Food and Beverage
Solve Busy Weeknights with Simple, Satisfying Meals
Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Juggling those weeknight responsibilities including homework, catching up on emails, after-school activities, social events and more can leave families scrambling when it comes time for dinner. When your busy schedule leaves little time to spend in the kitchen, turn to family favorites you can put on the table in 20 minutes or less to give loved ones the fuel they need without sacrificing taste or quality.
Take Taco Tuesdays to a new level (without the hassle) with this deconstructed version of classic fish tacos. Served over a bed of quinoa and drizzled with yogurt crema, these Baja Fish Taco Bowls let you switch up average taco nights by swapping out tortillas and shells for quick-cooking, protein-packed quinoa mixed with nutrient-dense kale. This easy, satisfying meal adds deliciously seasoned fish, creamy avocado and hearty whole grains to your diet with a lighter version of Baja sauce as a perfect companion for fish tacos.
At its core, this tasty weeknight meal relies on the ease and light, nutty flavor of Success Tri-Color Boil-in-Bag Quinoa, which is ready in just 10 minutes. It’s packed with protein, all nine essential amino acids and is a good source of fiber, making it a perfect solution for busy moments whether your loved ones eat vegan, vegetarian or a mix of everything.
If a jam-packed calendar calls for a light dinner, or you’re searching for a quick side to pair with your protein of choice, add a little color to the table with this Edamame Brown Rice and Lentil Salad. Brimming with tasty, colorful ingredients like bell peppers, cucumbers and more, it’s a wholesome and satisfying way to recharge after a long day.
Take the guesswork out of cooking this flavorful salad with 100% whole grain Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice, offering high-quality, pre-cooked grains that’s ready in just 10 minutes without measure or mess. It leaves you with a serving of fluffy, nutty brown rice that cooks up perfectly every time to take some stress out of family dinners.
Visit SuccessRice.com to find more recipe solutions for busy weeknights.
Baja Fish Taco Bowls
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 bags Success Tri-Color Quinoa
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 white-fleshed fish fillets (5-6 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups packed baby kale
- 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions.
- In large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Season fish with Cajun seasoning and salt. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until fish is lightly browned and starts to flake. Set aside.
- In small bowl, stir yogurt, lime zest, lime juice and cumin.
- In medium bowl, toss quinoa with kale. Divide between four bowls. Top each with fish, sliced avocado and dollop of yogurt and lime crema.
Substitutions: Use taco seasoning or chili powder in place of Cajun seasoning. Use arugula or baby spinach instead of kale.
Edamame Brown Rice and Lentil Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Brown Rice
- 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils
- 1 cup edamame, cooked, cooled and shelled
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted almonds and sunflower seeds (optional)
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- In large mixing bowl, combine rice, lentils, edamame, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion and parsley. Toss gently to combine.
- To make dressing: In separate small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing until well combined. Sprinkle with roasted almonds and sunflower seeds, if desired.
SOURCE:
Success Rice
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Make Summer Pop with a Super Snack
(Family Features) When it comes to summer snacking, it’s hard to top the combination of favorite seasonal flavors.
You can enjoy both the sweetness of freeze-dried strawberries and popped popcorn, a whole grain that’s 100% unprocessed with no additives, hidden ingredients or GMOs, in this three-ingredient Strawberries and Cream Popcorn recipe.
Just drizzle white chocolate over popped popcorn then sprinkle with ground freeze-dried strawberries for a perfectly delicious way to meld all your favorite flavors of summer into one easy, convenient snack.
Find more summer snacking solutions by visiting Popcorn.org.
Strawberries and Cream Popcorn
Recipe courtesy of The Popcorn Board
Servings: 4-6
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 6 cups popped popcorn
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted
- In small food processor or spice grinder, pulse freeze-dried strawberries until finely ground. Place popped popcorn in large bowl. Drizzle melted chocolate over top; toss until well coated. Sprinkle evenly with ground freeze-dried strawberries; toss until well coated.
- Scrape onto large parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spreading into even layer.
- Let stand at room temperature 30-60 minutes, or until chocolate is set and hardened. To serve, break into pieces.
- Tips: To melt chocolate, place chocolate chips in heatproof bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring 3-5 minutes, or until smooth.
- To melt chocolate in microwave, place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Microwave on medium, stirring every 30 seconds, for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and melted.
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
Millions of Eggs Recalled Over Possible Salmonella Risk: What Consumers Need to Know
A major egg recall is affecting nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold under several popular brands. Here’s how to determine if your eggs are included and what steps to take if they are.
News You Can Use This Moment!
Consumers are being urged to check their refrigerators after a major recall involving nearly 1.6 million dozen shell eggs due to the potential presence of Salmonella Enteritidis, a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness.
The voluntary recall, announced by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., affects white shell eggs and brown cage-free eggs produced at two Texas farms and distributed between June 6 and July 3, 2026. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the eggs were sold through grocery stores and foodservice distributors in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
What Brands Are Included?
