Jennifer Tyler Lee, Bay Area mom and author of The 52 New Foods Challenge, shared with us one of her favorite healthy lunch ideas: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. She tells us, “My kids love a hot lunch, and this recipe is an easy way for me to send a cozy meal that I know they’ll enjoy.” Her pro tip? When packing soup, only fill the thermos part way to the top with liquid to avoid spills.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients for homemade chicken noodle soup:

1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry pasta (macaroni or rotini work best)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Toss the chicken in the mixture until well coated. Spread out on the lined baking sheet as flat as possible and roast 23-25 minutes, until cooked through. When done, remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Then chop into 1-inch pieces and set aside. Reserve any cooking juices.

Tip: If you’re in a pinch, use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and skip to Step 3. Heat a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and then the onions and cook gently for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the carrots and celery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, or until the vegetables begin to soften.

4. Add the broth, 1 cup water, and the bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Add the pasta, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes, or until the pasta is almost cooked.

5. Add the chicken to the pot and simmer for 2 minutes more.

6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

 

Reprinted from THE 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE: A Family Cooking Adventure for Each Week of the Year, with 150 recipes. Reprinted by arrangement with Avery, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2014 by Jennifer Tyler Lee.

Featured image: iStock 

Whether your kids have nut allergies, or your school is nut-free, this easy lunchtime nut-free basil pesto pasta dish is a winner. Made with sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts, it’s a delicious and allergy-friendly addition to the lunch menu.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients for Nut-Free Basil Pesto Pasta:

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup hulled roasted sunflower seeds
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Kosher salt
1 pound fresh pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Parmesan cheese

Method:

1. Place the basil, sunflower seeds, cheese, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the ingredients are well chopped, about 2 minutes.

2. Add the oil and process for another minute, or until smooth. Add salt to taste. For a smoother texture, add a little extra olive oil.

3. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserve some of the pasta water, and set aside.

4. Add the cooked pasta back to the empty pot and toss with the pesto and cherry tomatoes. Add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water.

5. Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

 

Reprinted from THE 52 NEW FOODS CHALLENGE: A Family Cooking Adventure for Each Week of the Year, with 150 recipes. Reprinted by arrangement with Avery, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2014 by Jennifer Tyler Lee.

These Laxota recipes will appeal to everyone at your table this holiday season

November is Native American Heritage Month and it’s an important opportunity to recognize and honor the original inhabitants of North America. Help kids (and their grown-ups) make that connection by filling their tummies with indigenous cuisine. These Native American recipes are also great for cooking with kids. We caught up with Chef Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart of Etiquette Catering in Rapid City, SD for some mouth-watering menu items that incorporate traditional Lakota ingredients.

“As the original inhabitants of this land, it is important to teach all children the significance of indigenous foods, history, and existence,” says Chef Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart. “We all reside upon the ancestral lands of indigenous people.”

With full recipes below, Chef Tilsen-Brave Heart has curated a special menu for Native American Heritage Month and beyond. The following mouth-watering dishes incorporate ingredients like pumpkin and bison, which are major food staples for the Lakota people. You’ll also find foods like cranberries and rice that are also indigenous ingredients.

Magic Pumpkin Squash Soup

Magic pumpkin squash soup is a Native American recipe from the Lakota nation.
Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 1 large butternut squash

  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder

  • Kosher salt

  • Black pepper

  • Olive oil

  • 1 stick of butter

  • 1 medium yellow onion

  • 1 can organic pumpkin puree

  • 2 cups coconut milk

  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable stock

  • Roasted pumpkin seeds (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Roast a large peeled and cubed butternut squash at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

  2. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of garlic powder, sprinkle kosher salt, and cracked black pepper

  3. Toss with olive oil and put in on a baking sheet before putting in the oven

  4. 1 stick of butter melted with a chopped medium yellow onion, sprinkle with some salt until translucent.

