Family Favorites with a Blended Twist. If you are raising picky eaters, there’s a cooking technique that makes some of the kids’ favorite foods – like burgers and nachos – more nutritious while still tasting delicious.
Mushrooms, with their inherent umami flavor, are a perfect addition to blending into meals to increase both flavor and nutrition. Chefs kicked off the trend by blending finely chopped mushrooms with meat for burgers that are flavorful, healthy, and Earth-friendly, and now blended burgers are showing up in school cafeterias, supermarket meat counters, and fast food drive-thrus.
“Blended entrees like burgers are a win-win-win for families wanting to eat better,” said Dayle Hayes, registered dietitian and founder of School Meals That Rock. “Mushrooms add delicious umami flavor, reduce fat and sodium in many popular dishes and kids love them.”
Another fan of blending is MasterChef Junior finalist and teen chef, Evan Robinson. Robinson likes to blend with multiple varieties of mushrooms in family favorites such as tacos, burgers, and stuffed peppers.
“I find that blending mushrooms into some of my go-to recipes helps increase the flavor while reducing the amount of fat and sodium,” Robinson said.
If you’re ready to start blending at home, it can be a simple process for introducing foods to even the pickiest of eaters. Recruit kids as kitchen helpers to tackle tasks such as wiping mushrooms clean and using their hands to blend the meat and mushrooms together.
For more family-friendly, blended recipes, visit Blenditarian.com.
A Cooking Technique You Need to Know: Blending
Blending involves mixing finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat for more nutritious, but still delicious, burgers, tacos, meatballs, and more.
1. Chop your favorite mushroom variety to match the consistency of the ground meat. This can be done with a knife or food processor.
2. Blend the chopped mushrooms with the ground meat.
3. Cook with Mexican seasoning mix for tacos, marinara sauce for meaty ragu or salt and pepper for juicy, flavorful burgers.
Blended Mushroom Nachos
Recipe courtesy of Chef Evan Robinson
Servings: 4
- 5 shiitake mushrooms
- 5 white button mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1 tablespoon Mexican meat seasoning
- 10 ounces ground turkey
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/4 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- tortilla chips
- salsa (optional)
- guacamole (optional)
- kale (optional)
- romaine lettuce (optional)
- tomatoes (optional)
- cilantro (optional)
- diced red bell peppers (optional)
- In a blender or food processor, pulse mushrooms, garlic, and onions. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, mix the finely chopped mushroom mixture with seasoning and cook for 2 minutes. Add ground turkey, breaking into fine crumbles until completely cooked through. Set aside.
- To make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter then add flour and whisk constantly, breaking up lumps. Stir 2 minutes then add milk and continuously whisk. Stir in cheese and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Assemble chips on a serving platter; spread mushroom-meat crumble on top. Add cheese sauce and toppings like salsa, guacamole, kale, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, and diced red bell peppers, if desired.
Pizza Burgers
Recipe courtesy of Chef Evan Robinson
Servings: 4
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium portabella mushroom, finely chopped
- 2-3 white button mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1/2 small onion
- 1/2 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian-style herb seasoning
- 8 ounces ground beef
- salt, to taste
- pizza or marinara sauce
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- hamburger buns
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, saute extra-virgin olive oil, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and herb seasoning for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
- Blend mushroom mixture with ground beef. Season with salt, to taste.
- Form into four patties and cook in the same pan as a mushroom mixture to preferred doneness. Top with dollop pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover pan to melt cheese then carefully transfer to buns.
SOURCE:
Mushroom Council
Back-to-School Food Fit for the Family
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An Easy Stylish Decorating Upgrade. A wall-mount door makes more room for fun. Fall is the perfect time to make space-saving upgrades to your house.
An Easy Stylish Decorating Upgrade
For example, consider swapping out a traditional swinging door for a smooth-gliding, wall-mounted sliding door. A sliding door can add up to 14 square feet of floor space, which allows for more room to spread out toys and games, and give a more spacious feel to nearly any room. They also allow for more flexibility in furniture arrangements, which can turn even the smallest nook in your house into a cozy space.
It’s easy to do with an option like Johnson Hardware’s Soft-Close Wall-Mount Sliding Door Hardware, which can be used with virtually any metal or wood door from 1-inch to 1 3/4-inches thick, up to 48 inches wide and weighing up to 200 pounds. The U.S.-made hardware gently slows the door’s travel speed to softly pull it into the fully open or fully closed position and works like a cabinet door closer, enabling doors to open and close quietly and securely. It also prevents door slamming and pinched fingers, as well as reducing door operational noise.
