EDIBLES

Simple recipes that make school days a cinch

Published

10 months ago

08/21/2024

(Family Features) Resisting the weeknight urge to call for takeout or order delivery starts with an approachable at-home menu with recipes you can prep in an instant. Especially during back-to-school season when schedules are jam-packed with activities, easy meals and desserts you can rely on allow you and your loved ones to ease tension in the kitchen.

Simplicity is the key to putting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less, and these Taco Salad and Taco Mac and Cheese recipes offer mealtime solutions that make cooking duty a breeze. Make all that classroom effort worth it with a kid-friendly dessert you can prepare over the weekend and keep refrigerated for weeknight treats with these No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars.

Find more recipe ideas to simplify hectic back-to-school schedules at Culinary.net.

Make Dinner Happen in 30 Minutes

If you’re looking for a go-to meal for your hungry family, search no more. This Taco Salad calls only for pantry staples so you can spice up busy evenings in just half an hour.

Visit Culinary.net for more quick dinner solutions.

Taco Salad

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) black beans
1 can (15 ounces) corn
2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies
1/2 cup half-and-half or milk
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning
1 tablespoon black pepper
salt, to taste
1 lime, juice only
1 cup chopped cilantro
romaine lettuce
2-3 cups shredded cheese
1 tub (16 ounces) sour cream
crushed tortilla chips

In pan over medium heat, brown beef until cooked through; drain. Add black beans and corn. Stir in tomatoes with juices and half-and-half. Add onion powder, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning and pepper. Season with salt, to taste. Bring to simmer.
Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls for toppings.
On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.

A Sweet Treat to Make School Days Special

Sometimes a long day in the classroom and tough homework assignments call for a cool treat. Rewarding all that studying can be a cinch with a no bake cheesecake bar that lasts throughout the week.

These No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars allow you to keep things cool in the kitchen without cranking up the oven. Plus, they’re made with C&H Sugars that are perfect for adding a little something special to school days.

Find more back-to-school desserts at chsugar.com.

No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars

Prep time: 35 minutes
Rest time: 6 hours
Yield: 16 bars

Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons C&H Light Brown Sugar
1 pinch salt

Bars:

1 small fresh dragon fruit, peeled and cubed small
1/4 cup C&H Granulated Sugar
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups C&H Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full fat, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, cold

To make crust: Line 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave 2-inch overhang of paper on both sides. In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press into even layer. Place in freezer.
To make bars: In small saucepan over medium heat, cook dragon fruit and granulated sugar until sugar is completely dissolved, dragon fruit is soft and mixture reduces in size, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla and yogurt. Beat until combined.
In separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into cream cheese mixture. Pour half of mixture into prepared crust. Add 5 tablespoons dragon fruit mixture to remaining cream cheese batter. Mix until well combined. Pour over plain cream cheese mixture. Place in refrigerator to set at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Cut into 16 bars.

Spice Up Weeknights

Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food that’s easy to make on busy weeknights. With just a few extra ingredients and steps, you can turn boxed mac and cheese into a filling dinner.

To make this Taco Mac and Cheese, simply prepare your favorite boxed mac and cheese according to the package instructions and stir fry the meat and vegetables together. (Hint: You can even chop vegetables the night before to make cooking the next day even easier.) Then add taco seasoning and combine for a new take on a classic dish.

Visit Culinary.net to find more quick and simple recipes.

Taco Mac and Cheese

1 box macaroni and cheese
1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground turkey
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
2 teaspoons taco seasoning

Prepare boxed mac and cheese with milk and butter according to package instructions.
In skillet, brown ground turkey over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Add taco seasoning.
Stir turkey mixture with mac and cheese to combine.

SOURCE:
C&H Sugar

EDIBLES

Enjoy a light summer lunch

Published

13 hours ago

06/05/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Watermelon, strawberries, corn and green beans get all the fresh produce love in the summer, but don’t forget broccoli as a warm-weather staple. Instead of dunking in dressing or smothering with melted cheese, go for a lighter dish with this Broccoli Salad – an ideal light lunch or simple summer side. Visit Culinary.net to find more veggie-inspired salad ideas.

Broccoli Salad

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

2 medium heads broccoli
2 apples
lemon juice
1 carrot
1 cup blueberries
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pecans
1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Coarsely chop broccoli and place in large bowl. Coarsely chop apples and brush with lemon juice to prevent browning; add to bowl. Shred carrot and add to bowl with blueberries, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pecans and bacon.
To make dressing: Mix mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar and poppy seeds. Pour over broccoli salad and mix well.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Elevate your menu for a legendary backyard barbecue

Published

1 week ago

05/29/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Summer is here and it’s time to hit the grill. Take at-home entertaining to the next level by upgrading everyone’s favorite cheeseburger with ground pork.

