Food and Beverage

Simple Recipes that Make School Days a Cinch

Published

2 months ago

July 26, 2024

Daily News Staff

(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.

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

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.
Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls for toppings.
On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.

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

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
Cut into 16 bars.

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

Prepare boxed mac and cheese with milk and butter according to package instructions.
In skillet, brown ground turkey over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Add taco seasoning.
Stir turkey mixture with mac and cheese to combine.

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.

Food and Drink

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Food and Beverage

AMERICA’S #1 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BRAND UNVEILS ITS “BIGGEST” COOKIE INNOVATION EVER: CHIPS AHOY! BIG CHEWY COOKIE

Chips Ahoy! is launching a new product line called Big Chewy Cookies, which are over three times the size of their regular chewy cookies. Designed for on-the-go snacking, these cookies come in three flavors: classic Chewy, Chocolatey Brownie, and Chocolatey Caramel. The cookies will be available nationwide in October for $2.29 per pack.

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

Daily News Staff

Over 3x the size of Chips Ahoy! Regular Chewy – Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy is a New Offering Created for On-the-Go Snacking

EAST HANOVER, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — The cookie experts at Chips Ahoy! are at it again – this time showing up bigger than ever before. Introducing the Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie – an entirely new product line from America’s #1 chocolate chip cookie brand. As the brand that is “Here for Happy,” this innovation from Chips Ahoy! brings cookie lovers an offering that is over three times the size of Chips Ahoy! Regular Chewy in an individually wrapped pack, making it the ideal go-to snack for splitting with a friend.

These new Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies will up the ante in snack aisles and convenience stores across the country. Designed with Gen-Z Chips Ahoy! lovers in mind – this oversized treat is perfect for on-the-go snacking during their busy lives or to split with a friend.

Boasting chocolatey chips over four times larger than the iconic Chips Ahoy! Chewy cookie for a bigger, more chocolatey bite, the cookie itself clocks in with a diameter over three times the size, and will be available in three delicious flavors:

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie: Delivering classic Chips Ahoy! Chewy flavor now bigger and with the just the right amount of chocolatey chips to compliment the larger cookie and its soft-baked texture.
Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, Chocolatey Brownie: A decadent brownie-flavored base takes indulgence up a notch and delivers an extra chocolatey bite for even the biggest sweet-tooth.
Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, Chocolatey Caramel: Delicious caramel-flavored chips blend with the iconic sweetness of the Chips Ahoy! chocolatey chips to create a delicious mash-up of caramel and chocolatey flavors to deliver a big, indulgent bite.

“From our original cookies to our newest innovations, Chips Ahoy! fans have long enjoyed our iconic brand and mouthwatering flavors,” said Jen Levin, Senior Brand Manager for Chips Ahoy! US. “For over 60 years, Chips Ahoy! cookies have been the go-to cookie for chocolate chip cookie lovers of all ages. Now, with the launch of Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies, we’re excited to be their on-the-go cookie choice as well, offering indulgence and happiness in each big, delicious bite. And perhaps the best part of all? Their bigger size means you have enough Chips Ahoy! deliciousness to share with a friend!”

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie will begin rolling out to retailers nationwide starting in October. Each 2.5 oz pack will be available for an SRP $2.29 at convenience stores. For more information on Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, follow @chipsahoy on Instagram and @theofficialchipsahoy on TikTok to follow the latest Big Chewy Cookie news.

About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

CONTACT: Anna Marie Heaton, annamarie.heaton@mslgroup.com

SOURCE Chips Ahoy!

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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Beverages

Death Wish Coffee Co. Celebrates National Coffee Day With The Launch of its First-Ever Light Roast

Death Wish Coffee Co. introduces its first Light Roast blend, offering a balanced flavor profile with sweet fruit notes, bright acidity, and robust depth, catering to evolving consumer tastes.

Published

4 days ago

September 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

The Premium USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified^™ Blend Delivers a Bright, Smooth, and Bold Taste Unlike Any Other

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. /PRNewswire/ — Death Wish Coffee Co., the number one Organic and number one Fair Trade coffee brand in the United States*, has brightened up its portfolio with the launch of its first-ever Light Roast blend – a perfect balance of sweet, bright, and bold.

