Monday, January 21, 2013

What's for lunch 1/22/13


GRILLED CHEESE 2 WAYS!
Whole Wheat Grilled Cheese With Ham or Plain
Caesar Salad with Chickpeas & Grape Tomatoes
Fresh Fruit 



The grilled cheese sandwich is made with cheddar on whole wheat bread.  We use Nature's Own Whole Wheat Bread for these. The ingredients are: STONE GROUND WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, YEAST, WHEAT GLUTEN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL OR CANOLA OIL), DOUGH, CONDITIONERS (SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, CALCIUM, STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, MONOGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM IODATE, ETHOXYLATED MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CALCIUM PEROXIDE, DATEM), CULTURED WHEAT FLOUR, VINEGAR, CALCIUM SULFATE, MONOCALCIUM, PHOSPHATE, YEAST FOOD (AMMONIUM SULFATE), SOY LECITHIN.

I am not clear as to whether the ham is Boars Head or is a government commodity. The salad and tomatoes are fresh.  The chickpeas are canned.  The fruit is fresh.  

I made chili over the weekend which is always a big hit in my house.  I used turkey this time.  I usually make vegetarian chili with tofu.  The texture of the tofu resembles ground meat and the kids don't even comment on it !! Give it a try. 

Ingredients:

Servings:
5
Units: US | Metric
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
16 ounces extra firm tofu, drained and crumbled
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon hot sauce
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 (19 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (19 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 medium carrots, sliced
2 tablespoons chili powder
Directions:

1
Saute first 4 in meduium heat.
2
Add tofu, cumin, hot sauce, and salt and pepper and saute until crisp and lightly browned (10 min).
3
Add rest of ingredients (beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, carrots, and chili powder).
4
Boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 to 55 minutes.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

What's for lunch 1/18/13

THIS IS NOT COMMODITY BEEF !!


FARM FRESH BURGERS
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Burger Trimmings
Homemade Cole Slaw 
Oven-Baked “Fries” 
Fresh Fruit
GF when taken without bun 


Our district has 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. We season and prepare this dish. 

The potato fries are processed frozen  fries we buy from McCains's, a big food service vendor. They contain:  potatoes, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil), potato starch modified, rice flower, dextrin, sugar, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate), salt malt powder (malted barley, wheat flower, dextrose), natural flavor, maltodextrin, spice and coloring, xanthan gum, corn starch-modified, triglycerides, annatto (color), sodium acid pyrophosphate added to preserve natural color. The label indicates they have 6g of fat and 170mg of sodium.

The coleslaw is homemade. Not exactly sure of the ingredients at this point.  Pile on the trimmings for veggies.  Or better yet, make your way to the salad bar. 

 Enjoy the long weekend !! Happy Martin Luther King Day !

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter".   

"The time is always right to do the right thing ".
                                                              Martin Luther King Jr. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

What's for lunch 1/17/13

Chicken Parmigiana 
  Hero or plate
Whole wheat Rotini Marinara
Local, Long Island Broccoli with Garlic and Oil
Caesar Salad
Fresh Fruit 


For the chicken, the sauce is a 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).

The chicken itself is a pre-cooked breaded Tyson chicken product. The ingredients are: Boneless, skinless chicken breast filets with rib meat, 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.  Their serving size has 10g of fat (2 of which are saturated) and 620 mg of sodium.

The rotini is a whole grain pasta with the red sauce listed above. 


The broccoli is fresh and local. The fruit and salad are fresh as well. Not one my favorite meals due to the fact that the chicken is Tyson and has quite a few ingredients.  I would opt for the salad bar.  The sandwich bar and alternative entrees are always available. 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

What's for lunch 1/16/13


Applegate®
The Great Organic Beef Hotdog
Long Island Roasted Potatoes

Sauerkraut ~ Baby Carrots
Fresh Fruit 
Gluten Free when taken without the bun



The hot dogs are from Applegate Farms - so they are far better than many hot dogs but are hot dogs nonetheless. They have 8g of fat and 330mg of sodium. The ingredients are just: beef, water, sea salt, less than 2% of the following: celery juice, sodium lactate (from beets), lactic acid starter culture (not from milk), onion powder, spices, garlic powder, paprika. They have 6g of fat(2.5g saturated) and 380 mg of sodium. They are dairy-, casein- and gluten-free. They promote it as nitrate-free but this NYT article indicates the nitrate issue is tricky - andcites the company saying their bacon has the same level (naturally) of cancer-causing nitrates as conventional brands.  You may also not want your kids growing up thinking hot dogs are a good lunch given the potential link between processed meats and cancer. The bun is whole wheat.  

The potatoes are local but not organic roasted with herbs.  Still need more details on the sauerkraut.  The fruit is fresh as are the baby carrots.  Again, not organic but better then canned or frozen.  

Since my daughter is gluten free and corn free and I am gluten free and dairy free this recipe works for us. We omit the corn. It is delicious. 