  5. Add 1 can of organic pumpkin puree

  6. Add 2 cups of coconut milk

  7. Add 4 cups of chicken broth or vegetable stock

  8. Add the roasted butternut squash

  9. Simmer for 30 minutes

  10. Then blend with an immersion blender

  11. Top with roasted pumpkin seeds

 

Related: 10 Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month with Your Kids 

Wild Rice, Cranberry, and Bison Stuffed Mushrooms

Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground bison

  • 1 lb Italian sausage

  • 3 tbsp. butter

  • 1 yellow onion

  • 6-8 baby portabella mushrooms

  • Qtr. cup dried cranberries

  • 1 cup wild rice {optional: purchase wild rice from: https://redlakenationfoods.com}

  • 2 cups bone broth or vegetable stock

  • Olive oil

  • Kosher salt 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  2. Melt 3 tbsp. of butter with a half-chopped yellow onion Sauté

  3. Wash and clean 6-8 baby portabellas remove stems and chop add to the butter and yellow onion

  4. Add qtr. cup of dried cranberries

  5. Add 1 cup of wild rice, and continue to saute all together (you are popping the wild rice, so it will become fragrant)

  6.  Add 2 cups of bone broth or vegetable stock, lower heat, and cover to simmer; set timer for 25 minutes

  7.  In another pan saute  2 tbsp of butter and the other half of your chopped yellow onion, cook until translucent

  8. Add 1 lb of ground bison, 1 lb of Italian sausage, and 1 tbsp of garlic 

  9. Cook until brown over medium heat 

  10. Add wild rice and bison mixture together

  11. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle kosher salt over portabellas 

  12. Stuff with bison wild rice mixture

  13. Bake for 15 minutes; serve warm

Related: 13 Children’s Books That Celebrate Native American Cultures & Authors

Bison Stew

bison stew is a Native American recipe from the Lakota nation.
Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs buffalo meat

  • 3-4 tbsp. olive oil 

  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder

  • 2 tbsp. kosher salt

  • 1 tsp. black pepper

  • 1 tsp. paprika

  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric

  • 3-4 bay leaves 

  • Mirepoix (chopped onions, carrots, celery)

  • 6-8 cups of beef broth/stock or water

  • 6-8 russet potatoes

Instructions:

  1. Braise 2 lbs of Buffalo meat (1-inch cubes) with half an onion (fine chop), in a warmed stockpot with 3-4 tbsp. olive oil 

  2. Spice 1 tbsp. garlic powder, 2 tbsp. kosher salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. turmeric, and 3-4 bay leaves 

  3. After browned, add Mirepoix (chopped onions, carrots, celery), and a can of diced tomatoes 

  4. Add 2 cups of water or stock/broth and simmer on medium-low heat for 30-45 mins or until tender. (Stir occasionally, more water or stick/broth may be needed) times will vary with the size of the meat and location

  5. When meat is tender add 6-8 cups of beef broth/stock or water and bring back to boil 6-8 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces or bigger 

  6. Cook an additional 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender 

  7. Remove from heat and let stand for 10-15 minutes, serve

Related: 7 Places to Visit to Responsibly Experience Native American Culture

Buffalo, Cranberry, and Wild Rice Meatballs with Blackberry Wojape

Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

Meatballs

  • 1 lb Buffalo (Can be substituted with beef)

  • 1/4 lb Italian Sausage

  • 1 cup Wild Rice

  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion

  • 3 cups of Chicken Bone broth

  • 1/2 cup Rehydrated Cranberries

  • 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs (optional)

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp. Salt

  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder

  • Dash of Paprika

Blackberry Wojape 

  • 1 cup Berries

  • 1 cup Sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups Water

Instructions:

Meatballs

  1. Clean wild rice with cold water 

  2. Saute wild rice with 1/2 cup of yellow onion and some oil for 5 minutes, allowing the rice to gently pop

  3. Add in 3 cups of bone broth per 1 cup of wild rice

  4. Add in rehydrated cranberries, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes 

  5. Add in 1 cup finished wild rice to buffalo 

  6. Add 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce

  7. Add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs (optional) 

  8. Add 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and a dash of paprika 

  9. Place meatballs on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until internal temp is 165 degrees

Blackberry Wojape

  1. Add into a pan: 1 cup of berries (of your choosing), 1 cup of sugar, and 1 tbsp. of cornstarch and 1 1/2 cups of water 

  2. Render down for about 10 minutes

  3. Drizzle blackberry wojape on top of the meatballs and enjoy 

 

 

 

Photo: Weelicious

This one-pan meal from Catherine McCord of Weelicious is the perfect weekend brunch dish. Catherine says, “Shakshuka has existed in mediterranean countries for centuries and you will find different variations on it depending on where it’s served.” With eggs, spices, cheese and veggies, your kids will go wild for this dish.

