Food and Beverage
Take Family Favorites Al Fresco: Advice for enjoying easy meals outdoors
Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Bright sunshine, warm patios and fresh foods go hand in hand. As warm weather and sunny days call you outdoors, bring the whole family along with favorite meals that blend perfectly with a soft breeze and the subtle sounds of nature.
Al fresco dining doesn’t have to be difficult. Just gather a few supplies, whip up a favorite recipe or two and ask for a hand in heading outside. Take these tips into account to help ensure your backyard dining goes off without a hitch.
Create a Cozy Spot
Dinner in the backyard means convenience and the comfort of your own patio furniture, but you can always enhance the experience with an umbrella to add a touch of shade or a small fan on those still, steamy evenings. If a busy day means a later dinner, hanging strings of soft lighting can help illuminate the table.
Make It Fresh
Salad season means fresh ingredients from lettuce and veggies to favorite toppings and beyond. Add a crisp bite to your next al fresco occasion with this Southwest Ranch Taco Salad featuring Newman’s Own’s Southwest Ranch Dressing. The dressing is creamy and smoky with a kick of spice and features no artificial flavors, no colors from artificial sources and no MSG, making it a perfect companion for salads and dips. In fact, you can enjoy this seasonal salad even more knowing that 100% of profits from the sale of the dressing goes toward helping nourish and transform the lives of children facing adversity.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
No outdoor meal is complete without a few must-have utensils. Avoid trips back and forth from the house by writing a list of everything you need so you don’t head to the deck without forks to share a salad or napkins to help clean up the mess. Bring the basics like plates, cups, utensils, napkins and a cloth to rest food on. Don’t leave behind serving spoons, trash bags and other convenience items that make al fresco dining a breeze.
Serve a Perfect Salad Partner
While a hearty salad alone is enough for a filling al fresco meal, you can take your backyard dining to the next level with the perfect partner for satisfying salads: crudites. Arranged neatly on a platter or board, a seasonal variety of sliced or whole raw vegetables such as snap peas, celery, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, mini bell peppers, broccoli and more can make for a perfect accompaniment to nearly any outdoor meal. Serve with a dip or two, such as Newman’s Own’s Southwest Ranch Dressing, to complete your al fresco appetizer.
To find more al fresco food options that give back, visit NewmansOwn.com.
Southwest Ranch Taco Salad
Total time: 25 minutes
- 1/2 head romaine lettuce
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 small avocados
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 ground chuck)
- 2 teaspoons Newman’s Own Mild Taco Seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) black beans
- 1 1/2 cups canned corn
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus additional for serving (optional), divided
- 1 cup Newman’s Own Southwest Ranch Dressing
- 6 ounces tortilla chips
- Coarsely chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes and pit, peel and slice avocados. Set aside.
- In large frying pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Brown ground beef, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Add taco seasoning and water; cook according to package directions, 5-8 minutes, or until meat is thoroughly cooked.
- Drain and rinse black beans. Set aside.
- Divide lettuce among serving bowls or plates. Top with ground beef, tomatoes, avocados, black beans, corn, cheese and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Tuck in tortilla chips.
- Drizzle with southwest ranch dressing and sprinkle with additional cilantro, if desired.
SOURCE:
Newman’s Own
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Food and Beverage
Create Little Moments of Happiness This Spring with Family-Friendly Potato Recipes
As spring encourages outdoor activities, The Little Potato Company offers time-saving products, like pre-washed Little Potatoes and crispy snacks. Enjoy convenient family meals and enter their sweepstakes for a chance to win travel and grocery prizes.
(Feature Impact) As the weather breaks and spring brings increased opportunities for families to get outside, activities, adventures and jam-packed calendars abound. All those special moments spent at the park, the sports field or in the backyard may leave lasting memories, but they can also leave you feeling short on time in the kitchen.
Bring a little moment of happiness to busy family mealtimes during the spring season with The Little Potato Company’s line of easy-to-prepare Little Potatoes. They come pre-washed, require no peeling and are small enough that they don’t need to be cut, allowing for less time in the kitchen and more family time around the table as the days get longer – no extra spring cleaning required. For an added helping of convenience, their Microwave Ready Little Potato Kits come with delicious seasoning packs; simply pop into the microwave, sprinkle on the included seasoning and enjoy.
For a fun after-school or game-night snack, these Crispy Air Fryer Potato Nuggets pair perfectly with a variety of delicious dips. The air fryer cooks the potatoes in minutes, creating a crispy snack with minimal prep – no chopping or peeling needed.
Or you can make a delicious side dish a cinch with pesto, which adds a bright, flavorful twist to a classic in these Basil Pesto Mashed Potatoes. They pair perfectly with everyday family meals using Little Potatoes that require no chopping or peeling thanks to their naturally thin skins, helping cut down on prep time while bringing fresh flavor to the dinner table.
