You can put a delicious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen or spending too much money. Here is a light and simple recipe for a fruit salad with a twist that adds some serious class to your dinner table. With a salad that both kids and adults can enjoy, your dinner table can look as effortlessly graceful as you!

Butter Lettuce and Fruit Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
Serves Four

2 heads butter lettuce
1 15-ounce can Libby’s Sliced
Peaches in Pear Juice Concentrate
1 15-ounce can Libby’s Sliced  Pears in Pear Juice  Concentrate
1 6-ounce container lowfat  lemon yogurt
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup toasted pecan halves
2 tablespoons snipped chives

Remove the large outer leaves from the lettuce. Cut each head in half through the stem end. Dip the halved heads in cold water to rinse them. Shake the lettuce to remove excess water.

Gently cut out the lettuce core. Place the leaves in a large mixing bowl. Drain the peaches and pears, reserving one-quarter cup of their juice, and add the fruit to bowl. Whisk the reserved juice into the yogurt, salt and pepper.

Pour the yogurt mixture over the lettuce and fruit, and toss gently. Mound the lettuce in a large salad bowl or on four salad plates and arrange the fruit on top. Garnish the salad with pecans and chives.

For more recipes and information, visit www.getbacktothetable.com

Provided By: CopyrightFreeContent

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If busy schedules and digital distractions are getting in the way of family time, help is on the way. Unilever, maker of many leading food brands, recently unveiled The Family Dish, a program aimed at helping busy families discover the joys of cooking together.

Anna Marie Cesario and Lauren Dellabella, experts from the Unilever Consumer Kitchens, agree that cooking is a great creative outlet, and that the simple acts of mixing and measuring together can lead to amazing conversations and memories that last a lifetime. Their advice is:

Get Them to Plug Into You. Make the experience as meaningful as possible by designating the kitchen as a “technology-light” zone. Have them use their laptop or Smartphone to access favorite recipes, but no texting allowed. This is your chance to simply cook, connect and spend quality time together.

Redefine Text(ing). Demonstrate the basics by cooking alongside them. Start by teaching them to read a recipe all the way through. Show them the importance of paying attention to measuring and the difference between ingredients. And, be sure to touch on the importance of food safety with hand washing and proper handling of raw foods such as eggs, meat and poultry.

Celebrate Success. Encourage and celebrate their culinary creations and remember it’s the effort, not the outcome that’s important. Remember that even the simplest of time spent together in the kitchen can turn into the best of memories … and good food!

These easy-to-prepare recipes, from Unilever Consumer Kitchens, are designed to help families save time and money using quality staples likely already in their pantries. For information and inspiration, www.TheFamilyDish.com has tips, time-saving family-friendly recipes, and videos of real moms cooking with their families. Get additional inspiration by following Anna Marie and Lauren on Twitter @kitchendishin.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spread, divided
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen broccoli florets
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 package Knorr Pasta Sides – Alfredo

Preparation

1. Melt 1 tablespoon Spread in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Melt additional 2 tablespoons Spread in same skillet over medium heat and cook red pepper 1 minute or until tender. Stir in broccoli, water and milk. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta sides Alfredo. Return to a boil, then cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until pasta is tender.
3. Return chicken to skillet; heat through.

Serves

4 servings

Succulent Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 pounds)*
• 1/4 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Ragu Old World Style Traditional Pasta Sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 ounces)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Combine bread crumbs with Parmesan cheese in shallow dish; set aside.
3. Add chicken and mayonnaise to large plastic bag; shake to evenly coat. Remove chicken, then lightly coat in crumb mixture. Arrange chicken on baking sheet.
4. Bake 20 minutes. Evenly top chicken with pasta sauce, then mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 3 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and cheese is melted.

Serves

4 servings

Peanut Butter & Jelly Parfaits

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup reduced sugar grape jelly
• 1 1/4 cups nonfat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup Skippy Natural Super Chunk or Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
• 1 cup low fat granola cereal
• 1 medium banana, sliced
• 1 cup sliced strawberries

Preparation

1. Microwave jelly at HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Drizzle 1 tablespoon down sides of each parfait glass; set aside.
2. Combine yogurt with peanut butter in medium bowl. Spoon 1/2 of peanut butter mixture into each parfait glass. Top each with 2 tablespoons cereal, then 1/2 of the fruit; repeat. Drizzle with remaining jelly. Garnish, if desired, with mint leaves.

