EDIBLES
5 tips to be an after-school mealtime hero
(Family Features) It’s one of the busiest times of the year, meaning managing mealtimes can be tough as families navigate the school year hustle. Between school, work, extracurriculars and social activities, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to eat and when.
Put your worries aside and become a true after-school hero with these timesaving, delicious meal planning strategies while giving back to communities in need.
Conquer Your Next Grocery Trip
When it’s time for a grocery run, write down everything you need, perhaps on your phone’s notetaking app, being sure to take inventory of ingredients you already have on hand. Keeping the list handy can make your trip to the store efficient while helping you stay on track, avoid multiple trips and prevent buying excess or unnecessary items.
Champion Your Inner Meal Planning
One of the first steps in meal planning should be making a list of all the meals you and your family enjoy on a regular basis. Compiling this list can help simplify weekly dinner plans and reduce stress at the grocery store. Include simple recipes like sandwiches, tacos or chili. If you want to make an easy, tasty dinner to save the day, consider something simple like chicken fried rice. All you need is 15 minutes and Ben’s Original Ready Rice, chicken breast meat, peas, carrots, reduced sodium soy sauce, garlic powder and eggs. As you try new recipes, add any family favorites to the list and consider reinventing classics by bringing in a different side dish like rice and grains to give them a whole new spin.
Come To the Rescue with Simple Prep Hacks
Before you plan your meals for the week, take a look at your calendar. On days that include evening activities, opt for easy-to-prepare meals or slow cooker- or air fryer-friendly recipes to save time. Leave more complex meals for less busy days or weekends, and don’t be afraid to schedule a weekly leftover night to empty out the fridge before your next trip to the grocery store.
Take Advantage of Pantry Staples
Turning to your pantry for after-school snacks and quick meals can help keep busy nights from getting even more hectic. For example, the entire portfolio of Ben’s Original Ready Rice – Whole Grain Brown Rice, Jasmine, Spanish Style and more – can help provide tasty, convenient meal options that are ready in just 90 seconds. Plus, until Nov. 12, for every $1 spent on participating products, $1 will be donated to No Kid Hungry through the “Be an After-School Hero” program, which can help provide 2.5 million meals to those who need them most.
Be a Prep Day Warrior
Setting aside some time – maybe a couple of hours on the weekend – to prep food for the week’s meals can help stretch your time and allow more moments to enjoy meals around the table as a family. This time can be used to cut, brown and divide proteins into portions; chop or slice fruits and vegetables; prepare one-pan dishes; make sauces; and more.
Fight mealtime fatigue and make school night meals a cinch with more ideas and recipes at BensOriginal.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Ben’s Original
EDIBLES
Smoke your Thanksgiving turkey for tasty twist on tradition
(Culinary.net) Make room in the oven this Thanksgiving with a Spatchcock Smoked Turkey recipe that stays moist and tender. By relying on the smoker rather than a traditional baked bird, you can keep the oven freed up for savory sides and delectable desserts.
Visit Culinary.net to find more Thanksgiving recipes.
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-10
- 1 stick melted butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons lemon powder
- 1 turkey (10 pounds)
- Heat smoker to 225 F.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and lemon powder. Rub entire turkey front and back with butter mixture.
- Smoke turkey until it reaches internal temperature of 150 F. While turkey finishes smoking, heat grill to at least 450 F.
- Sear turkey on grill until internal temperature reaches 165 F, about 10-15 minutes. Flip turkey breast side down 30 seconds to crisp skin. Use pizza peel to remove from grill.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Find Comfort in a One-Pot Pie
(Family Features) That first day of chilly weather always feels the coldest before you’re accustomed to it, and an easy, warm, filling meal can help hit the spot. Better yet, this rendition of Shepherd’s Pie is made with just one pot so cleanup can be a snap.
Visit Culinary.net for more one-dish meal ideas that bring comfort to cool days.
Shepherd’s Pie
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled
- 2 teaspoons thyme, divided
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen mixed veggies
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In Dutch oven, brown ground beef and drain fat.
- Boil potatoes until fork tender and mash them. Add 1 teaspoon thyme, salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
- Place ground beef back in Dutch oven and mix in onion powder, tomato paste, beef broth, garlic powder, cream and remaining thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in frozen veggies.
- Cover meat mixture with potatoes and bake 25-30 minutes.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Homemade meals to tackle takeout cravings
(Family Features) Many busy weeknights come down to one decision for frazzled families: cook at home or give in to takeout cravings. Instead of stressing over a decision, enjoy the best of both worlds and make Asian-inspired dishes from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Featuring a blend of chilled, freshly chopped vegetables; ready-to-eat, pre-cooked noodles; gourmet dressing sauce; and crispy toppings, Fresh Express Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kits offer two meal options in every bag – hot or cold – so you can make your salad, your way. Available in Teriyaki, Asian Sweet Ginger and Korean Sesame flavors, they’re the perfect inspiration for making takeout-style dishes at home.
Consider this Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad recipe, which combines juicy steak with crisp vegetables and pre-cooked Udon noodles for the ultimate at-home comfort food in an effortless meal. For a quick and delicious solution that may just become a family go-to, these Teriyaki Tofu Bowls are jam-packed with flavor, noodles and fresh veggies.
These homemade favorites feature a delicious blend of broccoli, red and green cabbage, kale, shredded carrots, radish and green onions in Fresh Express’s Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit. The vegetable blend is tossed with pre-cooked Udon noodles, white sesame seeds and crunchy wontons then finished with a gourmet teriyaki dressing sauce for familiar Asian flavor.
Visit freshexpress.com/hot-or-cold to discover more than 300 fresh recipes and find a store near you.
Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/2 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1 pound flank steak
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
- In saucepan, add soy sauce, brown sugar, Sriracha sauce and chicken stock; bring to simmer while whisking. Simmer 4 minutes.
- Cool mixture down until cool to touch, about 20 minutes.
- Slice steak into thin strips and place in bowl. Pour marinade over steak and marinate for 1 hour.
- In large pan over medium-high heat, stir-fry steak 2 minutes.
- Remove steak from pan and allow to rest.
- In same pan used for steak, add oil and cook hot or cold kit according to instructions on bag.
- Add steak back to pan and stir to incorporate.
- Garnish with toppings from hot or cold kit and serve.
Teriyaki Tofu Bowls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1 package (16 ounces) extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Teriyaki Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
- In bowl, whisk vinegar, dark soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, white pepper and Chinese five-spice until combined.
- Slowly pour oil into mixture while whisking vigorously. Place cut tofu in mixture and allow to sit 15 minutes.
- Bring large saute pan to medium-high heat and place tofu in, turning when crust forms.
- When tofu is finished, set aside and prepare hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.
- Serve with tofu on top of hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.
SOURCE:
Fresh Express
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