(Family Features) A nutrition boost for your daily menus can go a long way for families focused on making healthy eating decisions. If you’re looking for an easy way to add nutrients to your meals, the ancient grain sorghum could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Sorghum is non-GMO, gluten-free and a source of 13 essential nutrients. Sorghum can be enjoyed as whole and pearled grain, flour or popped like popcorn, making it a versatile ingredient you can incorporate into meal-planning. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Adding a new twist to mealtime can be a cinch. With sorghum, it’s easy to achieve flavorful meals that have protein, fiber and other nutrients. Simply use your stove, a slow cooker, rice cooker or oven to prepare sorghum and replace the grain in your favorite recipes. Or discover a new favorite like this Sorghum BLT Salad. For a quick and healthy snack, grab a handful of Popped Sorghum and feel good about eating between meals. You can purchase popped sorghum or prepare it yourself using one of many simple methods. A delicious alternative to popcorn, popped sorghum is quickly becoming a favorite snack option. To discover more recipe inspiration and find easy ways to add sorghum to your family’s favorite dishes, visit SorghumCheckoff.com.

Sorghum BLT Salad

Recipe courtesy of United Sorghum Checkoff Program Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4-6 Dressing:

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
• salt, to taste

Salad:

• 1 pound bacon
• 3 cups cooked whole-grain sorghum
• 1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried and shredded
• 1-2 cups mixed greens, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• Parmesan or goat cheese (optional)

1. To make dressing: Blend mayonnaise, milk, garlic powder and pepper until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. To make salad: In large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, fry bacon. Turn frequently until evenly browned. Drain on paper towel and crumble.
3. In large bowl, combine sorghum, lettuce, mixed greens, tomatoes, parsley, green onions and bacon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss with dressing. Top with Parmesan or goat cheese, if desired, and serve.

Popped Sorghum

Recipe courtesy of United Sorghum Checkoff Program Prep time: 1-2 minutes Cook time: 4-6 minutes Servings: 2

• 2 teaspoons oil of choice (optional)
• 1/2 cup whole-grain sorghum
• salt or seasoning of choice

1. Heat stainless steel pot with tight-fitting lid over medium heat.
2. Add oil, if desired. When hot, add whole-grain sorghum and cover with lid.
3. Shake pot often to prevent burning.
4. When there are more than 10 seconds between pops, remove from heat.
5. Sprinkle lightly with salt or seasonings of choice.

  SOURCE: United Sorghum Checkoff Program

 

Save Summer Dinners with Shrimp Spaghetti

    (Family Features) Simplifying summer gatherings starts with easy recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor. To stay prepared for last-minute get-togethers and unexpected guests, keep this Shrimp Spaghetti recipe on your menu and find more quick dinner solutions at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

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

• 1 pound spaghetti noodles
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup avocado oil
• 1 package (12 ounces) raw shrimp
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup frozen or fresh spinach
• bread, for serving

 

1. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.
2. In skillet over medium heat, add butter, avocado oil and shrimp. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder and paprika. Remove shrimp after they begin to turn pink; set aside.
3. Add chicken broth, Parmesan, heavy cream, remaining garlic powder, onion powder and spinach to skillet and mix well. Add shrimp back to skillet to finish cooking. Mix in noodles and serve with bread.

SOURCE: Culinary.net

Not All Cheese Is Created Equal — Discover the U.S. Regions Making Cheese Worth Traveling For

When it comes to cheese, America often gets a bad rap—especially from international visitors used to shelves full of regional specialties and raw milk delicacies. Mass-produced slices and fluorescent shreds may dominate supermarket aisles, but beyond the plastic wrap lies a thriving world of artisan cheesemakers producing some of the finest cheese in the world.

Whether you’re a Euro expat feeling homesick for good camembert or a local foodie ready to explore beyond cheddar blocks, here’s your guide to America’s best cheese-producing regions and the creameries putting U.S. cheese on the global map.

🟩 Northeast: Home of Heritage and Innovation

Vermont and New York are leading the charge in high-quality, farmstead cheeses. These producers emphasize small herds, raw milk, and European-inspired aging techniques.

Jasper Hill Farm (VT) – Aged in their own underground cellars, cheeses like Harbison and Bayley Hazen Blue have won international awards. Consider Bardwell Farm (VT/NY) – One of the oldest cheesemaking sites in the region, known for Dorset and Pawlet, both raw milk marvels. Nettle Meadow (NY) – Makers of Kunik, a decadent triple-cream goat and cow blend that’s pure bliss.

🟨 Midwest: America’s Original Cheese Country

Wisconsin earns its title as “America’s Dairyland,” but there’s much more than curds and cheddar here.

Uplands Cheese (WI) – Their Pleasant Ridge Reserve has been named the best cheese in America multiple times. Hook’s Cheese (WI) – Known for their sharp aged cheddars—some matured for over 15 years. Roth Cheese (WI) – Blending European tradition with American craftsmanship.

🟦 West Coast: Cheese with a Creative Spirit

From lush coasts to wine country, California and Oregon boast cheeses as fresh and bold as their surroundings.

Cowgirl Creamery (CA) – A pioneer in organic cheese, their Mt. Tam and Red Hawk are favorites in wine country. Point Reyes Farmstead (CA) – Their Original Blue is a creamy, complex blue cheese that pairs beautifully with fruit and wine. Rogue Creamery (OR) – Makers of Rogue River Blue, the first American cheese to win “Best Cheese in the World.”

🟧 The South: A New Frontier in Farmstead Cheese

You might not expect to find world-class cheese in Georgia or North Carolina, but Southern creameries are proving otherwise.

Sweet Grass Dairy (GA) – Farmstead cheeses from grass-fed cows. Green Hill is a Southern take on camembert. Boxcarr Handmade Cheese (NC) – Italian-style cheeses like Cottonbell and Rocket’s Robiola. Mozzarella Company (TX) – Fresh, handmade mozzarellas and seasonal specialties.

🟪 Southwest & Rockies: Earthy, Bold, and Unique

Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona offer high-desert cheeses shaped by elevation and heritage.

Beehive Cheese (UT) – Known for Barely Buzzed, a cheddar rubbed with espresso and lavender. Haystack Mountain (CO) – Small-batch goat cheese with personality. Mesa Top Farm (NM) – Sustainable, local, and full of character.

🧭 How to Explore Artisan Cheese in the U.S.

Whether you’re traveling or staying local, here’s how to tap into this hidden world of American cheese:

✅ Visit Farmers’ Markets – Ask vendors about local dairy farms.

✅ Explore Regional Cheese Trails – Vermont, California, Wisconsin, and Oregon all have mapped-out routes.

✅ Buy Direct Online – Many artisan creameries ship nationwide.

✅ Look for “Farmstead” Labels – This means the cheese was made where the animals were raised.

✅ Use American Cheese Society’s Directory – A trusted source for discovering producers.

Final Bite: American Cheese, Reinvented

Forget what you know about “American cheese.” From the forests of Vermont to the valleys of California, a new generation of cheesemakers is redefining what domestic cheese can be: bold, complex, sustainable, and just as crave-worthy as anything from Europe.

The next time someone says, “The U.S. doesn’t do cheese,” just smile… and hand them a slice of Pleasant Ridge Reserve or Rogue River Blue.

For more on Artisan Cheese, check out Food and Drink!

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/