Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon Cooler

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3 cups cubed watermelon, with seeds removed
1⁄2 cup orange juice

Directions

1. Place watermelon and juice in blender. Put lid on tightly.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Drink immediately.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Juice from 1/2 orange (about 1/4 cup)

Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)

Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 1 cup
Chill Time: 6 to 12 hours

Ingredients

1 cup low fat fruit yogurt
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (raw)
1⁄2 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 cup dried fruit (try raisins, apricots, dates)
1⁄2 cup chopped apple (about 1/3 a medium apple [3” diameter])
1⁄2 cup frozen blueberries
1⁄4 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

Directions

1. In medium bowl, mix oats, yogurt, and milk.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours.
3. Add dried and fresh fruit, and mix gently.
4. Serve scoops of muesli in small dishes. Sprinkle each serving with chopped nuts.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Muesli makes a delicious breakfast. Try drizzling with milk.
• Substitute any frozen, canned/drained, or fresh chopped fruit for apples and blueberries.
• Flavor boosters: cinnamon, grated orange peel.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted Vegetables

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 1 cup
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup fresh vegetables per person (choose one vegetable or a mix of several – see list below)
1⁄2 teaspoon vegetable oil (per cup of vegetables)
sprinkle of salt and pepper

Directions

1. Wash vegetables, peel if desired, and cut into similar sized pieces. Smaller pieces (about 1/2 inch thickness) brown more and cook more quickly. Long thin pieces (asparagus or beans) can be left whole.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Prepare a baking sheet that will hold the vegetables in a single layer. A metal baking sheet without sides allows more browning. A covering of foil will make cleanup easy.
4. Toss the vegetable pieces with just enough oil to make them shine.
5. Spread the vegetables on the baking sheet in a single layer.
6. Roast until tender and slightly browned on the edges. Baking time will depend on the thickness of the pieces. Thin pieces (asparagus or beans) may take 5 minutes; pieces about 1/2 inch thick take about 15 minutes.
7. Stir or turn about halfway through the roasting to obtain more even browning.
8. Remove to a serving dish and sprinkle lightly with salt or seasoning of your choice.
9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try vegetables like: beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, peppers, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, squash and more.
• Try additional seasonings like: thyme, rosemary, oregano, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice.

Yogurt Popsicles

Yogurt Popsicles

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 24 popsicles
Serving Size 2 popsicles
Chill Time: 2 to 3 hours

Ingredients

1 quart low fat vanilla yogurt
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate (6 ounce can)

Directions

1. Stir all the Ingredients together.
2. Spoon into 24 popsicle molds or small waxed paper cups. Insert wooden craft sticks in the center of each popsicle.
3. Freeze about 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the popsicle.
4. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For variety, substitute any other frozen juice concentrate such as grape, raspberry or pineapple or use fruited yogurts. 
• Children can: open the juice, stir things together, use a spoon to fill small cups, and put the sticks in.

Overnight Oatmeal

Overnight Oatmeal

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 6 hours
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size almost 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup low-fat yogurt
1⁄2 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 cup berries, fresh or frozen
1⁄2 cup chopped apple (about 1/3 a medium apple [3” diameter])

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix oats, yogurt and milk.
2. Add the fruit now or add just before eating.
3. Cover and refrigerate oatmeal mixture for 6-12 hours.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve scoops of oatmeal in small dishes or spoon into small containers with lids for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Spinach with Garbanzo Beans

Spinach with Garbanzo Beans

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup chopped onion
1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Add oil, garlic and onion to a large skillet. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes or until onion becomes clear. If you use garlic powder, add it in step 2.
2. Add spinach, garbanzo beans, cumin and salt. Cook until heated through, mashing the beans slightly with a spoon. Serve warm.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve as a side dish or as a spread with French bread or pita chips.
• Add more garlic, if desired. 
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Sautéed Peppers

Sautéed Peppers

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

2 bell peppers (greeen, red or yellow - try a mix)
1 medium onion
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Wash and cut peppers into long strips.  Slice or chop onion.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add peppers and onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until onions are clear and peppers are tender.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve as a side dish; add to sandwiches, tacos or wraps; add to cooked pasta or rice bowls.

Sautéed Onions

Sautéed Onions

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 1 cup
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 medium onion, sliced or chopped
1 teaspoon oil, margarine, or butter

Directions

1. Heat oil in a wide bottomed skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add chopped or sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until desired softness and color are reached. Reduce the heat as needed to prevent burning.
3. 3-5 minutes – onions will be crisp-tender and a clear white
4. Longer cooking will start to brown the onions. They will become softer and sweeter.
5. Cooking for a long time (30 minutes or more) at a lower heat will turn onions a rich golden brown.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• When sauteing more than one onion, avoid crowding them in the pan.

Sautéed Cabbage

Sautéed Cabbage

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon margarine or butter
1⁄2 head cabbage, shredded (about 6 cups)
2 medium carrots, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a large skillet heat margarine until foamy. Add cabbage and carrots.
2. Sauté over high heat until tender but crisp, about 4-6 minutes. 
3. Add salt and pepper and serve warm.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Enjoy the sweet mild flavor of cooked cabbage or spice it up with your favorite seasoning!

