Wednesday, November 28, 2012

What's for lunch 11/29/12


BREAKFAST BURRITO
Scrambled Eggs with Peppers, Onions & Jack Cheese
Herb-Roasted LI Potatoes 
Fresh Fruit 

The eggs, peppers and onions are fresh.  The tortillas are from Tyson and contain:  Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Cottonseed Oil, Soybean Oil), Mono- and Diglycerides, Contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate), Fumaric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dough Conditioner (Wheat Flour, Calcium Sulfate, Sorbic Acid), Preservative (Sodium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate).  Sodium is 380mg. 5g of fat (1 of which is saturated). The potatoes are fresh herb roasted and the fruit is fresh as well. 

This is a great alternative to the whole wheat french toast.  It provides more protein and less sugar.  Again, the salad bar is a great option for a meal or to fill the rest of your plate.  

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

What's for lunch 11/28/12

FROM THE RANCH TO YOU
Antibiotic /Hormone-free
(Local NY State beef)
Beef Burger/Cheeseburger
Whole Grain Bun
Oven-baked potato wedges
Carrot slaw -Fresh fruit
GF if taken without the bun 


After much work, discussion and research, our district has discontinued the use of most USDA commodity beef for a variety of health reasons and contracted with a New York State farm to provide beef raised without antibiotics and hormones. It is more expensive and there is less beef on the menu as a result but it is a huge improvement in the quality of our lunches. So, enjoy your hamburger on a whole grain bun. 

The potato wedges are from McCain. The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified.  Corn Starch, Dehydrated  Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum. 

The carrots and fruit are fresh.  

Our district's own Letizia Barbetta ( and co chair of the nutrition committee at he MS) recently wrote this "Food Allergy Fairy Tale" which looks terrific. Read more on Amazon's website.  



Monday, November 26, 2012

What's for lunch 11/27/12


ARROZ CON POLLO
Tender Strips of Chicken Cooked with Brown Rice, Red Peppers and Onions
Black Bean Salad Fresh Fruit 


The chicken is probably pre-cooked Tyson product.  Not a fan. But we are working on changing the poultry products in the cafeteria.  Julia Van Loon the school food consultant has been searching for alternatives.  The chicken is boneless, skinless, and fully cooked.  The rice is whole grain. Peppers and onions are fresh.

The black bean salad is made from canned beans.  And the fruit is fresh.  The salad bar is available along with the quesadilla and meatball hero.  

Sample day is coming to the MS.  We don't have a date yet.  We are starting with the elementary schools and then the upper schools.  The ingredient is kasha.  It looks delicious !! Can't wait for our middle schooler's to try !! We may serve this chili or another item.  It's so wonderful that our children are able to try things at school that they may not normally eat at home.  



Sunday, November 25, 2012

What's for lunch 11/26/12


BETTER THAN A PIZZERIA...
Whole Wheat “Margherita” Pita Pizza
Fresh Tomato Sauce, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella
 Caesar Salad 
 Fresh Fruit
NO SALAD BAR TODAY 


We make these pizzas in our cafeteria. The pita is actually part whole wheat.  The ingredients are wheat flour [whole wheat flour and enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)], water, soybean oil, less than 2% of yeast, salt, sugar, dough conditioner (distilled monoglycerides, calcium salts, guar gum, wheat starch, sodium metabisulfite, ascorbic acid), preservatives (calcium propionate, potassium sorbate), vinegar.

For our various pizzas, we use  the Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce. The sodium at 140mg is much lower than we previously used.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).

Pizzas will have fresh mozzarella and basil.  The fruit is fresh.  


The alternative entrees remain the same.  Pepper Jack quesadilla, peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat and meatball hero.  

I just stumbled upon a website that provides detailed information on the benefits of mushrooms and how to add them to your daily meals.  www.mushroominfo.com . 

 For thousands of years, Eastern cultures have revered mushrooms’ health benefits.1 Mushrooms have long been celebrated as a source of powerful nutrients, but they can also help Americans meet the dietary recommendations set forth in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines and Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D.   Check out he website. The recipes look great. I am going to try this one tomorrow night. 


