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Family Meals Provide Layers of Benefits

(Family Features) - Children and teens who enjoy frequent family meals are more likely to have positive peer relationships, better grades in school and healthier eating habits.

Teens who eat dinner with their families six to seven times a week are at almost half the risk of substance abuse as teens who eat dinner with their families twice a week or less, according to research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Making time for a sit-down family meal several times a week can be a challenge. Fortunately, convenient products and fresh items from the produce department can simplify meal planning and preparation. Flavorful, healthful onions are an essential vegetable in many easy-to-prepare dishes. When heat is applied to sauté or caramelize an onion, a chemical reaction releases sugar and produces a savory sweetness that even a picky eater will find irresistible.

Yellow, red and white onion varieties found in the produce department and farmers' markets from August until April differ from their spring and summer counterparts because they have multiple layers of thicker, darker colored, papery skins. These yellow, red and white storage onions (also called cooking onions) have a higher percentage of solids. Because they have less water content, storage onions are the perfect choice for savory dishes like Pasta Primavera With Caramelized Onions.

Pasta Primavera With Caramelized Onions
Makes: 6 servings

2 onions, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 large zucchinis (7 inches each), sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces cooked penne pasta
1 8-ounce container basil pesto sauce
1 cup shredded Italian cheeses

Caramelize the onions, red and green bell peppers and zucchini in a large skillet with olive oil. Meanwhile, boil pasta for 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Return hot pasta to pan; add caramelized onion and vegetables and basil pesto sauce. Gently toss ingredients together and heat through. Lightly mix in cheeses and serve.

For more recipes, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to the National Onion Association, Department 106-F, 822 7th Street, Suite 510, Greeley, CO 80631 or visit our Web site: www.onions-usa.org.

SOURCE: National Onion Association