Serves

6 servings

Source

Unilever

Provided by Family Features

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Ingredients

• 3 cups toasted rice cereal
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans and/or almonds
• 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

Preparation

1. PAPER-LINE or lightly grease 24 muffin cups.
2. COMBINE cereal, oats, nuts, 1/2 cup morsels and salt in large mixing bowl.
3. MELT remaining morsels and corn syrup in uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
4. DRIZZLE melted morsel mixture over cereal mixture; stir until combined. Working quickly, press 1/4 cup of mixture into each prepared cup. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or until firm. Store in tightly covered container(s) at room temperature.

Serves

Yields 2 dozen snack bites

Source

Nestlé

Provided by Family Features

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Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Preparation

1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
2. COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Serves

Makes 5 dozen cookies

Source

Nestlé

Provided by Family Features

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When it’s time to start making school lunches again, I like to pack a special homemade treat as a way to say “I love you.” It’s a tradition the kids will remember for years to come.

You can’t go wrong with the Original Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies – they’re a classic lunchbox treat and always a favorite! For a tasty no-bake recipe, try these Butterscotch Snack Bites – you can make them in three fun ways – in muffin cups, as snackable bars or in mini muffin cups. The mini versions are the perfect size for an after-lunch treat. Along with a delicious dessert, include a hand-written note with words of encouragement for the day.      

For more ways to bake some love for your family, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Original Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Preparation

1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
2. COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Serves

Makes 5 dozen cookies

No-Bake Butterscotch Snack Bites

Ingredients

• 3 cups toasted rice cereal
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans and/or almonds
• 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

Preparation

1. PAPER-LINE or lightly grease 24 muffin cups.
2. COMBINE cereal, oats, nuts, 1/2 cup morsels and salt in large mixing bowl.
3. MELT remaining morsels and corn syrup in uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
4. DRIZZLE melted morsel mixture over cereal mixture; stir until combined. Working quickly, press 1/4 cup of mixture into each prepared cup. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or until firm. Store in tightly covered container(s) at room temperature.

Serves

Yields 2 dozen snack bites

Source

Nestlé

Provided by Family Features

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There are about 20,000 reported cases of Lyme disease annually in the U.S. Furthermore, the likelihood of being exposed to ticks, and subsequently to diseases transmitted by ticks, is about 10 to 20 times greater than it was 10 years ago, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Dr. Melinda Fernyhough, veterinarian and manager of scientific affairs at Hartz, offers tips on how to help your pet avoid the dangers of fleas and ticks, and considerations when purchasing and applying flea and tick treatments to ensure best results.

“Health and safety is the number-one priority for pet parents, and there are several reliable products available at your veterinarian, local retail or pet specialty store that can help keep pets free from fleas and ticks all year round,” says Fernyhough.

• Choose the appropriate flea and tick treatment. Several types of products exist that can help prevent fleas and ticks – shampoos, collars, and the most popular form of protection: topicals, or spot-ons. These monthly applications go on the back of your pet’s neck or are striped down the back, depending on the manufacturer, and keep your pet pest-free for 30 days. A great example is Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Drops, designed to kill fleas and ticks on your pet and prevent new fleas from developing. All EPA-registered flea and tick products, whether sold in vets’ offices or through retail channels, are held to the same safety and efficacy testing standards.
• Carefully follow label directions when applying topical flea and tick treatments.  Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s weight recommendation – you don’t want to put too much product (or too little) on your dog by misjudging the weight. Use the entire tube on one animal – don’t split one dose between several animals. Never use a dog product on a cat, and if you have both animals, you need to keep them separated for 48 hours after applying treatments. Read the label carefully and don’t be afraid to call the manufacturer if you have questions.
• Regularly check your pet for ticks to prevent permanent damage. If ticks are found on a pet, remove them with tweezers while avoiding squeezing them since that could cause disease carrying bacteria to enter your pet.
• Avoid hot and humid areas for your pets. The ideal climate for fleas and ticks is approximately 55-89 degrees Fahrenheit and 50-92 percent humidity. Keep your pet away from hot, damp and wooded areas. Fleas like to hide in shady areas of the yard, so treat these areas with a product designed to kill them outdoors.
• Consider a year-round flea and tick treatment for your home and pet. The best way to solve a flea and tick problem is to prevent it in the first place. Use topical drops or collars on your pet year round, regularly treat your yard, and vacuum to remove any potential flea eggs in your carpeting. Also, consider products such as Hartz Ultra-Guard Carpet Powder and Hartz Ultra-Guard Plus Flea & Tick Home Spray, formulated to kill fleas around your home and prevent new ones from developing.

