Magic Peanut Butter Sesame Sauce – 3 Great Meals!
Peanut Butter! The king of staple foods, it is tasty, versatile and good for you, and the power ingredient in a delicious sauce that brings huge flavor to some typical pantry items. Peanut Butter Sesame Sauce can be sweet or spicy, and be used for noodle bowls, stir fry, veggie dip – even tacos! The basic recipe, adapted from the National Peanut Board, www.nationalpeanutboard.org) makes enough for four servings – you will want to double the recipe and store (airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 4 days) for a second delectable dinner! Check out the 10/$10 on Peter Pan Peanut Butter this week, or dive into your pantry for the PICS Peanut Butter you have on hand.
Peanut Sesame Noodle Bowls
Use any noodles in the pantry – traditional rice noodles or whatever pasta is in the cupboard! Plan for serving up to four people with these recipes.
About 7 oz. of PICS Pasta (e.g., 1/2 box of thin spaghetti) OR PICS Egg Noodles OR 7 oz. pkt rice noodles
- 2 Tbsp PICS Canola Oil
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 handfuls of fresh cilantro OR 2 Tbsp freeze-dried cilantro
- 2 cups fresh veggies of choice
- 6 Tbsp PICS Creamy or PICS Chunky Peanut Butter
- 4 Tbsp PICS Soy Sauce
- 4 Tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp PICS Maple Syrup
- 4 Tsp Siracha hot sauce (or to taste)
- 4 Tbsp Water
- Sesame Seeds – garnish
Peanut Sesame Noodle Bowl: Cook pasta according to directions. Divide into 4 bowls, set aside. Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add green onions and garlic, sauté for 3 minutes, and move to side of pan. Add any fresh veggies you like – fresh sliced peppers, snow or sugar peas, mushrooms, broccoli, julienne carrots – all work in this dish. Sauté until crisp tender. Toss in cilantro, stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Turn off heat. Place peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup, and water in a microwavable bowl – heat mixture on high for one minute, stir, and heat/stir again until peanut butter melts and sauce is combined. Add Siracha to taste. Add vegetables to noodle bowl, and top with sauce and sprinkle of sesame seeds. Bonus – this noodle bowl can be served hot or cold!
Chicken Stir Fry – Heat 2 Tbsp PICS Canola Oil in saucepan, and sauté (1.5 lbs./6 Oz. serving) sliced chicken breast, thighs or shrimp until done. Set aside, add 1 Tbsp of oil if needed. Sauté fresh chopped vegetables OR a bag of frozen PICS Grilled Peppers and Onions for a quick fix stir fry – serve with (shelf-stable or cooked/frozen) PICS Brown Rice.
Peanut Sesame Slaw Tacos – Stir fry (1.5 lbs.) chicken or shrimp, same as above. Keep some cilantro aside for garnish. Combine sliced cabbage and julienne carrots (such as bagged cole slaw mix) with chicken or shrimp in a bowl, toss with peanut sesame sauce to coat. Use as taco filling in flour tortillas with cabbage, sliced red peppers and peanut sesame sauce.
Peanuts have more protein than any other nut, and good fats to support satiety and overall health. Learn more about peanuts at the National Peanut Board website. Check out some more peanut butter recipes here and on our website!
Earth Day 2020 – The 50th Anniversary!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Earth Day is 50 years old! On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans spoke out to create a healthier country and planet. Climate change and care of earth and water were central themes then, and that continues today. We all do our part when we recycle, manage food waste, keep our waterways clean, plant trees – there are so many ways, big and small, that we can improve the health of our planet.
As the world community grows, it is becoming more important than ever to be mindful of our own habits, and consider what we can each do to create healthier people and a healthier world. Consider these ideas and activities, and take this unique time to celebrate the earth and commit to a bright and supportive future for us all.
On your table:
Eating more plant-based foods is encouraged and recommended by climate and health educators alike. Double up servings of favorites, add fruits and vegetables to snacks, and explore new options in every aisle of the store. All ages and stages benefit from increasing plant-based foods, and pairing them with traditional, naturally nutrient-rich foods like dairy, lean meats and seafood. Farm to plate, all sections of the food community are improving their sustainability efforts and sharing best practices for common good.
