Blog Archives

Tomatoes

7/27/2016

0 Comments

Tomatoes can be added to so many recipes, and prepared in so many ways, plus they are healthy! Tomatoes have Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and come in many different colors and sizes. Try these tips for buying, storing, and cooking with tomatoes!

Did you know?

Tomatoes are the best source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help prevent cancer

When buying tomatoes,

Choose firm tomatoes with smooth skin
Do not buy bruised, soft, or moldy tomatoes
Green tomatoes will ripen at room temperature

One medium tomato is about one cup when chopped

Storing tomatoes,

Whole tomatoes can be stored at room temperature, stem side up for about 3-4 days
Keep out of direct sunlight
Sliced or cut tomatoes should be kept in the refrigerator, they will last up to 2 days

After whole tomatoes are ripe,
you can keep them in the fridge for about 2 days

If you bought tomatoes that aren't ripe yet...
You can put them in a paper bag to speed up ripening

Cooking tomatoes,

Rinse tomatoes under cool water and rub gently with your fingers
Dry with a cotton or paper towel
The best type of knife to cut tomatoes with is a serrated knife
Tomatoes can be eaten raw or cooked

Kids can help wash tomatoes under cold water

Quick Tips:
~Try adding chopped tomatoes to scrambled eggs~
~Mash or cut tomatoes to make a quick sauce or salsa~

Feeling inspired? Try these recipes!

Stuffed Tomatoes

Cucumber Salad with Tomatoes

Remember to use utensils and cutting boards washed in hot soapy water before and after preparation

0 Comments

Helpful Tips For Green Leafy Vegetables

7/11/2016

6 Comments

Green leafy vegetables have key nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium and Fiber. They are also a great low-calorie food! Try these tips for buying, storing, and cooking green leafy vegetables.

Choose the Freshest Greens

Look for moist, crisp greens with rich color.
Avoid those that are yellowish or brownish, or have slimy leaves.
Greens can go bad quickly! So only buy what you can use in a short amount of time.

Storing Greens

Wrap washed greens in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
Plan to eat greens within 1-4 days after you buy them.

Quick Tip

If the leaves appear wilted, you can cut them into pieces and place them in a large bowl of water for about an hour. They will often plump up and be fine to eat.

Washing Greens

Remove leaves from thick stems and place in large bowl of cold water. Swish them around then remove leaves (do not drain using a strainer because you will mix the dirt back in) and discard water.
Repeat until no more dirt appears in the bowl. Pat with towel or paper tower.

Freezing Greens

Blanching means to place foods in boiling water for a short amount of time
(a few seconds to 1 minute depending on the vegetable)

Greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and kale can be frozen, but you must blanch them first and place in a zip-top freezer bag or other air tight container.

Make Kale Tender and Less Bitter

Kale can taste bitter. By massaging kale leaves with citrus juice and olive oil, you can make a kale side dish with a tangy kick. Just follow these three steps:

Add 1 tsp of lemon or lime juice
Add 1 tsp olive oil
Massage ingredients into leaves with your hands

Cooking Greens

Greens can be added to soups and stews, eaten raw in salads or juiced with other greens and vegetables.
You can cook greens by steaming, boiling, or microwaving.

Quick Tip

When microwaving, cook for 2 minutes for every 2 cups of greens. Make sure to use a microwave safe bowl, and cover the greens with a damp paper towel.

Try These Recipes Using Greens!

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Kale Slaw

Fall Kale and Quinoa Salad

Kale Chips

Smothered Greens

Mango Green Smoothie

6 Comments

Cruciferous Vegetables

7/11/2016

2 Comments

Broccoli

What's in Broccoli?
Vitamin A, Iron, Fiber, Folate, and as much calcium per ounce as milk!

Storing Broccoli

Keep it unwashed and covered in the refrigerator until it is ready to be prepared. It can last at least a week when stored like this!

How to tell if broccoli is fresh:

Broccoli is not fresh when the florets are enlarged, open, or a yellow-green color.

Here is one easy way to enjoy broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Storing Brussels Sprouts

Store the brussels sprouts unwashed in a plastic bag. They can last like this for up to a week. Wash them and remove the wrinkled outer leaves just before you are ready to prepare and eat them!

What's in Brussel Sprouts?

Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate, Fiber

Here is one easy way to enjoy Brussels sprouts

Other cruciferous vegetables include

Cauliflower

Cabbage

Try these recipes!

Zesty Brussels Sprouts

Fiesta Rice

Roasted Broccoli

2 Comments

How to Layer a Great Smoothie

7/6/2016

3 Comments

A simple guide to layering the perfect smoothie

Who knew that putting the ingredients into the blender a certain way would help create the perfect smoothie?!
Once I started building my smoothies this way it made them so much more enjoyable. Smoothies are quick and easy to make and provide you with lots of fruits and vegetables! You can even take them on the go, which I love to do on a hot summer day.

Try These Smoothie Recipes!

Mango Green Smoothie

Banana Pineapple Smoothie

3 Comments

SNAP4CT Blog

Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be added to so many recipes, and prepared in so many ways, plus they are healthy! Tomatoes have Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and come in many different colors and sizes. Try these tips for buying, storing, and cooking with tomatoes!

Feeling inspired? Try these recipes!

Helpful Tips For Green Leafy Vegetables

Choose the Freshest Greens

Storing Greens

Quick Tip

Washing Greens

Freezing Greens

Make Kale Tender and Less Bitter

Cooking Greens

Quick Tip

Try These Recipes Using Greens!

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Other cruciferous vegetables include

Try these recipes!

How to Layer a Great Smoothie

Try These Smoothie Recipes!

Subscribe to our
blog & receive a FREE cookbook!

Categories

Archives

Services

Support

SNAP4CT Blog

Tomatoes

Tomatoes can be added to so many recipes, and prepared in so many ways, plus they are healthy! Tomatoes have Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and come in many different colors and sizes. Try these tips for buying, storing, and cooking with tomatoes!

Feeling inspired? Try these recipes!

Helpful Tips For ﻿Green Leafy Vegetables

Choose the Freshest Greens

Storing Greens

Quick Tip

Washing Greens

Freezing Greens

Make Kale Tender and Less Bitter

Cooking Greens

Quick Tip

Try These Recipes Using Greens!

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Other cruciferous vegetables include

Try these recipes!

How to Layer a Great Smoothie

Try These Smoothie Recipes!

Subscribe to our​blog & receive a FREE cookbook!

Categories

Archives

​Services

​Support

Helpful Tips For Green Leafy Vegetables

Subscribe to our
blog & receive a FREE cookbook!

Services

Support