The built-in satin or bronze finish fascia can give a warm decorative detail to a room while the smooth-rolling door hardware and track exceed ANSI standards, meaning it can successfully complete 100,000 opening and closing cycles, with adjustable door guides, tricycle hangers and adjustable track stops. The jump-proof aluminum box track is available in lengths up to 96 inches for single doors and up to 192 inches for double doors.
Installing wall-mount sliding door hardware in a playroom, or nearly any other room in your house, can be an easy yet high-impact improvement that reduces space constraints while adding warmth, functionality and visual appeal.
For more information, visit johnsonhardware.com.
SOURCE:Johnson Hardware
Family Favorites with a Blended Twist
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Originally posted on September 18, 2019 @ 12:47 amShare ThisRelated Posts:Upgrade Your Outdoor Living SpaceUpgrade Your Outdoor Living SpaceEnergy-Efficient Ideas to Upgrade Your HomeUpgrade Your Home, Downgrade Energy UsageEasy Enchiladas9 Easy & Delicious Breakfasts
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Let Tea Take You for an Adventure
Let tea take you for an adventure. Visiting a new or favorite destination is one way to travel, but that’s not always possible. If you can’t escape to a new location, consider taking a mental break in the comfort of your own home with tea as your companion.
With many different varieties of tea to choose from, you can infuse your journey with flavor while enjoying wellness and relaxation benefits. Enjoy virtual travels – wherever you are – with these tips from the experts at Buddha Teas.
Rejuvenating Getaway Even when you can’t get to a spa, tea can help you focus on wellness and refresh your body and mind. While yoga, meditation, and massages can aid in recharging you physically and mentally, teas like Chaga, detox dharma, or mushroom wellness can further help you unwind. Chaga, a medium-bodied mushroom tea, can be enjoyed with honey or milk for a nurturing, peaceful escape. It can also help reset your center and give you a boost of healing energy without any caffeine. Mushroom teas blending flavorful herbs and spices can bring power and pleasure to your cup with remarkable immune-boosting, wellness potential – no honey or milk is needed. If you’re seeking a total recharge, look for teas with organic ingredients such as ginger root, turmeric, and black pepper blended with the super cleanser, burdock root, to create the perfect environment for your body to rid of itself of all toxins.
Exploring Nature If you enjoy hiking and connecting with nature, flower teas like Japanese cherry blossom, chamomile and lavender can be ideal companions. An option like Buddha Teas matches your appreciation for nature. The teas are 100% unaltered, organic, and wildcrafted. They’re made from fresh herbs and tea leaves and packaged in bleach-free bags, so you can enjoy the purity of natural teas without harmful chemicals or additives.
Emotional ExperienceSome journeys are more emotionally charged than others, from reminiscing trips down memory lane to quiet getaways intended to let you free your mind. A heightened sensory reaction to these kinds of emotionally significant destinations is best balanced with chakra teas. “Chakra” is the ancient Sanskrit word for the seven central points of energy that reside within, helping balance your physical, emotional, and spiritual states.
Connecting with History Seeing historical sites and learning about ancient people may inspire you to immerse yourself more fully in an unfamiliar culture. Root teas can help give you a taste of the unknown, such as green tea (Japan), Dong Quai (China), ashwagandha (India), or black cohosh (North America).
How to Make a Perfect Cup of Tea
Creating a cup of tea that perfectly pleases your taste buds and accentuates the flavor of the variety requires patience and diligence. Consider these steeping steps from Buddha Teas, crafters of beverages using high-quality, fresh herbs and leaves from fresh, organic, and wild plants. The sources are harvested, gathered, and packaged with conscious care to help you experience the true taste of tea.
Step 1: WaterUse fresh, preferably filtered, water. Many teas, especially herbal, include subtle flavors that can be lost or altered if prepared using unfiltered water.
Step 2: TemperatureMeasure the temperature of heated water using an electric kettle with a variety of settings or a cooking thermometer. Consider these temperature guidelines for different types of teas:
Black (200-205 F)
Green (175-180 F)
Blends (190-205 F)
Matcha (175 F)
Herbal (205 F)
Oolong (185-205 F)
Pu-erh (195-205 F)
White (175-185 F)
Step 3: SteepOnce the water reaches the proper temperature, pour water over one tea bag per 8 ounces of water. (For a stronger brew, use additional teabags). Most teas require a 3-6-minute steep, depending on the type of tea and preferred strength.
Herbal teas may take longer to reach full strength than black, green, or white teas, sometimes up to 10 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind: Each tea presents its own unique flavor profile, some naturally trending toward bitter. However, teas that are not naturally bitter will often become so if steeped at too high a temperature or for too long.