Family and friends will love this elevated twist on a summer favorite that is oh-so-deliciously different than the traditional beef patty. These Pork and Bacon Burgers are made with Heritage Duroc pork, known for its rich flavor and juiciness, and will be a hit at your next barbecue. The crispy bacon adds another level of texture and flavor, making these juicy burgers a gourmet treat that rivals any takeout burger. Celebrating 150 years as the premium all-natural meat choice for families, Coleman All Natural Meats offers a variety of products that are sourced from American family farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones.

Find more recipes to elevate your grilling experience at ColemanNatural.com.

Pork and Bacon Burgers

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

2 pounds Coleman Ground Pork
1/4 pound ground pork chorizo
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
6 cheese slices (optional)
6 hamburger buns
6-8 strips Coleman Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon, cooked
tomato slices (optional)
red onion slices (optional)
lettuce (optional)
ketchup (optional)
mayonnaise (optional)

Preheat grill to medium heat.
In large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, chorizo, onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
Gently mix ingredients, being careful not to overwork meat.
Divide meat into six burger patties.
Cook burgers 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145 F or desired doneness.
During last 2-3 minutes of cooking, place cheese slices on top of burgers to melt, if desired.
Transfer burgers to platter. Assemble burgers with buns, bacon, tomato slices, red onion slices, lettuce, ketchup and mayonnaise, as desired.

Tip: Burger patties may be frozen up to 1 month. Fully defrost before cooking.

SOURCE:

Coleman Natural Foods

EDIBLES

Tackle your family’s hunger with a touch of heat

Published

2 weeks ago

05/22/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) It’s easy to get into a recipe rut when every day feels the same – work, kids’ activities, social events and bedtime routines make it tough to experiment in the kitchen. If your family’s meals are growing boring, all you need is a touch of heat to bring new life to the menu.

Add a delicious blend of savory, sweet and a hint of spice to mealtime with Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, which are ready to serve fast for busy families. Packed with flavor, they complement main courses, snacks and sides without the hassle.

With just the right balance of heat and honey, they add delicious sizzle and mouthwatering flavor to recipes like Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs. Perfectly toasted hoagie rolls are packed with spicy, sweet chicken meatballs and smothered in melted provolone for a tough-to-top taste. Ready in 35 minutes, the subs offer a blend of convenience and gourmet flavor, making this meal an unbeatable choice at dinner time.

Sandwiches deliver an easy way to make mealtime customizable so all your loved ones are satisfied. Try topping your subs with coleslaw for a crunchy, creamy texture or pickled vegetables for an added touch of tanginess to complement the sweet, rich meatballs. For fans of spice, turn up the heat with extra hot sauce.

Solve afternoon hunger pangs with these Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers and Ranch Dip, loaded with the sweet heat of hot honey chicken and baked to crispy perfection. This inventive snack is uniquely crunchy and flavorful, blending fiery sweetness with savory chicken flavor as a convenient way to shake up snack time.

For the adventurous types, these homemade crackers pair with more than just ranch. Engage your taste buds further with these suggestions:

Spicy cheese dip: Add a little extra kick with cheese dip that’s spiced up with jalapenos or chili flakes.
Cucumber dill yogurt: A perfect match for the sweet heat of hot honey chicken with its refreshing, cooling effect.
Barbecue sauce: Smoky and slightly sweet, it pairs well with the honey in the crackers.
Garlic aioli: Rich and garlicky, this dip brings a robust flavor contrast to the table.

Discover more ways to shake up mealtimes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
1 pound ground chicken
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
4 hoagie rolls
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices provolone cheese
garlic sauce, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
In large bowl, mix rice; chicken; salt; cayenne, if desired; and breadcrumbs.
Use cookie scoop or hand roll chicken mixture into balls. Place on aluminum foil-lined sheet tray, leaving small space between each ball. Bake 25 minutes, flipping meatballs halfway through.
Slice hoagies in half, lengthwise. Remove some bread from middle to make room for meatballs. Butter inside of each hoagie and place on sheet tray.
Once meatballs are cooked through, turn broiler on high and place buttered hoagies in oven. Cook 1 minute, or until butter is melted and hoagie has browned.
Remove hoagies from oven, place 3-4 meatballs inside (depending on size) and cover with slice of cheese. Broil on high 30 seconds to melt cheese.
Drizzle garlic sauce on top.

Tip: Garlic sauce can be substituted with topping of choice.

Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers andRanch Dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 packet ranch dip seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
Lay rice on parchment paper. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Use rolling pin to roll out rice into thin layer.
Bake 20 minutes.
In medium bowl, mix sour cream and ranch seasoning.
Once crackers are cooked, cut into squares while still hot. Allow to cool.
Serve crackers with ranch dip.

Tip: Ranch dip can be substituted with hummus or any flavored dip.

SOURCE:
Minute Rice