Food and Beverage
Meal-Prep Tips for a Manageable Back-to-School Menu

(Family Features) The hustle and bustle of back-to-school season can cause chaos in households. Class time, field trips and homework typically rule each day, which can make sitting down for a meal seem like a far-off dream. One easy way to save time is simplifying family recipes and prioritizing meal-planning.
Consider these meal-planning tips from the experts at Healthy Family Project, whose partners are donating $16,000 to the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Choose the meals you plan to make for the week. Cut down on prep time by planning dishes with overlapping ingredients then write out a grocery list to keep from overbuying. Recipes like this Southwest Quiche Muffins Bento Box that include a brief list of widely used ingredients can help you avoid buying items you may only use once.
Stock the kitchen with ingredients your family often uses. Ensure you have the spices, seasonings, condiments, sauces and canned foods to prepare favorite meals at a moment’s notice.
Save time by washing and prepping produce once each week. For example, if you’re using sweet peppers in these Mini Sweet Pepper Sheet Pan Nachos and again in another meal that week, prep all at once so they’re ready when it’s time to cook – just be sure to store in an airtight container.
Serve quick snacks that won’t spoil dinner. Kids often need a little fuel for homework, but complicated snacks can cut into already busy schedules. Keep ingredients on hand for simple options like trail mix, fruit parfaits and meat and cheese wraps.
Use kitchen tools that speed up the process. Pressure cookers and air fryers can help you put nutritious meals on the table faster while slow cookers let you prep in the morning and come home to a hot, delicious dinner.
Visit HealthyFamilyProject.com to find more back-to-school recipes.

Mini Sweet Pepper Sheet Pan Nachos
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
- 8 ounces Pero Family Farms Mini Sweet Peppers, cut into chip shapes
- 7 ounces tortilla chips
- 1/2 cup sweet or red onion, diced.
- 1/2 cup canned or fresh corn
- 1/2 cup queso fresco cheese
- 1/4 cup black olives
- 1/4 cup jalapeno peppers, fresh sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, for garnish
- 1 lime, cut into thin wedges, for garnish
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place peppers and tortilla chips on sheet pan. Layer onion, corn, cheese, black olives and jalapeno peppers. Bake 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

Southwest Quiche Muffins Bento Box
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- nonstick cooking spray
- 3/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup chopped Nature Fresh Farms Tomz tomatoes
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 small RealSweet sweet onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup granola
- 1/2 Zespri SunGold kiwi, chopped
- 1 Bee Sweet Citrus mandarin, peeled and segmented
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- In large bowl, whisk eggs and milk.
- Coat 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or use silicone muffin liners. Evenly divide beans, tomatoes, cheese and onion among cups. Pour eggs over top.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, or until eggs are set and lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and cool in pan 2-3 minutes. Use knife to loosen edges and remove.
- In cup or bowl, mix yogurt, granola and kiwi.
- Assemble bento box with two quiche muffins, kiwi parfait and mandarin slices.
SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project
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Foodie News
3 Unforgettable Mother’s Day Meals That Will Make Her Heart (and Taste Buds) Sing
Create an unforgettable Mother’s Day with a home-cooked meal featuring three easy yet impressive recipes: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Mediterranean Brunch Board, and Herb-Crusted Salmon, paired with wines to enhance flavors and create lasting memories.

Want to make this Mother’s Day extra special? Skip the crowded restaurants and show Mom your love through a home-cooked meal she’ll never forget. We’ve crafted three foolproof recipes that even kitchen novices can master – because nothing says “I love you” quite like a meal made from the heart.

🌟 1. Heavenly Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Compote
Picture golden, cloud-like pancakes that practically float off the plate, their edges delicately crispy while their centers remain pillowy-soft and tender. The rich, creamy ricotta creates pockets of moisture that melt in your mouth, while bright lemon zest cuts through with citrusy sparkle. The warm berry compote cascades over the stack, its jewel-toned fruits bursting with sweet-tart juice that mingles perfectly with pure maple syrup.

🍳 2. Mediterranean Brunch Board
A feast for both eyes and palate, this stunning spread features eggs with golden yolks that ooze luxuriously when broken, their richness enhanced by aromatic dukkah’s nutty crunch. Creamy, house-made hummus swirled with extra virgin olive oil sits alongside prosciutto roses that fold like silk. Fresh figs, split to reveal their honey-sweet crimson centers, nestle against wedges of artisanal cheese that range from buttery-soft to crystalline-sharp. Every bite tells a story of Mediterranean sunshine.

