Food and Beverage
How to Make Higher-Quality Choices at the Grocery Store
(Family Features) Grocery shopping can be stressful when there are so many options, especially if you’re making a conscious effort to make high-quality food choices while you shop. Arming yourself with a plan and plenty of information can help you make smarter choices and feel good about the meals you prepare for your family.
According to the Food Marketing Institute’s Power of Meat Report, 62% of consumers are looking for better-for-you meat and poultry options. Consider these ways you can pick up higher-quality products on your next trip to the grocery store.
Make a list and stick to it. Going shopping without a plan is a surefire way to make the trip to the grocery store less productive. Creating a list and identifying high-quality products that fit your needs can help you avoid impulse purchases. Plus, list-making can also help save money if you plan meals that let you use ingredients across multiple recipes for minimal waste.
Pay attention to labels. Food labels contain insightful details that can help you make well-informed decisions about the foods you buy. Especially when it comes to fresh products, like protein, you can learn a lot about how the food was raised, simply from its label. For example, Perdue’s “No Antibiotics Ever” label is the gold standard when it comes to reducing antibiotic use in chicken farming, compared to the “no hormones or steroids” label, which shows adherence solely to federal regulations.
“You can feel good about purchasing our products labeled No Antibiotics Ever knowing they were raised and fed in such a way that no antibiotics were ever needed,” said Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, senior vice president of technical services and innovation at Perdue Farms. “In order to achieve No Antibiotics Ever raised chickens, we worked hard to change our feed and care approach over the last 20 years.”
Know how to select fresh foods. If you find yourself overwhelmed when it comes to selecting produce and fresh meat, you’re not alone. When choosing fruits and vegetables, you generally want produce with a consistent color that is firm but not hard to the touch. Many fresh fruits and veggies emit an appealing fragrance at their peak ripeness.
When it comes to meat and poultry products, you can use a similar approach. For example, if you’re shopping for chicken, press down on the chicken in the package. If it’s plump and somewhat resilient, reverting to its shape, it’s a fresher pack. Also be wary of excess liquid in the pack, which can dilute the flavor or contribute to a soggy texture. You may also wonder which cuts are best. For a formal family meal, consider cooking a whole bird, which offers white and dark meat to please all appetites and can serve as a beautiful mealtime centerpiece.
Take some shortcuts. Even if you aim to prepare fresh, home-cooked meals most nights, there are sure to be some evenings when you need to squeeze in a quick meal around work, school and extracurriculars. Having a few simple go-to recipes can help. For example, an easy stir-fry with fresh chicken and frozen veggies can shave off prep time while still providing a hot, well-balanced meal. If you’re meal prepping for the week, marinate pre-cut chicken thighs or legs in different spices and seasonings to make cooking throughout the week simpler. Or try an option like Perdue’s Short Cuts, which include a variety of ready-to-eat, roasted, perfectly seasoned chicken breast strips.
Shop the store’s perimeter last. In most stores, fresh foods are located in refrigerated sections around the perimeter of the store. This is where you’ll find produce, fresh meat, poultry and dairy, giving you most of the essential ingredients for wholesome, well-balanced meals. Saving this section of the store for your last stop can help ensure perishable items spend less time away from refrigeration before you check out.
Find chicken recipes and poultry shopping tips at perdue.com.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Perdue Farms
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recipes
Keep Your Kitchen Clear with an Ooey-Gooey Appetizer for Guests
(Culinary.net) Prepping for Thanksgiving gatherings is plenty of work on its own, and when family and guests can’t stay out of your way in the kitchen, you’ll need the perfect appetizer as a distraction. This Loaded Spinach Dip offers a little something for everyone with ooey-gooey goodness and just the right touch of bacon.
Find more shareable holiday appetizers by visiting Culinary.net.
Loaded Spinach Dip
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-10
- 16 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 10 ounces thawed spinach
- 14 ounces drained canned artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- pretzel bites, toasted baguette slices, crackers or veggies, for serving
- Heat oven to 375 F.