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Green Beans

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 pound fresh green beans
1 Tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Snap the ends off the green beans and rinse the beans in water.
2. Lay the green beans on a metal baking sheet.
3. Drizzle the oil, salt and pepper over the beans. Toss to coat.
4. Roast in a 425 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Stir the beans a couple times while roasting.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Glazed Carrots and Pea Pods

Glazed Carrots and Pea Pods

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

2 cups baby carrots
2 cups snow peas
1 Tablespoon butter
1⁄2 teaspoon cornstarch
2 Tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

1. Bring a pan of water to a boil. Boil carrots for 7 to 9 minutes and remove from water. Boil pea pods for 2 to 3 minutes and remove from water.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add the cornstarch to the butter and stir together.
3. Add the cooked carrots, snow peas and brown sugar to the skillet. Heat and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
    

Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup 

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 apples, cored and diced
1 cup celery, diced
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally until they are evenly toasted.
3. Combine apples, celery, nuts, and raisins.
4. Stir together yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour over apple mixture and toss lightly.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve this dish with a whole-wheat roll for a hearty meal.
• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Tropical Carrot Salad

Tropical Carrot Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

2 cups shredded carrots (2 to 3 carrots)
1 cup unsweetened pineapple tidbits, drained
3⁄4 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup low-fat mayonnaise or low-fat plain yogurt
1⁄4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

Directions

1. In a medium serving bowl, combine carrots, pineapple and raisins.
2. Stir in mayonnaise or yogurt and nuts or seeds. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Save leftover pineapple and juice in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze for longer storage.
• Leftover pineapple can be used in smoothies, fruit salads and more. See FoodHero.org for recipes.

Summer Cucumbers

Summer Cucumbers

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

5 cups sliced cucumbers
1⁄2 cup sliced red onion
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

Directions

1. Combine cucumbers, onion, salt, black pepper and vinegar together.
2. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 9 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

SALAD
1 cup quinoa (dry)
2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
3 large celery stalks, diced
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 green onions, sliced
3 Tablespoons minced parsley

DRESSING
1⁄2 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh wire strainer under running water for 1 minute.
2. Bring the water or broth and quinoa to a boil in a 2-3 quart saucepan. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Refrigerate until cool.
3. Meanwhile, combine all the vegetables in a salad bowl.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing Ingredients. Add to the vegetables.
5. Add quinoa and stir gently to combine.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

6 cups cooked potatoes, cubed into bite-sized pieces (about 6 small potatoes)
1 1⁄2 cups chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
1⁄4 cup chopped onion (1⁄4 medium onion)
1⁄4 cup sliced black olives
1⁄2 cup light mayonnaise
1⁄2 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon sugar

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, vinegar and sugar.
2. Add cooked potatoes, celery, onion and olives and stir to coat evenly.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For extra flavor and crunch, add ¼ cup chopped dill or sweet pickles.
• Try using sweet onions, which have a mild flavor even when raw.

Bell Pepper Salad

Bell Pepper Salad

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

4 bell peppers
1⁄2 medium onion
2 1⁄2 Tablespoons vinegar
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄8 teaspoon salt and pepper

Directions

1.  Wash bell peppers and remove tops and seeds. Cut into ¼-inch thick strips. Peel onion and slice into thin strips.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.  Add bell pepper and onion and gently stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup peeled and diced cucumber
1 cup sliced summer squash
3⁄4 cup Italian salad dressing

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water. Place in large bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any colorful vegetables you have on hand. Try carrots, cherry tomatoes, green onions or frozen peas.
• Flavor boosters: 1 cup diced, cooked chicken or ham; 1 cup garbanzo beans.

Spring Green Salad

Spring Green Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

6 ounces spinach (about 7 cups)
3 oranges
1 1⁄2 cups strawberries, halved
1 cup walnut pieces (toasted if desired) 

DRESSING
1 teaspoon sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons orange juice (juice from 1/4 orange)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
2 Tablespoons salad oil

Directions

1. Wash and dry spinach, tear into pieces, and chill.
2. To prepare orange: Cut off peel and membrane of outer part of the sections. Using a paring knife gently cut out sections from membrane edges. You end up with orange sections with no outer membrane.
3. To make dressing: Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well or blend in a blender.
4. Right before serving, toss orange and strawberries with walnuts and spinach. Add dressing to coat salad. Serve immediately.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Southern Green Beans

Southern Green Beans

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 pound fresh green beans
1⁄4 cup finely chopped onion
1⁄4 cup chopped ham
1 Tablespoon olive oil or butter
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Snap the ends off the green beans and rinse the beans in water.
2. Place the green beans in a pan of boiling water over medium high heat. Cover and cook beans for 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off the water.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and ham. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the cooked green beans and 1/4 cup water to the skillet. Stir and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.