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Food and Beverage

Simple Recipes that Make School Days a Cinch

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(Family Features) Resisting the weeknight urge to call for takeout or order delivery starts with an approachable at-home menu with recipes you can prep in an instant. Especially during back-to-school season when schedules are jam-packed with activities, easy meals and desserts you can rely on allow you and your loved ones to ease tension in the kitchen.

Simplicity is the key to putting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less, and these Taco Salad and Taco Mac and Cheese recipes offer mealtime solutions that make cooking duty a breeze. Make all that classroom effort worth it with a kid-friendly dessert you can prepare over the weekend and keep refrigerated for weeknight treats with these No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars.

Find more recipe ideas to simplify hectic back-to-school schedules at Culinary.net.

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Make Dinner Happen in 30 Minutes

If you’re looking for a go-to meal for your hungry family, search no more. This Taco Salad calls only for pantry staples so you can spice up busy evenings in just half an hour.

Visit Culinary.net for more quick dinner solutions.

Taco Salad

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
  • 1 can (15 ounces) corn
  • 2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 lime, juice only
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro
  • romaine lettuce
  • 2-3 cups shredded cheese
  • 1 tub (16 ounces) sour cream
  • crushed tortilla chips
  1. In pan over medium heat, brown beef until cooked through; drain. Add black beans and corn. Stir in tomatoes with juices and half-and-half. Add onion powder, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning and pepper. Season with salt, to taste. Bring to simmer.
  2. Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro.
  3. Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls for toppings.
  4. On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.
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A Sweet Treat to Make School Days Special

Sometimes a long day in the classroom and tough homework assignments call for a cool treat. Rewarding all that studying can be a cinch with a no bake cheesecake bar that lasts throughout the week.

These No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars allow you to keep things cool in the kitchen without cranking up the oven. Plus, they’re made with C&H Sugars that are perfect for adding a little something special to school days.

Find more back-to-school desserts at chsugar.com.

No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars

Prep time: 35 minutes
Rest time: 6 hours
Yield: 16 bars

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Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons C&H Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 pinch salt

Bars:

  • 1 small fresh dragon fruit, peeled and cubed small
  • 1/4 cup C&H Granulated Sugar
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups C&H Powdered Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full fat, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  1. To make crust: Line 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave 2-inch overhang of paper on both sides. In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press into even layer. Place in freezer.
  2. To make bars: In small saucepan over medium heat, cook dragon fruit and granulated sugar until sugar is completely dissolved, dragon fruit is soft and mixture reduces in size, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla and yogurt. Beat until combined.
  4. In separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into cream cheese mixture. Pour half of mixture into prepared crust. Add 5 tablespoons dragon fruit mixture to remaining cream cheese batter. Mix until well combined. Pour over plain cream cheese mixture. Place in refrigerator to set at least 6 hours, or overnight.
  5. Cut into 16 bars.
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Spice Up Weeknights

Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food that’s easy to make on busy weeknights. With just a few extra ingredients and steps, you can turn boxed mac and cheese into a filling dinner.

To make this Taco Mac and Cheese, simply prepare your favorite boxed mac and cheese according to the package instructions and stir fry the meat and vegetables together. (Hint: You can even chop vegetables the night before to make cooking the next day even easier.) Then add taco seasoning and combine for a new take on a classic dish.

Visit Culinary.net to find more quick and simple recipes.

Taco Mac and Cheese

  • 1 box macaroni and cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
  1. Prepare boxed mac and cheese with milk and butter according to package instructions.
  2. In skillet, brown ground turkey over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Add taco seasoning.
  3. Stir turkey mixture with mac and cheese to combine.

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SOURCE:
C&H Sugar

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

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Food and Beverage

Punch Up Your Holiday Beverage Menu

This holiday season, enhance your gatherings with a refreshing Christmas Cranberry Punch recipe featuring cranberries, pineapple, assorted juices, and a hint of rosemary for a tart twist.

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Christmas Cranberry Punch

(Culinary.net) This time of year is all about food and sweet desserts, but don’t forget to quench guests’ thirst with a seasonal sip. This Christmas Cranberry Punch offers a slightly less sweet take on traditional punch so you can add a touch of tart to the beverage cart. Visit Culinary.net to find more delicious holiday recipe ideas.

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Christmas Cranberry Punch

  • 1 package fresh cranberries
  • 1 can pineapple chunks
  • 3-4 rosemary twigs
  • 6 cans lemon-lime soda, divided
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 20 ounces orange pineapple juice
  • 1 orange
  1. The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze.
  2. Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight.
  3. In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.

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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/food-and-drink/


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Food and Beverage

A Sweet, Savory, Simple Holiday Side Dish

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(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

holiday

Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6

  • 1/2 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
  • 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  1. Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
  2. In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
  3. In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
  4. Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.

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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/food-and-drink/


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Food and Beverage

Classic Desserts That Combine Christmases Past and Present

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(Family Features) If holiday gatherings have started to feel more overwhelming than celebratory, it’s time to go back to the basics with seasonal desserts that are easy yet elegant.

Classic Desserts

Wow your crowd this year with a mouthwatering Hummingbird Cake or Coconut Cake that call to mind holidays past without requiring hours spent in the kitchen (like grandma used to do). Or for a classic take on an old favorite, these Christmas Cinnamon Cookies can even let the kiddos get involved – just make the dough then have your little helpers use their favorite cookie cutters to make festive shapes before the oven does the rest of the work.

Find these recipes and more from “Cookin’ Savvy” at Culinary.net.

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Hummingbird Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 spice cake mix
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup banana cream Greek yogurt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple
  • 1 cup crushed pecans
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Frosting:

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 package pecans (optional)
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In mixing bowl, mix spice mix and sugar. Blend in yogurt, eggs and pineapple. In separate bowl, mix pecans, flour and butter then add to cake mixture.
  3. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan then bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.
  4. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
  5. Ice cake then decorate with pecans, if desired.
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Coconut Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 vanilla or white cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup coconut Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 eggs

Frosting:

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 cups powered sugar
  • 2-4 cups shredded coconut
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour and sugar. Blend in yogurt, milk, butter and eggs.
  3. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan and bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.
  4. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
  5. Ice cake then pat shredded coconut gently into icing.
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Christmas Cinnamon Cookies

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 2/3 cups self-rising flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons water (optional)
  • 1 cup powered sugar (optional)
  1. In mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, brown sugar and egg to make dough. If dough is too dry to form into ball, add water. Form into log and wrap in parchment paper. Refrigerate 1 hour.
  2. Heat oven to 350 F.
  3. Roll dough out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper and bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on rack then dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

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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/food-and-drink/

Discover more from Daily News

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