Solve Busy Weeknights with Simple, Satisfying Meals
(Family Features) Juggling those weeknight responsibilities including homework, catching up on emails, after-school activities, social events and more can leave families scrambling when it comes time for dinner. When your busy schedule leaves little time to spend in the kitchen, turn to family favorites you can put on the table in 20 minutes or less to give loved ones the fuel they need without sacrificing taste or quality.
Take Taco Tuesdays to a new level (without the hassle) with this deconstructed version of classic fish tacos. Served over a bed of quinoa and drizzled with yogurt crema, these Baja Fish Taco Bowls let you switch up average taco nights by swapping out tortillas and shells for quick-cooking, protein-packed quinoa mixed with nutrient-dense kale. This easy, satisfying meal adds deliciously seasoned fish, creamy avocado and hearty whole grains to your diet with a lighter version of Baja sauce as a perfect companion for fish tacos.
At its core, this tasty weeknight meal relies on the ease and light, nutty flavor of Success Tri-Color Boil-in-Bag Quinoa, which is ready in just 10 minutes. It’s packed with protein, all nine essential amino acids and is a good source of fiber, making it a perfect solution for busy moments whether your loved ones eat vegan, vegetarian or a mix of everything.
If a jam-packed calendar calls for a light dinner, or you’re searching for a quick side to pair with your protein of choice, add a little color to the table with this Edamame Brown Rice and Lentil Salad. Brimming with tasty, colorful ingredients like bell peppers, cucumbers and more, it’s a wholesome and satisfying way to recharge after a long day.
Take the guesswork out of cooking this flavorful salad with 100% whole grain Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice, offering high-quality, pre-cooked grains that’s ready in just 10 minutes without measure or mess. It leaves you with a serving of fluffy, nutty brown rice that cooks up perfectly every time to take some stress out of family dinners.
Visit SuccessRice.com to find more recipe solutions for busy weeknights.
Baja Fish Taco Bowls
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 bags Success Tri-Color Quinoa
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 white-fleshed fish fillets (5-6 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups packed baby kale
- 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions.
- In large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Season fish with Cajun seasoning and salt. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until fish is lightly browned and starts to flake. Set aside.
- In small bowl, stir yogurt, lime zest, lime juice and cumin.
- In medium bowl, toss quinoa with kale. Divide between four bowls. Top each with fish, sliced avocado and dollop of yogurt and lime crema.
Substitutions: Use taco seasoning or chili powder in place of Cajun seasoning. Use arugula or baby spinach instead of kale.
Edamame Brown Rice and Lentil Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Brown Rice
- 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils
- 1 cup edamame, cooked, cooled and shelled
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted almonds and sunflower seeds (optional)
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- In large mixing bowl, combine rice, lentils, edamame, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion and parsley. Toss gently to combine.
- To make dressing: In separate small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing until well combined. Sprinkle with roasted almonds and sunflower seeds, if desired.
Source: Success Rice
Quick and Easy Dishes for Dining Al Fresco
(Family Features) Warmer weather is often welcome for a variety of reasons and dining outdoors can help take that appreciation to the next level. Keeping ingredients lists short and prep time minimal also allows you to spend more time enjoying the sunshine and blue skies al fresco with the ones you love.
Even when you’re short on time, you can take mealtime from the dining room to the deck with an ingredient like Minute Rice Cups. Available in 13 varieties, including White and Brown rice, the convenient, single-serving, BPA-free cups are ready in just 90 seconds or less. Perfect for taking to the office for lunch or as an on-the-go snack, the cups can also be used as a quick and easy base for nearly any meal occasion.
For example, this simple Fish with Bok Choy features plenty of complex flavors with flaky white fish, crisp bok choy and 100% whole-grain brown rice. The brown rice provides the ideal texture for the ginger, sesame and nutty notes in this dish, and the whole recipe can be on the table in 10 minutes. Because white fish fillets are neutral and mild, they absorb all the flavors from the dish, and are an ideal protein for those with busy schedules due to their short cooking time.
Or, bursting with colors and flavors, this Fiesta Rice satisfies fresh cravings with an irresistible combo of white rice, tomatoes, green onions and creamy avocado. Ready in less than 5 minutes, this dish can also be customized with a different grain variety or extra juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes in place of diced tomatoes. To make this satisfying side a complete meal, simply add grilled chicken or your favorite protein.
To find more quick and easy recipes perfect for enjoying outdoors, visit MinuteRice.com.
Fish with Bok Choy
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 7 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 Minute Brown Rice Cup
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 white fish fillet
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 baby bok choy, quartered
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Heat rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Add salt and pepper to both sides of fish, to taste.
- In medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook fish 2 minutes on each side. Remove fish from pan and keep warm.
- In same pan, add sesame oil and ginger. Cook 1 minute.
- Add bok choy to pan and stir-fry 2 minutes. Add soy sauce; stir to incorporate. Top rice with fish and serve with bok choy.
Fiesta Rice
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
- 1 Minute White Rice Cup
- 1 diced tomato
- 1/2 diced avocado
- 1 sliced green onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- Heat rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- In bowl, combine tomato, avocado, onion and cilantro.
- Add lime juice and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Mix thoroughly and serve.
