Mr. Food Recipes: Week of August 24

Veggie Bacon Rice
6 to 8 servings

1/2 pound bacon, chopped (see Option)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups long- or whole-grain rice, divided
2 (10-1/2-ounce) cans condensed chicken broth
1 (16-ounce) package frozen peas and carrots

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon and onion over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon browns. Stir in 1 cup rice and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the rice is golden and the bacon is crisp.
2. Add the broth, the remaining 1 cup rice, and the peas and carrots; mix well. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

OPTION: This dish is traditionally made with pancetta, which is from the same cut of meat used for bacon, but it's salted, not smoked. Any type of bacon will give this its rich flavor.

 

Doubly Chocolate Cookies
14 servings

2 (8-ounce) packages semisweet baking chocolate
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Melt one package of chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl for 1 to 2 minutes; stir till the chocolate is smooth.
3. Mix in brown sugar, flour, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and baking powder.
4. Chop the second package of chocolate and add to mixture; stir in walnuts.
5. Drop batter by 1/4-cupfuls onto baking sheet. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, until cookies are puffy and tops are dry. Let cool on a wire rack.

 

Going Bananas!

Surveys show that bananas rank as our number one favorite fruit. What could be so appealing about a simple fruit like the banana?

• It’s one of our most popular fruits because its sweetness pleases our taste buds and, at the same time, it's nutritious.
• It's naturally fat- and cholesterol-free, low in salt, and a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C, as well as natural chemicals that can help us relax and improve our mood.
• It’s portable and often even one of “baby’s first foods.”

I have a little trick to easily peel a banana without squishing it: Start from the bottom! Bananas are versatile, fun, they taste great and are good for us, so go ahead and bring home a bunch…a bunch of OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!

Back-to-School Wraps
2 servings

2 (6- to 8-inch) flour tortillas
Your choice of fillings from options below

1. Heat tortillas according to package instructions. Place warm tortillas on a cutting board.
2. Follow instructions below for each set of ingredients.
3. From the end closest to you, roll up each wrap firmly, rolling away from you, jellyroll style. Place each wrap on a piece of wax paper and roll up tightly. Serve immediately or chill until ready to use.

Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap:
2 tablespoons peanut butter
4 tablespoons raisins
2 small bananas, peeled and cut in half lengthwise

In Step 2 above: Spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter over each wrap and sprinkle evenly with raisins. Place banana halves down center of each wrap.

Pepperoni Pizza Wrap:
2 tablespoons pizza sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
24 slices pepperoni
4 tablespoons mozzarella cheese

In Step 2 above: Spread 1 tablespoon pizza sauce over each wrap. Sprinkle oregano over each and top equally with pepperoni slices and mozzarella cheese.

BLT Wrap:
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 leaves iceberg lettuce
8 slices tomato
6 slices fully cooked bacon

In Step 2 above: Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise over each wrap. Place 2 lettuce leaves on each wrap, place 4 slices of tomato over lettuce, and top each with 3 bacon slices.

 

A Trio of Healthy After-School Snacks

Kids are always hungry after school, and junk food shouldn’t be what kids reach for when they're looking for a snack. Want some better choices?

Whip up this fast shake – with these flavors or your choice of frozen yogurt and sherbet.
ORANGE DREAM SHAKE

It's fun to layer this good-for-'em fruit parfait, so let the kids help...and you can use their choice of fruit and yogurt! .
BLUEBERRY PARFAIT

Remember how you loved baked apples as a kid? Well, now the microwave helps us make short work of baking these healthy babies!
MICROWAVE STUFFED “BAKED” APPLES

Ditch the junk food routine, ’cause there’s a healthier way to satisfy your kid's sweet tooth. And I bet you'll be reaching for one of these snacks, too, ‘cause...