easy recipes

September 2023

Thai Pasta Salad

2023-09-15T20:12:18+00:00September 4th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Get ready to impress everyone with your cooking skills with this amazing Thai Pasta Salad! It’s bursting with colors and flavors that will make your taste buds explode. Not only is it super easy to make, but it’s also a great way to use up your WIC-foods in a delicious and nutritious way. Don’t wait any longer, give it a try tonight and surprise your family with a mouthwatering meal!

THAI PASTA SALAD

1 box of whole wheat pasta

1 cup diced red cabbage

1 cup diced cucumber

½ cup shredded carrots

⅓ cup diced green onion

Sauce:

½ cup peanut butter

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp soy sauce

½ cup water

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, drain and set aside to cool. While the pasta is cooking and cooling, chop your veggies and make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Add all of the pasta, veggies, and sauce together in a large bowl and toss together. This recipe makes about 6 servings.

August 2023

Summer Smoothie Series: Berry Smoothie

2023-08-30T13:59:51+00:00August 24th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

BERRY SMOOTHIE

1 cup vanilla yogurt

½ cup strawberries, chopped (fresh or frozen)

½ cup cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)

½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 banana, peeled

1 cup milk

1 cup ice

Blend & enjoy!

Summer Smoothie Series: Green Smoothie

2023-08-30T14:00:20+00:00August 15th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

GREEN SMOOTHIE

This green smoothie has quickly become a breakfast favorite, as it’s packed with lots of good fats that give you a great start to the day by feeling nourished and energetic.

2 avocados, pitted & peeled

2 bananas, peeled

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 cup milk

1 ½ cups ice

Blend & enjoy!

Summer Smoothie Series: Strawberry Banana Smoothie

2023-08-14T14:33:36+00:00August 11th, 2023|Categories: Recipes, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Beat the heat with this Strawberry Banana Smoothie from our Summer Smoothie Series! Using all WIC approved ingredients, this smoothie makes a great breakfast or snack that’s sure to cool you down.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 cup vanilla yogurt

2 bananas

1 ½ cup strawberries

2 handfuls of ice

1 cup milk

Blend & enjoy!

June 2023

WIC Inspired Recipes: Limeade

2023-06-20T14:15:53+00:00June 20th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

limeade

LIMEADE

1 cup warm water

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (About 12 medium sized limes)

3 cups cold water

1 cup sugar

Combine the warm water and sugar in a pitcher, stir until sugar is dissolved. 

Stir in the lime juice, then add the cold water and stir. Chill before serving. 

Serve in a glass with ice and garnish with a slice of lime or mint leaves if you want to be fancy!

February 2023

WIC Inspired Recipes – Chilaquiles & Salsa

2023-02-10T11:15:02+00:00February 10th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

CHILAQUILES & SALSA 

Makes 2 servings.

SALSA

1 large onion

4 – 5 large tomatoes

1 jalapeno

(remove seeds from jalapeno, or replace with ½ bell pepper if you don’t want it spicy)

Juice of ½ lime or lemon

1 cup cilantro

Salt and/or sugar to taste

For extra flavor, add a whole bulb of garlic to the veggies!

Cook vegetables in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes, turning the veggies over halfway through. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes, then add veggies into a blender along with cilantro and lime or lemon juice. Blend until there’s no chunks, then it’s ready to serve!

CHILAQUILES

2 tbsp Vegetable oil

6 Corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges

2 Eggs

1 cup of Salsa 

(To save time, you can use WIC approved Always Save Mild Salsa from Grocery Services North instead of making your own)

Pepper

Additional Optional Toppings – Sliced avocado, shredded cheese, onion, cilantro, or even more salsa!

In a large non-stick pan, coat generously with about 2 tbsp vegetable oil and heat on stove top to medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tortillas and fry until golden brown. Remove from heat and move tortillas to a paper towel lined plate to soak up any excess oil. Remove any remaining brown tortilla pieces in the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan, add the salsa and let cook for a few minutes while stirring occasionally. Add the fried tortilla wedges to the pan and gently turn over until tortillas are coated with salsa. Let cook for a few more minutes until tortillas are thoroughly soaked in salsa, yet still slightly crispy. Remove from heat and move tortillas to the plates. Return the pan to the stove top and fry the eggs. On each plate, top the tortillas with the fried eggs. Top with your choice of favorite toppings like shredded cheese and/or avocado for some extra flavor!

Enjoy!

November 2022

WIC Inspired Recipes – Blackberry Banana Bread

2022-12-14T20:14:21+00:00November 18th, 2022|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Try out this unique take on a classic banana bread recipe using WIC approved products like bananas, eggs, and blackberries! This warm and comforting treat is perfect to serve Thanksgiving morning, or any time this winter.