In your home:
Recycling and up-cycling continue to expand. Have you checked your community recycling guidelines this year? Are there changes that affect how you and your family handle recycling?
Can you be more mindful of water use? Encourage shorter showers, maximize dishwashers before running, use refillable water bottles more often?
Outside:
Spring is in the air! Walk around your yard or neighborhood and notice trees budding, flowers and plants growing. Can you name them, or just have fun naming colors and shapes?
Is there a public garden or park in your community? Visit once per week for some fresh air and activity, and watch how flowers and plants grow, and landscapes change with the seasons.
There are plants and seeds in the Floral Department in stores – look there for inspiration to plant something beautiful and watch it grow.
We all reap the benefit when we do our share for the care of our global home. Happy Earth Day!
Cooking At-Home: Quick Tips for Preparing 7 of Our Favorite Vegetables
Maureen Rowan Murphy
Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition, and Lifestyles
While sheltering in place at home, many of us find ourselves cooking more, and fresh vegetables are a great addition to family meals. Part of an overall healthy diet, vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eating enough fruits and vegetables can help boost immunity, is linked to a lower risk of many chronic diseases and may help protect against certain forms of cancer. When it comes to vegetables, think variety and color as each color provides a different antioxidant with a different health benefit so fill your shopping cart with a spectrum of colorful veggies when shopping!
Here’s a rainbow of our colorful favorites along with quick tips for easy and delicious preparation.
Broccoli
This cruciferous veggie, high in Vitamin C and folate, and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber, is particularly delicious roasted, and once you try it, you’ll be hooked! Toss broccoli florets (with an inch or two of stalk attached), with a little olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, salt and freshly ground pepper. Place in a preheated 425°F and roast for 20-25 minutes until crisp-tender and the tips of the florets are browned. Remove the pan from oven, toss with some lemon zest, juice of a half a lemon and grated Parmesan cheese.
Carrots
This once traditionally orange root veggie can now be found in white, yellow, red and purple, and can be enjoyed in many ways and countless dishes. Crunchy and colorful, carrots are delicious steamed, sautéed, roasted, and raw! Make carrots more appealing to children by serving carrot “noodles” aka spiralized carrots. If you own a spiralizer, have fun with the kids and make your own or you can find them in the Produce Department at your local Price Chopper Market 32 store. Simply sauté (or boil) just until tender, and serve with a little butter or olive oil and season to taste or with a sauce that pairs well like Full Circle Peanut Satay Sauce.
Enjoy added nutrition benefits too! An excellent source of Vitamin A as well as a good source of Vitamin K, several B vitamins and potassium, carrots also contain many plant compounds especially carotenoids including beta carotene and lutein. These carotenoids are linked to a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as improved eye health. Mom knew what she was talking about when she told you to eat your carrots when you were young!
Spinach
Combine some spinach with dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, red onion and toss with your favorite vinaigrette for a quick salad or another easy go-to is sautéed spinach. After sautéing in olive oil with crushed garlic, remove from heat, simply season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. The use of nutmeg with spinach is a classic in French cooking.
Packed with nutrients, spinach is an excellent source of fiber, is high in iron and folate, and vitamins A and C making it a smart addition at any meal.
*Remember to wash loose spinach and all leafy greens under running water for 20 seconds. Packaged, triple-washed leafy greens should not be re-washed however as that can introduce bacteria.
Cauliflower
This trendy cruciferous vegetable is one of our favorites due to its incredible versatility and health benefits. Cauliflower contains many powerful nutrients including B-vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients that may help protect against certain diseases like cancer and heart disease. Gone are the days of boring steamed cauliflower! Today cauliflower is “riced” or mashed, cut thick like steaks and grilled, used in soups or pizza crusts and more. Its creamy texture makes it a great alternative to high carb foods like potatoes and rice. It can also be served as a lower calorie alternative to Buffalo wings, and this Buffalo Cauliflower recipe is quick and easy to prepare.