To learn more, visit www.hartzultraguard.com. Through August, you can download a coupon for Hartz Ultra-Guard Pro Flea & Tick Drops on this site.

Provided By: ARA

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With more and more people seeking gluten-free solutions due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or just a desire to limit gluten intake, almonds are a safe and delicious choice to help make living a gluten-free life a satisfying sensory adventure. Nationally-renowned gluten-free expert and cookbook author Elana Amsterdam is proving that living gluten free doesn’t mean settling for bland and boring foods.

Amsterdam, author of the popular book, “The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook,” shares many of her recipes for enticing, gluten-free dishes on her popular website, www.ElanasPantry.com.

One of the staples of her gluten-free pantry is almond flour. “Almond flour is highly nutritious,” she says. “It’s easy to use, and for those of us watching our glycemic index, almond flour is chocked full of protein and low in both sugar and carbohydrates.”  It’s incredibly versatile to meet all your baking needs while adding exciting flavors to your favorite baked goods.

Also, by adding the allure of taste and texture from the various forms of almonds to your diet it makes it easier and more satisfying to live gluten free. They’re a perfect solution for the gluten-free diet because they provide important nutrients that are often lacking, such as fiber (3.5 g), calcium (75 mg), iron (1.1 mg) and protein (6 g). Not only that, they offer 7.4 (mg) vitamin E, 0.3 (mg) of riboflavin and 1 (mg) of niacin. Plus, a one-ounce serving has 13 grams of good unsaturated fats, just one gram of saturated fat and is always cholesterol and gluten free.

For many people, the hardest part of following a gluten-free diet can be finding a variety of safe-but-tasty options that satisfy cravings. Amsterdam has created tempting recipes that just also happen to be gluten free. Her Silver Dollar Pancakes are a nutritious and delicious way to start the day.

For more enticing recipes and information, visit AlmondBoard.com.

Silver Dollar Pancakes

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 baking soda
• grapeseed oil, for cooking

Preparation

1. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, water, vanilla and agave. Add almond flour, salt and baking soda and mix until thoroughly combined. Heat grapeseed oil on skillet over medium low to medium heat.
2. Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of batter at a time onto the skillet. Pancakes will form little bubbles, when bubbles open, flip pancakes over and cook other side. Remove from heat to a plate. Repeat process with remaining batter, add more oil to skillet as needed.

Serves

Yield 18 pancakes

Source

Almond Board

Provided by Family Features

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Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 baking soda
• grapeseed oil, for cooking

Preparation

1. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, water, vanilla and agave. Add almond flour, salt and baking soda and mix until thoroughly combined. Heat grapeseed oil on skillet over medium low to medium heat.
2. Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of batter at a time onto the skillet. Pancakes will form little bubbles, when bubbles open, flip pancakes over and cook other side. Remove from heat to a plate. Repeat process with remaining batter, add more oil to skillet as needed.

Serves

Yield 18 pancakes

Source

Almond Board

Provided by Family Features

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While new parents look forward to milestones in their infants’ lives, teething can sometimes feel more like a millstone. Here are some common questions about teething – and some common sense solutions.

Quick Facts about Teething

• Baby’s first teeth generally arrive between six and eight months. Most children will have all twenty of their primary teeth by the age of three.
   
