Samosa-Inspired Potato Cakes

The best part of a samosa is the filling. This dish is inspired by samosas without the frying or outside wrapper. They are delicious and the heat can easily be adjusted for your palate by how much cayenne you use. Placing the mixture in the refrigerator makes it much easier to make patties and sear […]

8 Quick and Delicious Recipes to Enjoy Spinach

In honor of National Spinach Day on March 26th…who knew?…I wanted to share eight tasty and easy recipes to enjoy spinach! Spinach is so versatile and easily added to so many dishes.  Since it is such a delicate green, it does not require much, if any, cooking time.  It can either be enjoyed raw or […]

A serving of rice and beans

Rice with Lima Beans and Cumin

This is really an amazing rice dish. It is so creamy and has an exotic flavor thanks to the tang of the yogurt and cumin. You can use any whole grain in the place of the brown rice. Recipe available on Med Instead of Meds and adapted from Culinary Institutes of America. Watch this video […]

A grocery shelf with canned vegetables

Canned Foods—Good for You and Your Wallet

February is American Heart Month and National Canned Food Month. Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death among Americans. Diet is one of the best ways to prevent and treat chronic diseases. It is important that we include fiber from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in our daily eating. Eating canned fruits […]

4 oranges in a mesh bag

Are Cara Cara Oranges Good?

Winter is a season for oranges without a doubt. Oranges are available in abundance these days and come in many different varieties – mandarin, navel, tangerine, clementine, and blood orange to name just a few. One variety of oranges on the market is Cara Cara. It is actually a type of navel orange that developed […]

Bean & Butternut Squash Chili

Enjoy this chili recipe from our colleagues at NC EFNEP. Ingredients Non-stick cooking spray  2 cups diced butternut squash (about ½ of a medium squash) 1 medium onion 1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef  1 cup or 1 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans  1 cup or 1 (15-ounce) can black beans 3 cups or 1 (28-ounce) […]

In-Season Produce to Add to Your Shopping List this Summer

With summer approaching, I am looking forward to longer days, better weather, and seasonal summer fruits and vegetables. Choosing in-season fruits and vegetables is a great way to add variety to your diet and is also a more budget-friendly option than choosing out-of-season produce. While some fruits and vegetables are grown year-round, others are seasonal. […]

A prepared smoothie on an outdoor table

Strawberry and Tahini Smoothie

In a previous blog for a Chocolate Banana Oat Smoothie, I mentioned that I am working on consuming more fruit. Fruit-based smoothies with no added sugars are a way that works for me to enjoy more fruit on a daily basis. Do you have leftover tahini in your refrigerator from making hummus or a salad […]

a smoothie in a jar

Skip the Afternoon Caffeine—Make this Chocolate Banana Oat Smoothie!

One of the strategies that I have been using to consume more fruits and satisfy my sweets craving is to make smoothies. Working remotely means that I have more access to my kitchen appliances, which has been helpful. This chocolate banana oat smoothie has been one of my go-to snacks in the late afternoon. Skip […]

How to Freeze Bananas

As I have mentioned in a previous blog, reducing my household food waste is one of my 2021 goals. Not all food that is wasted can be saved or eaten, but a lot of food waste can be prevented, especially at home. Growing up—and even still now—my mom always had a tip for freezing food […]