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Organic Dairy Delights

Shrimp Pizza, Mango Tango Smoothie and Sunburst Cheesecake

(Family Features) - Now is the perfect time to incorporate organic dairy foods as part of your family's well-balanced diet. A growing number of people are taking a closer look at how food choices impact their overall health and can feel good about choosing organics. Many are looking at brands like Horizon Organic, which make products that are produced without the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones and dangerous pesticides. In addition, these dairy products do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial flavors, synthetic colors or preservatives.

Organic dairy products pack a nutritious punch and provide essential vitamins and nutrients. The National Dairy Council recommends three servings of dairy products a day to build strong bones, muscles and teeth. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most of us do not get the recommended amount of calcium in our diets - in fact, the average person only consumes half of what he or she should.

Shrimp Pizza

3 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 large ready-to-eat pizza crust
1/3 cup Horizon Organic shredded Parmesan cheese
12 ounces (3 cups) Horizon Organic shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, cleaned, shelled and deveined
5 yellow pepper rings
5 green bell pepper rings
7 slices fresh tomato
2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into thin strips

Preheat over to 450°F. In skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil 2 to 3 minutes. Add rosemary and sauté another minute or two. Brush olive oil mixture over pizza crust. Cover with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese. Top with prepared shrimp, pepper rings and tomato slices. Sprinkle fresh basil strips over pizza. Bake 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and shrimp are cooked.

Nutritional information per serving: 282 Calories, 14g Fat, 19g Carbohydrate, <1g Dietary Fiber, 20g Protein, 533mg Sodium, 11mg (18% DV) Vitamin C, 377mg (38% DV) Calcium, 2mg (10% DV) Iron

4 servings (8 pieces)

Mango Tango Smoothie

2 (6-ounce) containers Horizon Organic apricot mango blended low-fat yogurt
4 apricots, pitted and peeled
1 cup mango nectar
8 ice cubes
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract

Place all ingredients in blender and blend thoroughly, until apricots are pureed and ice cubes are crushed and evenly dispersed.

Nutritional information per serving: 133 Calories, <1g Fat, 28g Carbohydrate, 1g Dietary Fiber, 70mg Sodium, 6mg (9% DV) Vitamin C, 177mg (15% DV) Calcium, <1mg (2% DV) Iron

4 servings

Sunburst Cheesecake
Must prepare day ahead

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon or plain
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons Horizon Organic unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
5 (8-ounce) containers Horizon Organic cream cheese, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon, orange or lime peel
6 large Horizon Organic eggs
1/2 cup Horizon Organic sour cream

Glaze and topping:
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
1/2 tablespoon Horizon Organic unsalted butter
1/2 cup Horizon Organic orange juice
1/3 cup each, fresh: sliced strawberries, blueberries, sliced peaches, sliced kiwis

For crust, combine graham cracker crumbs with cinnamon and sugar. Mix in melted butter. Press onto bottom and sides of 10-inch springform pan.

Preheat oven to 500°F. For filling, beat cream cheese in large bowl, scraping down sides to mix thoroughly. Continuing to mix on medium-high speed, add sugar, flour, vanilla and lemon, orange or lime peel. When thoroughly blended, add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in sour cream. Pour into unbaked crust. Bake at 500°F 12 minutes. Lower heat to 200°F and bake 60 minutes more. Turn heat off and cool in oven 60 minutes. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight before topping with glaze and fruit.

When ready to glaze, in small saucepan mix cornstarch or arrowroot with butter. Heat until butter melts, but do not allow to brown. Stir in juice. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil one minute. Cool to room temperature. Spoon over cooled cheesecake and top with fruit.

Nutritional information per serving: 562 Calories, 41g Fat, 41g Carbohydrate, 1g Dietary Fiber, 11g Protein, 379mg Sodium, 7mg (11% DV) Vitamin C, 107mg (11% DV) Calcium, 2mg (10% DV) Iron

12 servings

Tips to incorporate organic dairy
into meals and snacks

Cheese

Add organic shredded cheeses to vegetable and pasta salads.
Top hamburgers or veggie burgers with organic cheese slices when grilling, or feature them in vegetable pita sandwiches or to accompany cold cuts.
Serve fresh fruit with cheese as a simple appetizer or as a pleasant way to end a meal.

Milk, yogurt and sour cream

Use organic low-fat sour cream or yogurt in dips and salad dressings.
Use organic milk and yogurt to whip up refreshing shakes, smoothies and freezer pops.

For kids

Look for convenient, grab-and-go organic dairy snacks like yogurt tubes, single-serving flavored milk, pudding, cheese sticks and kid-friendly yogurt cups.
Freeze yogurt tubes as a healthy dessert or quick snack.

Look for the USDA Organic Seal

How do you know if food is organic? Look for the USDA Organic seal.

The seal signifies that products always come from organic farms and production facilities that meet the strictest U.S. organic standards. For more information about the seal, tips and recipes, visit www.horizonorganic.com.

SOURCE: Horizon Organic Dairy