The recalled eggs were sold under several familiar brand names, including:
- Kroger
- Simple Truth
- Brookshire’s
- Country Morning
- Sunups
Not every carton under these brands is affected. Consumers should look for:
- Plant Code: P-1950 or 0840962
- Julian Dates: 157 through 184
- Best By/Sell By Dates: July 20, 2026, through August 17, 2026
Why the Recall Matters
Salmonella can cause symptoms including:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually last four to seven days. While many healthy adults recover without treatment, infections can become severe in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multistate outbreak involving 98 confirmed illnesses across 17 states, resulting in 26 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. Investigators say the recalled eggs are linked to part of the outbreak, although they do not account for every reported illness.
What Should You Do?
If you have eggs matching the recalled codes:
- Do not eat them.
- Return them to the store for a refund or dispose of them safely.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the carton.
- Clean and sanitize any refrigerator shelves, containers, or kitchen surfaces the eggs may have touched.
If you have already eaten the eggs and develop symptoms of Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are severe or persist.
Are Arizona Consumers Affected?
The recalled products were officially distributed in six states, and Arizona is not listed among the primary distribution states. However, because food products can move through wholesalers, travelers, or secondary retailers, Arizona consumers who recently purchased eggs while traveling—or who received eggs from family or friends in affected states—should still check the carton codes.
The Bottom Line
Food recalls are an important part of protecting public health. Taking a few moments to inspect the eggs in your refrigerator could help prevent a serious illness. If your carton matches the recalled plant codes and date range, don’t take the risk—return it or throw it away.
STM Daily News will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Related Resources
- FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts
- FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigations
- CDC: Salmonella Information
- FoodSafety.gov Consumer Resources
The beloved bite-sized favorite returns nationwide with new meal options and a social media twist
For years, KFC customers flooded social media with one simple request: Bring back Popcorn Chicken.
Now, after more than three years off the menu, the fast-food chain has answered that call. KFC announced the nationwide return of its iconic Popcorn Chicken, reviving one of the restaurant’s most requested menu items in recent memory.
Originally introduced in the early 1990s, Popcorn Chicken quickly became a favorite among fans who appreciated its crispy, bite-sized pieces that were perfect for dipping, sharing, or enjoying as a quick snack. The menu item disappeared from restaurants in 2023, sparking years of online petitions, comments, and customer requests asking for its return.
According to KFC, those voices did not go unheard.
“We read every comment, every DM, and even every online petition signature,” said Melissa Cash, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC U.S. “The message was impossible to ignore.”
The company says the return is part of its broader “Kentucky Fried Comeback” strategy, which focuses on reconnecting with longtime fans while introducing new ways for customers to engage with the brand.
Three Ways to Enjoy Popcorn Chicken
Customers can now order Popcorn Chicken in several different formats, while supplies last:
- $10 Popcorn Chicken Bucket – A 16-ounce bucket served with four dipping sauces, designed for sharing.
- Popcorn Chicken Big Box ($10.99) – Includes 6 ounces of Popcorn Chicken, two Original Recipe Tenders, medium fries, a medium drink, two dipping sauces, and a chocolate chunk cookie.
- Popcorn Chicken Combo ($8.49) – Features 6 ounces of Popcorn Chicken, medium fries, a medium drink, and one dipping sauce.
Prices and participation may vary by location.
More Than a Menu Item
KFC isn’t just bringing back the food—it is also embracing internet culture.
To celebrate the return, the company partnered with GIPHY to launch a collection of exclusive Popcorn Chicken-themed GIFs featuring Colonel Sanders. The animated reactions are designed to appear alongside the familiar “grab the popcorn” moments that dominate social media during sporting events, reality television, and other viral moments.
The campaign reflects how restaurants are increasingly extending product launches beyond the dining room by engaging customers through social media and digital platforms.
The Power of Nostalgia
The return of Popcorn Chicken highlights a growing trend across the restaurant industry: the revival of discontinued menu favorites.
Major restaurant chains have increasingly found success bringing back nostalgic products after years of customer demand. Limited-time returns often generate excitement on social media while encouraging longtime customers to revisit the brand.
For KFC, Popcorn Chicken represents more than just another menu option—it is a reminder of a product that helped define the chain for an entire generation of customers.
Whether enjoyed as a quick snack, paired with fries, or shared with family and friends, fans once again have the chance to enjoy one of KFC’s most recognizable comfort foods.
The returning menu item is available now at participating KFC restaurants nationwide while supplies last.
Why This Matters
The revival of Popcorn Chicken demonstrates how customer feedback—especially through social media—can directly influence menu decisions. Rather than relying solely on introducing new products, brands are increasingly looking to nostalgia and fan favorites to reconnect with loyal customers while attracting a new generation of diners.
Related Links
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