recipes

Meal Ideas 05 January 2022

Better-for-You Family Favorites for a Healthier Routine

(Family Features) Taking time to nurture your health and well-being starts with building healthier habits. As the seasons change, challenge yourself to make small yet consistent choices that help you and your family through transitions at school, the office or wherever your days take you.

To help you establish (or re-establish) healthy habits during mealtime and beyond, consider these tips.

Eat Meals Together

“Making time for meals together as a family provides a chance to connect and decompress,” said Bridget Wojciak, director of nutrition at Kroger Health, a national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative. “In fact, regular meals at home can help reduce stress, boost self-esteem and improve feelings of connection.”

Bring everyone together with a better-for-you seasonal favorite like Turkey and Bean Tostadas.

Make Time for Yourself

Chronic stress can have a negative impact on mental and physical health, but turning lost moments – like a meal by yourself spent mindlessly scrolling through social media – into mindful moments can help. Try practicing gratitude at the table by thinking of three things you’re grateful for or putting your fork down between each bite to savor the flavor and consider the nourishment you’re receiving.

Enjoy the Cooler Temperatures

Cooler temperatures can make it more enjoyable to take advantage of outdoor exercise, which is a good way to soak in vitamin D to improve your mood and boost immunity. Going for a brisk walk after mealtime (solo or with your pet), jogging and even raking leaves are examples of activities that count toward the American Heart Association’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

Visit heart.org/healthyforgood to download more heart-healthy recipes and find more tips for a healthier you in mind, body and heart.

Tuna Pasta Casserole

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association's Healthy for Good initiative
Servings: 4

  • 4 ounces dried whole-wheat rotini pasta (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
  • 1 pouch (11 ounces) low-sodium chunk light tuna
  • 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) low-fat, low-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose, salt-free seasoning blend
  • 3/4 cup crushed low-sodium, whole-grain crackers
  • 1/4 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, omitting salt. Using colander, drain well. Transfer to large bowl.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray 2-quart glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    Stir mixed vegetables, tuna, soup, roasted peppers, half-and-half and seasoning blend into pasta until combined. Transfer to baking dish. Top with crackers and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes, or until casserole is warmed through and topping is golden brown.

Nutritional information per serving: 400 calories; 7 g total fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 0 g trans fat; 2 g polyunsaturated fat; 2 g monounsaturated fat; 30 mg cholesterol; 537 mg sodium; 52 g carbohydrates; 8 g dietary fiber; 7 g sugars; 32 g protein.

Turkey and Bean Tostadas

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association's Healthy for Good initiative
Servings: 5

Salsa:

  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 2 medium tomatoes)
  • 1 medium avocado, halved, pitted and diced
  • 1 large ear of corn, husks and silk discarded, kernels removed
  • 1-2 medium fresh jalapenos, seeds and ribs discarded, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Tostadas:

  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 5 corn tortillas (6 inches each)
  • 8 ounces ground skinless turkey breast
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons water
  1. To make salsa: In small bowl, stir tomatoes, avocado, corn, jalapenos, onions and lime juice. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 F.
  3. To make tostadas: Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place tortillas on baking sheet. Lightly spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Using fork, pierce tortillas several times to prevent from filling with air.
  4. Bake tortillas 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
  5. In medium nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat, cook turkey, chili powder, cumin and coriander 5-6 minutes, or until turkey is no longer pink, stirring occasionally to turn and break up turkey.
  6. Add beans and water. Cook 5 minutes, or until beans are heated through. Using potato masher, coarsely mash beans. Remove from heat.
  7. To assemble tostadas, spread turkey mixture over each tortilla. Top with salsa.

Nutritional information per serving: 260 calories; 7.5 g total fat; 1 g saturated fat; 0 g trans fat; 1 g polyunsaturated fat; 4.5 g monounsaturated fat; 18 mg cholesterol; 60 mg sodium; 33 g carbohydrates; 8 g dietary fiber; 7 g sugars; 19 g protein.

Ginger Pumpkin Soup

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association's Healthy for Good initiative
Servings: 4

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons canola or corn oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely minced
  • 3/4 tablespoon minced peeled gingerroot or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced, or 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) solid-pack pumpkin
  • 1 cup fat-free milk
  • 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives (optional)
  1. In large heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom. Cook onion 6-8 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally.
  2. Stir in gingerroot, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, pepper and salt. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in flour. Pour in broth and water. Using spatula, scrape bottom of pot to dislodge any browned bits. Stir in pumpkin. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in milk. Remove from heat. Ladle soup into bowls.
  4. Garnish with sour cream and chives, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 138 calories; 2.5 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g trans fat; 0.5 g polyunsaturated fat; 1 g monounsaturated fat; 1 mg cholesterol; 199 mg sodium; 27 g carbohydrates; 10 g dietary fiber; 14 g sugars; 6 g protein.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Tuna Pasta Casserole)

Source: American Heart Association

Holiday 13 October 2020

Smoked Salmon for Holiday Soirees

(Family Features) Delicious, colorful and versatile, smoked salmon can make it easy to elevate your holiday festivities, which might look shockingly different this year.

Whether it's your family or a small group of friends, you can feel good about serving sustainable smoked salmon to your guests. Highlight smoked salmon at socially distanced gatherings with these recipes and tips from chef Nora Pouillon, a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and her daughter, Blue Circle Foods product director Nina Damato.

Ready, Set, Serve
There's no need to prep or cook smoked salmon - it's sliced and ready to eat so you can impress your guests in no time with a colorful smoked salmon platter.

