Month: June 2021

Feeling bored of your basic salads? We’ve put together a guide to help you take your salad game to the next level. Use these tips to create a healthy, filling, and most importantly delicious meal that’s anything but boring. The best part about this guide is that you can continue to mix it up with different flavor combinations.

Step 1. Let’s start with about two cups of your favorite dark, leafy greens. We like spinach, kale, or mixed greens!

Step 2. Pack on the nutrients! Top your greens with fresh fruits and vegetables to boost the vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Add about 1 -2 cups of your favorite, in-season produce.

Step 3. Protein will help keep you full and satisfied. Let’s add about 1/2 cup of lean protein to your salad. Grilled chicken, fish, lean beef, beans, quinoa, tofu, or lentils are all great options!

Step 4. Cheese will add a delicious, salty flavor to your salad. A little goes a long way in flavor so stick to about 2 Tablespoons. Feta, queso fresco, and mozzarella are our staples!

Step 5. Top with some healthy fats. Healthy fats are an important nutrient for our bodies and out brain health. Add about 1 -2 Tablespoons of nuts and seeds or give your salad a creamy flavor with 1/2 of an avocado.

Step 5. Skip the processed, store-bought dressing and make a vinaigrette at home! Simply combine olive oil, an acid or vinegar, and your favorite herbs and spices. Toss your salad with about 1 -2 Tablespoons. Store the rest in a mason jar to use later.

For even more delicious salad recipes, check out chefsa.org/recipes.

In-season produce is better for the environment, can save you money, and can contain more nutrients than out-of-season produce. Here’s our top 3 favorite recipes using spring produce that’s in-season in Texas. 

Did you know that each color of produce contains different vitamins and nutrients? It’s important to include a variety of colors in your diet to get the most health benefits. An easy way to remind yourself to mix it up is to fill half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables at each meal. Here’s our top 5 favorite recipes to help you meet this goal! 

You may recognize this friendly face as Diego, our mascot! Diego leads a CHEF approved lifestyle by following our five healthy habits. Print out this coloring page at home for a fun family activity and an easy way to encourage your child to form healthy habits. 

Download this as a PDF, here.

Oatmeal is a quick and wholesome breakfast option. It’s also a fun way to be creative in the kitchen and explore new flavor combinations. With a few tips, you can create your own filling, nourishing bowl of oatmeal in minutes.

Step 1. We’ll start with about 1/2 cup of your favorite type of oats. Old fashioned oats are the type you may be most familiar with and are the perfect option for any bowl of oatmeal. Steel cut oats have a nutty, chewy texture, but will take much longer to cook, while instant oats will cook up fast but often become mushy.

Step 2. Add about 1 cup of liquid. Milk, almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk are all great options! Look for unsweetened varieties for no added sugar.

Step 3. Let’s add some fruit to sweeten things up! Pick 1 – 2 cups of your favorite fruit to add to your bowl. Bananas, apples, pears, or berries are all great options!

Step 4. Add about 1/4 cup vegetables. Before you say, “No way!”, vegetables are a great way to add volume, nutrients, and fiber to your oatmeal. Plus, you really can’t tastes them! Pureed pumpkin, shredded zucchini, or shredded carrots are all great ways to add in some extra vegetables.

Step 5. Add about 2 Tablespoons of healthy fats. Chopped nuts or seeds such as walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds will add a nice crunch to your bowl while nut butters will add a creamy, subtly sweet flavor.

Step 6. Protein in a bowl of oatmeal can surprisingly add up! The oats, nuts, and nut butters all contain plant-based sources of protein to help build strong muscles and keep us full. To add even more protein and a creamier texture, try adding a small dollop of Greek yogurt.

For more delicious oatmeal recipes, visit chefsa.org/recipes.