To help fuel families’ spring vacation plans and everyday meals, The Little Potato Company is giving you a chance to enter a sweepstakes through May 25 to win a $10,000 travel voucher with additional prizes including 10 grocery gift cards valued at $1,000.
Enter the sweepstakes at TheLittleSpringtimeSweeptakes.com, and find more ways to make spring meals a breeze by visiting LittlePotatoes.com.
Crispy Air Fryer Potato Nuggets and Dip
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4
Potatoes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 pounds Little Potatoes
Chimichurri:
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch parsley
- 3 limes, juice only
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup canola oil
- Heat air fryer to 390 F.
- To make potatoes: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Whisk in milk until smooth.
- Place panko in a separate shallow bowl.
- Working in batches, coat potatoes in batter then toss in panko until fully coated.
- Place potatoes in the air fryer and cook 24 minutes, flipping halfway.
- To make chimichurri: In a blender, blend cilantro, parsley, lime juice, honey, salt, pepper, chili flakes and canola oil until smooth.
- Serve potato nuggets with chimichurri.
Basil Pesto Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 1/2 pounds Little Potatoes
- water
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning, to taste, divided
- 2 1/2 cups fresh basil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Add potatoes to a large pot and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
- In a food processor, place basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan. Add oil and pulse until mixed then season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a small saucepot over low heat, heat milk and butter until butter is melted and milk is steaming.
- Once potatoes are cooked, strain and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
- Using a potato masher, smash potatoes with milk and butter mixture then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in pesto mixture.
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STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
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recipes
Go Green with a Fresh Spring Salad
Welcome spring with a refreshing Spring Greens Salad featuring mozzarella and a homemade lemon vinaigrette. This light dish offers a tasty alternative to heavier meals, perfect for enhancing your dining routine. Discover more spring recipes at Culinary.net.
Go Green with a Fresh Spring Salad
(Feature Impact) While most people think of dirty kitchens, cramped closets and grimy garages when they hear “spring cleaning,” the popular phrase can apply to your menu, too. Refresh your family’s regular dining routines with fresh ingredients that call to mind the flavors of the season.
When it’s time to put the slow cooker away, consider this Spring Greens Salad with Mozzarella. Paired with an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette, it’s a delicious way to swap out heavier meals for a lighter lunch.
To find more springtime solutions, visit Culinary.net.
Spring Greens Salad with Mozzarella
Recipe adapted from Organic Authority
Servings: 4
- 4 cups baby arugula or spring mix
- 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- sea salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- halved cherry tomatoes (optional)
- In large mixing bowl, combine arugula or spring mix, mozzarella and lemon zest; set aside.
- In small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice vigorously with fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour vinaigrette over greens; toss gently to coat. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, if desired.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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Food and Beverage
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops
JonnyPops is launching No Sugar Added with Electrolytes mini frozen pops—an organic, dye-free treat with hydration support—coming April 2026.
Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Daily News Staff
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops.
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops
A better-for-you frozen treat meets hydration support in a grab-and-go mini format. If you’ve ever reached for something cold after a workout, a long day outside, or when you’re just not feeling 100%, you’re not alone — and JonnyPops says its fans have been telling that story for a while. The Minnesota-based frozen treat brand announced it’s expanding its No Sugar Added Minis lineup with a new option designed to be both refreshing and functional: JonnyPops “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” mini frozen pops.Fans asked for hydration-friendly pops — JonnyPops listened
According to the company, the new product was inspired by emails and social media comments from customers who were already using JonnyPops as a simple way to cool down and feel a little more hydrated. JonnyPops says consumers shared stories about playing sports in the heat, spending time outdoors, or recovering from an illness — and how a frozen treat with hydration support would be the perfect pop for those moments. That feedback led the brand to add electrolytes to its popular No Sugar Added Minis.What’s inside the new minis
JonnyPops says the new “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” minis are built around the same standards fans expect from the brand, including:- Organic ingredients
- No artificial dyes
- No added sugar
- Electrolytes for hydration support
- Layered flavors designed for a fun, refreshing bite
When you can find them
JonnyPops says the new minis are expected to hit stores in April 2026. For updates on availability and additional product news, visit www.jonnypops.com and follow JonnyPops on social media.About JonnyPops
JonnyPops’ tagline is “A Better Pop for a Better World!™” and the company says its mission is to make “delicious, magical products” while helping make the world a kinder place. The brand notes its pops are free from artificial dyes, made in a peanut-free facility, and include a kind deed printed on every pop stick. JonnyPops was founded in a St. Olaf College dorm room and sold its first pops at Twin Cities farmers’ markets and local cafes in 2012. Today, the company employs 200+ people, produces its frozen pops in-house, and is sold through major retailers across all 50 states. Learn more at jonnypops.com or follow @jonnypops on Instagram.Media contact
JonnyPops@dkcnews.comAt 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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