Food and Beverage
Savory Protein Swaps for Lent: Convenient yet delicious meatless meals

(Family Features) Abstaining from eating meat during Lent is common practice for many, but it doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself and loved ones from delicious meals. Whether you observe Lent or are simply looking for new ways to replace traditional proteins for a meal or two each week, there are countless mouthwatering recipes you can turn to.
Consider Chamomile-Infused Jasmine Rice with Salmon, for example, with floral jasmine notes pairing nicely with earthy chamomile for an easy yet elegant feast that’s ready in just half an hour. With its mild flavor, salmon offers a pleasing starting point for those easing their way into incorporating more seafood into their diets.
Although originally cultivated for the Kingdom of Thailand, you don’t need to be royalty to enjoy premium Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice from Success Rice. In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy this sweetly aromatic solution that cooks up soft and fluffy every time for a unique flavor that complements seafood and more. It’s also naturally gluten free, Non-GMO Project Verified and free of MSG and preservatives.
Another option for swapping out traditional protein is with plant-powered meals. Even picky eaters can find plenty to love in this savory Crunchy Thai Peanut and Quinoa Salad. Quick to prep, it’s a perfect answer for busy weeknights that calls on the power of peanuts and quinoa to replace protein from your usual favorites.
This convenient, crunchy dish calls for light, nutty Success Tri-Color Boil-in-Bag Quinoa that’s packed with protein, all nine essential amino acids and fiber, making it perfect for Lenten meals from salads and bowls to veggie-forward casseroles and even muffins.
Find more Lent recipe inspiration and meatless meal ideas by visiting SuccessRice.com.
Chamomile-Infused Jasmine Rice with Salmon
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
- 4 bags chamomile tea, divided
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 4 skin-on salmon filets (5 ounces each)
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- Preheat broiler. Prepare rice according to package directions, adding three tea bags to simmering water with rice to infuse with tea flavor.
- Transfer rice to large bowl. Tear remaining tea bag; mix half with 2 tablespoons butter and melt in microwave to infuse butter.
- Mix infused butter, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; fold into rice and set aside.
- Arrange salmon and asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle remaining butter over salmon and asparagus. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Broil 9-11 minutes, or until salmon begins to flake and asparagus is tender.
- Serve salmon and asparagus with rice. Drizzle salmon with remaining lemon juice and garnish with remaining chives.

Crunchy Thai Peanut and Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Tri-Color Quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage mix
- 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 cup peanuts, roughly chopped
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Cool.
- Mix cooled quinoa with cabbage, cilantro, mint, cucumber, carrots and bell peppers.
- In small bowl, whisk soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, honey and vinegar.
- Add dressing to quinoa and toss to combine. Top with peanuts.
SOURCE:
Success Rice
Foodie News
illy Launches Art of Dining Series With Chef-Led Events Across Major U.S. Cities
illy has launched its Art of Dining Series, a year-long program pairing chef-led tasting menus with its signature coffee blend in major U.S. cities.

illy is bringing coffee and fine dining together with its new Art of Dining Series, a year-long program featuring chef-led dining experiences in cities including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The series launched in March with a dinner at Boia De in Miami and will continue with curated events built around custom tasting menus inspired by illy’s signature blend. One of the upcoming stops is set for June in San Francisco at Wolfsbane, where illy Chef Ambassador Rupert Blease will create a menu inspired by his own bespoke illy blend.
The company says the program is designed to create immersive, in-person experiences that connect guests with the illy brand through flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality. The launch also builds on illy’s broader gastronomy strategy, including its Chef Ambassador program and its role as the exclusive coffee partner of World’s 50 Best Restaurants for the past four years.
Founded in Trieste, Italy, in 1933, illy is known for its 100% Arabica coffee blend and global presence in more than 140 countries.
Source: illycaffè via PR Newswire
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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. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
recipes
Sustainably Sourced Staples for Family Favorites

Sustainably Sourced Staples for Family Favorites
(Feature Impact) Living sustainably might include habits like recycling or composting, but you can go above and beyond by using food ingredients that are environmentally friendly.
As a pioneer in humane and sustainable meat, Niman Ranch recently launched a Regenerative Organic Certified beef program sourced entirely from U.S. family ranches covering 105,000 acres today and with a roadmap to reach 250,000 acres by 2028.
Simply put, “regenerative” is a soil-first approach to farming that restores the earth rather than depleting it. This program bridges the gap between environmental stewardship and steakhouse-quality flavor so you can enjoy meals like a Seared Strip Loin with Linguini or Vietnamese Caramelized Beef Bowls.
The program sets the standard for a sustainable future in several ways:
- Supporting American Ranchers: 100% U.S. grass-fed and finished, it provides a vital premium market for domestic family ranchers when over 95% of organic beef is currently imported.
- Steakhouse Quality Meets the Gold Standard: By pairing elite angus genetics with Regenerative Organic Certified’s rigorous standards, the program delivers USDA-graded Choice and Prime marbling – a flavor and tenderness rarely found in the organic market.
- Healing the Land: Through “high-frequency rotational grazing,” Niman Ranch cattle are moved across pastures in a way that restores soil health and promotes biodiversity.
Learn more by visiting NimanRanch.com.
Seared Strip Loin with Linguini
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
- 1 Niman Ranch Strip Loin Steak (6-8 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional to taste, divided
- 1 box (16 ounces) linguini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups chopped fennel
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup chopped Castelvetrano (green) olives
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 orange, zest and juice only
- 1 goat cheese log (4 ounces)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- pepper, to taste
- Pat steak dry and season generously with kosher salt. Heat grill pan or grill to medium-high heat. Grill steak until medium-rare (135-140 F), turning halfway through cooking, about 8 minutes total. Set aside.
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook linguini according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining linguini in colander.
- In same pasta pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Cook fennel, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon kosher salt over medium heat, stirring, until fennel is tender, 5-6 minutes. Add chopped olives, garlic and orange zest. Stir in orange juice and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Return drained linguini to pot. Crumble goat cheese on top and add reserved pasta water. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
- Serve with slices of steak on top and garnish with fresh parsley.

