Last Updated on March 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) When cold and flu season calls for savory and satisfying meals, remember you don’t have to be sick to enjoy the best this time of year has to offer. Skip the same old soups and stews, though, and level up your comfort food cache with the flavor and versatility of pearl couscous.

Distinguished from traditional Moroccan couscous by its slightly larger and rounder shape, plus its less dense, firmer consistency, pearl couscous is thoroughly versatile and a perfect fit for cold weather classics. With Success Boil-in-Bag Pearl Couscous, you get high-quality semolina wheat pearl couscous made just right. After the water boils, it’s ready in under 7 minutes and prepared similarly to pasta.

It features a slightly nutty flavor on its own but can absorb any flavors of soups and salads while retaining its density and chewy texture. You can use it in your family’s meals to complement a range of greens, veggies, fish, meats and stews, making it a pantry staple to keep on hand throughout the year.

A hearty solution, this Italian Penicillin Soup is ideal for those feeling under the weather or simply craving a filling meal after a chilly day. It’s loaded with rotisserie chicken, tender veggies and pearl couscous simmered in broth then finished with fresh lemon, Parmesan cheese and parsley for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is appetizing.

Elegant in its simplicity, this Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous is a perfect partner for grilled seafood, chicken or vegetables. Easy to serve as a standalone dish or a savvy side that practically cooks itself, you can add this highly versatile grain to your family’s menu any day of the week – whether you’re cooking for a crew or just two – and enjoy steamy leftovers for a light lunch.

Don’t let the cold sap your creativity in the kitchen; turning to versatile, flavorful ingredients can make winter meals a cinch. Discover more pearl couscous-inspired dinner ideas by visiting SuccessRice.com.

Italian Penicillin Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

• 2          bags Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 4          cups low-sodium chicken broth
  
• 1          cup carrots, sliced
  
• 1          cup celery, sliced
  
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1          cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
  
• 1          teaspoon Italian seasoning
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2       teaspoon pepper
  
• 4          lemon wedges
  
• shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  
• chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
2. In large pot, bring broth to boil. Add carrots, celery and garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 5 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
3. Add chicken and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes. Add pearl couscous and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Ladle soup into four bowls and squeeze fresh lemon wedge into each bowl. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley.

Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

• 1          bag Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 3          lemons, juice only, plus 1 teaspoon zest
  
• 2          tablespoons butter
  
• 1          small shallot, finely diced
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions, adding lemon juice to water.
2. In small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and lemon zest. Cook 3 minutes. Stir pearl couscous into pan.
3. Divide pearl couscous into four bowls and top with parsley.

SOURCE:

Success Rice

https://stmdailynews.com/the-fate-of-lucky-supermarkets-in-socal/

Easy, Approachable Solutions for At-Home Lenten Meals

(Feature Impact) Lent has long been a season of tradition and reflection, and it can also be an opportunity to introduce your family to exciting new flavors that may become staples in your kitchen.

If preparing seafood feels intimidating, try starting with dishes that are easy, familiar and approachable. For example, One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi features a velvety sauce, earthy spinach and buttery, delicious shrimp – a recognizable and approachable recipe that can be a gateway to discovery.

Made with SeaPak frozen shrimp, you can help picky eaters in your home feel more confident in saying “yes” to something new. Frozen seafood is a perfect partner for familiar favorites like pasta, making it a playful, stress-free solution for encouraging exploration at mealtime.

“For many families, Lent often brings a shift at the dinner table – and this year, parents are turning it into an opportunity to try something new,” said Diana Rice, child nutritionist and registered dietitian. “When food feels approachable, it lowers stress for everyone. Familiar flavors help kids say ‘yes’ more often, and those positive moments can make seafood a feel-good part of family meals during Lent and beyond.”

When kids see foods that look and taste familiar – like the crunch of crispy fried shrimp – they may feel more comfortable giving it a try. That’s why discovery can extend beyond the dinner table to snack time, too.

Give kiddos the energy they need for homework assignments with Butterfly Shimp Bruschetta, a quick solution for after-school or weekend snacking. As your pickier loved ones dive in for something new, those small wins can build confidence to try new things – one bite at a time.

