Test Kitchen: Summer Corn Salsa

June 1, 2017

It’s officially National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month! To celebrate, we have been testing different versions of corn salsa in search of that delicious bite of fresh, sweet, and tart. Y’know, the flavors that remind you of summer BBQs and bright, sunny days spent outdoors. This version of Summer Corn Salsa has even more sweetness, with fresh strawberries tossed into the mix to round out the “fruit” in National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. We won’t say it’s the best version there is, but it is pretty darn good!

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National Empanada Day!

April 8, 2016

by Hannah Field

Today is National Empanada Day! Empanadas are widely found in Central and South America. They are pockets of dough stuffed with meats, veggies, beans, cheeses, and sometimes eggs and raisins! You can even make dessert empanadas with a variety of fillings. The name comes from the Spanish verb “empanar,” meaning “to wrap or coat in bread.”

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We’ve Got the Beets

I never thought I liked beets as a kid, but when I got a bit older I tried them again and they became a favorite vegetable. Beets do take about an hour to roast, so consider making them on the weekend for meal prep ahead, or on a weeknight you have a bit more time. You could buy them at the farmer’s market or grocery store, roast them, chop them up, and use them in recipes all week long! I absolutely love using one ingredient multiple times, especially when it is something as filling and delicious as beets.

This recipe would make an excellent side to a variety of main dishes. Enjoy!

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Vegetarian Dishes From Around the World

December 2, 2015

by Hannah Field

Going meatless can be a great option for you and your family. However frequently you choose to do it – all the time or just occasionally, and for whatever reason – religious, budgetary, or otherwise, there are many benefits. At the family level, a meatless meal is often cost-effective and can help you eat more veggies and legumes. On a larger scale, it can save energy because of the land and feed required to raise animals.

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Best Thanksgiving Veggie Side Dishes

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November 24, 2015

by Hannah Field

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year. It’s a day to be intentional about practicing thankfulness AND to cook and share a meal with the people I love the most. When it comes to the meal, my family appreciates tradition, and there are dishes we make sure to have every year. But I have come to love it when family members bring new dishes to Thanksgiving, too. It has helped me try new foods and learn various cooking techniques.

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Try a Pita Pocket Sandwich

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August 12, 2015

Note: This was originally posted by the North Carolina Expanded Food and Nutrition Program here.

Sandwiches are a common staple food on a lunchbox menu for children, but I’ve noticed sandwiches have gotten a reputation as being boring or bland because children get tired of eating the same old sandwich for lunch every day. Sure, spreading some peanut butter and jelly on bread or just slapping on a few cold cuts makes for a tasty and easy meal, but eating that every day can make sandwiches less appealing. Get creative with new sandwich recipes and combinations to make lunch a meal that your child (and you) will look forward to!

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Persimmon Fruit Salad

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by Maryam Funmilayo

January 7, 2015

The very first time I got to know of persimmons was last year summer. A friend from Texas came to visit and brought some persimmon fruits from her home garden. Since then, I have become hooked on persimmons.

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Coconut and Pistachio Basbousa: A Heart-Healthy Dessert

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By Maryam Funmilayo

December 11, 2014

When it comes to desserts, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is that desserts are not so healthy. This is because many desserts are known to have too much sugar. However, the good news is that not all desserts are unhealthy. As a matter of fact, there are many ways to tweak a sugar-loaded dessert into a very healthy one if you have the right ingredients and use less sugar or sugary items.

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Quick and Easy Sandwiches

Sandwiches are quick and easy to make, but can be high in calories if you’re not careful.  Substitute 2 T. fat-free yogurt for 2 T. mayonnaise on that sandwich and you save a whopping 167  calories and around 20g. of fat.  Check out these recipes below:

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Herb-Baked Spicy Tilapia

by Maryam Funmilayo

Fish is a healthy alternative to meat because of it is low-fat and heart-healthy. As many consumers have named Monday as ‘meatless Monday’, some have decided to make Friday ‘Fishy Friday’. The reason behind this is to encourage many people to consume fish more often (about 5 ounces is one serving), instead of meats which have higher saturated fat and cholesterol content. And choosing just one day in the week is a great start.

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