Vegetable and Black Bean Enchiladas 

Tools:
Large casserole dish
Chef’s knife
2 large skillets/pans
Blender
Ingredients:
Try to buy everything organic. Here’s why.1/2 batch of Ancho Chipotle SauceDaiya Mozzarella Cheese (optional)
Fresh cilantro leaves
Gluten-free brown rice tortillas (thawed if frozen)
Enchilada Sauce
3 tbsp unrefined coconut oil
1/2 yellow onion, diced (here’s a tip)
2 tbsp gluten-free all purpose flour
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
3 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp fine ground sea salt
2 large tomatoes
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 cup vegetable stock (make your own)
Veggie Filling
1 red pepper, ribs removed, seeded, diced
1 yellow pepper, ribs removed, seeded, diced
1 yellow onion, diced (here’s a tip)
2 large Portobello mushrooms
3 leaves kale, stems removed and chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (start with 1/2 cup dry and make your own)
1 1/2 cups frozen or fresh sweet corn
2 tsp unrefined coconut oil
1/4 cup fresh, chopped cilantro leaves
2 tsp fresh lime juice
Fine ground sea salt to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Let’s get started.
In a large skillet or pan, place 2 tsp coconut oil, peppers and 1 onion. Heat to medium-high and stir often for about 10 minutes.
In another skillet or pan, place 3 tbsp coconut oil and add the other onion. Heat to medium-high and stir often for about 5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes (I had a few cherry tomatoes from the garden, that’s what you see in the mix below) and cook down, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
Stir in remaining Enchilada Sauce ingredients…
… bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
In the other pan, add remaining Veggie Filling ingredients (except corn and beans) to your onion, stir together for about 7 minutes.
Now add corn and beans and stir together for about 1 minute. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Place Enchilada Sauce in the blender and mix until smooth. Transfer to a small glass bowl. Rinse the blender, and mix your Ancho Chipotle Sauce until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
Create an assembly line by laying out all your ingredients—Enchilada Sauce, Ancho Chipotle Sauce, Veggie Filling, Daiya if using and Tortillas.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Spread some Enchilada Sauce into the bottom of your casserole dish.
Take a tortilla and spread a bit of Ancho Chipotle Sauce in the center, lengthwise. Add some veggie filling, some Enchilada Sauce and sprinkle with some dairy-free cheese if you like. Now, make sure that you leave about 3 1/2″ on either side of your filling so you can roll ’er up.
Take one side of your tortilla and wrap it over the filling. Tuck a bit, then roll the entire thing until tight. Place into your casserole dish. Repeat steps until you fill your dish with enchiladas.
Top all tortillas with remaining Enchilada Sauce. Sprinkle with dairy-free cheese if you are using. Set aside any leftover Ancho Chipotle Sauce for anyone who want extra heat when serving. If you have a sensitive bunch of folks at your table, you may want to use only 1/2-1 tsp of this sauce per enchilada and leave the rest for those who like it hot, to add later—Ancho Chipotle Sauce has some kick. You can always leave it out, too. But I recommend using it.
Bake enchiladas for 25 minutes. Serve topped with fresh, chopped cilantro and maybe a squeeze of fresh lime. Yum!
See… I guess the “beauty” in that beauty shot is that they are all gone. That one left was for me. Whew.


Monday, January 14, 2013

What's for lunch 1/15/13



Souvlaki Plate 
Marinated Chicken with Sweet Peppers & Onions in a Warm Pita
Tzatziki Sauce
Corn Cobbettes
 Fresh Fruit



The  chicken is a processed USDA commodity food from Tyson and described as "fully cooked boneless skinless chicken dark meat chicken fajita strips -smoke flavor added." Here are the ingredients: "Chicken dark meat, water, seasoning [salt, spices, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, sugar, chili powder (chili pepper, cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder), lemon juice powder (corn syrup solids, lemon juice, lemon oil), modified corn starch, natural mesquite smoke flavor (maltodextrin, natural smoke flavor), natural flavor (from partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil)], modified food starch and sodium phosphates."  The "partially hydrogenated" oil is a source of trans fat.  Chicken has 7g of fat (2 of which are saturated) and 490 mg of sodium.  The tzatziki sauce made fresh. The corn is frozen and the fruit is fresh. This lunch item is a big hit. Would be even better without the Tyson Chicken.  

Have your kids take there sides from the salad bar. There are carrots, cucumbers, chickpeas, bell peppers and much more ! Soup and a half sandwich are available every day. I don't have a list of the soups or the ingredients.  Will get that asap. 

March is National Nutrition Month.  The nutrition committee will be sponsoring a poster contest to promote healthy eating. "Eat healthy, your way, everyday " is the theme for this year.  Details will follow. 

Enjoy the week ! 


VEGGIES AT THE SALAD B
Carrots Chickpeas Cucumbers Bell Peppers and Much More!! Chickpeas Cucumbers Bell Peppers and Much More!! 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

What's for lunch 1/14/13

French Bread "Ziti" Pizza
              or
French Bread Plain Pizza
Caesar Salad
Fresh Fruit 



For the pizza, the sauce is a 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).  The cheese is a USDA commodity part skim mozzarella.  Ingredients are cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes. The sodium is 240mg/oz - I think we use 2 ounces.   It is made on white-flour bread so it is not whole grain.


I believe the ziti is Barilla Plus.The ingredients are: Semolina, Grain and Legume Flour, Blend (Lentils, Chickpeas, Egg Whites, Spelt, Barley, Flaxseed, Oat Fiber, Oats), Durum Flour, Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid.  

This lunch is high in carbs. I don't fully understand "ziti" pizza but I know they serve it at almost every pizza place.  Then again, I am gluten free and that combo is deadly for someone like me. 


The salad bar is available as well as the alternative entrees- meatball hero and pepper jack quesadilla.  

Thursday, January 10, 2013

What's for lunch 01/11/13


TRATTORIA FRIDAY
Baked Ziti
       or
Chicken Parmigiana Hero 


Sauteed LI Broccoli with Garlic 
Fresh Fruit 


For the chicken, the sauce is a 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).

The chicken itself is a pre-cooked breaded Tyson chicken product. The ingredients are: Boneless, skinless chicken breast filets with rib meat, 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.  Their serving size has 10g of fat (2 of which are saturated) and 620 mg of sodium.  The pasta is whole grain.  The mozzarella is fresh and local.  The broccoli is fresh and made with garlic and oil. The fruit is fresh as well.