(Family Features) From putting a family meal on the table after activities to hosting a large crowd at your next get-together, a seasonal favorite like Caesar salad can serve as the perfect canvas for creating quick, easy-to-prepare meals.

With more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient ready-to-eat salads – including 11 Caesar salad varieties like the Caesar Chopped Salad Kit – Fresh Express provides tasty, versatile salad kits that can be modified to fit nearly any kind of meal you might be craving.

Available in the refrigerated produce department, these premium mixes can be eaten as a standalone salad when time is of the essence or taken beyond the bowl and fused with another beloved classic, like tacos, for a burst of flavor and texture in every bite. These Fried Chicken Caesar Tacos, ready in just 30 minutes, feature savory Caesar salad – crisp, chopped romaine; herb-seasoned crouton crumbles; cracked pepper; grated Parmesan cheese; and a delicious Parmesan Caesar dressing – enveloped in a crispy, golden chicken shell.

Even when time is limited, flavor doesn’t need to be compromised. Inspired by high-end dining experiences, the Fresh Express Twisted Creamy Truffle Caesar Chopped Salad Kit provides a gourmet twist to turn these Creamy Truffle Caesar Pork Sandwiches into a culinary delight. Ready is just 20 minutes and featuring tender pork strips; a Caesar salad mix of garden-fresh crispy romaine lettuce, delicate sprinkles of truffle Parmesan cheese, crunchy garlic brioche croutons and creamy dressing; and sauteed onions on a toasted bun, every bite is a sensation to be savored.

To find more inspiration for elevating your salads or locate a store near you, visit freshexpress.com.

Creamy Truffle Caesar Pork Sandwiches

Prep time: 5 minutes 
Cook time: 15 minutes 
Servings: 4

• 2 pounds boneless skinless pork chops
• 4 tablespoons Italian seasoning 
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 red onion
• 1 bag (9.3 ounces) Fresh Express Twisted Caesar Creamy Truffle Caesar Chopped Salad Kit
• 4 long sandwich rolls

1. Preheat pan on stove over medium-high heat. Season pork chops with Italian seasoning.
2. When pan is hot, add oil and pork chops. Cook pork chops, turning halfway through, until they reach minimum internal temperature of 145 F, 6-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness).
3. Once pork chops are cooked through, remove from pan and let rest a few minutes.
4. Peel and slice onion. After resting, slice pork into strips; set aside.
5. In same pan, saute onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
6. In large bowl, combine lettuce, dressing, croutons and cheese from salad kit.
7. In separate pan, toast buns until golden brown; set aside.
8. To build sandwiches, place sliced pork on bottom halves of toasted buns. Top with prepared salad mixture and sauteed onions. Finish with top halves of buns.

Chicken Caesar Tacos

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

• 3 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
• 3 cups neutral oil
• 1 bag (9.4 ounces) Fresh Express Caesar Chopped Salad Kit

1. In shallow bowl, beat eggs. In separate bowl, combine flour and half packet of taco seasoning.
2. Place chicken in resealable bag and, using meat tenderizer, pound to 1/4-inch thickness.
3. In medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat.
4. Season chicken breasts with remaining taco seasoning.
5. Coat chicken in flour mixture, dip into beaten eggs then coat chicken in flour mixture again, pressing firmly to adhere.
6. In pan with hot oil, cook battered chicken until golden brown, flipping halfway through, until chicken reaches minimum internal temperature of 165 F, 4-5 minutes per side (depending on thickness). Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding pan, if necessary.
7. Once fully cooked, fold chicken over to create taco shell-shape. Place sheet pan on top to hold shape, 3-4 minutes.
8. In large bowl, combine lettuce, dressing, croutons and cheese from salad kit.
9. Once chicken taco shells set, carefully remove sheet pan. Fill each taco shell with prepared salad mixture.

Source: Fresh Express

(Family Features) Light bites and summer just seem to go hand-in-hand, especially when the temperature outside means turning on the oven is out of the question. Whether you’re trying to put a meal on the table quickly or serving a crowd at your next summer get-together, putting a few small twists on seasonal favorites, such as Caesar salad kits, can be a perfect solution when you want to kick back and relax instead of spending extra time in the kitchen.

With more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient ready-to-eat salads – including nine Caesar salad varieties – Fresh Express offers tasty and versatile salad kits that feature premium ingredients and can be eaten as a standalone salad or dressed up in next to no time to make mealtime a true celebration of the season.

For example, this Muffuletta Caesar Sandwich gets its flavor from the Caesar Chopped Salad Kit, which includes chopped romaine, Parmesan Caesar dressing and savory croutons topped with cracked pepper and grated Parmesan cheese. Simply fill two bread bowls with giardiniera, red peppers, green olives, celery, parsley, salami, cheese and salad then combine to meld the flavors for a tasty take on an Italian specialty sandwich.

Or add breaded calamari to the classic, restaurant-style Caesar Salad Kit featuring crisp romaine lettuce, rich and flavorful Caesar dressing, crunchy garlic croutons and Parmesan cheese for a perfect first-course salad, no trip to a restaurant needed.

Visit freshexpress.com for more mealtime inspiration and to find salad kits at a store near you.

