(Culinary.net) Enjoying a meal with loved ones at the end of the day is a timeless tradition, but many families feel as though they’re constantly searching for ways to mix up the menu.

One trend gaining traction among home chefs is “meatless Mondays” in which classic dishes are made using substitutions for meat like veggies or grains. It’s a simple way to maintain nutritional value at the dinner table while putting a tasty twist on worn-out meals.

This Meatless Cheesy Burrito Bake can provide your family a flavorful way to skip the meat and make way for protein in the form of brown rice paired with bell peppers, onion and refried beans wrapped in wheat tortillas and topped with cheese, salsa and guacamole.

Find more creative family dinner inspiration at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Meatless Cheesy Burrito Bake

• 2          tablespoons canola oil
• 2          bell peppers, sliced
• 1          medium onion, sliced
• 1          teaspoon cumin
• 2          cups water
• 1          cup brown rice, uncooked
• 1          can (12 ounces) evaporated milk, divided
• 1          cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1          can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, undrained
• 1          can (16 ounces) refried beans
• 6          wheat tortillas (8 inches)
• salsa (optional)
• guacamole (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In large skillet, heat canola oil. Cook peppers, onion and cumin until tender.
3. In saucepan, add water and brown rice. Cook 45 minutes.
4. In saucepan, add 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk, shredded cheese and green chilies. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and smooth. Stir 3/4 cheese mixture in with rice; set remaining cheese sauce aside.
5. In medium bowl, add refried beans and remaining evaporated milk. Microwave 3-4 minutes.
6. Lay out tortillas and layer: refried bean mixture, rice mixture and pepper-onion mixture. Roll into burritos and place in baking pan. Top burritos with remaining cheese sauce. Bake 20-25 minutes.
7. Garnish with salsa and guacamole, if desired.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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

You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy

(Family Features) As patriotic parties roll on throughout the day and fireworks light up the night, Fourth of July fun calls for favorite snacks that complement the excitement. Whether you’re a pyro or prefer to leave the fiery entertainment to the experts, one thing you can take charge of is the dessert table.

Summer is a perfect time to make fruit the star of the show, and Fourth of July is no exception. These special occasions can be uplifted with the aroma and flavor of Envy Apples, a leading apple variety that offers an invitation to guests to savor memorable moments together.

Their versatility makes them ideal for sweet treats like these Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts for a patriotic touch with red, white and blue pops of color. These tasty bites are shareable, handheld and festive, making them a savvy solution that keeps entertaining simple.

Just combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, pipe onto baked tart shells and top with raspberries, blueberries and star-shaped apple cutouts. Better yet, you can even swap out raspberries for preferred red fruits like strawberries or cherries, if desired.

If all the planning and entertaining leaves you short on time, turn to these Patriotic Apple “Donuts” that swap out traditional dough for thick, round apple slices topped with cream cheese and sprinkles. With just a few ingredients, you can slice the apples then let little ones in on the fun by spreading the cream cheese and decorating with sprinkles.

The craveable texture and crunch of Envy Apples provides balanced sweetness for these favorite desserts and beyond, giving guests the ultimate apple experience for all your Fourth of July festivities. They’re an appealing backdrop for pops of red and white in patriotic recipes as their flesh remains whiter longer, even after cutting or slicing, so they look fresh and delicious throughout the holiday.

To find more Fourth of July salads, main courses, sides and desserts, visit EnvyApple.com.

Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts

• 1 cup diced raspberries
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 cup halved blueberries
• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk
• 12 frozen mini tart shells, approximately 2 inches in diameter
• 3 Envy Apples, cut into 12 large slices (around cores)

1. In bowl, stir raspberries and 2 tablespoons sugar. In separate bowl, stir blueberries and remaining sugar. Let sit 30-60 minutes.
2. Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Spoon into piping bag and cut off small part of tip.
3. Bake tart shells according to package directions. Once baked and cooled, fill halfway with cream cheese mixture.
4. Using small star cookie cutter, cut shapes from apple slices.
5. Top half of each tart with spoonful of raspberries and other half with blueberries. Top each with apple star and repeat with remaining ingredients.

Patriotic Apple “Donuts”

Servings: 6

• 2 Envy Apples
• 2/3 cup whipped cream cheese
• 6-10 tablespoons red, white and blue sprinkles

1. Cut apples horizontally to create thick, round slices. Use round cookie cutter to remove apple cores.
2. Spread cream cheese on “donuts.” Top with sprinkles.

SOURCE:
Envy Apple

(Culinary.net) Having fun in the kitchen can be an easy way to get kids involved for a family-friendly activity. These Fiesta Snacks call for flavors many kids love stacked up in a way that allows them to aid in the process.

Find more snack recipes at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Fiesta Snacks

• 1          pound chicken, chopped
• 1/2       cup salsa, divided
• 1/4       cup sour cream
• 8          tortillas (8 inches)
• 1/3       cup refried beans
• 1/2       cup guacamole
• 6          ounces shredded cheese

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In skillet, cook chopped chicken until done.
3. In medium bowl, mix cooked chicken, 1/4 cup salsa and sour cream until blended.
4. In small bowl, mix refried beans and remaining salsa until blended.
5. Lay two tortillas on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Spread chicken mixture over both tortillas. Place second set of tortillas over chicken mixture. Spread guacamole over top tortillas. Place third set of tortillas on top and spread refried bean mixture over tortillas. Place fourth set of tortillas on top and sprinkle shredded cheese over tortillas.
7. Bake 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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

You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy