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Mommy Kat and Kids

Canadian Mom Blogger - Product Reviews, Travel, Food and Parenting

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Enjoy Healthy and Safe Salads and Enter to Win a $275 Prize Pack with UrbanMoms and California Leafy Greens

May 17, 2012 by Kathryn 2 Comments

I try pretty hard to make sure that my boys get plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables, but one of their little quirks is that they both prefer their vegetables raw. Zackary especially won’t touch most veggies after they’ve been cooked and so veggie plates and salads are frequently on our table.

But when serving raw veggies, it’s important to remember that proper food handling and preparation is essential if you want that salad you’re serving your family to be not just healthy, but safe too! The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement is a model program that was created by California farmers to raise the bar for food safety. They want to remind you that you should always follow this checklist when handling your leafy greens:

  • Check to make sure the leafy greens are fresh and are refrigerated at the store.
  • Chill the greens within two hours of purchasing.
  • Clean your hands and all surfaces before handling the greens. Never use detergents to wash the greens. Wash leafy greens under cool running tap water. Package leafy greens labelled “ready-to-eat” “washed” or “triple washed” need not be washed.
  • Separate leafy greens from raw meat, poultry, or seafood in your refrigerator and don’t use the same cutting board. Cook or throw away leafy greens that come into their contact.
  • Throw Away leafy green that have been sitting in your fridge for a long time.

But a bit of extra effort is worth it when you consider that leafy greens are an excellent source of vitamin K, which helps your body transport calcium. Even better, some specific leafy greens pack even more of a nutritional punch! One cup of chopped kale, for example, is loaded with nutrients and provides more than 100% of your RDI of Vitamins A, C and K! And one and a half cups of Butter lettuce (also called Bibb lettuce) contains just ten calories and provides 2% of your daily calcium! But remember, leafy greens like spinach, kale, cabbage and lettuce are good for more than just salads! The next time you’re looking to liven up your greens a little, why not try one of these tasty recipes?

Butter Lettuce Bundles with Thai Avocado, Tomato and Mango Salad

Butter Lettuce Bundles with Thai Avocado Tomato and Mango Salad

This versatile recipe can be served as a deconstructed salad in fun individual lettuce bundles, or even as fresh, healthy lettuce wraps your guests can build themselves at a buffet-style party. The creamy taste of butter lettuce is a perfect complement to the Thai vinaigrette. More great recipes can be found at www.safeleafygreens.com.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper .5 mL
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced 15 mL
  • 1 tbsp lemongrass paste 15 mL
  • 1 tbsp sugar 15 mL
  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil 15 mL
  • 3 tbsp Thai fish sauce 45 mL
  • 3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice 45 mL
  • 1large mango peeled and cut into thin strips
  • ½ small red onion, sliced very thin
  • 1½ cups grape tomato halves 375 mL
  • 3 tbsp fresh mint, chopped 45 mL
  • 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 45 mL
  • 1 avocado, peeled and cut into wedges
  • 6 butter lettuce leaves

Directions:

  1. Combine cayenne pepper, garlic, lemongrass paste, sugar, sunflower oil, fish sauce and lime juice in a serving bowl.
  2. In a serving bowl, toss together mango, onion, tomatoes and herbs. Gently, mix in avocado. Add in vinaigrette and toss gently to distribute. Spread butter leaves over serving platter and top with mango salad. Serve salad immediately.

Baked Kale Chips Spiked with Chili Parmesan Garlic Salt

Baked Kale Chips Spiked with Chili Parmesan Garlic Salt

Kale is a super healthy leafy green vegetable. Baking kale into a crunchy, chip-style snack will have you munching through bunch after bunch, guaranteed! Kale bunches vary in size and produce anywhere from 12 to 16 cups (3 to 4 L) of bite-sized kale pieces. This recipe is for 12 cups (3 L) of uncooked kale (serving size reduces when cooked). More great recipes can be found at www.safeleafygreens.com.

Prep time: 15 to 20 minutes
Cooking time: 8 to 12 minutes
Makes 4 to 6 cups (1 to 1.5 L)

Ingredients:

1 medium bunch kale, washed and dried
1 tbsp garlic, finely minced 15 mL
½ tsp crushed chili flakes 2 mL
2 to 3tbspolive oil30 to 45 mL
3 tbsp Parmesan cheese, finely grated 45 mL

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Tear off washed bite-sized kale leaves from hard stems and place in large plastic bag.
  3. Whisk together garlic, chili flakes and oil. Drizzle oil mixture over kale, hold bag closed and shake to coat kale leaves as evenly as possible. Do this in two batches if needed.
  4. Lightly spray a sheet pan with oil. Spread each kale leaf out flat on pan. Crowd leaves but do not overlap.
  5. Bake in oven for 8 to 12 minutes. Kale is done when leaves are dark green and crisp. Do not let kale turnbrown. Transfer kale to a rack to cool and repeat with remaining kale.
  6. Serve kale in a large bowl. If there are leftovers, store in a sealed container and keep at room temperature for up to a week.

If you want to learn more about what these recipes taste like and enter to win an amazing prize pack worth $275 from the California LGMA, why not visit UrbanMoms and check out the reviews of these mouth-watering recipes to see which one you might want to try? And don’t forget, whether you grow your own lettuce or buy it at the store, proper handling is the best way to make sure that your leafy greens will safely provide your family with essential vitamins and nutrients!
mommy kat and kids rp2

Filed Under: Lunch and Snacks, Recipes Tagged With: bibb lettuce, california, kale, kale chips, leafy greens, lettuce, salad, thai, urbanmoms

Healthy and Simple Appetizers and Entrees with Wholly Guacamole and Salsa-Giveaway

April 30, 2012 by Kathryn 166 Comments

Last year I was introduced to the fabulous Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa products from Fresherized Foods and from my very first bite of Classic Wholly Guacamole on a multigrain tortilla chip I knew I was in love. I am a snacker, but these scrumptious dips and spreads prove that snacking doesn’t have to be unhealthy! With no additives, preservatives, gluten or trans fats, they’re a better way to munch out when a snack craving hits.

wholly salsa mildWhen I had the chance to feature Wholly products on my site once more, I wanted to do something a little different. So I decided to come up with a couple of easy recipes to show how Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa can be used for more than just dip for chips! I received a cute lunch bag full of Wholly merchandise and product coupons, so I headed to Safeway, picked up a few of my favourite Wholly products and headed home to start cooking!

My first recipe used the Wholly Guacamole Classic flavour. I love cooking but because I don’t have much free time my focus is always on recipes that are quick and easy. So I combined a few simple ingredients into a scrumptious appetizer that could be whipped up in minutes.

Tomato Guacamole Canapes

Ingredients:

  • one box plain baguette chips
  • one tomato, sliced and cut into quarters
  • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • one package Classic Wholly Guacamole

Preparation:

Arrange baguette chips in single layer on baking sheet.

Place one slice of tomato and one slice of mozzarella on each baguette chip. Place under broiler in oven or toaster oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top each baguette chip with a dollop of classic Wholly Guacamole and serve.

Assembly was the most lengthy part of this recipe and it really only took a few minutes before I was sliding the baguette chips under the broiler. Once the cheese was nice and bubbly, a dollop of guacamole on the top of the cheese finished off each appetizer!

tomato guacamole canapes

For the salsa, I decided to take a different route and make a main dish. Creating quick and healthy meals for my family is something I really struggle with on a busy day so I wanted to create an entrée with minimal preparation and cooking time.

Salsa Cheddar Cod Fillets

Ingredients:

  • 6 codfish fillets
  • one container Wholly Salsa, Medium flavour
  • 6 oz. old cheddar cheese, grated

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place fish fillets on baking sheet.

Cover fillets with salsa and top with grated old cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and fish is cooked. Serve with rice.

I debated a bit about what type of cheese to use for this recipe, but I eventually decided on old cheddar since it’s a cheese that’s featured in some other popular Mexican dishes and so I thought it would blend nicely with the salsa. I’ll bet that Parmesan or feta would work equally well though!

cheddar salsa cod fillets

I had a blast making my own easy and healthy recipes with Wholly Guacamole and Wholly Salsa and if you want to get inventive with Wholly too, you’re in luck because Fresherized Foods is offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader a Wholly Prize Pack just like the one I received containing free product coupons, a fun insulated picnic lunch kit and other fun Wholly merchandise! To enter, just leave a comment telling me about your most creative way of using salsa or guacamole.

Eating salsa and guacamole with tortilla chips is always going to be my favourite use of Wholly products, but when I want to get creative with my cooking, the fresh and natural flavours of the dips are great for that too! So pick up your favourite variety and get creative! You’ll love how Wholly products can add some extra zing to your meals!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Lunch and Snacks, Main Dishes, Recipes, Reviews, Reviews and Giveaways Tagged With: appetizers, fish, fresherized, guacamole, salsa, wholly, wholly guacamole, wholly salsa

Show Off Your Sandwich-Making Skills in the ACE Bakery Canada’s Best Sandwich Contest-Giveaway

April 21, 2012 by Kathryn 64 Comments

There’s nothing better than a great sandwich; with some amazing artisan bread and the right ingredients, a sandwich can go from ordinary to extraordinary. Amazing artisan breads are something that ACE Bakery knows very, very well and right now ACE Bakery wants to know how you can turn any one of their breads into an incredible sandwich in the Canada’s Best Sandwich Contest!

One winner will be chosen from four different regions across Canada to receive $1000 for themselves and $1000 for their favourite charity. The winners will then compete in an ultimate sandwich-making event for the grand prize of $5000 cash and $5000 for their favourite charity! I received a basket of ACE Bakery treats to help inspire me to make my own creation and as soon as I saw the jar of ACE Bakery Organic Honey, I got inspired and came up with the Sweet and Tangy Avocado Sandwich.

Kat’s Sweet and Tangy Avocado Sandwich

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices ACE Bakery Honey Whole Wheat Artisan Bread
  • 2 oz. aged cheddar cheese, sliced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 2 tsp. ACE Bakery Organic Honey
  • 2 tsp. Balsalmic vinegar of Modena
  • lettuce leaves
  • olive oil, salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Brush bread with olive oil and broil in toaster oven until light golden.

Spread one slice of bread with honey and add sliced aged cheddar cheese, avocado and tomato.

Drizzle balsamic vinegar over vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Top with lettuce and second slice of bread. Cut in half and enjoy!

Serves One

I started by brushing two pieces of bread with olive oil and toasting them under a broiler until they were slightly golden on both sides. I think that the Honey Whole Wheat Oval from ACE Bakery would be the best choice for this sandwich but this time I used slices from a Rustic Italian Oval loaf. Then I spread one slice of bread with the ACE Bakery Organic Honey. I layered aged cheddar cheese, avocado and tomato on the bread and then added salt, pepper and a hearty drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. A piece of lettuce and the final slice of bread completed my creation!

I thought the idea of using honey on a savoury sandwich would create an interesting taste when paired with the balsamic vinegar and I loved the result! The sweet honey and tangy vinegar blended so nicely and added great flavour to the veggies. I don’t know if it’s Canada’s Best Sandwich, but it’s certainly one that I’ll make again!

If you want to enter to win the grand prize, why not come up with your own tasty sandwich creation using ACE Bakery bread? And if you’re in need of a little inspiration you’re in luck, because one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a gift basket of ACE Bakery snacks and treats worth $50 to help ignite your imagination. To enter just leave a blog comment about what would be on your ultimate sandwich!

finished kat's sweet and tangy avocado sandwich

A good sandwich is wonderful for breakfast, lunch or dinner but a great sandwich just might be responsible for a hefty deposit in your bank account! You have until May 23 to submit your recipe so pick up a loaf of artisan bread from ACE Bakery, grab your favourite ingredients, and get cooking! You may just find out that you’re the creator of Canada’s Best Sandwich!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Lunch and Snacks, Recipes, Reviews, Reviews and Giveaways Tagged With: ACE, ACE Bakery, artisan bakery, bakery, bread, canada, contest, recipe, sandwich, sandwich contest

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