1. Arrange smoked salmon layers on a decorative platter.
2. Garnish with your favorite charcuterie sides like olives, capers, pickles and sliced lemon, tomato, cucumber or radish.
3. Season with dill sprigs, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
4. Serve with an assortment of crackers or buttered triangles of crustless brown bread.

A Seafood Superfood
Smoked salmon is a nutritional powerhouse full of antioxidants, omega-3s and protein. A 2-ounce serving of Blue Circle smoked salmon contains 1,000 mg of health-boosting omega-3s, which meets the daily requirements recommended by the FDA's 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To make the most of a healthy choice, look for smoked salmon that does not contain sugar or added preservatives.

A Sustainable Protein
To ensure your smoked salmon is sourced with the environment and your health in mind, purchase products that are free from antibiotics, GMOs, added hormones and synthetic colorants.

A Dietary Chameleon
From traditional tastes to keto, gluten-free or dairy-free canapes, smoked salmon fits the bill. Its clean ingredient profile means it satisfies many common dietary restrictions.

For mouthwatering appetizers, try Pouillon's Smoked Salmon Cucumber Boats. If you enjoy pairing smoked salmon with traditional flavors like cream cheese and capers, consider her Smoked Salmon Rolls with Cream Cheese and Caper Filling.

To access more recipes and tips, visit bluecirclefoods.com.

Smoked Salmon Rolls with Cream Cheese and Caper Filling

Recipe courtesy of chef Nora Pouillon

  • 4 ounces Blue Circle Smoked Salmon
  • olive oil
  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons small capers, drained, plus additional for serving, divided (optional)
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  1. Layer smoked salmon slices on lightly oiled aluminum foil, overlapping slightly.
  2. Mix cream cheese with capers, onion and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Place thick line of cream cheese mixture along long side of salmon.
  4. Roll up salmon carefully with help of aluminum foil, similar to sushi roll.
  5. Chill in refrigerator 2-3 hours or overnight to firm up roll.
  6. To serve, use sharp knife to slice salmon roll into 1/2-inch long pieces.
  7. Place rolls on serving plate and garnish with additional capers, if desired.

 

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Boats

Recipe courtesy of chef Nora Pouillon

  • 1 English cucumber (about 1 1/2 inches thick and 10 inches long)
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and cut into tiny pieces
  • 1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dill sprigs, finely chopped, plus additional for serving (optional), divided
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 4 ounces Blue Circle Smoked Salmon, chopped or pulsed
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  1. Slice cucumber in half lengthwise and use spoon to scoop out seeds. If cucumber skin is too thick, peel before slicing.
  2. Gently mix tomato, scallions, 1 tablespoon dill, lemon juice and smoked salmon until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Fill cucumber halves with smoked salmon mixture.
  4. Slice cucumber boats into 1/2-3/4-inch pieces crosswise.
  5. To serve, place pieces on platter and garnish with additional dill, if desired.

Source: Blue Circle Foods

Videos 21 September 2020

Chinese Style Bao Buns with Pickled Red Onions

(Family Features) Whether this back-to-school season calls for at-home learning or heading back to the classroom, busy evenings are likely a constant for many families. One way to relieve stress and hit reset on hectic times is by enjoying a meal around the table with loved ones.

For an ethnic twist on mealtime, try these Chinese Style Bao Buns with Pickled Red Onions to add Far East flavor to the menu. One key ingredient: onions, which at just 45 calories per serving boost the flavor of the dish as a source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and other key nutrients such as folate, calcium and iron.

Also known as nature’s ninja due to their many “skills,” onions can add abundant flavor to many dishes. They are also rich in heart-healthy nutrients and have been shown to help prevent some cancers.

Find more back-to-school meal ideas at onions-usa.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Chinese Style Bao Buns with Pickled Red Onions

Recipe courtesy of Aran Essig on behalf of the National Onion Association

Pickled Red Onions:

  • 1          medium red onion
  • 2/3       cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2    tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2       tablespoon salt
  • 1/4       cup red wine
  • 2          cloves

Beef Bao Buns:

  • 1          pound boneless beef ribs
  • 1          tablespoon five-spice powder
  • 2          teaspoons salt
  • 1          teaspoon black pepper
  • 4          cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2    cups beef stock
  • 1          cup hoisin sauce
  • 1          tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 12        bao buns (available in most Asian markets in freezer section)
  • 3          green onions, cut on bias
  1. To make pickled red onions: Slice onion in half then slice 1/4 inch. In saucepot, combine vinegar, sugar, salt, wine and cloves. Place onions in liquid. Simmer 3-4 minutes, swirling pan to ensure onions are exposed to hot mixture. Remove from heat and steep 15 minutes. Place in clean container in refrigerator at least 2 hours. Onions should be submerged in liquid.
  2. To make beef bao buns: Heat oven to 350 F.
  3. Rub beef with five-spice powder, salt and pepper. Heat saute pan and sear beef on all sides. Remove and place in baking dish. Add garlic to pan and saute briefly. Deglaze pan with beef stock and bring to simmer, scraping up caramelized bits stuck to bottom of pan. Add hoisin sauce and ginger to simmering stock. Pour stock over beef.
  4. Cover baking dish with parchment and aluminum foil and bake 2 hours, or until beef can be pulled apart with fork.
  5. Remove beef from stock and allow to cool slightly before shredding with fork.
  6. Place remaining stock in saucepan over medium heat. Reduce by half, or until thickened so it can coat back of spoon.
  7. Toss shredded beef with sauce.
  8. Place beef between bao buns and garnish with pickled red onions and green onions. Serve while warm.

Source: National Onion Board

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