Barilla Farfalle with Zucchini, Carrots, Fennel, Marjoram & Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese

March is the Dietitians of Canada’s Nutrition Month, which concentrates on helping Canadians eat and live better.

 

According to a study conducted by the organization, 63 per cent of Canadians struggle with making healthier food choices in the grocery store at least half the time they shop (Source: Dietitians of Canada).  Before heading to the grocery store, it’s a good idea to arrive with some recipes and ingredients in mind. Pasta is an easy, go-to dish during the week and provides the foundation for a healthy, low-fat diet when eaten in recommended amounts with healthy accompaniments such as fibre and nutrient-rich vegetables, lean meats, fish and poultry.

 

Barilla firmly believes that food is the key to your wellbeing. That is why the brand’s products strive to be tasty and healthy at the same time, thus encouraging a healthy daily diet.  The simple and delicious ingredients used to make Barilla pastas (such as grains, etc.) are a healthy part of the Mediterranean way of living – one of the healthiest diets on earth. 

 

This month, try cooking up this nutritious (yet delicious) pasta dish courtesy of Barilla - Farfalle with Zucchini, Carrots, Fennel, Marjoram & Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese! 

Barilla Farfalle and Vegetables

Ingredients:

Farfalle 1 box

Extra virgin olive oil  4 tablespoons

Garlic chopped  1 clove

Large carrot thinly sliced into rounds 

1 Fennel diced  1 head

Medium zucchini sliced into half-moons  2

Salt  to taste

Black pepper to taste

Marjoram chopped  1 teaspoon

Parmigiano-reggiano cheese grated  1/2 cup


Directions:

1.  BRING a large pot of water to a boil.

2.  In a large skillet, COOK garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly yellow in colour.

3.  ADD carrots and sauté for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned.

4.  ADD the fennel and zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 3 minutes.

5.  COOK pasta according to package directions, drain and toss with the sauce.

6.  REMOVE from heat and add fresh marjoram and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

7.  STIR to combine, and serve.

 Barilla pasta recipe

For more recipes, visit barilla.ca or check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/barillacanada!

 

Posted by momstown guest on 02/28/2013 - 17:31
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Shreddies No-Bake Peanut Butter and Chocolate Squares

If you like peanut butter cups or peanut butter and chocolate ice cream, you have have the recipe for you!

 

My kids and I wanted to try something new on our snow day and we found a cool new recipe on our Shreddies box.  The instructions seemed long, but it was really simple to make and so delicious, we instantly feel in love.  I kept half to enjoy and froze the rest!

 

Shreddies no-bake squares

 

 

Ingredients
3-3/4 cups Post Shreddies Cereal, divided
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 cups icing sugar, sifted
8 squares (225 g pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or 3/4 of a 350g pkg of chocolate chips

 

Directions

1.  Lightly grease 13x9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper, 2 ends extending over edge of pan.

2.  Let your kids help count out 60-80 (approx. 3/4 cup) whole Shreddies for topping.

3.  Place remaining Shreddies in a resealable plastic bag and crush by hand to yield 1-1/2 cups coarse crumbs.

4.  Microwave peanut butter and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 45 sec., or until butter has melted; stir to combine.

5.  Stir in sugar and crumbs.

6.  Spread mixture into prepared pan, patting down to form a firm crust.

7.  Microwave chocolate in medium microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM 2-3 min., stirring once. There should still be some unmelted chunks. Stir until all chocolate is melted and smooth.

8.  Spread evenly over crust.

9.  Arrange 60 Shreddies over top, forming rows of approximately 12 x 20.

10.  Cool at room temperature 20 min.

11.  Using sharp paring knife, score chocolate along rows, to form single or double squares. Refrigerate 1 hour. Using parchment paper ends, carefully lift mixture from pan and place on cutting board. Cut into squares.

 

ENJOY!!!

Posted by momstown team on 02/27/2013 - 15:46
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Easy to Make Pizza Bread

Want to get kids to love eating their veggies?  Try it on pizza!  Better yet, let them help you make this pizza bread and dip it into the sauce!

 

pizza bread recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 c Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1 Large Egg, beaten
1/4 c Milk
2 tsp Granulated Sugar

1/2 C Grated Medium Cheddar Cheese
1/4 C chopped Roma Tomato, seeds removed
1/4 C Grated Carrot
1/4 C Grated Zucchini (with peel)
2 tbsp Diced Red Pepper
2 tbsp Sliced Green Onion

 

Directions:

 

Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Make a well in centre.

 

Combine next 3 ingredients in small bowl. Add to well.

 

Add remaining 6 ingredients to well. Stir until just moistened. Spoon into mound on greased baking sheet.

 

Bake in 375F oven for about 25 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

 

Remove bread from baking sheet & place on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Slice into biscotti type slices.

 

Serve warm and dip into marinara sauce!

photo credit

 

Posted by momstown team on 02/25/2013 - 18:42
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6 Fun Space Snacks for Kids

Are you ready to BLAST OFF this month, with momstown? 