WIC-INSPIRED RECIPE – BLACKBERRY BANANA BREAD

4 bananas

2 eggs

1 stick of butter

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups of flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

big pinch of salt

1.5 cups of blackberries

4 oz of chocolate chips/chunks (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare all the ingredients. Prepare the pan by buttering it or using non-stick spray. Use either a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a 10 inch round cake pan.
In a small pot melt the butter, take it off the heat and let it cool. In a small bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together. Set aside.
Add the eggs and sugar to a mixing bowl, whisk quickly for 5 minutes until the mixture is pale, light and foamy. Add the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and melted butter, mix until just combined. Slowly add the flour mixture into the batter, stir in with a spatula, until partially combined. Add the chocolate pieces and about 1 cup of blackberries, fold in gently, taking care not to over mix. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, and lay the remaining blackberries on the top. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. It may run longer or shorter in your oven and depending on what pan you are using. After about 45 minutes, check if the top is not browning too much, if it is – cover it loosely with a piece of aluminum foil.
Enjoy!

EASY WIC GROCERY SHOPPING

Grocery Services North makes WIC grocery shopping easy.  Get all your WIC foods in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North store. There are 11 locations in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview.

Visit today to find out how easy WIC shopping can be!

Cook Up Comforting Fall Recipes With WIC Foods

2022-11-21T18:36:28+00:00November 4th, 2022|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , |

Mixing family meals is a never-ending task. To help inspire you and your family at mealtime, here are a few cozy recipe ideas – using WIC foods of course – we think you will enjoy as the fall and winter weather kicks in.

This time of year pumpkin is in everything from coffee to candles. This recipe from USDA’s MyPlate is full of fall flavors and is a great family meal, perfect for catching up and spending quality time with your family.

PUMPKIN CHILI

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 small yellow onion (chopped)

1 green bell pepper (cored, seeded and chopped )

2 jalapeño peppers (seeded and finely chopped, optional)

2 cloves garlic ( finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder )

1 pound ground turkey, optional

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 can pumpkin puree

1 cup water

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

salt and pepper (to taste, optional)

1 can kidney beans (Can choose other beans if desired.)

Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapenos (omit if serving to children) and garlic and cook, stirring frequently until tender, about 5 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low then add beans. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.

Source: from USDA’s MyPlate, Bronson Wellness Center

It’s also the perfect time to fire-up the oven for tasty treats with healthy ingredients.

This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate is a perfect twist on a classic cookie recipe. Your kids won’t even know healthy foods are packed into the ingredient list.

Carrots give this traditional oatmeal and raisin cookie a colorful and tasty twist.

CARROT COOKIES

1/2 cup margarine (soft)

1 1/4 cups sugar mixed with 1/4 cup water

1 cup carrot (grated)

2 egg whites (well beaten)

2 cups flour (all purpose)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups oatmeal, quick cooking (raw)

1 cup raisins

In a large bowl, cream together margarine and honey. Stir in carrots and egg whites. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oatmeal and raisins. Gradually stir flour-oatmeal mixture into creamed mixture, just until all flour is mixed. Do not over mix. Drop a teaspoon on a greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Source: USDA’s MyPlate, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Healthy Futures

September 2022

Quick, Easy Family Meal Features Whole Grains

2023-01-11T18:28:45+00:00September 22nd, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Pregnancy, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Whole grains are a great source of nutrition. Texas WIC features several approved-foods that offer whole grains. This recipe for Pasta with Peas from the “staff favorites” from the Whole Grain Council is a super easy, quick meal that can be made in 15 minutes for the entire family. Find more recipes like this one on their website.

Pasta with Peas

2 eggs, beaten

½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1 cup frozen peas

12 ounces whole wheat pasta

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and break linguini in half and cook according to package directions. 

While the pasta is cooking, combine the eggs and cheese in a small bowl, beat, and set aside. Put peas in a strainer, rinse under hot water, and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and sauté for several minutes, until it softens. Add the peas to the skillet and cook for about one minute longer.

Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. Toss gently to mix. Create a well in the center, add the eggs and cheese, and cook until they are starting to firm up. Toss with the pasta and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Let’s celebrate whole grains! 

2022-09-15T17:44:21+00:00September 15th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

September is Whole Grains Month! 

Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet. Texas WIC food packages also include whole grains, including brown rice, whole wheat bread and tortillas, corn tortillas, oatmeal and whole-wheat pasta. 

Health experts recommend including whole grains in our diets because they can help “reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity,” according to the Oldways Whole Grains Council.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of all the grains you eat are whole grains. If you’re like most people, you’re not getting enough whole grains — so see how to make whole grains a part of your healthy diet.

Grains can be either whole or refined. Whole grains have the entire grain kernel, and include whole-wheat flour, oatmeal and brown rice to name a few. Refined grains remove fiber, iron and some vitamins. Examples include white flour, bread and rice. 

In honor of whole grains month, here is a recipe to try:

WIC Whole Grains: Add whole grains to your Tuna Patties

Whole-Grain Tuna Rice Cakes

1 can tuna, undrained

2 cups cooked rice

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1 Tbsp finely chopped onion

1 slice of whole wheat bread, shredded or crumbled

Dash or two of ground black pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the tuna with its liquid, rice, celery, onion, bread and pepper. Stir in the eggs and mix well. Form mixture into 4 patties using about ¼ cup mix for each. Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add patties and brown on each side. Enjoy!

Get all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North in one easy stop. Grocery Services North is a chain of grocery stores that caters to WIC clients. There are 11 locations in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. Visit today!