Buffalo Cauliflower
3/4 cup PICS flour
1 tsp. PICS paprika
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
¾ cup PICS milk
1 head cauliflower, broken into florets
¼ cup PICS hot sauce
2 T. PICS canola oil
1 T. PICS honey
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil or line with parchment paper
In a large bowl, add the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and milk, and mix well. Add the cauliflower florets, making sure to coat evenly. Place cauliflower on the baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, oil, and honey. Brush on the cauliflower and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve with PICS light blue cheese or ranch dressing.
Bell Peppers
A staple in fajitas, stir-fries, and salsas, bell peppers are popular stuffed, and a delicious addition, roasted or raw, to omelets, salads, sauces, soups, pizzas, pastas and more. I love roasted peppers for their smoky flavor and texture. With warmer weather hopefully on the horizon, it’s easy to roast them right on the grill. Simply place peppers on the grill over a medium flame. Roast for 15-20 minutes, giving them a quarter of a turn with tongs every few minutes, until the peppers are charred and soft. Seed, peel and enjoy in your favorite recipes!
With a variety of colors to choose from, bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially Vitamin C. Red, yellow, orange and even purple peppers start out as green, and their color and taste change depending upon how long they are left on the vine to ripen. Red peppers pack the biggest nutrition punch because they remain on the vine longer than the others.
Asparagus
There are so many delicious ways to prepare and serve. Asparagus can be blanched, roasted, grilled, baked, or sauteéd. It can be added to salads, soups, pastas, breakfast dishes like frittatas, quiches and Eggs Benedict, wrapped with prosciutto for an easy appetizer or served as a simple side like this favorite of mine. Place spears in a large bowl and drizzle with melted butter. Toss to coat. Arrange asparagus in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt to taste and Parmesan cheese. Place in a preheated 400°F oven, and roast for 15-18 minutes until asparagus is lightly browned and crisp-tender.
Don’t miss out on the many health benefits this harbinger of spring has to offer. High in fiber and folate, and packed with vitamins like A, C, E and K, asparagus, especially purple, is also full of anthocyanins, an antioxidant that may help the body fight damaging free radicals.
Tired of taking meetings in your kitchen everyday? Us too. That’s why we put together these seven foodtastic conference call backgrounds. Your conference calls just became more delicious!
Save these to your desktop or the camera roll on your phone. Happy grocery video conferencing!
What is in Your CANtry? Five Fabulous Recipes Starring PICS Canned Foods!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Canned foods have flown off the shelves lately as folks prepare to cook more at home over the next few weeks. Canning was a transformative food preservation advance, a process invented in the late 1700s, in response to a call from Napoleon Bonaparte, who was looking for a way to safely store and transport food to feed his army. It was perfected in the early 1800s, with the first commercial canneries starting up in England and America in 1812 and 1813, respectively. Ironically, the can opener was not invented until 1858! Though it was clear heat was key to the process, it was not understood why until Louis Pasteur demonstrated the presence of microorganisms and the temperatures that killed them in the late 1800s. Foods lose nutrients, quality and appeal as time passes, canning was a game changer for home cooks and commercial food service, and remains a great way to create recipes that are delicious and convenient.
The benefits of canned foods are many – fruits and vegetables are usually canned within a few hours of harvesting, capturing their nutrients and flavor right at the peak, and preserving them for a minimum of about two years, sometimes longer. Most canned items are single ingredient, no other additives necessary to maintain flavor, color and texture. Canned foods are budget and time-friendly, prepped and ready to use. Cans are also one of the most recyclable containers – made of 100% recyclable steel, important to sustainability efforts.* Finally, adults and children who regularly eat canned foods have a better intake of fruits, vegetables and fiber than those that do not.
PICS canned fruits, vegetables, tuna, chicken, beans and soups are top quality – you will love exploring the wide variety and flavors. Check these great recipes out – we are powering up the protein and produce content with a focus on canned beans. Beans are a rising star as families become focused on eating more plant-based and plant-forward foods. Let kids add the beans and some of the ingredients while you supervise – they love eating what they help preparing, and it is a positive way to connect them to food skills. Combining beans and other proteins is a budget-smart way to add benefits and a fresh twist to old favorites. Better meals are in the can!