Mushroom Quinoa Casserole

Recipe Courtesy of Erin Chase from $5 Dinners
      

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Erin from $5 Dinners shares a delicious spin on quinoa with a comforting Mushroom Quinoa Casserole the entire family will love.

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt and pepper
3 cup cooked quinoa
8 oz. small curd cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten in a small bowl
1 cup shredded Parmesan – Asiago cheese blend

Directions:

1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions, and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Add the olive oil to a small skillet and sauté the chopped onion, chopped mushrooms and crushed garlic cloves for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
4. Add the cooked quinoa to a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Gently stir in the sautéed mushrooms and onions. Fold in the cottage cheese and beaten eggs. Top with the Parmesan – Asiago cheese blend.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.



Monday, November 19, 2012

What's for lunch 11/20/12

A PRACTICE FEAST!

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast w/Pan Sauce
Smashed Long Island Potatoes

Sauteed garlic string beans
Whole grain roll 
Apple Crisp

The turkey arrives frozen. It is USDA commodity turkey from the Jenny-O Turkey Store - a large supplier of school lunches. The ingredients in the turkey are turkey, water, salt and sodium phosphates. So, it's salty. I do not know how they make the sauce. 

Potatoes are fresh and local.  I believe the beans are from California. 
We make the apple crisp - it's a dessert and it's delicious by many reports. 


If you are still looking for some interesting ways to spice up your Thanksgiving meal go to www.bonappetit.com or www.newyorktimes.com, they both have some delicious recipes for sides and turkey. And for the vegetarians and vegans out there you can always get your Tofurky at Rising Tide Health food store in Glen Cove.  


                                                    

Sunday, November 18, 2012

What's for lunch 11/19/12



Chicken Fajita
Seasoned Chicken Strips with peppers an onions
On a warm flour tortilla 
White rice /black bean salsa
Fiesta Corn Salad
Fresh Fruit
GF when taken without tortilla


The chicken is from Tyson and is dark meat that has been poached and frozen - thus relatively unprocessed.

The rice is whole grain but a source of arsenic according to Consumer Reports. Rice should now be cooked like pasta in excess water and rinsed repeatedly before cooking to eliminate as much arsenic as possible - but these extra steps are not ones that can be accomplished in our cafeteria.

Beans are canned. Salsa is actually organic - although the fruit and vegetables are not.

The tortillas are from Tyson and contain:  Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Cottonseed Oil, Soybean Oil), Mono- and Diglycerides, Contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate), Fumaric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Dough Conditioner (Wheat Flour, Calcium Sulfate, Sorbic Acid), Preservative (Sodium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate).  Sodium is 380mg. 5g of fat (1 of which is saturated).  The corn is frozen.  This is a gluten free option if taken with tortilla. 

My daughter and I are gluten free. This Thanksgiving I am making gluten free stuffing using croutons I bought from www.freebreadinc.com.  It's gluten free, sugar free, nut free and corn free made from the purest ancient grains.  I also ordered pies from www.wildfloursbakeshop.com .  They are located in Huntington on New Street right off of 25A.  They have delicious breads, cakes, and pizza on Saturdays.  Not only are these items gluten free but dairy free as well.  Definitely the place to go for a treat !! 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

What's for lunch 11/16/12


FROM THE RANCH TO YOU... Antibiotic/Hormone-Free (Local, NY State Beef)
Beef Burger/Cheeseburger 
Whole Grain Bun
 Oven-Baked Potato Wedges
Carrot sticks
Fresh Fruit
GF when taken without bun

After much work, discussion and research, our district has discontinued the use of most USDA commodity beef for a variety of health reasons and contracted with a New York State farm to provide beef raised without antibiotics and hormones. It is more expensive and there is less beef on the menu as a result but it is a huge improvement in the quality of our lunches. So, enjoy your hamburger on a whole grain bun. 


The potato wedges are from McCain. The ingredients are: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum. 


The carrots sticks are fresh and so is the fruit. They are not organic.  This is a gluten free lunch when taken without the bun. 








