March 2023

WIC-Inspired Recipes For Family Dinner

2023-03-17T13:38:36+00:00March 17th, 2023|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Shepherd’s Pie Is Budget-Friendly, Nutritious Family Favorite

This shepherd’s pie is so tasty, you’ll forget that it’s meatless! This recipe is sure to be a new comfort food staple, and a great way to get your veggies in and use up any leftover mashed potatoes, or potatoes you may have lying around the kitchen.

VEGTABLE SHEPHERD’S PIE

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup diced onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 ½ cups diced mushrooms

1 stalk thinly sliced celery

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup chicken broth

2 cans mixed vegetables, drained

3 cups of mashed potatoes

½ cup shredded cheese

Seasonings: Paprika, Thyme, Black Pepper

Bring olive oil to medium high heat in a skillet then add onion and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and celery, then worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, and spices. Stir and cook for about 10 minutes. Add canned vegetables, stir gently and bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Transfer to an 8 x 8 baking dish and spread evenly in the pan, flattening as you go. Add mashed potatoes on top & spread evenly.  Top with your choice of cheese and herbs if you like!

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until light golden brown. 

Allow to cool, and serve. Makes 4 – 6 servings.

 

 

February 2023

WIC Inspired Recipes – Broccoli Tater Tots

2023-02-20T14:38:50+00:00February 20th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Broccoli Tater Tots

3 large russet potatoes

2 (12 – 14 ounce) bags frozen broccoli florets that have been thawed, or 8 cups steamed broccoli florets

2 cups shredded parmesan cheese (or mozzarella)

2 teaspoons salt, plus more for sprinkling on top

Olive oil

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and cook for 25 minutes, until fork tender but still have some give in the middle. Drain water and let potatoes cool until they are comfortable to handle. Once potatoes are warm enough to handle, remove the skins.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grate potatoes on the large side of a grater and place into a large bowl.

Place the broccoli into a food processor and blend until it’s in very small pieces, 30 seconds – one minute. You may need to do it in two batches. Place broccoli onto paper towels and squeeze all excess water out.

Add the broccoli to the grated potatoes along with the salt and mix everything together well.

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use your hands to form small cylinders with the mixture. Use about 1 tablespoon per tater tot. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow them to firm up.

Brush the top of each tater tot with a small amount of olive oil and sprinkle each one with salt. Bake tater tots until browned crispy, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway though.

This recipe works great in an air fryer too!

Enjoy!

 

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!

August 2022

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

2022-08-26T20:56:53+00:00August 5th, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Sometimes we all need a treat, and this one is perfect for a weekend snack or breakfast. Let your kiddos help you with this one in the kitchen. They can help mix in a few ingredients, stir the batter or just spend time with the family in the kitchen. This special treat also has a few WIC ingredients (milk, egg, and berries).

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

2 cups of blueberries, fresh or frozen (You can also substitute a mix of berries of your choice)

1 stick of butter

1 lemon

½ cup milk

1 egg

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp kosher salt

1 cup, 1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat the oven to 375. Zest a lemon over a stick of softened butter. Add one cup of sugar and beat together until light and fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again until mixed. Toss the berries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk remaining flour into the batter along with the baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time, while alternating with the milk, and beat until creamy. Fold in the blueberries gently with a spatula. Transfer the batter into a lightly greased 12 piece muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and add remaining sugar on top of each muffin. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes or until muffins are lightly browned on top and sugar has caramelized. Let cool for 5 – 10 minutes then serve. Makes 12 muffins

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

July 2022

WIC Inspired Recipes – Ratatouille

2022-08-26T21:01:06+00:00July 18th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Cuddle up with the family and watch the Disney movie Ratatouille while having some ratatouille for dinner! This recipe is an easy comfort food that includes lots of veggies and goes perfect with garlic bread.

Ratatouille

4 tbsp olive oil 

4 garlic cloves (minced)

1/2 small onion (chopped)

1/3 cup shredded carrots

14 oz can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup fresh basil

1/4 cup fresh parsley

1 small eggplant (thinly sliced, about ⅛ inch thick)

1 zucchini (thinly sliced, about ⅛ inch thick)

1 yellow squash (thinly sliced, about ⅛ inch thick)

3 Roma tomatoes (thinly sliced, about ⅛ inch thick)

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried parsley

salt (to taste)

black pepper (to taste)

Parmesan cheese (shredded) 

Try to use the freshest produce possible, not those tomatoes that look like you should use them up before they go bad. You want the ratatouille to have a nice, even texture and the vegetables are easier to slice when they are fresh. Slice the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash & tomatoes as evenly as possible to ensure they cook evenly in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375F. In a large nonstick pan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add in the onion, garlic, and carrot and cook about 5 – 7 minutes until tender.