 

We are learning all about space with creative crafts and informative books...but who can learn on an empty stomach?  We've gathered some "space" themed snacks that are sure to impress your little astronauts!  Make sure you wash down these delicious treats with some MILK from the Milky Way!!!

 

1.  Create a variety of easy and quick Asteroids or Space Balls with your kids.

 

2.  Get out your star cookie cutters or cake pans to create star shaped fruit slices, cheese or even sandwiches.

 star shaped snacks

 

3.  Make "Astronaut Mix" with your favourite snacks, raisins, cereal and candy (Froot Loops, popcorn, smarties, pretzels).

space snacks

 

 

4.  Make a Rocketship sandwich 

 
• 2 slices white bread (use thin bread for best results)
• 1 slice whole wheat bread
• Radish
• Cheese slice
• Assorted pepper slices
• Cucumber slice
• Cheese for star
• Sandwich filling of your choice

1.  Trim off crusts and cut bread slices into a rocket shape.

2. Fill with sandwich filling of your choice.

3.  Cut rocketship legs from whole wheat bread and fill.

4.  Make cheese slice and orange pepper legs to add to the top of the whole wheat legs.

5. Cut three, thin radish slices for rocketship windows.

6.  Make flames beneath the rocketship from yellow pepper.

7.  To finish, cut a star from a cheese slice or orange pepper. Make a “moon” slice from cucumber.

space snacks 

 

5.  Remember Moon Pies?  Try this simple recipe that kids will love to make.

 

6.  Make an impression with a Rocket Ship cake!  Here is a great "how-to" video from Betty Crocker!

 

Complete the space theme with easy decorations for your picnic in space;

  • use chinese lanterns for planets (hung from the ceiling)
  • try this cute idea to make your plates look like the moon.

space party for kids

 

 

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 14:11
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Making Edible Asteroids or Space Balls with Kids

3-2-1 Blast off!  We have been learning about the moon, stars and space, so now we need to create some fun snacks while we make our crafts and read about the galaxy beyond the earth!

 

You can have lots of fun making edible asteroids or "space balls" with a variety of ingredients- here are three ways to eat these fun snacks with your kids.

 

 

1. Our easy no-back Snow Balls can easily be called "Asteroid Balls" to fit with the space theme!

 making space ball snacks

2.  On the Go- Energy Space Balls

 making space ball snacks

 

3.  Healthy Peanut Butter Space Balls  

1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. instant oatmeal
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. raisins
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg


Mix all ingredients. Roll into small balls (can be rolled in coconut). Refrigerate. (Great snack for kids). Photo credit.

peanut butter space balls

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 13:31
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Making Easy Moon Pies with your kids

Do you remember moon pies?  Not only to these delicious snacks bring back fond memories, but they are also easy to make with kids!  Kids will love to spread on the marshmallow filling and dip them in chocolate! 

 

The great part of this recipe is that there is lots of time when the treat is cooling for you to do some space-themed crafts or read some books about space!

making moon pies with kids

 

photo credit: Tidy Mom

 

 

Ingredients

Round Cookies of your choice (homemade or store-bought)
2 x 7.5 oz jar ready made Marshmallow creme
15 oz semi sweet chocolate or melting wafers from bulk store (can use different colours to have some fun)!
1/3 cup oil

 

Instructions

1. Spread marshmallow creme on half of the cooled cookies and top with another cookie, making a sandwich.

2. Place marshmallow sandwiches in freezer for about 30 minutes.

3. Using a double boiler or bowl over simmering water melt chocolate and oil, stirring occasionally.

4. Carefully dip each sandwich in the chocolate until covered.

5. Transfer to a cooling rack with parchment paper underneath (to catch the drippings)

6. After about 20 minutes transfer to a parchment lined pan let is cool and set at room temperature (may take up to 2 hours).

 

Enjoy!

 

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 12:54
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Avocado and Chorizo Dip Recipe

This Avocado & Chorizo dip recipe comes from my friend talented and funny friend, Carly, who says 'this dip will win you friends'!  It is such a delicious dip that is hearty and colourful and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

 

What You Need:

1 link of chorizo sausage, diced
2 avocadoes, diced
1 large tomato, seeded and diced*
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
1/4 cup of diced red onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper or green chile, minced, or add some dashes of hot sauce to taste
2 tbsp of red wine vinegar (you can also use balsamic vinegar in place of the red wine)
Juice of 1 big lime (add more if you think the dip needs more zing)
A good glug of olive oil
Salt to taste

*seeding sounds more complicated than it is, and it's also necessary to do because otherwise the dip will get too liquidy. Just chop up the tomato into quarters, or eighths if it's quite big, and scoop out the seeds in the middle.

 easy avocado dip
Photo Credit

 

What You Do:

 

Preheat the oven to broil, and place the diced chorizo in a single layer on a sheet pan. Run it under the broiler for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, until it gets browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Blot the chorizo with the paper towel to remove the excess grease.  In the summer, grill the sausages on the BBQ and then dice once cooled.

 

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the avocado, tomato, cilantro, red onion, garlic, jalapeno or chile pepper, vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, and salt to taste. Be gentle with the mixture, as you want to maintain the nice dice on the avocado without mushing it up.  Add in the sausage and mix just until combined.

