Last Updated on April 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Mix Up the Everyday: New Ways to Elevate At-Home Cooking

(Feature Impact) Most families know and love their tried-and-true family traditions, especially when it comes to the secret sauces, time-tested techniques and recipes that deserve to be passed down from generation to generation. No matter how legendary the home cooks, though, there’s always room for new tricks, whether it’s a fresh spin on a classic dish or a smarter tool that makes the after-dinner cleanup effortless.

Incorporating new techniques and fresh ideas can invigorate your everyday cooking in unexpected ways. Consider these grandma-approved twists on tradition from the experts at Finish, who offer winning ways to enhance cleanup no matter what techniques you turn to in the kitchen.

Plan Ahead

If you’re used to throwing together dinner at the last minute, learning to meal prep can help with trying new recipes. Take a look at what you have on hand before scouring a few cookbooks (or cooking websites) for appetizing dishes to try then head to the store to fill in the missing ingredients. Meal planning may save you time, money and, perhaps, a little sanity – and potentially help you branch out your menu, too.

Club It Up

Joining a cookbook club allows you to flex your social muscles and sample new recipes and techniques from different cultures with fellow foodies. For example, this savory, meat-free Lubiyeh recipe just may become a new household favorite. Featuring stewed green beans simmered in a vegan broth with the added kick of Aleppo pepper and sweet red pepper paste, it’s both bright and rich, and pairs well with rice, lavash or thin pita with a smattering of raw onions for a little extra punch.

Simplify Cleanup

Once the cookbooks have been shelved and the plates have been cleared, tackle the cleaning jobs with an option like the new Finish Ultimate Quantum – their breakthrough dishwashing detergent with Finish’s most advanced formula yet – offering an unbeatable clean even on tough stains in hard water (220 PPM). This grandma-approved technique can help you conquer clean dishes, so it makes sense to switch.

Veg Out

If meat is in constant rotation at your house, consider rotating in a Meatless Monday meal like pasta primavera, or celebrate your own version of Taco Tuesday with bean- or lentil-based tacos instead of chicken, pork or beef. Opting for vegetarian or vegan meals utilizing hearty veggies like squash, eggplant and potatoes can help you save money at the grocery store and nourish your body with heart-healthy nutrients.

Grow a Garden

Starting a garden may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can begin with a few herbs growing on a windowsill before embarking on a bigger outdoor gardening project, where transforming a small patch of earth for growing vegetables, herbs or berry bushes can be just the thing to elevate eating at home.

To learn more, visit finishdishwashing.com.

Lubiyeh

(Lebanese Green Beans Stewed with Tomatoes and Garlic)

Recipe courtesy of Jeanette Chawki and the League of Kitchens on behalf of Finish

Servings: 4-6

• 2          pounds string beans or flat green beans
  
• 1/8       pound garlic (about 18 medium cloves)
  
• 7 1/2    cups water, divided
  
• 1 1/4    pounds plum tomatoes (about 5)
  
• 1          tablespoon sweet red pepper paste
  
• 1 1/2    teaspoons tomato paste
  
• 1/2       teaspoon white sugar
  
• 1/2-1    teaspoon crushed Aleppo pepper flakes
  
• 1/2       cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1          tablespoon kosher salt, or to taste
  
• 1          large white or yellow onion, for serving
  
• thin pita, lavash or another flatbread, for serving (optional)

1. Trim ends of string beans or flat green beans. Put beans in bowl. Use hands to break beans into 2-3 pieces about 1 1/2 inches long.
2. Peel garlic. Trim rough or damaged root ends and cut large cloves in half lengthwise.
3. In medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water to boil. Once boiling, carefully add plum tomatoes and cook just until skins begin to break, 4-5 minutes. Turn off heat and drain. When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove and discard skin.
4. Cut tomatoes into rough 1/2-inch chunks, removing any white or green parts near stem. Put tomato chunks in bowl. In separate small bowl, stir sweet red pepper paste, tomato paste, white sugar, crushed Aleppo pepper flakes and 1/2 cup water until paste is dissolved into liquid; set aside.
5. In large wok or skillet with deep sides over high heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil.
6. Add garlic and fry, shaking pot occasionally, until cloves lightly brown, about 90 seconds. Add green beans and stir with wooden spoon. Turn heat to medium-low and stir in kosher salt. Add 1 cup water and stir. Raise heat to high to bring water back to simmer then lower to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, just until beans are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
7. Stir in tomatoes and pepper paste mixture, increase heat to high and cook until liquid boils. Cover pot, keeping lid slightly ajar, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until tomatoes are soft, sauce has thickened slightly and garlic is tender, about 20 minutes. Taste for salt and add if needed. Keep warm until ready to serve.
8. Put down clean dish towel and place onion on top. Smash onion with heavy cutting board 2-5 times then peel it.
9. Squeeze whole onion over sink between hands to remove some juices. Wash onion under cold running water, squeeze it between hands again then pull it apart into pieces, removing roots and any stem, and put it on small serving plate.
10. If using pita, separate circles into two thin pieces. Bake or toast thin pita, lavash or other flatbread until crispy or blackened in spots. For sandwiches, warm bread.
11. Serve stewed green beans and raw onion with pita, lavash or other flatbread, either open-faced or rolled into sandwich.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (women in kitchen)

SOURCE:

Finish

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Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Manage Busy Spring Schedules with Simple, Nutritious Bowls

(Feature Impact) When jam-packed calendars and seemingly constant takeout orders get you down, diving into a fresh way to rethink homecooked meals can get you and your loved ones into a better-for-you routine.