Cowboy Caviar – A versatile recipe that comes together in just a few minutes! Dress it up with chopped mango or canned pineapple, use it as a dip, a side or a salsa on fish or chicken – delish!
For more canned food recipe ideas check out…
*Ref. Canned Food Alliance
Kids In The Kitchen – Power Up Food Skills
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Senior Nutrionist
Celebrate Easter Traditions…Just A Bit Differently
Maureen Rowan Murphy
Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition, and Lifestyles
Viewed as the most important religious feast for Christians, Easter is a time of rejoicing and rebirth. On Easter Sunday, many families attend religious services, gather for Easter egg hunts and sit down together to enjoy a special meal. This year we’ll all be home adhering to local, state and federal guidelines in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. During these challenging times it’s more important than ever to have some sense of normalcy, and treasured traditions can provide that especially for children. While unable to be physically together with some of our loved ones we can still connect thanks to Zoom, Skype, etc… Many churches will be offering virtual religious services, and families can have a virtual celebration so that grandparents and others can join in the fun.
We are all in this together, and we’re here to help you in planning your family’s Easter by providing recipes, fun activities and games for all to enjoy whether together or virtually!
Ham takes center stage at Easter, and we have a variety of hams to help you find one that best meet your family’s needs. Choose from butt or shank portion hams, boneless, spiral and canned hams, and flavored ham steaks for those looking for something small.
Brunch is an Easter tradition for many, whether enjoyed at home or restaurant. Although dining out for brunch isn’t an option this year, dining home is easy with a Smithfield Flavored or Cure 81 Vermont Maple Spiral Ham or this delicious Make-Ahead Hash Brown Egg Bake Make-Ahead Hash Brown Egg Bake . Serve with your favorite fresh fruit or this Citrus-Glazed Fruit Salad, full of flavor and packed with nutrients!
Pick up your favorite muffins from our bakery department or you can bake these Berry-licious Muffins, bursting with colorful berries.
For many Italians, (and non-Italians too) a time-honored Easter tradition is Italian Easter Pie. While not as quick to prepare as the other dishes, you’ll discover this meat and cheese pie is worth the extra effort once you taste it!
Dinner tends not to be as popular as Easter brunch, but for those who prefer it Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus and Mini Croissants (available in the bakery department) is a simple, but delicious menu. If you’ve never prepared scalloped potatoes, you’ll be surprised how easy they are to make!
Scalloped Potatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
4 T. PICS butter
4 T. PICS flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 cups PICS whole milk
6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
Cook onion in butter until tender, but not browned. Stir in flour and cook until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper. Add milk and cook, stirring until slightly thickened. Place one quarter of potatoes in greased 3-quart casserole; pour ¼ of sauce over potatoes. Continue layers ending with sauce. Bake in a 350° oven for 1 hour or until browned on top and potatoes test tender. Serves 8-10.
Egg Decorating
Children love coloring and decorating eggs for Easter, and it’s fun to see just how creative they can be!
If you are dyeing eggs for fun or for an egg hunt keep in mind these basics for safety:
- Wash hands following the recommended CDC guidelines
- Use only eggs that have been refrigerated and discard eggs that are cracked or dirty
- After hard cooking eggs, dye them with food-safe coloring and return them to the refrigerator within 2 hours
- For an egg hunt, eggs should be hidden in places that are protected from dirt, moisture, pets, and other sources of bacteria
- Total time for hiding and hunting eggs should not exceed 2 hours
- “Found” eggs must be washed, re-refrigerated and should be eaten within a week.
There are so many ways they (and you) can decorate Easter eggs. Choose what works best for your family. You can check out our Kids Cooking Club egg decorating video below.
Purchase a kit – Today egg decorating kits come with stickers, holders, etc., holders etc.