This Lent, swap “giving up” for “try this” with more approachable frozen seafood solutions and family-friendly recipes at SeaPak.com.

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One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1          package (12 ounces) SeaPak Shrimp Scampi
  
• 1 1/4    cups half-and-half or milk
  
• 1 1/4    cups chicken stock
  
• 8          ounces linguine noodles
  
• 6          cups fresh spinach
  
• 1/4       cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 4          lemon wedges

1. In large, high-sided saute pan, add shrimp and cook according to package directions. Remove shrimp to bowl and keep warm.
2. In same pan with scampi sauce, stir in half-and-half and stock. Bring to low boil. Add pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked al dente, 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in spinach and cook just until beginning to wilt. Stir reserved shrimp into pan.
4. To serve, divide shrimp scampi between four bowls and top each with grated Parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges.

Butterfly Shrimp Bruschetta

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1          package (9 ounces) SeaPak Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp
  
• 1          baguette
  
• 3          garlic cloves, divided
  
• 6          tablespoons olive oil, divided
  
• 3          cups grape or cherry tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
  
• 1/3       cup chopped basil, plus additional for garnish
  
• salt, to taste
  
• pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Bake shrimp according to package directions and keep warm.
2. Slice baguette to match number of shrimp. Rub one garlic clove over one side of each slice of bread. Brush garlic-rubbed sides with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
3. Finely dice remaining garlic.
4. In medium mixing bowl, stir tomatoes, remaining olive oil, diced garlic and 1/3 cup chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
5. In large, hot skillet, working in batches, add baguette slices oil sides down and cook until browned around edges. Remove from pan.
6. Top each baguette slice with small spoonful of tomato mixture and one shrimp. Garnish with basil leaf.

SOURCE:

SeaPak

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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/

Blue Apron just picked up a new win in the prepared-meals space.

Consumer365 has recognized Blue Apron as the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service (2026), pointing to the company’s chef-curated recipes and its growing lineup of ready-to-eat meals built for busy, time-constrained households. The recognition reflects growing consumer demand for convenient food options that reduce cooking time without sacrificing quality, structure, or variety.

Why prepared meals keep winning right now

The press release frames prepared meal delivery as a practical middle ground between cooking from scratch and defaulting to fast food or repetitive takeout.

Consumer365 notes the appeal comes down to a few clear benefits:

• Less time spent cooking (and less cleanup)
• Predictable portions and easier meal planning
• Reduced food waste, since you’re not buying full-size ingredients you may not use
• Flexibility for solo diners or households with irregular schedules

Prepared meals are especially useful during the workweek, when the friction of cooking can push people toward faster—but not always better—options.

What Consumer365 highlighted about Blue Apron

Consumer365’s recognition focuses on how Blue Apron has expanded beyond meal kits while keeping a consistent culinary identity.

Chef-curated structure across product lines

A key point: prepared meals under Dish by Blue Apron are developed by the same in-house culinary team behind Blue Apron’s meal kits. Consumer365 says that continuity helps maintain consistency in flavor development, portioning, and ingredient selection across different formats.

Refrigerated (not frozen) and fast to heat

Dish by Blue Apron meals arrive fully cooked and refrigerated (not frozen). Each meal is packaged as a single serving and designed to reheat in either a microwave or conventional oven.

Most dishes are ready in five to ten minutes, making them a solid option for lunches, quick dinners, or nights when cooking time is limited.

Rotating menus and nutrition standards

Consumer365 also points to weekly rotating menus that span a range of styles, including seafood-based dishes, vegetable-forward meals,

About Blue Apron

Blue Apron launched in 2012 and says it has delivered more than 600 million meals nationwide. The company describes itself as a flexible mealtime brand with a weekly rotating menu of 100+ meals, including pre-made options and meal kits. Blue Apron is also part of Wonder.

Read more

The full review is available at Consumer365.org.

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Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-prepared-meal-delivery-service-2026-blue-apron-recognized-for-chef-curated-recipes-by-consumer365-302692582.html

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/