Author: Kara Bonsack

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

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Ingredients

For the marinade

  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the beef and broccoli

  1. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  2. 1 pound beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch strips
  3. 1 10-ounce bag of frozen broccoli
  4. ½ medium onion, chopped
  5. 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  6. Black pepper and seasonings to taste
  7. 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm water.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk 1/3 cup soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and cornstarch until combined.
  3. Add steak, season with salt and pepper, and toss until steak is coated. Cover and marinate for 20 minutes in the fridge.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  5. Discard the marinade.
  6. Add the beef to the pan and cook until brown.
  7. Add onion, garlic, pepper and any other seasonings you like and cook for 5 minutes.
  8. Add low-sodium soy sauce and cook until a sauce forms.
  9. Add the bag of frozen broccoli and cook until heated.
  10. Serve over rice or enjoy on its own!

Potato Latkes

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potato latkes on a plate

Makes 12 latkes.

Ingredients

  • 22-3 large potatoes, peeled
  • ½ small onion
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 T. bread crumbs, matzah meal, or flour
  • ¾ tsp. coarse salt (1/2 tsp. if using kosher salt)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 T. olive oil

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm water.
  2. Grate potatoes coarsely or finely, according to your liking. Put the grated potatoes in a bowl of lightly salted water to prevent browning.
  3. Finely grate the onion.
  4. Strain the potatoes in a colander. Add the onion.
  5. Squeeze tightly until most of the liquid is removed.
  6. Place strained potatoes and onion in a large bowl. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper and combine.

To Saute:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 T. olive oil to the pan, swirl to coat. Spoon ¼ cup potato mixture into the pan, flatten slightly.
  2. Repeat procedure 5 times to form 6 latkes. Saute 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  3. Remove latkes from the pan and keep warm. Repeat procedure with the remaining 1 T. of olive oil and potato mixture to yield 12 latkes total.
  4. Serve with unsweetened applesauce and ground cinnamon or plain non-fat Greek yogurt.

To Bake:

  1. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Place twelve ¼ cups of potato mixture on sheet, flatten slightly.
  3. Bake until latkes are crisp, 30 minutes, turning over after 15 minutes.

Split Pea Soup

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split pea soup in a bowl

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup onions, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 16 oz dried green split peas
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a 6-8 quart pot; add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes.
  2. Add broth and split peas. Bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until peas become very tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cornbread

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cornbread in a basket

Perfect with warm chili or a Thanksgiving Day feast!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1 ¼ cups buttermilk (Or make your own! Add 1 Tbsp white vinegar to 1 1/4 cups milk and let sit for 10 minutes.)
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted but not hot
  • Optional add-ins: 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, 1 cup blueberries or strawberries, 1 cup corn, 2-4 Tbsp fresh herbs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Add cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt to a medium bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, then whisk in honey, buttermilk, and melted butter.
  4. Butter an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan. Pour batter into pan and place pan into preheated oven.
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden on top and cooked through, or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Cut into 9 pieces and serve while warm. Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Roasted Acorn Squash

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Ingredients

  • 1 medium acorn squash
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper OR cinnamon

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm water and soap.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. Cut the squash in half from stem to tip.
  4. Break the squash in half.
  5. Scoop out the seeds.
  6. Rub the squash halves with oil.
  7. Sprinkle with salt & pepper or cinnamon.
  8. Roast in oven for 45-60 minutes. S
  9. erve and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana Pockets

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Peanut Butter Banana Pockets

Peanut Butter & Banana Pockets


Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons peanut butter
  • 2 whole-grain tortillas
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 2 strawberries, sliced
  • Cinnamon
  • Cooking spray

Directions

  1. Wash hands with warm water and soap. 
  2. Wash strawberries. 
  3. Spread 2 teaspoons of peanut butter on each tortilla. 
  4. Put half of banana and strawberry slices on half of each tortilla.
  5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and fold in half, pressing gently. 
  6. Coat large frying pan with cooking spray. Heat to medium-high. 
  7. Cook one tortilla at a time until each side is golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
  8. Cut each tortilla in half and serve. 

Oven Roasted Broccoli

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) bag of frozen broccoli, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ lemon (or 1 Tablespoon lemon juice)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Pat broccoli dry with a paper towel
  3. In a bowl, mix the broccoli, olive oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Carefully spread the coated broccoli on to the sheet in a single layer. Roast for 15-18 minutes until the broccoli starts to brown.
  5. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the broccoli and continue to roast for 1-2 minutes more.
  6. Squeeze half of one lemon over the broccoli and toss together.

One Pot Mac and Cheese

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One Pot Mac and Cheese in a bowl

Makes 1 serving.

A great way to add veggies into your child's meal!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole-wheat elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm water.
  2. In a medium pot over high heat, bring the water to a boil.
  3. Add the pasta to the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and boil for 8-10 minutes.
  4. Drain the water.
  5. Add the milk, cheese and peas to the pasta in the pot. Stir over medium-low heat until heated through and cheese is melted.