Convenient, Crave-Worthy School Day Recipes to Get Kids Eating Healthy

(Feature Impact) During the rush of back-to-school season, parents need quick, efficient options to encourage healthy foods for their families without fielding moans and groans. That means choosing simple recipes that feature nourishing fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy fats while still boasting kid-approved textures and flavors.

Keeping high-quality fresh produce in your kitchen, like Dandy Celery from Duda Farm Fresh Foods, means you’ll be ready to whip up nutritious yet convenient lunches, after-school snacks and dinners at a moment’s notice.

This Ants on a Log Salad recipe is a deconstructed mix-and-eat twist on a classic childhood favorite, while the Quick-Pickled Celery and Egg Salad elevates traditional egg salad into a fresh, tangy filling for sandwiches and wraps. Both recipes are creamy, crunchy and craveable with a well-balanced mix of nutrients to satisfy the appetites of busy families.

“Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Nichole Towell, senior director of marketing and new product development at Duda Farm Fresh Foods. “During the busy back-to-school season, simple choices like keeping fresh celery on hand can make it easier to build wholesome snacks and meals throughout the week. Its crisp texture, refreshing taste and versatility make it a favorite for families looking for easy ways to add more vegetables to their day.”

Find more easy school-day recipe ideas at DudaFresh.com.

Ants on a Log Salad

Total time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

• 1          apple, chopped
  
• 2          stalks Dandy Celery, chopped
  
• 3/4       cup non-dairy yogurt
  
• 2          tablespoons raisins
  
• 1          tablespoon peanut butter

1. Chop apple and celery into small, evenly shaped, bite-sized pieces. Add apple and celery pieces, yogurt, raisins and peanut butter to jar and shake well to combine or mix together in bowl. Serve.

Quick-Pickled Celery and Egg Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 3

Quick-Pickled Celery:

• 1/3       cup hot water
  
• 2/3       cup white vinegar
  
• 1          tablespoon granulated sugar
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2       teaspoon whole peppercorns
  
• 1 1/2    cups sliced Dandy Celery, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 3 celery ribs)
  
• 1          sprig fresh dill

Egg Salad:

• 6          large eggs
  
•             cold water
  
• 1/3       cup mayonnaise
• 1/3       cup chopped pickled celery
  
• 1          green onion, thinly sliced
  
• 1          teaspoon yellow mustard
  
• 1          teaspoon hot sauce
  
• 1          tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
  
• 1/4       teaspoon celery salt seasoning

1. To make pickled celery: Use microwave or kettle to bring water to boil. Pour into large mason jar; add white vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns. Stir well to dissolve salt and sugar.
2. Add celery and dill. Cover with lid and chill 1 hour to overnight.
3. To make egg salad: Add eggs to medium saucepan and fill with cold water until eggs are covered. Over medium-high heat on stovetop, bring to boil. Turn off heat and cover with lid. Let sit 10 minutes. Drain and add eggs to bowl full of ice-cold water. Chill at least 10 minutes before peeling.
4. Chop hardboiled eggs and add to mixing bowl. Add mayonnaise, pickled celery, green onion, mustard, hot sauce, tarragon and celery salt then stir to combine. Serve in sandwich or wrap, or with crackers.

SOURCE:

Duda Farm Fresh Foods

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Make Summer Pop with a Super Snack

(Family Features) When it comes to summer snacking, it’s hard to top the combination of favorite seasonal flavors.

You can enjoy both the sweetness of freeze-dried strawberries and popped popcorn, a whole grain that’s 100% unprocessed with no additives, hidden ingredients or GMOs, in this three-ingredient Strawberries and Cream Popcorn recipe.

Just drizzle white chocolate over popped popcorn then sprinkle with ground freeze-dried strawberries for a perfectly delicious way to meld all your favorite flavors of summer into one easy, convenient snack.

Find more summer snacking solutions by visiting Popcorn.org.

Strawberries and Cream Popcorn

Recipe courtesy of The Popcorn Board
Servings: 4-6

• 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
• 6 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted

1. In small food processor or spice grinder, pulse freeze-dried strawberries until finely ground. Place popped popcorn in large bowl. Drizzle melted chocolate over top; toss until well coated. Sprinkle evenly with ground freeze-dried strawberries; toss until well coated.
2. Scrape onto large parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spreading into even layer.
3. Let stand at room temperature 30-60 minutes, or until chocolate is set and hardened. To serve, break into pieces.
4. Tips: To melt chocolate, place chocolate chips in heatproof bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring 3-5 minutes, or until smooth.
5. To melt chocolate in microwave, place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Microwave on medium, stirring every 30 seconds, for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and melted.

SOURCE:

Popcorn Board

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(Family Features) If you’re in a tight spot for a last-minute potluck barbecue, don’t just throw together any salad. This Queso Cheese Corn Salad features a zesty homemade dressing and a salad base with a bit of heat (if you dare). Discover more cookout recipes by visiting Culinary.net.

Queso Cheese Corn Salad

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

Dressing:

• 2          limes, juice only
• 1/4       cup mayo
• 1          pinch salt
• 1          tablespoon sugar

• 2          cans whole corn, drained
• 1          cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4       cup chopped red onion (optional)
• 1          hot pepper (optional)
• 1          cup shredded queso cheese
• freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish

1. To make dressing: In bowl, mix lime juice, mayo, salt and sugar.
2. In separate large bowl, mix corn; bell pepper; onion, if desired; hot pepper, if desired; and queso cheese.
3. Pour dressing over corn mixture and mix well. Top with cilantro.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News Food and Drink newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!