SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
SIMPLE RECIPES THAT MAKE
SCHOOL DAYS A CINCH Make Ants on a Log
FAMILY FEATURES Resisting the weeknight urge to call for takeout or order delivery starts with an approachable at-home menu with recipes you can prep in an instant. Especially during back-toschool season when schedules are jam-packed with activities, easy meals and desserts you can rely on allow you and your loved ones to ease tension in the kitchen. Simplicity is the key to putting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less, and these Taco Salad and Taco Mac and Cheese recipes offer mealtime solutions that make cooking duty a breeze. Make all that classroom effort worth it with a kidfriendly dessert you can prepare over the weekend and keep refrigerated for weeknight treats with these No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars. Find more recipe ideas to simplify hectic back-to-school schedules at Culinary.net.
MAKE DINNER HAPPEN IN 30 MINUTES If you’re looking for a go-to meal for your hungry family, search no more. This Taco Salad calls only for pantry staples so you can spice up busy evenings in just half an hour. Visit Culinary.net for more quick dinner solutions.
TACO SALAD Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 1 pound ground beef 1 can (15 ounces) black beans 1 can (15 ounces) corn 2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk 2 tablespoons onion powder 2 tablespoons garlic powder 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning 1 tablespoon black pepper salt, to taste 1 lime, juice only 1 cup chopped cilantro romaine lettuce 2-3 cups shredded cheese 1 tub (16 ounces) sour cream crushed tortilla chips In pan over medium heat, brown beef until cooked through; drain. Add black beans and corn. Stir in tomatoes with juices and half-andhalf. Add onion powder, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning and pepper. Season with salt, to taste. Bring to simmer. Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro. Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls
for toppings. On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.
A SWEET TREAT TO MAKE SCHOOL DAYS SPECIAL Sometimes a long day in the classroom and tough homework assignments call for a cool treat. Rewarding all that studying can be a cinch with a no bake cheesecake bar that lasts throughout the week. These No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars allow you to keep things cool in the kitchen without cranking up the oven. Plus, they’re made with C&H Sugars that are perfect for adding a little something special to school days. Find more back-to-school desserts at chsugar.com. No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars Prep time: 35 minutes Rest time: 6 hours Yield: 16 bars
Leave 2-inch overhang of paper on both sides. In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press into even layer. Place in freezer. To make bars: In small saucepan over medium heat, cook dragon fruit and granulated sugar until sugar is completely dissolved, dragon fruit is soft and mixture reduces in size, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla and yogurt. Beat until combined. In separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into cream cheese mixture. Pour half of mixture into prepared crust. Add 5 tablespoons dragon fruit mixture to remaining cream cheese batter. Mix until well combined. Pour over plain cream cheese mixture. Place in refrigerator to set at least 6 hours, or overnight. Cut into 16 bars.
BY DONNA ERICKSON Fall means packing lunches, fixing snacks after school, and preparing treats for outdoor weekend adventures. Enjoy this whimsical, tasty, and “good for you” traditional treat whenever and wherever you and your kids have a snack attack. In fact, your school-aged kids will enjoy preparing it themselves for the entire family. Be assured, you won’t have to fight the vegetable wars on this one. Using fresh, crisp celery, it’s a winner all the way around. Plus, the basic recipe and all the variations taste so good that you’ll enjoy inviting these “ants” to the table! Here’s the stuff you’ll need for 6 snacks: 2 stalks of long, crisp celery with ends trimmed 6 tablespoons of creamy or chunky peanut butter 30-35 raisins Here’s the fun: Wash the celery well and let it dry. Use a table knife to fill the hollow side of each celery stalk with peanut butter.
SPICE UP WEEKNIGHTS
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food that’s easy to make on busy weeknights. With just a few extra ingredients and steps, you can CRUST: turn boxed mac and cheese into a 1 1/2 cups graham cracker filling dinner. crumbs To make this Taco Mac and 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, Cheese, simply prepare your favorite melted boxed mac and cheese according to 2 tablespoons C&H Light the package instructions and stir fry Brown Sugar the meat and vegetables together. 1 pinch salt (Hint: You can even chop vegetables the night before to make cooking the BARS: next day even easier.) Then add taco 1 small fresh dragon fruit, seasoning and combine for a new peeled and cubed small 1/4 cup C&H Granulated Sugar take on a classic dish. Visit Culinary.net to find more 12 ounces cream cheese, at quick and simple recipes. room temperature 1 1/2 cups C&H Powdered Sugar TACO MAC AND CHEESE 2 teaspoons pure vanilla 1 box macaroni and cheese extract 1/4 cup milk 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full 4 tablespoons butter fat, at room temperature 1 pound ground turkey 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 red bell pepper, diced cold 1 yellow bell pepper, diced To make crust: Line 8-by-8-inch 1 orange bell pepper, diced baking pan with parchment paper. 1 onion, diced 2 teaspoons taco seasoning Prepare boxed mac and cheese with milk and butter according to package instructions. In skillet, brown ground turkey over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Add taco seasoning. Stir turkey mixture with mac and cheese to combine.
Arrange raisins on top of the peanut butter to resemble ants scampering about on a log. An adult should cut each log into 3 pieces with a sharp knife. Extra Ideas: Invite other critters to the log by using dried cranberries; chopped, dried apricots; or sunflower seeds, in addition to or instead of the raisins. If you are allergic to peanuts, you can still enjoy this snack by substituting the peanut butter with hummus or cream cheese in a variety of flavors. It’s fun to stretch your imagination. When I used small-curd cottage cheese instead of peanut butter, the “ants” looked like they were crawling on a snow-covered log! Extra “Kitchen Talk” Tips: While you and your kids prepare this healthy treat, tell your kids what your favorite snack was when you were their age. Did you make Ants on a Log, too? Talk about the activities you did after school and what your favorite subjects were.
*** Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. © 2024 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.
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