recipes
Warm Up Winter with Watermelon Fun
Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.
Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) The cold chill of winter may have you feeling trapped indoors with nothing to do and nowhere to go, but fun activities fit for the whole family can add excitement and chase away those wintertime blues. Paired with an appetizing snack, at-home crafting provides a relaxing way to keep your mind and body moving.
Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.
When this year’s first snowfall offers a canvas for creativity and entertainment, gather your loved ones to make this Watermelon Snowman. Fresh-cut and personal-sized watermelons are the predominant options in wintertime, and they’re perfect for putting together this festive work of art. All you’ll need is a collection of kitchen knives, an ice cream scoop, melon ballers, skewers, some decorative “clothing” and blueberries for a fruit salad served right out of the snowman.
While you’re hard at work, ease your appetite with a quick and easy snack like Watermelon Glazed Meatballs. Start with a homemade watermelon puree mixed with barbecue sauce then saute frozen meatballs and top with the sweet glaze for a perfect wintertime treat. Along with delicious taste, watermelon is also a nutritious hydration source, which is just as important in winter as during warmer months, and provides an excellent source of vitamin C with 25% of the daily recommended value in each 2-cup serving to support immunity.
These tasty morsels also make for a simple, shareable appetizer while hosting throughout the season. Just lay them out on a serving tray and pop toothpicks into each meatball so guests can grab and go while mingling.
To find more family-friendly crafts and sweet snack ideas, visit Watermelon.org.
Watermelon Snowman
- Kitchen knives
- 1 round seedless watermelon
- 2 personal-sized watermelons, one larger than other
- ice cream scoop or large spoon
- melon baller
- mini melon baller or paring knife
- blueberries
- large wooden skewers
- y-shaped sticks
- scarf
- hat
- Using knife, cut 1/4-inch slice off bottom of round seedless watermelon and both personal watermelons to provide stable bases. Use smallest melon for head, second largest for torso and largest for lower body. Set aside smallest watermelon.
- Cut tops off large and medium watermelons to create bowls. Using ice cream scoop or large spoon, scoop out flesh.
- Using melon baller, scoop eyes out of smallest watermelon. Invert melon balls and reinsert.
- Using mini melon baller or paring knife, scoop out holes for nose and mouth. Carve one piece of watermelon into triangle for nose and fill mouth holes with blueberries.
- On platter, using large wooden skewers, connect all three watermelons.
- Insert y-shaped sticks in middle watermelon for arms.
- Fill bottom sections with fruit salad of melon balls and blueberries. Decorate with scarf and hat.

Watermelon Glazed Meatballs
Servings: 8
Watermelon Puree:
- 1 fresh watermelon
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs
- 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
- 1 cup watermelon puree
- To make watermelon puree: Remove seeds from watermelon and cut into large chunks. In blender, process until smooth.
- In large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat or electric skillet set to 325 F, heat oil.
- Saute mini meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.
- Mix barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over meatballs and simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve hot.
SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board
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/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
Manage Busy Spring Schedules with Simple, Nutritious Bowls
To manage busy spring schedules, prepare simple, nutritious bowls at home instead of relying on takeout. Recipes like Chicken and Rice Bowls with Peanut Sauce and Greek-Inspired Power Bowls are quick, customizable, and packed with flavors. Visit DudaFresh.com for more healthy recipes that fit your family’s tastes.

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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- To assemble bowls: In two bowls, layer greens and cooked quinoa evenly. Top with grilled chicken.
- Spoon 1/4 cup hummus on side of each bowl. Add olives, 2-3 tablespoons tzatziki and drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs.
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recipes
A Delicious time for a savory Tomato Soup
Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
We present two recipes for tomato soup, one quick recipe and one for the slow cooker. There are two choices for a delicious time at the dining table.
Savory Tomato Soup: A Simple Recipe!
Ingredients:
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Onions
- Butter or Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Vegetable Broth
Cook the onions in the butter
- If you prefer vegan, use oil instead.
- Don’t brown the onions
- Wait until bubbles form
Add the garlic and tomatoes
- Add garlic first
- Soften it a bit
- Then add a can of crushed tomatoes
Add the vegetable broth
- Leave the pot uncovered
- Cook for 30 minutes
- Use a blender to make it smooth
Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients:
-2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
-1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
-1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
-1/2 cup diced onion
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon dried basil
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
- Combine the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, vegetable broth, onion, garlic powder, basil, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Once the soup is cooked, stir in the heavy cream.
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
- Check out these recipes for Savory Tomato Soup:
- https://www.food.com/recipe/savoury-tomato-soup-414409
- https://www.thissavoryvegan.com/roasted-garlic-tomato-soup/
For more recipes and information on Food and Drinks, visit https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/recipes/ for the latest articles.
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Food and Beverage
A Convenient Homecooked Solution Without the Slow Cooker
For a quick and easy version of the comfort food classic, consider this Quick Homecooked Chili that’s made in a skillet and ready in half an hour. Just brown ground beef with a chopped onion, stir in beans, tomato sauce, cubed sweet potato and a few simple seasonings and you’re well on your way to a winter warmup.
Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Homecooked Chili
(Family Features) Walking in the door to the smell of homemade chili is sure to warm you up from the inside-out, but if you forgot to set up the slow cooker before heading out the door in the morning, don’t fret – a hearty bowl of beans, beef and stewed goodness can still await.
For a quick and easy version of the comfort food classic, consider this Quick Homecooked Chili that’s made in a skillet and ready in half an hour. Just brown ground beef with a chopped onion, stir in beans, tomato sauce, cubed sweet potato and a few simple seasonings and you’re well on your way to a winter warmup.
Find more easy ways to feed your family by visiting Culinary.net.

Quick Homecooked Chili
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 sweet potato, cubed
- water (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- sour cream (optional)
- sliced avocado (optional)
- In large saucepan over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned and onion is tender, 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce, kidney beans, stewed tomatoes with juices, diced tomatoes with green chilies and cubed sweet potato. Add water to reach desired consistency.
- Season with chili powder and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Bring to boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
- Serve with sour cream and sliced avocado, if desired.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
SOURCE:
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