Vietnamese Caramelized Beef Bowls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
- 1 package (8 ounces) rice vermicelli noodles
Beef:
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 thumb ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 4 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 pound Niman Ranch ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons lemongrass paste
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sriracha or hot sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salad:
- 8 ounces butter lettuce leaves
- 8 ounces carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
- 1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly crosswise into half-moons
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 bunch cilantro
- chopped roasted and unsalted peanuts
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Cook vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
- To prepare beef: In medium bowl, whisk garlic, ginger, fish sauce, brown sugar, lemongrass paste and lime juice until blended. Add beef and mix until well blended. Marinate 15 minutes.
- In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Add beef and cook, breaking up using wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until beef is dark and caramelized, 10-12 minutes.
- To make dressing: In small bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, lemongrass paste, brown sugar and sriracha, if desired. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Slowly stream in vegetable oil, whisking, until dressing is thickened.
- To prepare salads: Divide noodles between four shallow bowls. Arrange caramelized beef, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mint and cilantro in bowls then drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with peanuts. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.

SOURCE:
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recipes
Say ‘Yes, Please’ to The Grilled Cheese of the Year: Gooey Goodness with a Protein Punch
Tne Grilled Cheese of the Year: A grilled cheese sandwich isn’t just a lunchtime staple; it’s a beloved cultural icon. There is a universal magic in the combination of ooey-gooey cheese, golden bread and a little butter – but in 2026, this comfort food classic is getting a functional upgrade in recipes like The Protein Powerhouse and The Classic.

Say ‘Yes, Please’ to The Grilled Cheese of the Year: Gooey Goodness with a Protein Punch
(Feature Impact) A grilled cheese sandwich isn’t just a lunchtime staple; it’s a beloved cultural icon. There is a universal magic in the combination of ooey-gooey cheese, golden bread and a little butter – but in 2026, this comfort food classic is getting a functional upgrade.
It’s also safe to say nostalgia is delicious and addicting, which is why Borden Cheese is sharing not one, but two, prize-worthy recipes, one of which packs a protein punch and another that’s a pure classic, perfect for spreading smiles and happy bellies.
Protein, Please: The Protein Powerhouse is the Grilled Cheese of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a protein-packed masterpiece designed for the modern appetite. Featuring a creamy, dual-cheese combo of mild cheddar and Borden Mozzarella Cheese Melts, the sandwich is melted over 5 ounces of tender sliced chicken breast and delivers more than 40 grams of protein and about 8 grams of fiber when paired with the right bread. Served with a tangy Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard “powerhouse sauce” and pressed between golden, crispy bread, this grilled cheese isn’t your ordinary melt. It has been transformed into a massive protein boost.
Tried n’ True: While modern flavors and trends are delicious, nostalgia is too. In fact, a whopping 20,000 fans cast their votes for America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese, asserting a fervor that’s unmatched when it comes to their perfect melt, and awarded The Classic the title of “America’s Favorite.” This comforting recipe pairs extra sharp melts with American singles on sliced white bread for a perfect, ooey-gooey bite that reminds you the cheese truly “makes” the sandwich.
VisitBordenCheese.com/grilled-cheese-day for other ooey-gooey grilled cheese recipes created for 2026.
The Protein Powerhouse
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 2 slices bread fortified with protein and fiber
- 2 Borden Mild Cheddar Slices
- 1 slice Borden Mozzarella Melts
- 5 ounces sliced chicken breast (deli-shaved or thinly carved)
“Powerhouse” Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Heat griddle to medium heat. Butter bread. Layer cheeses and chicken on top of bread.
- Place bread on griddle and cook until lightly toasted. Flip and cook other side.
- Remove sandwich from skillet or griddle.
- To make powerhouse sauce: Mix Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic powder and smoked paprika until well blended. Slice sandwich in half and drizzle with Powerhouse sauce.

The Classic
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 slices Borden Extra Sharp Melts
- 2 slices Borden American Singles
- Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Spread butter on one side of each slice bread.
- Place cheese slices on unbuttered side of bread. Top with other slice of bread with butter facing upward.
- Place sandwich on skillet or griddle and cook 3-4 minutes on each side. Using spatula, lightly press sandwich down gently while cooking to melt cheese better.
- Remove from skillet or griddle and slice in half.

SOURCE:
Borden
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. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
