EDIBLES

Quick, easy recipes to add to your dinner rotation

Published

1 year ago

12/13/2023

(Family Features) Making time for meals together can have a positive impact on the well-being of families, including children and adolescents. In fact, regular meals at home can help reduce stress and boost self-esteem, according to research published in “Canadian Family Physician.”

Mealtime conversations are also a perfect opportunity to connect with your loved ones. A study published in “New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development” showed these conversations help improve children’s vocabularies more than being read aloud to.

Making time for meals together shouldn’t require spending all night in the kitchen, however. A simple-to-prepare ingredient like eggs can help you spend less time cooking and more time with family.

For example, these heart-healthy recipes for Poached Egg Tostadas with Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa, Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs and Poblano Frittata from the Healthy for Good Eat Smart initiative, nationally supported by Eggland’s Best, are ready in 15 minutes or less. They include a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and healthy protein sources, which are recommended by the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

To find more tips for family mealtimes and recipe inspiration, visit heart.org/eatsmart.

Poached Egg Tostadas with Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa

Servings: 4 (1 egg and 1/2 cup salsa per serving)

Nonstick cooking spray
4 corn tortillas (6 inches each)
4 cups water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
4 large eggs

Salsa:

1 medium avocado, diced
1 medium Anaheim or poblano pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, diced
1 medium tomatillo, papery husk discarded, washed and diced
1/2 medium tomato, diced
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.
Arrange tortillas in single layer on foil. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Using fork, pierce tortillas to prevent from filling with air. Bake 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer to serving plates.
In large skillet over high heat, bring water and vinegar to boil.
Once water is boiling, reduce heat and simmer. Break egg into cup then carefully slip egg into simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs, avoiding eggs touching in water. Simmer 3-5 minutes, or until egg whites are completely set and yolks are beginning to set but aren’t hard. Using slotted spoon, drain eggs. Place each egg on tostada.
To make salsa: In medium bowl, gently stir together avocado, pepper, tomatillo, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic and salt. Serve with tostadas.

Nutritional information per serving: 185 calories; 11 g total fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 3 g polyunsaturated fat; 5 g monounsaturated fat; 186 mg cholesterol; 169 mg sodium; 15 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 2 g total sugars; 9 g protein.

Poblano Frittata

Servings: 4 (2 wedges per serving)

4 large eggs
1/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium poblano peppers, seeds and ribs discarded, chopped
2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
2 medium green onions, chopped
1/4 cup finely shredded Cotija cheese or crumbled queso fresco
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk and cilantro.
In medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom of skillet. Cook poblano peppers 3 minutes, or until browning on edges, stirring frequently.
Stir in corn and green onion. Reduce heat to medium-low and carefully pour in egg mixture. Cook, covered, 10 minutes, or until mixture is just set on edges and still soft in center. Avoid overcooking. Remove from heat.
Sprinkle with cheese. Cut into eight wedges. Place two wedges on each plate. Top with tomatoes and sour cream.

Nutritional information per serving: 244 calories; 8.5 g total fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 1.5 g polyunsaturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat; 192 mg cholesterol; 177 mg sodium; 27 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber; 8 g total sugars; 13 g protein.

Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs

Servings: 4 (1 cup per serving)

2 teaspoons canola or corn oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, chopped
2/3 cup fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
hot pepper sauce (optional)

In pressure cooker set on saute, heat oil. Cook onion 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently. Turn off pressure cooker.
Stir in potatoes, bell pepper, broth, garlic, paprika, cumin, thyme, pepper and salt. Secure lid. Cook on high pressure 3 minutes. Quickly release pressure. Turn off pressure cooker.
Remove pressure cooker lid. Crack one egg into small bowl. Using back of spoon, make small well in potatoes. Slip egg into well. Repeat with remaining eggs, making separate well for each egg. Secure lid with pressure vent open. Saute 2 minutes. Let stand on “keep warm” setting 2 minutes, or until eggs are cooked to desired consistency.
Serve hash sprinkled with dash of hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 258 calories; 7.5 g total fat; 2 g saturated fat; 1.5 g polyunsaturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat; 186 mg cholesterol; 244 mg sodium; 39 g carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 9 g total sugars; 10 g protein.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

EDIBLES

Celebrate Easter with creative cakes

Published

2 days ago

04/17/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Sweet, delicious treats make Easter celebrations magical, putting the final touch on brunch, lunch or dinner gatherings. Whether your crowd enjoys the sweet-tart combination of fruit-infused cakes, mini bundts with personalized decorations or rich, creamy cheesecake, the dessert table is sure to be popular.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake and Carrot Cheesecake from “Cookin’ Savvy” are perfect desserts for sharing with loved ones, made with little effort and a lot of love. You can even let little ones help in the kitchen with Fun Mini Easter Bundts by allowing their creativity to run wild – just hand over the icing and chocolate toppers then watch the artistry unfold.

To ensure your feast goes off without a hitch, create these tempting cakes the day before for a no-hassle Easter.

Find more ways to elevate Easter celebrations with food by visiting Culinary.net.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake

1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 box lemon cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk

Glaze:

3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease bundt pan and place rinsed blueberries in bottom. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk; pour on top of blueberries. Bake 35 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make glaze: Mix butter, sugar and milk then pour over cake.