 

This is best after sitting at room temperature for about a half an hour, to give the flavours a chance to mingle. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes a bowl that will serve about 4 as a snack or hors d'oeuvres. This recipe doubles well.

 

Submitted by momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 10:10
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Barilla Farfalle Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Mint

A simple yet tasty recipe that brings summer colour to the table, all year round.  In just a few moments of preparation, you can have a quick, easy and nutritious meal for your family! 

 

Barilla is Italy’s #1 brand of pasta owned and operated by an Italian family from Italy for over 135 years.  In Canada, Barilla is proud to offer Canadian families a wide selection of the highest quality products, ranging from its Classic Blue Box pastas to its Whole Grain pasta line, made with 51 percent whole grain.  Barilla pasta is delicious, nutritious and can be served any day of the week in thousands of different ways!

 

Barilla Farfalle with cherry tomatoes and mint

 

Ingredients:

Tomatoes on the vine 350 g
Mint 1 bunch
Extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons
Salt and Pepper as needed

 

Directions:

1. Bring a pot with plenty of salted water to a boil.

2. Blanch, peel, and slice the cherry tomatoes. Remove the seeds. Sauté them in a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Next, add another 2 tablespoons of oil and cook everything on medium heat for approximately 105 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, cook the Farfalle. Drain and add them to the sauce.

4. Serve the dish garnished with washed and shredded mint leaves.

 

Nutritional values per serving prepared according to this recipe.
Energy value  404Kcal - 1685Kj
Protein11g
Carbohydrates 65g
Fat 10g

 

barilla pasta recipesVisit the Barilla Canada Facebook page and share a winter pasta recipe and a photo of the finished dish with Barilla through Facebook by February 27, 2013 for a chance to win a Barilla Prize Pack valued at $250! You can learn more about the contest at:  http://on.fb.me/12Ev5I5

Posted by momstown team on 02/15/2013 - 17:53
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Heart Healthy: 5 Minute Chocolate Desserts

Let’s talk about Valentine's Day. Historically a day to celebrate love (often forbidden) and fertility. Then, in the late 1800s, Richard Cadbury took this day to a whole new level with the introduction of the heart-shaped box of chocolates. Today, it is a day abundant in love messages (Valentines), chocolate and candy.

 5 minute chocolate desserts

 

Did someone say chocolate?! Healthy? Yes and no. First, it is important to note that not all chocolate is created equal. Many chocolate treats are also accompanied by high amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats. And over consumption can lead to weight gain.

 

Cacao/cocoa powder contains flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins), which are antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Flavonoids have been shown to help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart, by upregulating nirtic oxide production.

 

Before you stock up on this heart healthy ingredient, stop and read the label. If the label reads Dutch or alkalinized put it back and look for a raw or nonalkalinized product. Flavonoid antioxidants give chocolate its characteristic dark color. Processing reduces the antioxidant content of the final product, making it lighter in colour.

 

Here are three 5-minute Valentine’s Day treats you can whip up in just a few minutes with your newly acquired cacao powder.

Say “I love you” and with a healthy, flavonoid rich treat, on Valentine’s Day.

 

Heart Chocolates


Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (over low heat)
3 tablespoon raw cocoa powder (or regular cocoa powder)
2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
orange zest, chili powder optional

 

Instructions
1.Combine all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
2.Using a spoon, gently add chocolate mix into heart candy mold.
3.Freeze for 10-15 minutes.

 

 heart chocolates

 

Raw Chocolate Truffles

Yield: 18 truffles

 

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups dates, medjool
1/2 cup coconut, unsweetened
1/4 cup hemp hearts
2 tablespoons cacao powder
2 teaspoon vanilla

 

Instructions
1.Using a food processor, combine all ingredients until are well mixed (and for a 'dough' ball).
2.Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Eat immediately or freeze.

 

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

 

Ingredients
2 ripe avocadoes
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c coconut milk (or to desired consistency)
3 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
pinch of sea salt
cacao nibs for garnish

 

Instructions
1.Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
2.Add more coconut milk, if pudding is too thick.
3.Garnish with cacao nibs and strawberry slices.
4.Serve immediately or store in the fridge for 1-2 days.

 

Submitted by Jayda Siggers, nutritionist, Eat Whole, Be Vital

Posted by momstown team on 02/12/2013 - 18:30
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Polar Snacks! No-Bake Snowball Cookies

In keeping with our Polar animal theme, we have so many snacks to help your feel right at home with the polar bears, penguins and walrus!

 

Snowball cookies are a great no bake recipe and fun for kids to help in the kitchen! 

 

polar animal, no bake snowball cookies

 

 

Ingredients


2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons peanut butter or sunbutter
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

 

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the oats, sugar and cocoa. With clean hands, mix in the water, vanilla, butter and peanut butter/sunbutter to form a dough.

Wash hands, then roll the dough into balls 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Roll balls in confectioners’ sugar until thickly coated.

Chill 20 minutes before serving.

 

no bake snow ball cookies

 

Thanks for sharing, momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 02/11/2013 - 14:54
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