Food and Beverage
Protein-Powered Summer Meals
Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Summer days spent outdoors call for meals with high-quality protein to help you power through the fun. From breakfast to dinner, quick, hassle-free meals are ideal for making sure your family stays well-fed and satisfied between activities.
Options from Farmer John’s extensive lineup, ranging from bacon and hot dogs to sausages and more, make it easy to create flavorful meals for any occasion.
To kick off the day right, try these Thick Cut Bacon, Ham and Pimento Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches. For a midday pick-me-up, Asian Cajun Po’ Boys offer a mouthwatering kick from naturally hardwood smoked Hot Louisiana Smoked Sausage.
In addition to offering proteins perfect for a variety of menu items, Farmer John is also on a mission to give back to the Golden State through its California Commitment Tour. For the third year in a row, the brand is embarking on an 8-week mission of feeding, celebrating and serving communities across the state by delivering free grab-and-go lunches to locals and essential businesses 3-4 times per week and donating protein to local food banks. As an extension of this year’s tour, the team introduced its California Kindness Project – a program designed to support committed nonprofits making an impact through $100,000 in grants.
To find more summer recipes, or learn more about the philanthropic efforts, visit FarmerJohn.com.
Thick Cut Bacon, Ham and Pimento Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
Recipe courtesy of Brenda Buenviajé on behalf of Farmer John
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
- 1 package Farmer John Premium Thick Cut Bacon
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 package Farmer John Classic Hickory Smoked Ham Steak, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 10 eggs, lightly whipped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2cup pimento cheese, at room temperature
- 1-2 vine-ripened tomatoes (6 slices)
- 6 brioche rolls, lightly buttered and toasted on insides
- In pan, fry bacon until crispy; slice each piece in half and set aside.
- In large nonstick frying pan over high heat, add canola oil. Add ham and fry until browned.
- Lower flame to medium and add scallions. Saute about 30 seconds.
- Add eggs and salt to pan; scramble eggs with ham.
- Turn off heat and lightly fold in pimento cheese.
- Place one tomato slice on bottom of interiors of each roll.
- Place three pieces bacon on each tomato.
- Evenly divide and spoon scrambled eggs on bacon; close roll tops.

Asian Cajun Po’ Boys
Recipe courtesy of Brenda Buenviajé on behalf of Farmer John
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Sisig Sauce:
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoons ginger, finely grated
Po’ Boy:
- 28 ounces Farmer John Hot Louisiana Smoked Sausage
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 small yellow onion, minced
- sisig sauce
- 8 French rolls, lightly toasted on insides
- 4-5 vine-ripened tomatoes (16 slices)
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 8 eggs, cooked sunny side up
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
- To make sisig sauce: Stir lime juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and ginger; set aside.
- Using knife, score sausages by making diagonal slices to surface. Repeat on other side to make “X” shape.
- In large frying pan over high heat, add oil. Add sausages and fry until browned and crispy.
- Lower heat to medium; add garlic and onions. Cook 3-4 minutes until vegetables are lightly caramelized.
- Add sisig sauce and simmer 1 minute. Turn off heat.
- Layer two tomato slices on interior of each roll. Place sausages in each roll. Evenly divide and spoon sauce on each link.
- Drizzle mayo over each po’ boy.
- Place one sunny side up egg on each po’ boy and garnish with scallion and jalapeno.
SOURCE:
Farmer John
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/category/food-and-beverage
You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy
Sign up for our STM & Coffee newsletter and get the latest food-related news and recipes directly into your inbox, ensuring you never miss out on exciting culinary trends, tips, and delicious inspirations.
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Food and Beverage
Put the Grill to Work In 2026
Transitioning from high-yield meals that serve a crowd to easy, homemade dinners can be a bit of a shock after the festivities are over. Save yourself the time and hassle of cooking after a season of gifts and gatherings with this Grilled Chicken Bundt recipe that lets the grill do the work for you.
(Family Features) Transitioning from high-yield meals that serve a crowd to easy, homemade dinners can be a bit of a shock after the festivities are over. Save yourself the time and hassle of cooking after a season of gifts and gatherings with this Grilled Chicken Bundt recipe that lets the grill do the work for you. For more time-saving family dinner ideas, visit Culinary.net. 
Grilled Chicken Bundt
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 4 potatoes
- 2 carrots
- 8 Brussel’s sprouts
- oil
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided
- 2 tablespoons onion powder, divided
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 pounds)
- 1/2 stick butter, softened
- Heat grill to 350 F with one burner off for indirect heat.
- Cut potatoes, carrots and Brussel’s sprouts into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle with oil and mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon salt; set aside.
- Rub chicken with softened butter, remaining garlic powder, remaining onion powder and remaining salt.
- Place some veggies in bottom of bundt pan. Place chicken on top of chimney or tube of bundt pan. Fill pan with remaining veggies.