Fun Mini Easter Bundts

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 24 mini bundts

1 box confetti cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk

Chocolate Toppers:

1 cup each color melting chips of desired colors
silicone Easter candy molds of desired shapes
1 pouch ready-made green icing

Heat oven to 350 F.
Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Pour into greased mini bundt pan and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make chocolate toppers: In bowl for each color, melt melting chips in 1-minute intervals in microwave until thoroughly melted. Pour into baggies and snip corner. Pipe melted chips into molds and freeze 15-20 minutes. Pipe green icing onto mini bundt cakes for “grass” then place chocolate mold pieces on top.

Substitution: Save time on toppers by replacing with store-bought chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses or marshmallow bunnies.

Carrot Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake

Cake:

1 box spice cake mix
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup coconut
4 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt

Cheesecake:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Topping:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 F.
To make cake: Mix cake mix with carrot and coconut. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs, butter and yogurt. Pour mixture into greased springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Let completely cool in pan.
To make cheesecake: Using hand mixer, whip whipping cream and sugar to form whipped cream and set aside.
Using hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add in whipped cream and mix. Pour onto completely cooled carrot cake in springform pan. Let set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before unspringing pan.
For topping: Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on cake before serving.

Tip: For extra festive appearance, add desired Easter candy on top.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Street tacos from the slow cooker

Published

1 week ago

04/10/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) If your idea of street tacos includes standing over a hot skillet, wipe that sweat off your brow and give these Savory Street Tacos a try. They put the slow cooker and oven to work for you, providing that delicious street taco taste without the hassle. For more ways to simplify cooking at home, visit Culinary.net.

Savory Street Tacos

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

1 chuck roast (2-3 pounds)
1 package taco seasoning
1 can (10 ounces) beef consommé
16-20 street taco tortillas
1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheese
1/4 cup avocado oil
salsa, for serving
guacamole, for serving
queso, for serving

Cover chuck roast with taco seasoning then place in slow cooker. Pour beef consommé over roast and cook on low 6 hours to braise.
Heat oven to 425 F.
Use fork to shred roast.
Brush outside of tortillas with avocado oil and fill with meat and shredded cheese. Place in casserole dish and bake 10-15 minutes until tacos reach desired crispiness.
Place on tray and serve with salsa, guacamole and queso.

Tip: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Add this superfruit to your menu for heart-healthy meals

Published

2 weeks ago

04/03/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) It’s no secret that adding greens to your menu – morning, noon and night – can go a long way toward healthier eating habits. While most people think of lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumbers and Brussels sprouts, don’t forget avocados are a superfruit you can use to add good fats and great taste to recipes throughout the day.

As a versatile fruit with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, avocados have become a household staple. Avocados From Mexico is a national supporter of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Initiative – Eat Smart Program, encouraging people to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables and other heart-healthy foods into their meals.

By supporting this initiative, Avocados From Mexico is helping to raise awareness about the importance of making smart nutrition choices. The brand’s “Good Fats Meet Great Taste” campaign, featured at select Kroger locations, highlights the importance of balanced nutrition and fresh food choices as part of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.

Avocados provide a good source of naturally unsaturated fats, which can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern when consumed in place of saturated fats. A well-balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods like avocados, whole grains, lean proteins and fiber-rich vegetables can support overall heart health. In addition to good fats, avocados are also a good source of fiber, with 3 grams per one-third of a medium avocado.

If you’re looking for an easy yet tasty way to add more avocados to your family’s menu, this Avocado, Brussels Sprout, Kale and Date Salad provides a delicious introduction to the superfruit. Loaded with greens and fit for sharing with a crowd, you can do your part to bring avocados to your nearest and dearest, neighbors or anyone you’re hosting for a fresh, better-for-you meal.

The best part: This heart-healthy dish comes together in a snap. Just process the homemade dressing featuring dates, Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Then toss Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion, pistachios and, of course, avocados before combining with the dressing.

Finally, serve with shaved Parmesan cheese on the side (so guests who prefer to avoid dairy can do so) and enjoy for a fresh meal that’s equal parts delicious and nutritious. Sliced avocados are the star of the dish, with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making this an always good, super fun recipe and a way to begin making smarter food choices.

Discover more ways to add heart-healthy meals to your menu by visiting AvocadosFromMexico.com/avocado-nutrition.

Avocado, Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Date Salad

Servings: 8

Dressing:

1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 dates, pitted, softened
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil

2 Avocados From Mexico, sliced
6 cups Brussels sprouts, shaved or shredded
3 cups lacinto (dinosaur) kale, shredded
1 cup red onion, sliced
1/2 cup pistachios (or pumpkin seeds), shelled
reduced-fat (sharp) Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated, for topping (optional)

To make dressing: In food processor, process lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pitted dates and mustard. Slowly add olive oil to combine.
To make salad: In large salad bowl, combine avocados, shaved Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion and pistachios. Drizzle salad dressing evenly over greens and toss until well-coated.
Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

SOURCE:
Avocados From Mexico