Mr. Food Recipes: Week of Feb. 1

Cheesy Burger Fries
4 to 6 servings

1 (32-ounce) bag frozen French fries
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
3/4 cup cheese sauce, warmed

1. Place frozen French fries on baking sheet and bake according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground beef over high heat until browned, about 6 to 8 minutes; drain off excess fat.
3. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper; mix well and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.
4. Place French fries on a large platter, spoon the meat mixture over the fries, sprinkle with the onion and pickles, and evenly drizzle cheese sauce over everything. Serve immediately.
    
5. NOTE: Feel free to drizzle extra ketchup over the top, if you'd like.

Watermelon Apricot Barbecue Sauce
3 cups

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1-1/4 cups apricot preserves
3 cups watermelon chunks, pureed
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup diced watermelon

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until onion is soft and golden, 7 to 8 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
    
3. NOTE: Serve over roast pork, grilled chicken, or your favorite seafood.
   Recipe courtesy of and adapted from National Watermelon Promotion Board

Healthy Snacking at Work

For many of us, food offers comfort when we’re bored or under stress. And at the workplace, if we need a pick-me-up between meals, we often turn to sweets or salty snacks. An unhealthy choice from a pit-stop at the vending machine or what we keep on hand at our desks may also drain our energy and creativity.

Want to become a "smart snacker" and avoid the pitfalls of the office vending machine? Here are some tasty tips:

• It's always helpful if you can get in a few servings of your 5-a-day with fresh fruit and yogurt.
• Many food manufacturers have tasty, guilt-free versions of our old favorites, such as baked or whole-grain chips or crackers, available in 100-calorie packs. Keep some of those on hand.
• You can also go with traditional smart choices of plain old-fashioned popcorn or a low-fat microwavable one, or almonds, cashews or other favorite unsalted nuts. (The American Dietetic Association recommends walnuts, 'cause they’re high in heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.)
• If you have a sweet tooth, a handful of animal crackers are low in calories and fat, and just might do the trick – or take advantage of the antioxidants in dark chocolate and have 1 or 2 small squares; its richness should ease cravings.

These are all smarter choices that come under the heading of guilt-free pleasures sure to have us saying... OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!

Read the Nutritional Labels

White Hot Chocolate
3 servings

3 cups milk
1 (6-ounce) package white chocolate baking squares
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, baking squares, and nutmeg over low heat; stir until baking squares are melted and the liquid is hot but not boiling.
2. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and pour into mugs. Serve warm.