Source: Minute Rice
Quick, Cozy Breakfasts for Cold, Busy Mornings
(Family Features) It’s often a challenge on cold, dreary days to pull yourself out from under the warm covers. Even though you know the importance of a satisfying breakfast before heading to work or dropping the kids off at school, that cool chill may keep you hitting snooze.
On those cold and busy mornings when breakfast seems impossible, turn to a solution like Minute Ready to Serve microwavable cups for a quick, cozy breakfast. Ready in 90 seconds or less, the cups offer a fast and easy meal that helps you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the small moments that happen when you can slow down.
When a weekday calls for an on-the-go breakfast, make quick work of your morning meal with this Breakfast Scramble for a filling option without the unnecessary additives. Made with just four ingredients – eggs, sausage, cheese and white rice – it’s perfect for a busy lifestyle. Plus, it can be customized any way you like with toppings like avocado, tomatoes, fresh herbs and more.
If you can’t go without your caffeine, start your day with this creamy Coffee Breakfast Rice Pudding as a sweet treat with a kick. Skipping that caffeine boost is fine, too – just use decaf instead. As another timesaving, customizable option, you can add fresh or canned fruit, peanut butter, syrup, honey or even melted chocolate for extra sweetness.
Visit MinuteRice.com to find more quick breakfast ideas perfect for chilly mornings.
Breakfast Scramble
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Total time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 cup Minute Ready to Serve White Rice
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled cooked sausage
- salt, to taste (optional)
- black pepper, to taste (optional)
- Heat rice according to package directions.
- In small, microwave-safe bowl, combine egg, cheese and sausage. Microwave on high 60 seconds, or until egg is set.
- Transfer rice to small bowl and top with egg and sausage mixture. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if desired.
Coffee Breakfast Rice Pudding
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Total time: 4 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 cup Minute Ready to Serve White Rice
- 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small banana, sliced
- Heat rice according to package directions. In microwave-safe bowl, stir rice, coffee, cream, sugar and vanilla.
- Microwave on high, stirring halfway through, 60-90 seconds, or until rice is heated through, creamy and most liquid is absorbed. Let stand 2 minutes.
- Top pudding with sliced banana.
Source: Minute Rice
Maximize Family Meal Flavors with Cheese
(Family Features) While there are many ways to enhance the taste and texture of your family’s favorite dishes, perhaps one of the simplest and most impactful is the addition of cheese. From fish and seafood to veggie-inspired recipes, the dairy delight provides a versatile, flavorful ingredient.
One wholesome option is cheese made with 100% sustainably sourced Real California Milk from dairy farm families, which helps bring out the full flavor of dishes like California Queso Fresco Fish Tacos. Quality, authentic dairy can be part of flavor-driven experiences with your loved ones whether you enjoy the tacos during a “fish Friday” event or simply as an opportunity to share a meal as a family. You can also use queso fresco to elevate the flavor of dishes like chilaquiles, or turn to other varieties like Oaxaca for a capirotada or asadero for quiche.
If a vegetarian-friendly meal suits your style, cheese can also enhance plant-forward dishes like Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. These red bell peppers are cooked and seeded before being stuffed with onions, mushrooms, cheese and seasonings. Once they’re baked to an ooey-gooey doneness, they’re served with white rice for a filling yet healthful meal.
Visit realcaliforniamilk.com/hispanic-dairy to find more cheesy, delicious recipes.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: about 1 hour
Servings: 4
- 4 red bell peppers
- 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, vegetable oil, divided
- 1 cup white onion (about 1 medium), 1/4-inch diced
- 4 cups cremini or brown mushrooms (about 1 pound), 1/4-inch diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Real California Oaxaca cheese, shredded
- cooked white rice, for serving
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Rub bell peppers with 1 tablespoon oil then use grill, broiler or gas stovetop burner to cook peppers, turning occasionally, until well charred, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to bowl, cover and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
- In large skillet over medium heat, warm remaining oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, 3-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic salt and black pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned and liquid is almost entirely evaporated, 7-10 minutes.
- Rub charred skin from bell peppers. Slice off tops and remove seeds. Fill bell peppers with mushroom mixture, top with cheese and arrange in baking dish. Replace bell pepper tops and bake until cheese melts, 8-10 minutes. Serve with cooked rice.
California Queso Fresco Fish Tacos
Servings: 6 (12 tacos)
Avocado Radish Salsa:
- 2 medium avocados, chopped
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
- 3/4 cup diced radish
- 5 serrano chile peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 lime, juice only
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Tacos:
- 1 1/2 pounds swordfish, or other whitefish, steaks or fillets
- vegetable oil
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 12 corn tortillas
- 6 ounces Real California Queso Fresco cheese, crumbled
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- To make avocado radish salsa: In small bowl, combine avocados, onion, radish, chile peppers, cilantro, garlic and lime juice. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Heat grill to medium heat.
- Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Rub oil on both sides to coat; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill fish 6-9 minutes until cooked through; cool slightly. Remove skin and bones; cut fish into 1 1/2-inch strips.
- In medium bowl, toss fish with lime juice and cumin. Warm tortillas in microwave or at 275 F in oven.
- Place equal amounts of fish, cheese, tomatoes, cabbage and salsa in center of each tortilla. Roll up tacos to serve.
Substitution: Use Real California Asadero or Monterey Jack cheese for Queso Fresco.
Source: Real California Milk