Make your own food color dyes – Using a container deep enough to hold the eggs, combine ½ to 1 Tbs. of food coloring with 2 tsp. vinegar, and fill half way with water. Carefully place eggs in the container. The longer they are left in the dye, the darker the color shade. Remove eggs from the dye, pat dry with a paper towel and place in a holder.
*Eggs may also be colored on before placing in the dye with swirls, shapes, etc. The wax will resist the dye and the colored design will show through.
Make your own natural dyes –Combine one of the following dye sources from the color chart below with ½ Tbs. vinegar with some cold water in a saucepan. Add raw eggs (make sure there’s enough water to cover the eggs) and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. The longer you simmer, the darker the color will be, but simmer at least 8 minutes so that the eggs cook thoroughly.
Color chart:
Yellow – turmeric or saffron
Red – cranberries
Purple – beets, red onion skin
Green – spinach
Blue – blueberries
Color with crayons – This may be a perfect option for little ones since they can simply color the eggs with crayons.
Paint – Undiluted food coloring and a cotton swab can be used to paint on hard boiled eggs.
Chocolate Easter Egg Nests – Delight the kids with this easy DIY for their Easter baskets!
Easter Games – Fun for mom, dad and kids!
Easter Egg Roll
You will need:
Large area either inside or outside with a slight slope or incline
Big spoons
Start and finish lines
How to play:
- Each player gets a decorated Easter egg and a spoon
- Players place the egg in front of them and position spoon behind it
- When told to begin players use the spoon to move their egg down the grass towards the finish line
- The winner is the first person to cross the finish line with their egg
Easter Egg Toss
You will need:
One empty decorated Easter egg for each team of two playing (or uncooked eggs – with care!)
- Each team member stands approximately 15 feet apart from each other
- One person tosses the egg to their partner. If they catch the egg and it doesn’t break, they move a few feet further apart and the partner tosses the egg back
- If an egg breaks, then the pair is out of the game
- Each team keeps moving further and further apart until all eggs are broken
- The team left with an unbroken egg is the winning team
While it is difficult for all of us not to gather, we need to be safe and keep our loved ones safe so that we can be together again soon. We wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Easter!
Looking for more Easter inspiration? Check out our Pinterest board here for a basketful!
Hot off the presses, and sketched by Mark D. in our Advertising Department!
To print these, just save each image to your desktop and print.
Happy coloring! Be on the lookout for more activities in the coming weeks.
Check out our 2 photos below. There are ten differences between these: can you spot the differences?
Share your marked photo (mark the photo on the bottom) in the comments on our Facebook post.
Stay well!
Our Favorite April Fools Pranks Over The Years
April Fools’ Day is one of our favorite days of the year. We’ve been celebrating it on social media for a decade! Since we’re in the middle of unprecedented times in our world, rather than prank our audience we decided to revisit some of our previous pranks.
Have a look back at some of our favorites. We hope it brings a smile to your face on this April Fools’ Day.
Be well, and remember, we’re all in this together!
2013: Vintage Teammate Uniforms
In 2013 we brought about feelings of nostalgia when we unveiled our new, but also old, teammate uniforms! These stylish fits made us look like we just stepped out of a time machine arriving from the 80s, and your genuine concern for our younger teammates wearing them was amazing. We still think they’re kinda cool!
2014: We’re No Longer Accepting Pennies
One year later, we put out a message on our Facebook explaining that we were no longer accepting pennies. No one wants to carry around all that change! Of course, this was never going to be true, but either way it was one of our favorite pranks!
2018: Limited Edition PICS Ice Cream Flavors
Burnt Dinner Roll PICS Ice Cream? Only available for a limited time! The excitement over this mouthwatering flavor was overwhelming. Just kidding! In 2018, we lined up our prank with Easter, introducing other fake PICS Ice Cream flavors like Ham & Pineapple and Asparagus & Hollandaise. Yum!
2019: How to Make Ice Video
Last year, we returned with a satirical version of one our Facebook recipe videos. We wanted to offer up a video of something that obviously doesn’t require a recipe, like ice, and take it to excessive levels of detail. We think it turned out nicely! Check it out here!
Happy April Fools’ Day!