarella
  • 1/2 block pasteurized cheese product, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Topping:

  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  1. In large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain well then add broccoli, chicken broth, cream, mozzarella, pasteurized cheese product, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.
  2. To make topping: In bowl, mix breadcrumbs, butter and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Pour macaroni mixture into large baking dish then sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 30 minutes.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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Manage hectic mornings with quick, healthy breakfasts

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(Family Features) Getting kids up and out the door is a challenge all on its own, and on those busy school mornings when nothing seems to run smoothly, healthy breakfasts can go by the wayside. While it’s widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t always mean you have time to sit down and enjoy it.

Solving your morning rush with grab-and-go breakfasts you can make ahead of time accomplishes both goals at once: staying on schedule and fueling your kiddos (and yourself) for the day ahead. These delicious and nutritious recipes come from Healthy Family Project’s 2024 Back to School Campaign, which is raising $12,000 for the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

These Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins are a perfect solution when you need to hustle out the door. As a healthy, delicious treat kids can take with them to school or eat during the commute, they’re quick and easy to make. Loaded with blueberries – a bona fide superfood that’s high in fiber, low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K – you may even need to make a double batch so you have plenty for breakfasts and after-school snacks.

With a simple graham cracker crust and creamy Greek yogurt filling, Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts offer another refreshing, kid-friendly morning meal. They can help you start your day on the right foot whether you’re short on time or able to eat a quick bite together as a family.

Discover more ways to manage school-day schedules with easy, nutritious recipes at healthyfamilyproject.com.

Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

  • 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan and set aside.
  2. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate large bowl, mix egg, maple syrup, vanilla, yogurt and applesauce.
  3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in strawberries and blueberries.
  4. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about 3/4 full.
  5. Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool in muffin tin 5 minutes before removing.

Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 1 hour

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 4 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
  1. In bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.
  2. Press mixture into bottom of individual mini tart pans or mini muffin tin. Refrigerate crusts to set while preparing filling.
  3. In bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vanilla and honey or maple syrup. Mix well.
  4. Spoon yogurt mixture into chilled crusts.
  5. Freeze tarts at least 1 hour. Top with mandarin segments.


SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project

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