Kid-Friendly Strawberry Chia Yogurt Pops

Kid-Friendly Strawberry Chia Yogurt Pops

These kid-friendly strawberry chia yogurt pops offer a delicious, healthy way to cool down on a hot summer day! With a winning combo of brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, gut-healthy probiotics, and muscle-strengthening protein, this will surely be your new favorite treat to beat the heat.

Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped strawberries
3 Tbsp honey
2 cups 2% or whole Milk Greek Yogurt
1 Tbsp chia seeds
2 tsp vanilla
6 popsicle sticks
Chia seed garnish (optional)

Instructions: 
In a bowl, using a fork, mash ⅓ cup of the strawberries. Add honey and mash to soften. Stir in yogurt, chia seeds and vanilla.

Spoon and divide yogurt mixture into molds, tapping on counter to eliminate air bubbles. Sprinkle with more chia seeds on top (if using) and insert popsicle sticks.

Freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours. To remove from mold, dip casing into cup of warm water to loosen yogurt pop. 

Tip: For a fun decorative look, slice one strawberry. Fill molds halfway and slide a slice directly on wall; top with remaining yogurt mixture.

Submitted by: Lewis Martin, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Director with Oregon Dairy Counsel

Parmesan Herb-Baked Salmon 

Parmesan Herb-Baked Salmon 

Parmesan Herb-Baked Salmon 

For Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness month this June, we invite you to nourish your mind with the brain-boosting benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids found in Salmon! This easy-to-make recipe combines flaky salmon with a savory coating of parmesan that will save you time brainstorming what to make for dinner. 

Ingredients

  • 1 whole wild salmon filet with skin, 1 1/2 inches thick (2 lbs)
  • 1/4 cup light mayo
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easiest cleanup.
  • Combine mayo, Parmesan, garlic and herbs in a small bowl.
  • Place salmon, skin side down, onto lined baking sheet. Cover salmon with another piece of parchment or foil. Partially bake salmon for 8 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and remove top piece of parchment paper.
  • Spread the top with the Parmesan herb mixture.
  • Return to oven uncovered and bake until the top has browned, and the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  • The salmon should register 135º F when checked with an internal thermometer probe, about 15 to 18 minutes if the fish is 1 1/2 inches thick, less or more depending on the thickness.

Resource: https://www.skinnytaste.com/parmesan-herb-baked-salmon/ 

Lewis Martin, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Director with Oregon Dairy Counsel

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

May is National Strawberry Month!

It’s the perfect time to celebrate these juicy, delicious berries. Strawberries are not only sweet and tasty but also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Whether you enjoy them fresh, in smoothies, or as a topping on your favorite dishes, there’s no better time to indulge.

This refreshing smoothie is packed with protein, vitamins, and antioxidants – perfect for a quick breakfast or post-workout snack.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups frozen strawberries (can also use fresh, but then add 4-6 ice cubes)
  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt (regular or greek)
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions:

  • Place all ingredients in a high-power blender and blend until smooth.
  • Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for up to 2 hours.

Recipe adapted from savorynothings.com

Healthy Hummus

Healthy Hummus

Creamy homemade hummus —a classic Mediterranean dip perfect for sharing.

Ingredients:

  • 15 ounce can chickpeas/garbanzo, rinsed and drained well
  • juice from 1 lemon about 1/4 cup
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1-2 cloves garlic very finely minced
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • minced fresh parsley

Instructions:

  • In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, garlic and yogurt. Process for 1 minute, then open the food processer and scrape the sides. Process for another minute.
  • While the processor is running, pour in the olive oil. Taste and check for smooth consistency.
  • If the hummus is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle with smoked paprika, fresh parsley and drizzle with additional olive oil.
  • Enjoy on pita bread, fresh vegetables like carrots and cucumbers, or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps!

Resource: steamykitchen.com

Asparagus Soup

Asparagus Soup

It’s Spring – Time for Asparagus 

By Laura Swanson

Every vegetable has its season, and for me, a favorite is “asparagus” season – when the first early Spring crops arrive and the price per pound drops.  There are so many ways to prepare asparagus – classic steamed; drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and roast with garlic of course; and pickled.  Yes, pickled asparagus spears – oh, yum!  

One of our family traditions is to prepare “Spring Asparagus Soup” for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.  It’s perfect for our Irish heritage (my mom’s maiden name was Fitzpatrick) to have green soup and corned beef.  This is a quick and easy soup to prepare, low in calories and asparagus is such a nutrient rich vegetable.

Asparagus is a young tender shoot (spear) vegetable, which emerges from its underground root system. Their use as food was well recognized by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a prized delicacy. One of the oldest recorded vegetables, its thought to have originated along the coastal regions of eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor regions. Botanically, it is a herbaceous perennial plant (meaning it will come back year after year with a little attention and maintenance) belonging to the Asparagaceae family. It is closely related to the Liliaceae plants which also include onion, garlic, tulip, daffodil, etc – all the heralds of Spring.  Plant asparagus crowns in early spring, and once established, this plant can provide an abundance of healthy spears after a couple years.  Young scaly edible spears emerge from the underground extensive matted root systems, which can be ready for harvest in early Spring in some areas, usually by late Spring here on the Oregon Coast.  When I see my asparagus making an appearance in the garden, that’s when I know it’s Spring.

Asparagus is a very low-calorie vegetable. 1 cup (134 g) fresh spears carry just 40 calories.  Fresh asparagus is a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as the B vitamins. Asparagus is an excellent source of minerals, copper, iron,. calcium, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. 

This soup is so easy to prepare, elegant and very nourishing.  And if Spring had a flavor or taste – it’s Asparagus soup! Serve it for your Easter dinner, and when it’s spring asparagus season – stock up!  The soup freezes well, too.  You can use vegetable stock and then it is vegan/vegetarian and is also gluten-free.

SPRING ASPARAGUS SOUP

  •  2 1/2 lbs. asparagus
  • 3 T. butter
  • 1/2 C. minced onion
  • 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 t. ground coriander
  • 4-6 C. chicken or vegetable stock
  • Salt and White Pepper

1.  Steam asparagus to tender, bright green.

2.  Cut tips and reserve.  Cut remaining stalks into 1″ pieces.

3.  Sauté onion, garlic and coriander in butter in large heavy pan, until soft, not browned.  

4.  Add asparagus stalks.  Simmer 10-15 minutes

5.  Puree in blender or with submersible blender

6.  Pour back in pan; add stock; add asparagus tips.  Heat to hot.

7.  Add white pepper and salt to taste.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes || Kid Approved!

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes || Kid Approved!

Deliciously seasoned potatoes, roasted to perfection and topped with Parmesan cheese for a heartwarming and fulfilling dish. Bonus: It’s Kid Approved!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups potatoes cut in 1-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  3. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Place potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
  5. Roast 25 minutes. Sprinkle potatoes with cheese and roast 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve warm.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes:

  • Try other types of cheese or a blend.
  • Try adding other herbs or spices with the salt and pepper, such as garlic powder, thyme or rosemary.

Resource: FoodHero.org https://foodhero.org/recipes/parmesan-roasted-potatoes