2-3 servings

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, roughly chopped (whichever you prefer)
4 large eggs
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
bread or pita, toasted for serving
avocado, sliced for serving

Preparation:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes or until becoming translucent. Add the bell pepper, garlic and salt and continue sautéing for 3 more minutes or until vegetables have softened.

2. Add the smoked paprika, cumin and coriander and sauté for 1 minute to toast the herbs. Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and stir the sauce until combined. Simmer the sauce over medium low for 15 minutes to med the flavors.

3. Using the back of a large spoon make 4 indents spaced out in the sauce and gently crack eggs into these “wells”. Cook the eggs and sauce for 5-6 minutes or until the whites are set and the eggs yolks are still jiggly. If you want your egg yolks fully cooked through cook for a total of 8-9 minutes.

4. Serve in bowls with toast and sliced avocado if desired or eat right out of the skillet like we do.

This post originally appeared on Weelicious.

RELATED STORIES:

Noodle Pancake Recipe

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Taco Salad Pizza recipe

Catherine McCord is the co-founder of One Potato and the founder of the popular Weelicious brand, a trusted content resource synonymous with family and food. She has written three cookbooks including her latest Smoothie Project. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Photo: Weelicious

If our kids could eat two foods on repeat it would be noodles and pancakes. Catherine McCord of Weelicious combined these two popular dishes into one, and we have a hunch this noodle pancake recipe will be a new fave in your home. We love that it utilizes those leftover noodles we bet you never know what to do with. With the addition of diced veggies and eggs, these noodle pancakes make a healthy and filling meal.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked egg noodles
3 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 cup corn (I used frozen corn that I defrosted first)
1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup broccoli, chopped (raw or cooked)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
olive oil

Method:

1. Place all the ingredients (except for the olive oil) in a bowl and stir to combine.

2. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.

3. Pour about 1/4 cup of the noodle mixture per pancake in the pan and cook for 3 minutes (you can pour as many pancakes at once as fit comfortably in your pan).

4. Flip the pancakes and cook an additional 3 minutes. Continue making the pancakes with the remaining mixture.

To freeze: Allow to cool, then place in ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, pop them into the oven at 300 for 10 minutes or until warmed through or defrost in fridge for 24 hours then heat in a dry pan.

Catherine McCord is the co-founder of One Potato and the founder of the popular Weelicious brand, a trusted content resource synonymous with family and food. She has written three cookbooks including her latest Smoothie Project. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Tia Mowry's Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

If you were a child of the ’90s you’ll remember Tia Mowry as starring opposite her twin sister, Tamera in the hit sitcom, Sister, Sister. Today Tia’s sharing some of her tasty family-friendly recipes with us. The actress, mom and cook gave us a sneak peek of one of her family’s favorite recipes: turkey meatballs.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Active Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Turkey Meatballs:
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup milk
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 large egg
1 pound ground turkey
4 to 8 tablespoons grapeseed oil

Quick Marinara Sauce:
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Pinch kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Chopped fresh basil, for garnish

TIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Method:
1. For the turkey meatballs: Add the oats to a food processor and pulse a few times. The consistency should resemble breadcrumbs. Add the oats and milk to a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes.

2. Add the onions, spinach, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic and egg to a large bowl and mix well. Add the oat mixture and combine. Lastly, add the turkey and gently fold into the wet mixture. Keep the mixture light by not over-mixing. Form into bite-size balls using a small cookie scoop for uniform meatballs.

3. Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add half of the meatballs and brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and repeat with the second batch, adding more oil if needed. Set the meatballs aside but reserve the Dutch oven for the sauce.

4. For the quick marinara sauce: Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, pepper and garlic to the Dutch oven and stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Do not overcrowd. Simmer until the meatballs are cooked thoroughly, another 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with a generous pinch of salt. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.

6. Combine some of the sauce with the cooked spaghetti. Plate the spaghetti and meatballs and add the remaining sauce over everything. Garnish with parsley, basil and more grated Parmesan. Serve hot.

 

Food-Network-Logo
Come along as Tia Mowry takes you inside her life, sharing her recipes for success… and for dinner.  As a working actress, wife and mother, Tia is always on the go, but creating tasty and tempting foods for her family is the part of her day that brings the biggest smiles. Growing up with parents in the armed services, she enjoyed tasting a variety of flavors in the different cities they lived, and she loved recreating the dishes with her mother in the kitchen. Ever since she was a young girl, these influences have sparked her desire to cook for her own loved ones – whether it is a healthy meal for her son and husband, or a dinner party for her best friends. It is a busy and full life, but Tia would not change a thing!

