Daily Health Alert

03/06/2022

Water...Water...Water...!!

03/06/2022

We need to remember this! 😆

03/06/2022

You are what you eat!!

02/21/2022

Bananas Foster Sundaes...

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 15 min. YIELD: 6 servings.
I have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 large firm bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
3 cups reduced-fat vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in brown sugar, orange juice, cinnamon and nutmeg until blended. Add bananas and pecans; cook until bananas are glazed and slightly softened, 2-3 minutes, stirring gently.
2. Remove from heat; stir in extract. Serve with ice cream.

02/21/2022

Mardi Gras King Cake...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 2 cakes (12 servings each).
This frosted king cake is the highlight of our annual Mardi Gras party. If you want to hide a token inside, do so by cutting a small slit in the bottom of the baked cake…and remember to warn your guests!

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cans (12-1/2 ounces each) almond cake and pastry filling
GLAZE:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons water
Purple, green and gold colored sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, shortening, sugar, salt, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one portion into a 16-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Spread almond filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cooled cakes. Sprinkle with colored sugars.

02/21/2022

Delicious!!

I brought this easy jambalaya to a Sunday potluck and it was quickly gobbled up. When friends asked me for the recipe, they couldn't believe how easy it was! —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska

02/21/2022

Simple Taco Soup...

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min. YIELD: 8 servings (about 2 quarts).
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1-1/2 cups water
1 can (16 ounces) mild chili beans, undrained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomato with green chiles
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, optional
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

01/13/2022

Brunch Cinnamon Rolls...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. YIELD: 1 dozen.
A biscuit-textured cinnamon bun with the ease of food processor preparation. This family-friendly breakfast bun is glazed with maple and vanilla flavors to accent the cinnamon and nuts.

Ingredients

3/4 cup 4% small-curd cottage cheese
1/3 cup reduced-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
MAPLE GLAZE:
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a food processor, combine the first 5 ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; cover and pulse until mixture forms a soft dough.
2. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead 4-5 times. Roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle. Brush butter to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices. Place cut side down in a greased 9-in. round baking pan.
3. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over rolls. Serve warm.

01/13/2022

One-Pot Sausage and Basil Pasta...

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min. YIELD: 8 servings.
There's nothing better than coming home and putting dinner on the table in 30 minutes. It's easy to add different kinds of sausage or seasonings to make this sausage and basil pasta your own.

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
1 package (13 to 14 ounces) smoked turkey sausage, thinly sliced
3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4-1/2 cups water
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, combine the first 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Parmesan, salt and pepper; stir until cheese is melted. If desired, mix in crushed red pepper flakes and top with additional Parmesan cheese.

01/13/2022

Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked Chili...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 6 hours YIELD: 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
This chili may be already chock-full, but we love to build it up even more with toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 large sweet onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes with mild green chiles
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings: Sour cream, chopped red onion and minced fresh cilantro

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain.
2. Transfer beef mixture to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Drain 1 can of tomatoes, discarding liquid; add to slow cooker. Stir in beans, chili powder, cumin, salt and remaining tomatoes. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours to allow flavors to blend.
3. Mash beans to desired consistency. Serve with toppings as desired.
4. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little water if necessary.

12/27/2021

Potluck Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. YIELD: 12 servings.
Pennsylvania is often referred to as the "Mushroom Capital of the World." This recipe's a delicious appetizer and is always the hit of the party.

Ingredients

12 large fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Remove stems from mushrooms; place caps in a greased 15x10x1-in. pan. Finely chop stems; wrap in paper towels and squeeze to remove moisture.
2. In a skillet, heat 1-1/2 tablespoons butter; saute onion and stems over medium-high heat until tender. Stir in lemon juice and seasonings; cook until juices are almost evaporated. Cool slightly.
3. Mix sausage, parsley and onion mixture; spoon into mushroom caps. Mix bread crumbs and cheese; sprinkle over tops. Dot with remaining butter.
4. Bake until sausage is cooked through, 15-20 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices. If desired, top with green onions.

12/27/2021

Rye Bread Party Pizzas...

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min. YIELD: 3 dozen.
A batch of these rye bread pizzas gets demolished fast, thanks to the irresistible combination of creamy cheese, lightly seasoned meat and crispy toast.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 pound process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 loaf (1 pound) snack rye bread
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and sausage until no longer pink; drain. Add the cheese, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and seasonings; stir until cheese is melted. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons hot mixture on each bread slice. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
2. Freeze pizzas or bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. If desired, top with green onions.
3. To use frozen pizzas: Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.