Dinner Tonight

Dinner Tonight

Healthy Cooking for a Healthy Texas

Make your Valentine’s Day Dinner Romantically Safe!

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Valentine's DAY - FS (2)Valentine’s Day is a great time to share a meal with your loved ones. Whether it is a table for two or a quiet night in, preparing foods safely just might make or break the romantic evening.   Following these food safety tips may help to keep your Valentine’s Day from going sour!

  1. Make sure your restaurant has a clean reputation! Before choosing a restaurant for the evening, look them up on your local city or area Food Inspection list!  See if they passed the inspection for a clean safe food establishment before enjoying your evening.
  2. Always order food cooked thoroughly. Keep bacteria from interrupting a lovely evening. Cook or order all raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood to a safe internal temperature.  Beef, pork, lamb, veal steaks, chops, and roasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.  Ground beef, pork, lamb, or veal should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 160°F.  Poultry should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. Don’t forget to refrigerate your doggie bag leftovers! Leftovers for lunch is a great idea when you are on a budget or watching calories. However, can ruin a wonderful week! Remember to refrigerate foods within two hours and eat leftovers within three to four days.

Check out this resource and video for more information on keeping your Valentine’s Day safe!

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5 Tips for Navigating the Super Bowl Snack Table

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Football on green fieldThe Super Bowl is a great time to be with friends and family.   No matter what team you are cheering for!  Whether you come for the food, commercials, or the game; trying to navigate the snacks or food table at a party can seem a little intimidating if you are trying to follow a healthy eating pattern.   Here are 5 tips to help you win on Sunday!

 

  1. Bring something healthy to the party
    • Super Bowl parties are full of different size portions and types of snacks. It can be hard knowing which option might be a healthy pick.  Try preparing and bringing your own healthy snack.  Our Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas make a great party snack.
  2. Count your mini snacks
    • Mini sized snacks are great as pre-portioned versions of their larger counterparts. However stacking up on mini portions doesn’t mean mini calories. Follow tip 3 below on how to make your plate a healthy win!
  3. Pick the right plate
    • The table is set, the food is out, and the plates are large! When filling your plate for a snack, choose a smaller plate like a salad plate.  Remember to make your plate just like MyPlate.
  4. Vary the foods you choose
    • Try not to fill your plate with one snack. Just as with any meal, be sure to choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups.   A healthy plate includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.
  5. Stay hydrated with water or unsweetened beverages
    • Try to lessen the amount of sweetened beverages you choose. Opt for unsweetened tea or make your refills water.
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How to Make the Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg

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Did you know there are 11 different ways to cook an egg?

Making hard-boiled eggs might seem easy.  However, there is a proper way of making the perfect boiled egg.   Follow these easy steps and check out our video on making the perfect boiled egg every time.

 

  1. Place eggs in a medium pot.
  2. Fill the pot halfway with water.
  3. Boil over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes.
  4. Drain, then add ice to cool eggs and stop continued cooking.
  5. Peel, season, and enjoy in your favorite recipe or on top of a salad with dinner tonight.
  6. Special Note: Remember food safety when boiling eggs.  It is not recommended to pierce the egg with a needle before boiling.  This can introduce bacteria into the egg before and during cooking.   Also, never microwave eggs in the shell, the egg will explode in the microwave oven.

How to Poach an Egg

Poaching allows you to prepare a delicate yolk, which is perfect for breakfast foods, without adding calories from fat like many other cooking methods!

  1. Heat the water: Add enough water to come 1 inch up the side of a narrow, deep 2-quart saucier. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 teaspoons white vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, crack 1 very fresh cold large egg into a custard cup or small ramekin. Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it’s all smoothly spinning around.
  2. TIP: Use this whirlpool method when poaching a single serving (one or two eggs). For bigger batches, heat the water, salt, and vinegar in a 12-inch nonstick skillet and do not stir.
  3. Add the egg: Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from “feathering,” or spreading out in the pan.
  4. Let it poach: Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set your timer for 5 minutes. Don’t peek, poke, stir or accost the egg in any way.
  5. Lift it out: Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. Alternatively, move the egg to an ice bath and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Reheat in warm water just before serving.

Courtesy of Alton Brown’s Perfect Poached Eggs. 

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Quick Tip & Trick for Avocados

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Avocados are a delicious, nutritious and very popular right now! Learn some quick tips and tricks to help you make the most of your avocado. Watch our quick video and then get cooking with your new skills!

There is no doubt that avocados are delicious and nutritious but did you know that they also have to be prepped or stored correctly to reduce our risk of illness?    Here are some food safety tips when eating an avocado!

  • Before cutting into an avocado make sure to thoroughly wash the outside to avoid foodborne illnesses.
  • Use a separate cutting board for produce and raw meats, poultry, or seafood to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Promptly consuming fresh avocado after cutting and discarding the avocado skin may further reduce the risk of illness.
  • Limit the amount of surface area exposed to air when storing avocados. Place them in airtight containers and/or seal tightly in clear plastic wrap.

Adding avocados to your meal can provide additional nutrients such as potassium, fiber, and heart-healthy fats!

Check out the Path to the Plate website for more info on avocados and adding them to your diet.

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