People are stuck at home missing their favorite foods. Luckily some brands have been sharing their fan-favorite recipes. Now Ben & Jerry’s is stepping up to satisfy our sweet tooth. 

Ben & Jerry’s just shared their edible chocolate chip cookie dough recipe which is the same one used for the frozen balls found in their popular ice creams.

Cookie dough

INGREDIENTS

8 tbsp. unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tbsp. heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. kosher salt

1 cup flour

 ½ cup chocolate chips

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time:  15 minutes 

Total Yield: About 2 cups

 

Step 1: Gather all your ingredients.

Step 2: First, heat treat the flour to ensure it is safe to eat. Do not skip this step, untreated flour can contain contaminants and is not safe to eat. Place the flour in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the flour reaches 165°F throughout.

Step 3: In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add the vanilla, cream, and salt. Mix to combine. Then add the heat treated flour and mix to incorporate.

Step 5: Fold in the chocolate chips.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy! 

Store your uneaten edible cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to six months.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Charisse Kenion on Unsplash

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photo: Saporito Kitchen

Dig into some classic comfort food to warm up this winter. This meatloaf recipe from Amanda of Saporito Kitchen is sure to be an instant hit with your family, and it’s pretty easy to whip up with herbs and spices you already have in your pantry. Amanda recommends using a mix of ground pork and beef, but you can also use all beef if you prefer.

Ingredients
1 slice bread
1/4 cup milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 whole egg
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup marinara sauce

Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Place the slice of bread in a small bowl and pour the milk over the top of it. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add in milk soaked bread and mix together with hands until ingredients are incorporated.

4. Turn mixture out onto prepared baking sheet and shape into loaf form.

5. Bake meatloaf at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

6. Take meatloaf out of the oven and top with marinara. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.

7. Remove meatloaf from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Share this recipe with your friends and then let us know your favorite winter comfort food recipe in the comments below!

Find more of Amanda’s awesome recipes on her website, Saporito Kitchen. As a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu program at Scottsdale Culinary Institute, this foodie knows her stuff!

They go in salads, baby purees, tacos and pasta. Is there anything an avocado can’t do? For a new twist on this versatile fruit (yep, it’s technically not a vegetable) take a peek at this easy recipe that features a similar creamy texture to mac and cheese.

Good to know: The serving size for this recipe is only one so be sure to adjust accordingly for your family.

Ingredients:
1 medium sized ripe Avocado, pitted
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 cup Fresh Basil, (I used 2 tsp dried basil because I didn’t have any fresh)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 serving your favourite pasta

Method:
1. Cook your pasta according to the directions.

2. Meanwhile, make the sauce: place the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth. Now add in the pitted avocado, basil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy.

3. When pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse in a strainer and place pasta into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss until fully combined. Serve immediately.

How else do you like to use and eat avocados? Tell us in the Comments below!

A special thanks to Collecting Memories for this delicious recipe

Fish Tacos

Skip the battered fish tacos and try these fresh tilapia tacos instead from food blogger, Marissa of OMGFood. You’ll say, “OMG this is so good” after taking a bite. Read on for the full step-by-step recipe.

Ingredients:
2 tilapias, about 1lb
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
juice from half a lemon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Toppings:
8 corn or flour tortillas*
shredded cabbage
red onion, finely chopped
cilantro leaves (optional)
lime wedges (optional)

Good to know: Warm your tortillas by preheating a small skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan one at a time for 30 seconds to a minute per side; until the tortillas are soft and warm. Set aside in a tortilla warmer or foil covered plate until ready to use (I warm my tortillas as the fish is cooking).

Method:
1. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and spices in a small bowl and whisk until well blended.

2. Place the fish in a large bowl or ziplock and coat with the dressing. Let it marinate for at least twenty minutes or up to two hours.

3. Preheat skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Add fish to skillet and cook three minutes per side. Discard the remaining marinade.

5. Shred the fish with a fork.

6. Assemble tacos with toppings. Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite type of fish for fish tacos? What do your kids think of this recipe? Leave a comment below!

For more fantastic recipes visit Marissa’s blog, OMGFood and don’t forget to follow this Boston write and foodie on Facebook by clicking here