- In large bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo and sour cream. Add spinach, artichoke hearts, bacon, Parmesan and mozzarella. Mix in garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Spoon into oven-safe skillet or baking dish and bake 20-25 minutes. Serve with pretzel bites, toasted baguette slices, crackers or veggies.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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recipes
A Savory Way to Start Holiday Celebrations
(Culinary.net) It’s the holiday season and your family can feel the cheer as loved ones fill their appetizer plates and excitement fills the air as gifts are being placed beneath the tree.
Someone asks, munching away near the table, “Wow, how did you make this?” In your mind, you think, “It was too easy.”
These Savory Cheese Balls are not only simple to make but perfect for any holiday get-together or celebration. They’re fun to create and even more enjoyable to dive in to once finished. Texture and color are the name of the game with this recipe. The result is a beautiful array of red, gold and green, all on one plate.
Start by rolling cream cheese into balls and mixing up three bowls with powerful flavors to create the three different colors. The “green” bowl gets parsley, thyme, rosemary and, of course, some garlic, just for an extra kick of seasoning. The “gold” ball calls for caraway seeds, poppy seeds and garlic. Finally, the “red” ball includes cranberries and pecans.
Simply roll each cream cheese ball around gently until it’s coated. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Display the array of cheese balls on a festive plate for something equally cheery and heavenly. Serve the plate with crackers, fruit or vegetables for complementary dipping options.
Find more recipes and holiday fun this season at Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Savory Cheese Balls
Servings: 6-12
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped
- crackers (optional)
- fruit (optional)
- vegetables (optional)
- Cut each cream cheese block into three squares. Roll each square into ball.
- In small bowl, combine caraway seeds, poppy seeds and half the garlic.
- In second small bowl, combine parsley, thyme, rosemary and remaining garlic.
- In third small bowl, combine cranberries and pecans.
- Roll two cheese balls in seed mixture, two in herb mixture and two in cranberry mixture.
- Cut each ball in half and serve with crackers, fruit or vegetables, if desired.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
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Food and Beverage
Harvest Sides for Your Holiday Feast
Hearty, filling, festive recipes to complement your main course
(Family Features) Don’t let turkey and ham have all the fun this holiday season. After all, you know your guests are likely to have plates piled high with all their favorite festive side dishes.
These hearty solutions are inspired by harvest season, offering comforting taste and mouthwatering flavors to make your holiday meal truly memorable. There’s nothing wrong with the classics – mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and the like – but these recipes from “Cookin’ Savvy” can give your gathering a special seasonal spin.
Discover more holiday recipes by visiting Culinary.net.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow Sauce
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6-8
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, sliced in circles
Marshmallow Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows, plus additional for garnish, divided
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Heat oven to 400 F.
- In bowl, mix oil, melted butter, garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add sweet potatoes and coat well. In baking dish, line sweet potatoes around pan in circle. Drizzle with leftover oil mixture. Bake 40 minutes.
- To make marshmallow sauce: In skillet, melt butter and 2 cups mini marshmallows. Remove from heat and whisk in cream. Place in bowl and add additional mini marshmallows for garnish.
- Place sweet potatoes on serving platter in same lined up fashion as they were in baking dish. Serve with marshmallow sauce.
Note: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.
Sprouts and Squash Roast
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6-8
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 package (12 ounces) frozen Brussels sprouts
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen butternut squash
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- Heat oven to 400 F.
- In bowl, mix oil, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and thyme. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cut Brussels sprouts in half, if desired. Add brussels sprouts and butternut squash to oil mixture and coat well. Place on lined cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes.
- In large bowl, mix bacon pieces, pecans, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and roasted sprouts and squash. Mix well and place in serving bowl.
Note: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.
Herbed Wild Rice and Apples
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6-8
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 apple, chopped
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) long-grain wild rice
- 2/3 cup apple juice
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2/3 cup pecans
- 2/3 cup cranberries
- garlic and herb cheese spread, for garnish (optional)
- In skillet over medium heat, saute butter, onion and apple pieces. When apples soften, add rice, apple juice, bacon pieces and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook about 10 minutes.
- In large bowl, mix pecans, cranberries and rice mixture. Place in serving dish and crumble herbed cheese on top, if desired.
Note: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
Discover more from Daily News
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