👑 3. Herb-Crusted Salmon with Champagne Cream Sauce
A masterpiece of textures and flavors: the salmon’s herb crust offers a satisfying crackle before revealing the perfectly cooked, rose-pink flesh beneath that flakes at the mere touch of a fork. The champagne cream sauce, velvety and sophisticated, pools elegantly around the fish, its subtle bubbles lending an air of celebration. Bright green asparagus spears provide the perfect crisp-tender contrast, while the wild mushroom risotto, infused with earthy aromatics and finished with a generous shower of Parmesan, creates a bed of creamy comfort that ties the whole dish together.
Why These Recipes Work:
Each recipe can be partially prepped in advance
Ingredients are easily found in most supermarkets
They’re impressive without being overly complicated
Perfect balance of flavors and textures
Suitable for various dietary preferences
Each bite is carefully crafted to create not just a meal, but a memorable experience that shows Mom just how special she is. The interplay of textures and flavors in each dish creates a symphony of tastes that will linger in her memory long after the last bite.
Here are some Wine Pairings to make these dishes perfect:
🌟 Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Perfect Pairing: Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti
Why it works: The light bubbles and subtle sweetness complement the citrus notes while cutting through the richness of the ricotta.
🍳 Mediterranean Brunch Board
Perfect Pairing: Rosé or Albariño
Why it works: A crisp, dry rosé enhances the salty prosciutto and creamy cheeses, while Albariño’s mineral notes complement the Mediterranean flavors.
👑 Herb-Crusted Salmon
Perfect Pairing: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Why it works: A lightly oaked Chardonnay matches the richness of the champagne sauce, while a light-bodied Pinot Noir works beautifully with the herb crust.
Plating Instructions:
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:
Stack 3-4 pancakes slightly off-center on a warm, white plate
Drizzle berry compote in an artistic swoosh from 2 o’clock to 7 o’clock
Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar
Pro tip: Use a wide, flat plate to let the colors pop against the white background
Mediterranean Brunch Board:
Start with a large wooden board or slate platter
Create height by placing small bowls of hummus and dips at different points
Arrange prosciutto roses in a cascading pattern
Group cheeses by type, creating a gradient from soft to hard
Fill negative space with fresh herbs and edible flowers
Pro tip: Use small olive wood bowls for dips to add rustic elegance
Herb-Crusted Salmon:
Place the risotto in a shallow bowl using a ring mold
Position the salmon at a 45-degree angle, slightly overlapping the risotto
Arrange asparagus spears like a fan
Drizzle champagne sauce in an elegant circle around the plate
Garnish with micro herbs and edible flowers
Pro tip: Warm the plates before serving to keep everything at perfect temperature
Remember: The most important ingredient isn’t listed in any recipe – it’s the love and thought you put into making Mom’s day special. These meals aren’t just about the food; they’re about creating precious moments together.
Ready to make Mom’s day unforgettable? Save these recipes now and start planning your Mother’s Day menu. Trust us – seeing her face light up will be worth every minute in the kitchen.
Here are some related links to further help you make Mother’s Day special:
Good Housekeeping: 55 Best Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas – Good Housekeeping
Food Network: Mother’s Day Recipes: Brunch, Dinner, Desserts and More
NYT Cooking: Mother’s Day Recipes – NYT Cooking
Happy Mother’s Day!
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.
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Food and Beverage
A Warming Springtime Soup


Roasted Tomato Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 3 pounds tomatoes
- 1/2 onion (optional)
- 1 garlic bulb (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon mesquite seasoning
- avocado oil
- 1 1/2 cups broth of choice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- grilled cheese sandwiches, for serving (optional)
- Heat oven to 375 F.
- Slice tomatoes. Slice onions and garlic, if desired. Place in baking dish.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, sugar and mesquite seasoning over tomatoes. Drizzle avocado oil over top and mix well.
- Bake about 1 hour. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into pot and mix in broth and whipping cream. Bring to simmer and add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches, if desired.
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Food and Beverage
What 100% Grass-Fed Organic Dairy Brings to Your Table

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