recipes
Make Weeknight Meals a Breeze
Weeknight Meals: Embrace busy weeknights with quick, nutrient-rich meals like Pork Chops in Creamy Mustard-Peppercorn Sauce or Roasted Chicken and Zucchini Tostadas, perfect for enjoying family time and celebrating daily achievements.
Last Updated on September 1, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Weeknight Meals
(Family Features) After a long day in the classroom or at the office, it’s tough to top bringing the family together with a home-cooked meal. When evenings are busy with homework and activities, however, there might be little time left for complicated dishes.
Take those schedules on with a menu of delicious recipes that require 30 minutes or less so you can focus on celebrating the day’s accomplishments with loved ones. These simple yet flavorful ideas from Milk Means More call for limited instructions and ingredients lists fueled by dairy favorites that provide nutrients to recharge the entire family.
Pork Chops in Creamy Mustard-Peppercorn Sauce feature the sharp yet balanced taste of mustard and cracked black peppercorns as an easy way to dress up pork chops. For a tasty twist on Taco Tuesday, “beat the clock” with Roasted Chicken and Zucchini Tostadas by crisping corn tortillas under the broiler then topping with a tangy yogurt spread, cumin-seasoned chicken, veggies and shredded cheese.
Turn your hectic weeknights into cause for celebration with more quick and easy recipe ideas at MilkMeansMore.org.
Pork Chops in Creamy Mustard-Peppercorn Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 3/4 cup evaporated 2% milk
- 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 4 boneless pork loin chops (1 1/4 pounds), cut 3/4-inch thick
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- cooked noodles or rice (optional)
- chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- In bowl, whisk milk, mustard, peppercorns and flour. Set aside.
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of chops with salt.
- In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops 3-4 minutes, or until browned. Turn and cook 3-4 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of chops reads 145 F. Transfer chops to serving platter. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
- Add garlic to drippings in skillet. Cook 15 seconds. Stir in broth. Cook, stirring constantly, until most liquid evaporates. Stir in milk mixture and any accumulated juices from cooked pork. Cook and stir until just boiling. Immediately remove from heat and spoon sauce over chops.
- Serve with noodles or rice, if desired. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Roasted Chicken and Zucchini Tostadas
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
- 12 street taco-size corn tortillas
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)
- 3 teaspoons lime juice, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie-roasted chicken breast
- 1/2 cup seeded and chopped tomato
- 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Heat oven to broil.
- Line large baking sheet or 18-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan with foil. Arrange tortillas in single layer on pan. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Broil about 5 inches from heat 4-6 minutes, or until beginning to brown on one side. Remove from broiler. Carefully turn tortillas over.
- In medium bowl, stir yogurt, 1 teaspoon lime juice and garlic powder. Set aside. In another bowl, toss chicken, tomato, zucchini, remaining lime juice, olive oil, cumin and cayenne pepper.
- Spread yogurt mixture on unbrowned sides of tortillas. Top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil about 5 inches from heat 2-3 minutes, or until hot and cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Photo courtesy of Jenny Struik of “Jenny with the Good Eats” (Pasta with Yogurt Sauce)
Make Weeknight Meals a Breeze
SOURCE:
United Dairy Industry of Michigan
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
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Food and Beverage
Hearty Ways to Warm Up Winter
During cold winter days, cozy up with comforting dishes like Pumpkin Chili and Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese, utilizing Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for added warmth and nutrition. These recipes are quick to prepare and offer delicious flavors, perfect for family meals. Discover more comforting options at greengiantvegetables.com.
Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.
For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.
Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.
These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.
To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.

Pumpkin Chili
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
- Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
- Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10
- 1 1/2 pounds shell pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
- In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
- Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Fold in cooked pasta.
SOURCE:
Green Giant
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Food and Beverage
Stop the Sniffles with Sick Day Soup

(Feature Impact) Coughs and sniffles don’t have to derail you for long – not with a fresh, homemade stockpot full of Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup. Loaded with rotisserie chicken, celery and carrots, it’s sure to warm you from the inside-out as a warm, comforting meal. Plus, with eight servings, this dish can help solve dinnertime dilemmas throughout the week by storing leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating on the stove.
Warm up your winter meals with more comforting ideas available at Culinary.net.

Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Recipe adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3-4 large carrots, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 10 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- chicken bouillon cubes (optional)
- 4 cups dry egg noodles
- 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
- In large stockpot over medium-high heat, saute butter, celery and carrots 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add chicken stock or broth and season with rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes, if desired, for flavor.
- Bring to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Remove from heat once noodles are tender.
- Add chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
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/
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recipes
A Medley of Garden Veggies
Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Medley of Garden Veggies
(Family Features) If your garden is overflowing, look no further than Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies as a mouthwatering fall side dish. Zucchini, squash, tomato and carrot collide in this shareable dish that’s perfect for autumn get-togethers. Find main dishes to pair with these delicious roasted vegetables by visiting Culinary.net.
Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 2 zucchinis
- 2 yellow squashes
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 carrots
- avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Heat oven or grill to 425 F.
- Cut zucchinis, squashes, tomatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Place on lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake or grill 30 minutes until fork tender.
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
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