• Teeth frequently appear in sets of two: the two lower incisors will generally appear first, followed by the top front incisors. Molars and canines follow.
• Babies vary in their development, so while many children develop teeth around the same time, each child is unique. If you have concerns about your child, consult your pediatrician.

How do I know my baby is teething?

Signs of teething include drooling and loss of appetite, as well as irritability and sleeplessness. It’s understandable that babies are fussy while teething; their first teeth must push through the gum tissue, which causes tenderness, soreness and inflamed gums.
 

How do I ease my baby’s teething pain?

There are several things you can do to make teething a little easier.

• Chill a teething ring in the refrigerator for some cooling relief. The temperature will help to numb baby’s gums and the counter-pressure helps to alleviate soreness. A wet washcloth can also be soothing.
• To relieve teething pain and discomfort, you might try a topical anesthetic. It works immediately, unlike acetaminophen, which may take up to 30 minutes to relieve pain. Pediatricians often recommend Baby Orajel, which is a safe and effective option.

How much teething medicine is the right amount for my baby?

Are you one of the 60 percent of moms who is not 100 percent sure how much teething medicine is the right amount for your baby’s sore gums? You can take the guesswork out of providing the correct amount of pain reliever to your teething baby with Baby Orajel® SmartDose™ Teething Gel. You simply press the pump once onto a fingertip or cotton swab, and then apply the gel to your baby’s sore gums. The pump disperses the right amount of gel every time.

For coupons and more information about easing teething pain, visit www.orajel.com.

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Are you looking for a creative way to use that bumper crop of tomatoes or zucchini? Have you ever wished for the taste of summer berries during a long, cold winter? If so, learning how to preserve foods just may be the thing for you.

In a new book, “Preserve It!” (DK Publishing, 2010), editor-in-chief Lynda Brown demystifies the processes for pickling, jam-making, freezing, canning, drying, salting, and more. Each preserving method is demonstrated with step-by-step photography, making it easy to enjoy local, seasonal and home-grown produce at any time.

 ”The recipes are the kind modern cooks will want to make using ingredients to be proud of – fresh produce, natural preservatives and less sugar,” says Brown. “We’ve also made sure you can tackle all techniques confidently in your own kitchen.”

There are over 100 recipes that guide gardeners and cooks of all levels through the satisfying crafts of bottling jams, syrups and chutneys – even making sausage, cider and wine.

For more information, visit DK.com.

Bread and Butter Freezer Pickles

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 2 shallots
• 1/2 green pepper (optional)
• 1 – 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/2 cup cider or wine vinegar
• 3 – 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• A good pinch of ground turmeric and celery or dill seeds, or 1/2 – 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds.

Preparation

1. Scrub and slice cucumbers thinly. Slice shallot into wafer thin slices, and finely chop green pepper (if using).
2. Put vegetables in a large bowl; sprinkle salt over the top. Mix well and leave for 2 hours to draw out the moisture.
3. Transfer vegetables to a colander; rinse in cold water and drain well, pressing down lightly to squeeze out moisture. Then put into a clean, dry bowl.
4. Transfer to clean portion-sized freezer-safe containers, leaving a 1/2-inch space at the top. Seal, label and freeze.
5. To use, thaw overnight in the fridge, then keep refrigerated and use within one week.

Serves

Makes 3/4 pound

Raspberry and Vanilla Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 pound ripe raspberries
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon citric acid

Preparation

1. Add raspberries and 1 cup water to a saucepan. Heat gently over low heat until the juices run. Crush fruit with a potato masher or the back of a large spoon.
2. When fruit is really soft, strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a clean bowl. Squeeze or press to extract the maximum juice. Return juice to the rinsed-out pan. Add vanilla bean to the pan with the sugar. Stir. Then heat gently without stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes, or until syrupy.
3. Remove from heat, discard vanilla bean, and stir in the citric acid.
4. Pour immediately into warm, sterilized bottles using a sterilized funnel. Seal, label and leave to cool, then store in the fridge. Shake before use.

Serves

Makes Approximately 2 cups

Source

DK Publishing

Provided by Family Features

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