- Place pan over indirect heat and grill 1 hour, 30 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 F.
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/
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Food and Beverage
Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from this Good Luck Guac recipe.

Mix a Little Luck into Your Big Game Menu
(Family Features) Picture this: Your team is down three points, but the taste of victory is just one field goal away. Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a whole lot of guac. After all, an estimated 250 million pounds of avocados are consumed during the Big Game each year, according to Hass Avocado Board Volume Data. That’s enough to fill 30 million football helmets with guac – but filling your belly instead is a win-win for good luck and great flavor. Dip into good fortune this football season with help from Avocado From Mexico’s Guac Guru, Rob Riggle, whose visionary Good Luck Guac recipe is ready to share just in time for the Big Game. Whether you’re in it for the football, the commercials or the snacks, this recipe can score major points with your entire crew.
Crafted for fans of every team, this bold, golden twist on a favorite football snack is infused with ingredients associated with good luck – edible gold flakes and pomegranate seeds – to get you through the most nail-biting moments of the game. The star ingredient is fresh, high-quality Avocados From Mexico that offer good taste, good nutrition, and good times. Beyond delicious dips, chips and lots of fun, hosting a watch party can also be a lot of work. Make sure your hosting duties don’t create interference or put you on the sidelines with these tips: Get a jumpstart on party prep. The day before the game, tidy up your space and prepare as much of the food as you can. For dishes best served fresh – like guac – take care of the ingredient prep, like chopping veggies. Create comfortable seating and viewing areas. For a watch party, you’ll want plenty of room for guests to sit comfortably where they can see the screen and have easy access to the guac. If there’s not enough space in the living room to fit everyone, consider bringing a TV to the kitchen so people can snack and watch at the same time. Know your guests. From non-alcoholic beverage options to additional entertainment like board games and kid-friendly activities, become a next-level party host by providing a setup tailored to your guests’ needs. One thing almost everyonecan agree on: Guac made with Avocados From Mexico can be the star of nearly any party’s snacking lineup. Make it your team’s lucky day with more game day recipes at AvocadosFromMexico.com/recipe.
Good Luck Guac
Recipe courtesy of Rob Riggle on behalf of Avocados From Mexico- 4 Avocados From Mexico, halved, pitted and peeled
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon onion, minced
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch edible gold leaf flakes
- In large bowl, mash avocados until chunky-smooth.
- Fold in lime juice, onion, pomegranate seeds and salt until well combined.
- Garnish with edible gold leaf flakes.
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/
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Food
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Comfort foods go beyond taste—they offer emotional reassurance, cultural identity, and nostalgia. Learn why we crave them and how they connect us.
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Food & Beverage | The Knowledge Comfort foods are more than just meals—they are emotional touchstones. From a bowl of chicken noodle soup to a plate of mac and cheese, comfort foods provide familiarity, warmth, and reassurance during moments of stress, illness, or nostalgia. While comfort foods vary by culture and personal experience, their purpose is universal: they make us feel grounded, safe, and connected.What Defines Comfort Food?
Although comfort foods differ from person to person, they often share common characteristics:- Familiar and nostalgic – Foods tied to childhood or family traditions
- Warm and filling – Soups, casseroles, stews, and baked dishes
- Emotionally satisfying – Comforting beyond physical hunger
- Rich in carbohydrates or fats – Which can influence mood-regulating chemicals in the brain
The Science Behind Comfort Foods
There is real science behind why comfort foods make us feel better. Carbohydrate-rich foods can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and promote a sense of calm. Warm foods also play a role. Studies suggest that warmth can enhance feelings of safety and emotional comfort, which may explain why soups, stews, and hot meals are commonly craved during stressful times or colder seasons. In short, comfort foods don’t just satisfy hunger—they support emotional well-being.Comfort Foods Are Cultural
Every culture has its own version of comfort food, shaped by tradition, availability, and shared history:- United States: Mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes
- Mexico: Tamales, pozole
- Italy: Pasta, lasagna
- Japan: Ramen, curry rice
- India: Dal with rice
Why We Turn to Comfort Foods
People often crave comfort foods during moments of emotional or physical vulnerability, including:- Stress or anxiety
- Illness or fatigue
- Homesickness
- Major life changes
- Celebrations and family gatherings
More Than a Meal
Comfort food isn’t about indulgence or nutrition alone—it’s about connection. These dishes link us to people, places, and moments that shaped us. That’s why comfort foods endure across generations, cultures, and changing trends. Comfort food doesn’t just feed the body. It feeds the moment.Related Reading
- Why We Crave Comfort Foods – Smithsonian Magazine
- Why Comfort Foods Comfort – Psychology Today
- Why Comfort Foods Make Us Feel Better – Harvard Health
- Comfort Food and Cultural Identity – National Geographic
- The Science Behind Comfort Foods – BBC Future
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