Death Wish Coffee Co.’s Light Roast Blend

The three-bean blend was intentionally crafted to highlight the sweet fruit notes of Colombian coffee, the bright acidity of Peruvian coffee, and the depth and body that premium Robusta has to offer. Slow-roasted to perfection, this complex brew will suit coffee enthusiasts who are seeking a lighter roast to invigorate their senses and keep them going all day long without compromising on quality or flavor. The Fair Trade Certified^™, USDA Organic, and Kosher roast can be enjoyed hot or iced and sipped during any time of day for a sustainably sourced pick-me-up that consumers can feel good about.

This addition is an expansion of Death Wish Coffee Co.’s core lineup of premium Medium, Dark, and Espresso roasts, which comes in response to the shifting flavor preferences of younger consumers.

“This exciting addition completes our core portfolio of Medium, Dark, Espresso, and now Light roasts —providing a range of high-quality, Fair Trade Certified^™, and USDA Organic roast shades for the discerning coffee consumer,” said Tom Ennis, President and CEO of Death Wish Coffee Co. “We are excited to offer a light, bright, and bold coffee for the new generation of coffee consumers that don’t want their parents’ coffee brand.”

Light Roast is available in 16 oz. ground bags, with whole bean and single-serve pods to follow. Light Roast can be purchased on www.deathwishcoffee.com and Amazon, with plans to hit Target shelves in early 2025.

Outside of its core line, Death Wish Coffee Co. also sells flavored options that are Fair Trade Certified^™ and made with no artificial flavors. Each product follows rigorous standards that protect the environment and livelihoods of coffee farmers. For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co., please visit www.deathwishcoffee.com, and follow the brand on Instagram @deathwishcoffee.

About Death Wish Coffee Co.
Good things start small. Mike Brown brought his bold idea to life in 2012—seeking a stronger coffee for his local community. He searched far and wide for the world’s best beans, perfected a unique roasting technique, and Death Wish Coffee Company was born. What started as a few employees packing orders in the basement of a quaint coffee shop is now the #1 Fair Trade and #1 Organic Coffee Brand* in the United States and can be found in more than 25,000 stores nationwide, on Amazon and deathwishcoffee.com. Death Wish Coffee Company blends, including its Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Espresso Roast, Valhalla Java, and now Light Roast, are always Fair Trade + USDA Certified Organic. For more information, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com.

*Source: SPINS, TOTAL US MULO, Shelf Stable Coffee and Grounds, Dollar Sales, L52W, W/E 5/19/24

SOURCE Death Wish Coffee Co.

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Food and Beverage

Celebrate Cozy Season with a Creamy, Comforting Meal

Enjoy a cozy autumn evening with a warming meal of Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies, plus a chance to win cozy pierogy-inspired items.

Published

4 days ago

September 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) A snug sweater, a crackling fire and a meal that warms you from the inside out are perfect ways to spend a cool autumn evening with the people you love.

Comforting Meal

Gather around the table for a hearty meal featuring some of the most comforting flavors of fall – pumpkin, apple and cinnamon – plus a special ingredient: pierogies. Found in the frozen food aisle, Mrs. T’s Pierogies are stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors – a comforting addition to this Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies.

Available in 13 flavors, including 4 Cheese Medley, Loaded Baked Potato, Broccoli & Cheddar and other varieties in both full and mini sizes, they can be boiled, baked, sauteed, air fried and even grilled, making them a versatile addition to seasonal dishes of all kinds.

Plus, in honor of National Pierogy Day, you can enter for a chance to win items to get cozy –pierogy style. From getting comfy on the couch with pierogies to enjoying them in bed, you can win items inspired by these soft, pillowy, cheese-filled pasta pockets: like a plush robe or pierogy-shaped blanket. To enter, simply follow @mrstspierogies on Instagram, like the sweepstakes post and comment your favorite way to get cozy.

To find more cozy recipe inspiration, visit mrstspierogies.com.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

1 large shallot
1 large Honeycrisp apple (or 1 1/2 cups)
5 garlic cloves
olive oil
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons maple syrup
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons heavy cream
fresh thyme, to taste
1 box Mini 4 Cheese Medley Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Slice shallot, peel and cube apple and crush garlic.
In pot over medium-low heat, add drizzle of olive oil and saute shallots, garlic and apple 20 minutes, covered.
Let mixture slightly cool then add to blender with 1/2 cup broth and blend until fully combined.
In pot, add pumpkin puree; blended shallot mixture; maple syrup; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste; nutmeg; cinnamon; remaining broth; heavy cream; and thyme, to taste. Bring to low boil then add frozen pierogies. Boil 3 minutes.

SOURCE:
Mrs. T’s Pierogies

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.