Next, add in the crushed tomatoes and seasonings, simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Once the sauce has thickened, pour into a 2 quart baking dish.

Arrange the sliced vegetables in a circular pattern standing upright in the dish over the sauce. Brush with the remaining olive oil. 

Cover and bake for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake until vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese evenly on top and serve immediately. 

Tasty Tip: Garlic bread is a perfect addition to this recipe!

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

 

April 2022

WIC Inspired Recipe – Oatmeal Banana Muffins

2022-08-26T02:55:54+00:00April 5th, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Use WIC Oatmeal, Bananas, Eggs, Milk + More For This Recipe

These whole wheat, maple-sweetened banana muffins are so tasty and moist, you wouldn’t guess they’re healthy muffins! They’re easy to make as well, with basic ingredients, including WIC foods,  that can go in just one mixing bowl. If you love bananas as much as I do, then try cutting up an extra banana & adding a slice in the middle of each muffin before baking. 

The recipe makes 12 muffins. These muffins will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Maple Sweetened Oatmeal Banana Muffins

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup maple syrup or honey

2 eggs

1 cup packed mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)

¼ cup milk of choice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling on top

1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour

⅓ cup rolled oats, plus more for sprinkling on top

1 teaspoon raw sugar or other granulated sugar, for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. If you don’t have a non-stick muffin pan, grease all 12 cups of your muffin tin.

In a large bowl, beat the olive oil and maple syrup together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well. Mix in the mashed bananas and milk, followed by the baking soda, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon. Add the flour and oats to the bowl and mix with a large spoon until combined.

Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with a small amount of oats, followed by a light sprinkling of sugar. Bake muffins for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

 

March 2022

WIC Inspired Recipe – Yogurt Bark

2022-08-26T01:51:34+00:00March 3rd, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It’s no secret that moms are always looking for easy, healthy snacks to pack in their kids’ lunches or to have on hand when the munchies strike. This WIC inspired recipe – yogurt bark treats – are a great option because they’re made with some of your favorite WIC-approved ingredients. And bonus: they’re delicious! So give them a try today. Your kids will love them!

 These can easily be made into popsicles too!

So what are you waiting for? Whip up a batch of these yogurt popsicles today and let us know what you think. As always, we love to hear from our customers, so be sure to tag us on social if you make these. And don’t forget to visit Grocery Services North for all your WIC grocery needs. We’ve got everything you need, from baby formula, fresh produce to dairy products and beyond.

Yogurt Bark

2 cups Plain Yogurt

¼ cup Maple Syrup

½ tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

¼ tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Strawberries, sliced

Blueberries

Chopped Pecans (Optional)

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, & lemon juice; whisk until thoroughly combined.

Transfer yogurt mixture to a previously prepared baking sheet and spread it around to an even thickness. Top with berries. Garnish with nuts (optional). Freeze for 3 hours or until firm. Cut into pieces and serve. Keep in the freezer.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

 

 

February 2022

WIC Inspired Recipes – Turkish Eggs

2022-08-26T01:56:17+00:00February 22nd, 2022|Categories: Kid Activities, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Looking for something different for breakfast?  Try Turkish eggs. This recipe features multiple WIC ingredients, including eggs.

Turkish Eggs, or Cilbir, is a traditional Turkish dish with simple ingredients like yogurt, garlic, red pepper flakes, poached eggs, & butter. There are records of çılbır being eaten by Ottoman sultans as far back as the 15th century, and it’s often known as Turkish comfort food. 

Today, Turkish eggs can make a great breakfast or snack using WIC ingredients, including eggs, yogurt and whole wheat bread.

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

3 Eggs

1 Clove of Garlic

½ Cup of Thick Plain Yogurt

2 tbsp Butter

2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

3 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread

1 tbsp White Vinegar

Salt, Pepper, & Dill to taste

Spoon yogurt onto a plate & use the back of the spoon to spread it out. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat, add minced garlic & red pepper flakes. Stir until color is uniform & remove from heat.

Fill a large saucepan with 2 – 3 inches of water & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep at a simmer. Crack an egg into a small bowl or ramekin and gently slip the egg into the simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Cook the eggs for 3 minutes until the egg whites are firm & the yolk has thickened but not hard. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon & add to plate with yogurt. 

Spoon the butter, garlic & chili pepper mixture on top of the poached eggs & sprinkle with black pepper, a pinch of salt, & dill to taste. Toast the bread until lightly browned. Dip into the Turkish eggs & enjoy! Makes 2 Servings.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth