Quick, Nutritious Recipes to Make Family Meals Easy
(Family Features) Dinnertime dishes loaded with nutrients help keep loved ones connected while refueling after busy days spent at work and school. Dairy foods - key ingredients in many at-home meals - provide nutrients for people of all ages to grow and maintain stronger bodies and minds.
However, some bodies are unable to break down the sugar found in milk, known as lactose, which causes an upset stomach and a heavy, bloated feeling. Rather than avoiding dairy and missing out on beneficial nutrients, people with lactose intolerance can enjoy real dairy products that are naturally low in or don't contain lactose without the stomachache with foods like:
- Lactose-free milk, which is real milk with the same 13 essential nutrients as regular milk
- Hard and aged cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Swiss
- Yogurt with live and active cultures, which help break down lactose, making it easier to digest
These easy-to-make meals offer lactose intolerance-friendly options for families seeking to keep milk on the menu. Because they all require an hour or less in the kitchen, they provide quick solutions for those hectic schedules without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
Visit MilkMeansMore.org to find more delicious dishes that fit a lactose intolerant meal plan.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Kebabs
Recipe courtesy of Rachel Gurk of "Rachel Cooks" on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 3
Skewers:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 chicken breasts (6 ounces each), cubed
- 1 ham steak (6 ounces), cubed
- 6 bamboo skewers (8 inches)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup lactose-free 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- salt, to taste (optional)
- pepper, to taste (optional)
- To make skewers: Preheat broiler to 500 F. Line broiler pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Thread cubed chicken pieces and cubed ham pieces onto skewers.
- In small bowl, combine Dijon mustard, maple syrup, black pepper, paprika and oil.
- Brush mustard mixture on skewers.
- Broil about 5 minutes, flip and cook 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- To make sauce: In small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Add Dijon mustard. Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until thick. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheese, whisking until melted.
- Add salt and pepper, to taste, if desired.
- Serve chicken and ham kebabs with sauce.
Chicken, Spinach and Feta Casserole
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place spinach in colander. Use back of large spoon or rubber spatula to press moisture from spinach.
- In large bowl, combine spinach, eggs, cottage cheese, chicken, feta cheese, flour, butter, onion, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Spoon into greased 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, 45-50 minutes, or until set near center (160 F). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
One Pan Mac and Cheese
Recipe courtesy of Sheila Johnson of "Eat 2 Gather" on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
- Water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups dry macaroni noodles
- 2 cups lactose-free whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter, clarified or ghee
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- salt, to taste
- fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- Add water and salt to 3-quart saucepan; cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and add noodles back to pan.
- Measure milk into large measuring cup. Add eggs and whisk.
- Toss noodles with clarified butter, turn heat to medium and pour in milk-egg mixture. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Bring to low boil about 3 minutes; sauce will thicken and become creamy. Add salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste.
Parmesan-Swiss Fish
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 1/4 pounds skinless halibut, salmon or tilapia fillets (fresh or frozen)
- 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onion
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Thaw fish, if frozen. Cut into four serving-size pieces, if necessary. Pat fish dry with paper towels. Arrange in single layer on greased 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking pan, tucking under any thin edges.
- In small bowl, toss Swiss cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise, green onion, salt and pepper. Spread over fish fillets. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake, uncovered, until fish flakes easily with fork. Allow 6-8 minutes baking time per 1/2-inch thickness of fish.
6 Easy Spring Seafood Dinners
(Family Features) Sheet pan and one-pot dinners can be perfect in a pinch, so it’s no wonder they’ve become a go-to for busy families. Cleanup is typically a breeze with just one pan, and it’s a quick way to get vegetables and protein all in one step. Combine your key ingredients with rich spices, herbs and sauces to create a flavorful meal in no time.
Visit McCormick.com or find McCormick on Facebook and Pinterest for more recipes to make your weeknight meals easier.
Orange Chili Sheet Pan Salmon
Salmon gets a sweet and spicy kick with this crowd-pleasing dish. Chili seasoning mix brings the heat while orange extract, brown sugar and red bell pepper create balance with tang and citrus flavors. Even sweeter: This recipe is made in one pan for an easy, weeknight-friendly meal.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi
Garlic, butter and white wine create a winning flavor combination, which is freshened up with lemon juice, broccoli and cherry tomatoes in this sheet pan version of an Italian classic.
Sheet Pan Tuna Melt
Being short on time doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavor. These tuna melts can be on the table in less than 15 minutes. Swap out mayonnaise for tartar sauce in the tuna salad as a better-for-you option with an extra kick.
Parmesan Herb Shrimp
In one pan, saute shrimp with Parmesan cheese, white wine and herbs, and serve over a bed of fluffy rice. This surprisingly simple, gourmet-tasting dish can be whipped up by nearly any home chef.
Basil Shrimp and Pasta Alfredo
Whisk up a creamy Alfredo sauce with fresh shrimp, bright green peas and crisp basil in just a few minutes. Simply toss with pasta in the same pan and you’re done.
Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Dill Tilapia
This white fish dish gets its flavor from a citrusy, lemon butter dill sauce that adds extra zest. Serve alongside asparagus, shallots and green beans for added veggie goodness.
Source: McCormick