Wednesday, November 14, 2012

What's for lunch 11/16/12


BETTER THAN A PIZZERIA... 
Whole Wheat “Margherita” Pita Pizza
Fresh Tomato Sauce, Basil and Local, Fresh Mozzarella 
LI-Grown Cauliflower with Garlic & Oil
Fresh Fruit 



We make these pizzas in our cafeteria. The pita is actually part whole wheat.  The ingredients are wheat flour [whole wheat flour and enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)], water, soybean oil, less than 2% of yeast, salt, sugar, dough conditioner (distilled monoglycerides, calcium salts, guar gum, wheat starch, sodium metabisulfite, ascorbic acid), preservatives (calcium propionate, potassium sorbate), vinegar.

For our various pizzas, we use  the Red Pack vitamin enhanced tomato sauce. The sodium at 140mg is much lower than we previously used.  Here are the ingredients: Tomato Concentrate (Water, Tomato Paste), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Onion Powder, Salt, Citric Acid, Spice, Garlic Powder, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Black Pepper, Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Natural Flavor, Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate).

Pizzas will have fresh mozzarella and basil.  The cauliflower is long island grown and cooked with garlic and oil.  The fruit is fresh.  The kids love this meal.  The fresh cauliflower is an added treat. 


The alternative entrees remain the same.  Pepper Jack quesadilla, peanut butter and jelly on whole went, and meatball hero.  Plenty of  fresh and yummy veggies at the salad bar. Encourage your children to take their sides from there.  The sandwich bar with boars head cold cuts is available daily.  





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What's for lunch 11/14/12


Oven-Baked
All White Meat Chicken Tenders

Sweet Potato Wedges 
Sauteed Zucchini
Fresh Fruit 


These are differently-shaped nuggets. The chicken is from Tyson. The ingredients are: Chicken breast tenderloins, water, modified food starch, sodium phosphates, salt. PREDUSTED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), wheat gluten, salt. BATTERED WITH: Water, enriched bleached wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, salt, dextrose, spices, garlic powder, xanthan gum, oleoresin paprika and annatto. BREADED WITH: Enriched wheat flour (enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), salt, spices, garlic powder, extractives of paprika, natural flavors (spice extractives). Breading set in vegetable oil.


The sweet potato wedges are from McCain. The ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following Oils: Canola, Soybean, Cottonseed, Sunflower, Corn), Corn Starch - Modified. Contains 2% or less of Annatto (color), Beta Carotene (color), Caramel Color, Corn Starch, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavor (Contains Wheat), Rice Flour, Salt, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Added To Maintain Natural Color, Sugar, Tapioca Dextrin, Xanthan Gum.  

The zucchini is frozen and the fruit is fresh.

Sorry for the unblogged days !  I lost power due to Athena along with internet and phone. Internet is back !! It has been as if the last two weeks were washed away. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.  One of my favorites is cranberry sauce. Check out the recipe below from www.yumuniverse.com. 



Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce

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Sorry folks, but there is no excuse to eat cranberry sauce out of a can. Not only are you getting a healthy dose of dangerous aluminum with your sauce, but you are missing out on real flavor and nutrients. Making this Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce couldn’t be easier, or more delicious. Give it a try this year and you’ll probably never go back to canned. 
Tools:
Saucepan
Zester and/or Chef’s knife
Ingredients:
Try to buy everything organic. Here’s why.
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup pure water
1/2 cup sucanat
1 tsp fresh navel orange zest,
chopped finely
3 tbsp fresh navel orange juice
1/2 tsp fresh peeled and
minced ginger
Pinch sea salt
Let’s get started.
Wash cranberries well (remove any stems) and place in a pot with all other ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, and cranberries are starting to pop…
…reduce heat to a low simmer.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often while cranberries continue to burst and break apart.
Remove from heat. Completely cool at room temperature and then chill in refrigerator.
Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
And for more fun with cranberries, check out Amie Valpone’s Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing.
Adaptations & Tips:
1. You can sweeten, more or less to taste. Just taste (a cooled spoonful) as you cook, and add sucanat until you reach desired sweetness.
2. You can add more or less ginger and/or orange juice to taste as well.
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