Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:34 PM CDT
Coles County Farm Bureau Women's Committee promotes importance of dairy foods
By Mary Cox, Manager of the Coles County Farm Bureau
The Coles County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee provided breakfast to approximately 145 4-H members and volunteers during the 4-H Fair.
Through the Midwest Dairy Association Grant, the Women’s Committee was able to provide milk for the breakfast. The committee promoted the importance of dairy and how to incorporate dairy into their daily diets.
Research shows that most of us are eating only half of the recommended three servings of dairy each day. A nutrition education program called 3-A-Day helps families enjoy three dairy servings of milk, cheese, or yogurt. Getting three servings of dairy daily will make strong bones and healthy bodies. Dairy also provides eight essential nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, protein, vitamins D, A, and B12, riboflavin and niacin.
The best part is that people of all ages can easily incorporate dairy into their diets.
- Look for the logo on packages of milk, cheese and yogurt showing they are excellent sources of calcium
- Enjoy the wide range of flavors of milk, cheese and yogurt
- Add dairy to every meal and/or snack — drink a glass of milk at a meal, add cheese into a recipe, eat yogurt for a snack, etc.
Here are three family friendly recipes showing how dairy can be incorporated into a meal, snack, and dessert. For more recipes and information, please go to the Midwest Dairy Association Web site at www.midwestdairy.com.
Cheeseburger
Macaroni Casserole
Chef Ina Pinkney, chef/owner of Ina’s for 3-A-Day™ of Dairy, Chicago
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup uncooked whole-wheat elbow macaroni
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, optional
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
Nonstick cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is brown and onion is soft. Drain.
Cook macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain. Spoon macaroni into prepared baking pan. Spread beef mixture and chopped tomato over macaroni. Pour tomato sauce over beef. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese and cover loosely with foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges of casserole are bubbling.
Hot Pizza Dip
3-A-Day™ of Dairy
Servings: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
6 ounces light cream cheese
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup diced red peppers
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Whole-wheat bread sticks or crackers
Combine cream cheese, sour cream and oregano in bowl. Stir until smooth. Spread evenly into a small pie plate or quiche pan. Top with pizza sauce, cheeses, peppers and onions. Bake at 350° F for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve with whole-wheat breadsticks or crackers.
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
Crust
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
Pumpkin Mixture
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup water
2 packages (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2-1/2 cups canned or cooked pumpkin
2 cups whipping cream, whipped
For crust: Combine pecans, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325° F for 10 minutes. Let cool.
For filling: Soften gelatin in water; stir over low heat until dissolved. Combine cream cheese and sugar; mix at medium speed until blended. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and pumpkin. Mix until blended. Chill cream cheese mixture until slightly thickened, approximately 20 minutes. Fold in whipped cream; pour over crust. Chill until firm.
Mary Cox is the manager of the Coles County Farm Bureau.
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