Pack Pasta Salad in a Jar for a Taste of Summer in School Lunches

(Feature Impact) When students open up their lunchboxes in the cafeteria, it’s fun to be greeted with something bright, colorful and fresh. Pasta salad is a summer picnic staple, but once the weather starts to cool and kids head back to school, there’s nothing to say you can’t send a taste of summer with them.

The beauty of pasta salad is it’s totally customizable, ideal for eating cold and easy to make ahead of time. That means you can spend the evening before school dishing up jars then pop them in the fridge for a quick morning grab-and-go lunchbox filler. Adults in the household can take one to work while kids have their own at school – and if anyone wants a different dressing or no olives, it’s an easy accommodation.

If you’re making this Pasta Salad in a Jar recipe as the main course instead of a lunchtime side, up the protein by adding beans, chicken or cubed cheese to keep kids energized for the second half of the day. Choose whole-grain or high-protein pasta for an extra nutritional boost, and pack in vitamins and fiber with plenty of crunchy fresh produce, from cucumbers and carrots to tomatoes and olives.

Find more school-day recipes at Culinary.net.

Pasta Salad in a Jar

Recipe adapted from Best of This Life
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

Dressing:

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2          tablespoons red wine vinegar
  
• 1/8       teaspoon dried basil
  
• 1/8       teaspoon oregano
  
• 1/8       teaspoon parsley
  
• salt, to taste
  
• freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 1/4       cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
  
• 1/2       cup halved grape tomatoes
  
• 1/2       cup diced cucumber
  
• 2          tablespoons sliced Kalamata olives
  
• 1          cup cooked pasta of choice, cooled
  
• 1          cup chopped spinach

1. To make dressing: In canning jar, combine olive oil, vinegar, basil, oregano, parsley and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in chickpeas.
2. Layer tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, cooked pasta and spinach over dressing.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, flip jar over and lightly shake to combine dressing with other ingredients. 

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

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(Feature Impact) Hectic school mornings get much easier when breakfast is already waiting in the fridge or freezer. These Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos can be assembled in advance, frozen individually and easily reheated for quick, filling meals to keep your family going through the day.

Eggs, cheese and black beans supply protein to fuel kids for gym class or sports, while vegetables, beans and whole-grain tortillas add complex carbohydrates and fiber to stave off hunger until lunch. Breakfast burritos also make for a hearty, grab-and-go option for adults heading off to work.

One of the best things about homemade breakfast burritos is how easily they can be customized to fit each family member’s unique nutritional needs and preferences. If you’re making a batch for the whole family, prepare a basic filling and let everyone choose their own combination of ingredients. Spice fiends might want to add jalapenos or hot sauce, while vegetable lovers can pack in sauteed broccoli or diced roasted sweet potatoes. Just remember to label the different varieties separately before storing, e.g. “Mild” and “Spicy.”

Although it’s best to avoid mixing in ingredients that don’t freeze well – like avocado or fresh tomatoes – you can always serve the reheated burritos with a side of guacamole or pico de gallo for even more flavor and nutrition.

Find more school-year meal prep inspiration at Culinary.net.

Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Recipe adapted from The Gracious Pantry
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2          teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1          small red onion, diced
  
• 1          large red bell pepper, diced
  
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1          cup chopped fresh spinach
  
• 1          cup cooked black beans
  
• 1/2       teaspoon ground cumin
  
• 1/2       teaspoon smoked paprika
  
• 4          tablespoons salsa
  
• salt, to taste
  
• pepper, to taste
  
• 6          large eggs
  
• 2          tablespoons unsweetened almond milk, water or dairy milk
  
• 4          large whole-grain tortillas
  
• 1/2       cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

1. In pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Saute onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft, 4-5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
2. Stir in cooked black beans, cumin, smoked paprika, salsa and salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat.
3. Whisk eggs with milk or water. In nonstick skillet over medium heat, scramble until just set; avoid overcooking. Season lightly with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Lay tortillas flat. Divide eggs, veggie-bean mixture and cheese across each. Roll into burritos then toast, seam side down, in dry skillet to seal.
5. Remove from pan and let cool. Wrap in parchment then foil. Freeze up to 2 months.
6. To reheat, remove foil and parchment. In microwave or oven, heat until warmed through.

Notes: To prevent tortillas from becoming soggy, let filling cool to room temperature before assembling burritos.

Burritos can be warmed from frozen or, for best results, thawed overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

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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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