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