(Family Features) Between juggling work, family, friends and social activities, powering through busy day-to-day schedules requires a lot of energy. Building meals around recipes packed with a plant-based protein such as peanuts or peanut butter can help your family come together to refuel.

In fact, at 7 grams per serving, a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts delivers the most protein of any nut and contains six essential vitamins – vitamin E, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6 – and seven essential minerals – phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and calcium.

As a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or part of a variety of recipes from morning to night, peanuts can take center stage at the family table when it’s time to recharge at the end of long days. Start with an appetizer like Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing, which can be on the table in 10 minutes, to hold over hunger ahead of a protein-packed main course like Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps. Finish off the evening meal with Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake as a better-for-you dessert.

Find more delicious ideas for keeping your family energized at gapeanuts.com.

Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3/4 cup diced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup water chestnuts, diced
• 3 green onions (both white and green parts), chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts, for garnish
• iceberg or butter lettuce, for wraps

Peanut Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

1. In pan, saute ground chicken in sesame oil until cooked through. Drain if mixture is watery.
2. Add shiitake mushrooms and onion; saute until mushrooms have softened and appear caramel colored.
3. Add garlic, ginger, hoisin, water chestnuts and green onions. Let chicken mixture simmer on low.
4. To make peanut sauce: In saucepan over medium-low heat, mix peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, ginger and soy sauce until smooth, warm and thinned slightly.
5. Fold into chicken mixture. Stir until combined and simmer on low until peanut sauce is evenly distributed.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts. Serve in lettuce wraps.

Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Dressing:

• 1/2 fresh lime, juice only
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seed oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon chili oil
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• kosher salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon hot water, plus additional for thinner consistency (optional)

Salad:

• 2 cups broccoli slaw
• 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked
• 1 1/2 cups chopped raw broccoli
• 1/2 cup English cucumber, quartered and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
• toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

1. To make dressing: In bowl, whisk lime juice, toasted sesame seed oil, honey, tahini, peanut butter, chili oil, garlic, ginger and salt, to taste. Add hot water, adding additional, if necessary, until dressing reaches desired consistency. Set aside.
2. To make salad: In large bowl, combine broccoli slaw, edamame, broccoli, cucumber, mint, cilantro and peanuts. Toss with dressing to combine and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Servings: 8 (1 slice each)

Crust:

• 2 cups pretzels
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla-flavored wafer-style cookies
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• nonstick cooking spray

Filling:

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped peanuts
• 1 pinch sea salt

1. To make crust: In food processor, pulse pretzels, wafer-style cookies and peanuts until chopped but not powdery.
2. In skillet, melt butter. Add pretzel mixture until combined with butter.
3. Spray pie pan with nonstick cooking spray and spread mixture on bottom of pan and slightly up sides; press down until even.
4. To make filling: In bowl using hand mixer, whip cottage cheese until lumps are smoother, 3-4 minutes.
5. In separate bowl, use hand mixer to whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
6. Add cottage cheese and peanut butter to heavy cream mixture; whip until combined, about 1 minute.
7. Top pie with chopped chocolate and peanuts and freeze 2 hours. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before ready to serve.
8. Before serving, sprinkle with sea salt.

Source:

Georgia Peanut Commission

(Family Features) Eating healthy is a priority for many Americans but knowing where to start and with what foods may be a little trickier. One way to level up the nutritional value of your meals is to better understand whole grains and why they are important for a heart-healthy diet.

As a key feature of heart-healthy diets, whole grains like sorghum, oatmeal and brown rice are rich sources of dietary fiber, may improve blood cholesterol levels and provide nutrients that help the body form new cells, regulate the thyroid and maintain a healthy immune system.

However, according to a survey by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association, U.S. adults are least knowledgeable about refined vs. whole grains compared to other foods like fruits, vegetables and proteins. Also, when asked to identify whole grains and refined grains, most adults incorrectly believe multi-grain bread is a whole grain and only 17% believe sorghum is an example of a whole grain when it is, in fact, a nutritious whole-grain option.

If you’re looking to try more whole grains, sorghum is a primary ingredient in these heart-healthy recipes for Pancakes with Blueberry Vanilla Sauce, Raspberry Streusel Muffins and Garden Vegetable Stir-Fried Sorghum. These flavorful dishes can be part of an overall healthy diet as recommended by the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, supported by the Sorghum Checkoff.

Find more heart-healthy meal ideas at Heart.org/healthyforgood.

Raspberry Streusel Muffins

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff
Servings: 12 (1 muffin per serving)

Muffins:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups whole grain sorghum flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup canola or corn oil
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed if frozen

Streusel:

• 2 tablespoons whole grain sorghum flour
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons uncooked quick-cooking rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light tub margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. To make muffins: Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, stir sorghum flour, cinnamon and baking soda.
3. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, brown sugar, egg whites, oil, lemon zest and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture until batter is just moistened and no flour is visible without overmixing. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Top each muffin with raspberries.
4. To make streusel: In small bowl, stir sorghum flour, brown sugar, oats, pecans, margarine and cinnamon to reach texture of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over muffins, gently pushing into batter. Bake 16 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
5. Transfer pan to cooling rack. Let stand 5 minutes. Carefully transfer muffins to rack. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Garden Vegetable Stir-Fried Sorghum