Close your favorite food delivery app and instead break out the bowls for simple yet nutritious recipes that are equal parts filling and fresh. Easily prepped ahead of time, dishes like Chicken and Rice Bowls with Peanut Sauce provide powerful protein and flavor without the hassle. For added pizzazz, drizzle with extra peanut sauce and squeeze a dash of lime juice.

Or put a tangy twist on a traditional chicken bowl with these Greek-Inspired Power Bowls featuring homemade tzatziki made with Dandy Celery, a naturally sweeter, crispier and less stringy alternative to other celeries. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, it delivers the ultimate snack time (or dinner) crunch and flavor, offering a satisfying complement to sliced chicken, mixed greens, whole-grain quinoa and Kalamata olives.

An added bowl-inspired bonus: These family-friendly recipes can be personalized for taste preferences so no one goes hungry.

Rethink your family’s menu with more quick, nutritious recipes to alleviate the stress of hectic schedules by visiting DudaFresh.com.

Chicken and Rice Bowls with Peanut Sauce

Recipe courtesy of The Produce Moms
Prep time: 7 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Creamy Peanut Sauce:

• 1 1/2    tablespoons soy sauce
• 1          tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2          teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1          teaspoon honey
• 1/4       cup creamy peanut butter
• 1          tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Bowls:

• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          cup cooked, shredded chicken
• 1          cup cooked brown or jasmine rice
• 1          cup Dandy celery, julienned
• 1          cup shredded carrot
• 1/2       medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4       cup unsalted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• lime wedges, for serving

1. To prepare peanut sauce: In small bowl, whisk soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar and honey. Add peanut butter and sesame oil. Whisk vigorously until sauce is completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. To prepare bowls: In nonstick 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil until simmering. Add shredded chicken and about 3 tablespoons peanut sauce. Stir constantly to coat chicken and heat through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. To assemble rice bowls: In deep serving bowls, add cooked rice. Top with warm chicken covered in peanut sauce. Arrange celery, carrot and cucumber around chicken. Top with peanuts.
4. Drizzle remaining peanut sauce over bowls. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over bowls.

Greek-Inspired Power Bowls

Recipe courtesy of Anastasiia de la Cruz
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

Celery Tzatziki:

• 1          cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2       cup finely chopped Dandy celery
• 1          tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1          tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1          small garlic clove, finely grated
• 2          tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Bowls:

• 2          cups mixed greens
• 1 1/3    cups cooked, gluten-free, whole-grain quinoa
• 2          large grilled chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each), sliced
• 1/2       cup hummus
• 1/4       cup Kalamata olives, halved
• 1          tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• fresh herbs, for garnish

1. To make celery tzatziki: Mix yogurt, celery, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and walnuts, if desired. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well. Chill.
2. To assemble bowls: In two bowls, layer greens and cooked quinoa evenly. Top with grilled chicken.
3. Spoon 1/4 cup hummus on side of each bowl. Add olives, 2-3 tablespoons tzatziki and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with fresh herbs.

    <img src="https://ssl.google-analytics.com/collect?v=1&amp;tid=UA-482330-7&amp;cid=1955551e-1975-5e52-0cdb-8516071094cd&amp;sc=start&amp;t=pageview&amp;dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures.com%2F17834%2F10247&amp;dt=MANAGE-BUSY-SPRING-SCHEDULES-WITH-SIMPLE-NUTRITIOUS-BOWLS" />
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SOURCE:

Duda Farm Fresh Foods

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Take to the Outdoors with a Fresh, Picnic-Friendly Sandwich

(Feature Impact) When the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to be than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic Party Sandwiches, perfect for a filling lunch that provides the energy you need for kicking around a soccer ball, playing tag or flying a kite.

Find more lunch ideas fit for enjoying the sunshine by visiting Culinary.net.

Picnic Party Sandwiches

Recipe adapted from “Crunch Time Kitchen”

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

• 1/4       cup salted butter
  
• 2          tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  
• 1          large fresh baguette
  
• 1/4       cup fig preserves
  
• 6-8       ounces cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and capocollo
  
• 6          ounces brie cheese, sliced
  
• 2          cups arugula
  
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice
  
• 1          pinch kosher salt

1. Mash together room temperature butter with fresh parsley. Set aside.
2. Cut fresh baguette length-wise and smear bottom half of the baguette with herbed butter. Top with fig preserves.
3. Layer on cured meats followed by slices of brie cheese. For brie, cut off any large pieces of rind.
4. In small bowl, toss arugula with lemon juice and salt. Add arugula to sandwich followed by top half of baguette.
5. Cut baguette into four even sandwiches and eat immediately or wrap each one tightly in paper or plastic wrap.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

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