Muffuletta Caesar Sandwich

Prep time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8

• 1          jar (16 ounces) mild or hot giardiniera, drained, liquid reserved
• 1          jar (12 ounces) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 1          can (6 ounces) chopped green olives, drained and diced
• 1/2       cup celery, diced
• 1/4       cup minced fresh parsley
• 1          round loaf Italian bread (2 pounds)
• 8          ounces sliced provolone cheese
• 8          ounces sliced Genoa salami
• 8          ounces sliced mozzarella cheese
• 3          packages (9.4 ounces each) Fresh Express Caesar Chopped Salad Kits
• 8          ounces sliced mortadella

1. In bowl, combine giardiniera, red peppers, olives, celery, parsley and 2 tablespoons reserved giardiniera liquid; mix well.
2. Cut bread in half horizontally; tear out some bread, leaving about 1/2-inch to create bowl. Fill bottom bread bowl with olive salad. Layer with provolone cheese, salami and mozzarella cheese.
3. Place greens from one salad kit into bowl; toss with salad dressing. Add toppings; toss to combine. Place in top bread bowl; layer with mortadella.
4. Carefully flip top half of bread over and place on top of fillings in bottom half. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap; press down to compress. Let sit 15 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Cut sandwich into eight wedges.
6. Make remaining two salad kits to serve as side dish.

Calamari Caesar Salad

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1          package (10 ounces) breaded calamari
• 1          package (9.8 ounces) Fresh Express Caesar Salad Kit
• 8          Campari tomatoes, sliced
• 4          lemon wedges

1. Bake calamari according to package directions.
2. In large bowl, toss greens from salad kit with salad dressing. Add toppings; toss to combine.
3. Divide salad evenly among four plates. Top each with calamari, tomatoes and lemon wedge. Serve with sauce from calamari package.

Source: Fresh Express

(Family Features) Summer provides an abundance of delicious, fresh-picked flavors, giving home chefs plenty of opportunities to use them in both classic recipes and newfound favorites. From sides to salads to smoothies and everything in between, summer is all about creating dishes that taste tempting, bright and balanced.

Using seasonal ingredients, like peaches and other sun-ripened fruits, can help play up the bounty of summer for all types of eating occasions. However, with a wide variety of available choices, it can be a dizzying task to select recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

This summer, Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and celebrity chef Candice Kumai – also known as the “Golden Girl of Wellness” – recommend these make-at-home recipes to help brighten and awaken the best flavors at your table.

“Apple cider vinegar is my favorite natural way to cook, look and feel my very best for all of summer,” Kumai said. “These recipes feature its powerful benefits and bright taste, which awaken summertime cooking.”

Kumai recommends her Carrot Beauty Noodles as a show-stopping side dish to accompany main courses throughout the summer, while a light and savory Miso Kale Caesar Salad can curb and satisfy appetites before dinner. Meanwhile, the fresh-and-fruity versatility of this Peach Smoothie means you can enjoy it at breakfast, as a nutritious midday snack or even for dessert.

All three recipes feature Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which is raw, unfiltered, made with the mother and can be a chef’s secret ingredient to brighten and awaken taste buds to the true flavors of food by enhancing your favorite recipes during the summer or any time of year. Because it’s crafted with care, the clean, crisp flavors provide a difference you can see and taste while helping add a perfect sweet-and-sour balance to traditional meals as well as new favorites.

With so many fresh, delicious choices, summer is the perfect opportunity to make the most of flavors in almost anything you’re making, but selecting the right recipes and ingredients can be the first step toward truly soaking up the brightness of the season.

Find more tips and recipes for enjoying summer flavors at NaturesIntentVinegars.com, and find Nature’s Intent on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Carrot Beauty Noodles

Recipe courtesy of Candice Kumai
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

• 2          cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
• 3          tablespoons organic red miso paste
• 3          tablespoons Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4       cup rice vinegar
• 2          tablespoons roasted sesame oil
• 2          teaspoons honey
• 2          teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• 2          tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
• 9          cups spiralized carrots
• 2          cups shelled organic edamame
• 1          avocado, cubed
• 2          tablespoons fresh mint (leaves removed from stems)
• 2          tablespoons ground sesame seeds

1. Cook rice or quinoa according to package directions.
2. In medium mixing bowl, add red miso paste, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, roasted sesame oil, honey, ginger and tamari or soy sauce. Whisk well to combine. Add spiralized carrots, edamame and cooked rice or quinoa. Toss well to coat.
3. Garnish with avocado cubes, fresh mint leaves and ground sesame seeds.

Peach Smoothie

Recipe courtesy of Candice Kumai
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

• 2 1/2    cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2       frozen banana
• 3/4       cup sweet-potato puree
• 3          cups frozen organic peaches
• 1/4       teaspoon freshly ground ginger
• 1/4       teaspoon cinnamon
• 1          scoop collagen powder
• 1-2       tablespoons Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

1. In blender, combine almond milk, banana, sweet-potato puree, peaches, ginger, cinnamon, collagen powder and apple cider vinegar; blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Miso Kale Caesar Salad

Recipe courtesy of Candice Kumai
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

Dressing:

• 1/4       cup tahini paste (ground sesame seed paste)
• 1/4       cup organic red or white miso paste
• 1/4       cup rice vinegar
• 1          teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 3          tablespoons Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Salad:

• 1          large bunch finely chopped curly kale, destemmed
• 1/2       cup (about 1 ear) raw white corn, shaved off cob
• 2          cups daikon radish (about 1/2 radish), peeled, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
• 2          ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2          tablespoons baked hemp seeds

Optional toppings:

• 8          ounces wild salmon, grilled
• 8          ounces organic tofu, grilled and cubed

1. To make dressing: In medium mixing bowl, whisk tahini paste, organic miso paste, rice vinegar, honey and apple cider vinegar.
2. Add kale, corn and daikon radish. Toss well to coat with dressing.
3. Serve topped with cubed avocado, hemp seeds and salmon or tofu, if desired.

Source:  Nature’s Intent