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

• 1 cup uncooked whole-grain sorghum
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon gingerroot, peeled and minced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets, chopped, thawed if frozen
• 1 cup snow peas, trimmed and halved
• 1/2 cup carrot strips, sliced into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided
• 1/2 cup water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup green onions, diagonally sliced

1. Prepare sorghum using package directions, omitting salt. Once cooked, spread sorghum in even layer on rimmed baking sheet or 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Let stand 5-10 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate, uncovered, 20 minutes, or until cool.
2. In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook garlic and gingerroot 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook broccoli, snow peas, carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms and edamame 10-12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring frequently.
3. In small bowl, using fork, beat eggs and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Stir water chestnuts and sorghum into vegetable mixture. Push mixture to sides of skillet. Pour egg mixture into center of skillet. Using heatproof rubber scraper, stir 1-2 minutes, or until partially set.
5. Stir vegetable mixture into partially cooked egg mixture. Cook 1 minute, or until eggs are cooked through and sorghum is heated through, stirring constantly. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
6. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining soy sauce. Sprinkle with green onions.

Pancakes with Blueberry Vanilla Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association and Sorghum Checkoff
Servings: 4 (2 pancakes, 1/4 cup sauce and 2 tablespoons yogurt per serving)

Sauce:

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pancakes:

• 1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole grain sorghum flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon canola or corn oil

Topping:

• 1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt

1. To make sauce: Put cornstarch in medium saucepan. Add water, stirring to dissolve. Stir in blueberries and sugar. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Boil 1-2 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cover to keep warm. Set aside.
2. To make pancakes: In medium bowl, stir oats, sorghum flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon.
3. In small bowl, whisk milk, applesauce, egg and oil. Stir into flour mixture until batter is just moistened and no flour is visible without overmixing.
4. Heat nonstick griddle over medium heat. Test temperature by sprinkling drops of water on griddle. Griddle is ready when water evaporates quickly.
5. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake on griddle. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until tiny bubbles appear on surface and bottoms are golden brown. Flip pancakes. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on bottoms. The USDA recommends cooking egg dishes to 160 F.
6. Transfer pancakes to plates. Spoon sauce over pancakes. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons yogurt.

Source: American Heart Association 

(Family Features) From patio potlucks to backyard barbecues, summer is the ultimate time to kick back and enjoy delicious food with your favorite people. If you’re looking to add big flavor to your warm-weather menu, get inspired by these recipes from celebrity chef Jose Garces.

For a taste of Southern cooking, pair Classic Cheddar Pierogies with a buttermilk ranch sauce in Garces’s Chicken-Fried Pierogies. Also enjoy a delicious twist on an Asian favorite by serving up Garces’s Szechuan-Style Pierogies featuring savory Garlic & Parmesan Pierogies, one of 16 different varieties from Mrs. T’s Pierogies, which are the perfect canvas for your favorite ingredients and spices.

For more recipe inspiration, visit MrsTsPierogies.com.

Chicken-Fried Pierogies

Recipe courtesy of Chef Jose Garces

Flour Dredge:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white peppercorn
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground dried sage
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pierogies:

• 1 box (16 ounces) Mrs. T’s Classic Cheddar Pierogies
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups flour dredge (recipe below)
• canola oil
• large kosher pickles, cut into round slices
• ranch dressing

1. To make flour dredge: In large mixing bowl, mix all flour dredge ingredients until thoroughly combined.
2. To make pierogies: Bring large pot of water to boil. Place pierogies in boiling water until no longer frozen in center, about 2 minutes. Remove pierogies from water and cool in refrigerator 10 minutes.
3. Place buttermilk, eggs and flour dredge in three separate bowls. One at a time, dip pierogies in buttermilk then in eggs and finally in flour dredge. Once all pierogies are dredged, fry in deep fryer at 350 F in canola oil, approximately 3 minutes until golden brown. Repeat flour dredge process with pickle slices and fry 3 minutes.
4. To serve, place fried pierogies and pickles on serving plate. Serve with ranch.

Szechuan-Style Pierogies

Recipe courtesy of Chef Jose Garces

• 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, vegetable oil, divided
• 3 Arbol chilies
• 1/4 cup Szechuan chili sauce
• 4 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons, fresh minced ginger, divided
• 2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon, garlic, minced (about 5 cloves), divided
• 1/2 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
• 1/2 cup black bean garlic sauce
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion (white parts only)
• 1 cup ground pork
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 box (16 ounces) Mrs. T’s Garlic & Parmesan Pierogies
• 1 tablespoon peeled edamame
• 2 tablespoons firm tofu, diced
• 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts

1. Place 1/2 cup oil and chilies in saucepan. Cook over low heat 2 minutes, or until chilies turn brown. Remove chilies from oil and discard oil.
2. Add Szechuan sauce to saucepan; cook 3 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons ginger, 2 tablespoons minced garlic and ground peppercorns; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add black bean sauce and cook another 2 minutes. Add chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 20 minutes. Reserve.
3. In saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add remaining ginger, remaining garlic and scallions; cook 1 minute. Add pork and cook 5 minutes, breaking up with wooden spoon. Add soy sauce and combine. Reserve.
4. In saute pan, melt butter and remaining vegetable oil. Add pierogies and sear lightly, about 7 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Reserve.
5. In large saute pan, combine Szechuan sauce, ground pork mixture, seared pierogies, edamame and tofu. Cook over medium-high heat until combined, about 2 minutes. Garnish with bean sprouts.

Source: Mrs. T's Pierogies