Category: Food

Nutritional Benefits of Sesame Seeds for Health

June 2, 2025
Sesame Seeds

What Are Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds are tiny, oil-rich seeds that come from the sesame plant. They have a nutty flavor, a crunchy texture and are packed with nutritional benefits. The seeds contain healthy fats, protein, antioxidants, fiber and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.

How To Prepare Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are often sprinkled on hamburger buns, mixed into Asian dishes, or ground into Tahini dressing. There are several variations of sesame seeds including white, black and golden.

Here are some ways sesame seeds are used in cooking.

  • Toasted and sprinkled on salads, stir-fries, noodles and sushi.
  • Added to baked goods such as bagels, bread and cookies.
  • Ground into Tahini, a creamy sesame paste that’s a key ingredient in hummus and dressings.
  • Ground into a sesame paste popular in Asian cuisine, dipping sauces, marinades, and noodle dishes.
  • Mixed into dough for breads, crackers and cookies.
  • Used in tempura batter for extra crispiness in fried foods.
  • Sesame oil is extracted from the seeds and used as a flavorful cooking oil.
  • Sesame brittle is a crunchy candy made with caramelized sugar and sesame seeds.
  • Made into halva, a sweet sesame-based dessert popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.
  • Mixed into rice bowls for extra flavor.

What Are The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch. Here are some of their standout health benefits.

  • Rich in healthy fats. They’re loaded with unsaturated fats, particularly omega-6 fatty acids, which support heart health and reduce inflammation.
  • Sesame seeds are a great source of plant-based protein, providing a solid dose of protein to help with muscle repair and overall energy. Perfect for vegetarians and vegans.
  • Sesame seeds are high in calcium and bone-strengthening minerals. They are packed with calcium, magnesium and phosphorus that help maintain bone density.
  • Sesame seeds are loaded with antioxidants.
  • Sesame seeds supports heart health.
  • Sesame seeds boosts skin and hair health.

Healthy Oat Blueberry Muffins for Breakfast

May 27, 2025

Oat And Blueberry Muffins Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup unbleached flour
  • 1 cup instant whole-grain hot cereal (such as Coach’s Oats®)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • ½ cup non-fat vanilla-flavored Greek-style yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners.
  • Mix flour, oats, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Stir sugar, applesauce, yogurt, egg, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into applesauce mixture until just combined. Fold blueberries into batter. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 15 minutes.

Recipe Source: AllRecipes.com

Essential Food Recall Information You Need

May 22, 2025

Your Best Source of Food Recall Information

A food recall occurs when a food producer removes a product off the market because there is a reason to believe that it may cause consumers to become ill.

It is important that consumers be aware of recalls because recalled foods may cause injury or illness, especially for people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems because of age, chronic illness, or medical treatment. Source: FoodSafety.org

The following websites will give you critical alerts on the most recent food recalls.

Delicious Seven Layer Salad Recipe

May 20, 2025
Seven Layer Salad

Credit: Meredith Photo Studios

Seven Layer Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound bacon*
  • 1 large head iceberg lettuce – rinsed, dried, and chopped
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed
  • 10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese 
  • 1 cup chopped cauliflower

*Non-meat substitute: Plant-based bacon strips

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
  • ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS

  • Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; crumble and set aside.
  • To make the salad: Place chopped lettuce in a large glass dish or bowl; top with a layer of red onion, peas, shredded cheese, cauliflower, and bacon.
  • To make the dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and sugar together in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle over salad and refrigerate until chilled.

Source: AllRecipes.com

Discover the Benefits of Iceberg Lettuce

May 19, 2025
Iceberg Lettuce

Head of Iceberg Lettuce

What Is Iceberg Lettuce?

Iceberg Lettuce is a vegetable with tightly furled pale green leaves. It is characterized by a crisp and crunchy texture, and a mild, sweet flavor. Iceberg Lettuce grows in a spherical head that resembles cabbage.

Iceberg Lettuce is low in carbohydrates and has a low glycemic index of 32. One cup of shredded Iceberg Lettuce contains only 10 calories. Iceberg Lettuce helps with blood clotting, supports eye health and fetal development.

Iceberg Lettuce Nutrition

While Iceberg Lettuce has nutritional value, it is known as the salad green with the least amount of nutrition.

  • Vitamins A, C and K
  • Calcium
  • Folic Acid
  • Iron
  • Folate
  • Manganese

How To Prepare Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg Lettuce adds a crisp and crunchy texture to lunch or dinner side dishes.

  • Sandwiches
  • Tacos
  • Burgers
  • Wraps
  • Pasta Salad
  • Vegetable Salad

Pecan Sandies Cookie Recipe

May 13, 2025
Pecan Sandies

Pecan Sandies Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar divided
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Beat 1 cup white sugar, butter, oil, and confectioners’ sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl; stir into egg mixture until dough comes together. Mix in pecans.
  • Place remaining 1/2 cup white sugar into a small shallow bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and flatten slightly. Roll in sugar to coat evenly.
  • Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe Source: AllRecipes.com