Find more ways to experience the true taste of tea at buddhateas.com.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:Buddha TeasFami
Family Favorites with Blended Twist
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Grilling hacks for delicious Plant-Based summer menus
Grilling hacks for delicious Plant-Based summer menus. Cooking and entertaining outdoors can bring friends and family back together, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, flavorful recipes can be easy on the home chef yet still tasty and enjoyable for those at the table. (Family Features)
One of the best parts of the season is grilled fare like burgers, hot dogs, and fresh vegetables. This year, consider adding a plant-based option to your menu. Made with simple, recognizable ingredients, Lightlife offers vegan, non-GMO options that are made for the grill, like Plant-Based Burgers, Smart Dogs, and Italian Smart Sausage. These products can help satisfy the craving for protein and are made with ingredients you can feel good about serving your friends and family.
“Food brings people together, and now more than ever, grilling season and dining al fresco is one of the best ways to do that,” said Tommy McDonald, executive chef at Greenleaf Foods. “Think of the grill as an additional seasoning element – a zero-fuss way to add miles of flavor. One of my favorite products is Lightlife’s Smart Dogs, which have been reformulated to taste better than ever. Try topping them with a freshly made onion jam or quick-pickled relish.”
Consider these tips from McDonald to properly grill plant-based variations of your favorite meals:
Be mindful of cook times. Plant-based protein products typically taste best when cooked properly, usually over a low, open flame. When you’re almost ready to dish them out in recipes like Grilled Pineapple Burgers with Honey Garlic Barbecue Sauce or Avocado Toast Dogs, give them a quick sear. If you’re unsure, reference the recommended cook times on the packaging.
Keep it separate. During these seasonal celebrations, there are often some people who want traditional meat and others who crave plant-based options. To satisfy your group, drop a cast-iron skillet on the grill and allow it to heat up. Put your favorite plant-based proteins in the skillet, along with veggies, to keep the grill organized.
Top it off. Don’t skimp on the toppings. The next time you’re looking to jazz up burgers, sausages or hot dogs, make an easy DIY onion jam to spread on top. While the burgers and dogs are on the grates, prepare some extra coals; once they’ve burned down a bit, bury foil-wrapped onions in the coals. After the onions are soft and warmed through, pull them out and enjoy a smokey onion jam.
For more simple summer recipes, visit Lightlife.com/Recipes.
Grilled Pineapple Burgers with Honey Garlic Barbecue Sauce
Total time: 30 minutesServing: 2
2 rings freshly cored pineapple
2 Lightlife Plant-Based Burger patties
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 sesame seed burger buns, lightly toasted
1 cup baby arugula
1/4 cup crispy fried onions
2 tablespoons honey garlic barbecue sauce
Heat grill to medium. Grill pineapple slices 4-5 minutes per side until grill-marked and slightly caramelized. Cut slices in half and set aside. Wipe down grill.
Season burger patties with salt and pepper, to taste. To grill burgers from refrigerator, grill 4-5 minutes per side until evenly browned with internal temperature of 165 F.
To assemble burgers, layer toasted bottom buns with arugula then top each with burger patty and two slices grilled pineapple. Sprinkle with crispy fried onions and drizzle with barbecue sauce. Top each with top bun.
Avocado Toast Dogs
Total time: 15 minutesServings: 4
Oil
2 medium avocados
1/2 lemon, juice only
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 Lightlife Smart Dogs
4 hot dog buns
1/2 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
sriracha
Lightly coat grill grates with oil and preheat to medium heat.
In a small bowl, mash avocados, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and rest in the refrigerator.
Grill dogs 6-7 minutes, turning frequently.
While dogs are grilling, lightly toast buns.
Spread avocado mixture on one side of toasted buns. Sprinkle each with everything bagel seasoning. Add dogs and drizzle with sriracha.
SOURCE:Lightlife
Family Favorites with a blended twist wonderful hamburgers.
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I made the pizza burger the other night! WOW good stuff! A+++
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REMOTE JOBS YOU Can Do Right Now
REMOTE JOBS YOU Can Do Right Now
Do you need to find a Remote Job you can do right now? Whether you are trying to make extra cash, pay off debt, or replace a recently lost job THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU! You DON’T need a lot of special skills for these jobs. Almost anyone can make money with one of these resources. This is NOT a video with “tips” to find remote work — THIS VIDEO gives you the actual jobs!
Enjoy your remote job while listening to Ezz Jazz
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Originally posted on June 3, 2020 @ 12:13 amShare ThisRelated Posts:Steve Jobs Lost Interview