Family meals with a side of love: Carry on Valentine’s theme with simple, delicious dishes

Love is in the air this week and we’re celebrating with family meals! Eating together at home improves nutrition and brings you closer together as a family when you turn off electronics and tune in to each other. This week, we’ve compiled red or chocolate themed recipes keeping in the spirit of Valentine’s Day to help you fall in love with family meals.

Count on Cupid for a family meal of Tuscan Tomato Turkey Burgers, Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes and Strawberry Banana Blasts for dessert.

Distributed by MCT Information Services

Tuscan Tomato Turkey Burger

Ingredients

1 (20 ounce) package 99 percent fat-free ground turkey

¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

¼ cup minced red onion

¼ cup snipped basil

2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoons minced garlic

¼ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

4 slices rustic whole grain bread

¾ cup warmed marinara sauce, plus additional for table

2 ounces thinly-sliced mozzarella cheese

1 cup baby arugula

1 teaspoons olive oil

1 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Mix turkey, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, basil, Parmesan, garlic and red pepper in a medium bowl until well blended. Shape into four flat patties. Cook on a well-oiled grill over medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn and top each burger with equal amounts of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese; cook for 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted and burgers are cooked through. Grill bread slices for about 1 minute on each side or until lightly crisped. Toss arugula with olive oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Place arugula onto toasted bread and top with burgers. Serve with additional warmed marinara sauce, if you like. Makes four servings.

Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh spinach with stems removed

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

2 lemons zest

1½ cups orzo, cooked al dente

1 tablespoons olive oil (around bowl)

24 basil leaves, torn or sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Shred spinach into ribbons and pile into medium-sized mixing bowl. Add halved tomatoes to bowl and lemon zest. Add hot orzo and drizzle with olive oil. Combine pasta and veggies. Add basil, salt and pepper and combine.

Cook’s Notes: I make the orzo in the rice cooker and cut the tomatoes and zest the lemon while the orzo cooks. This recipe is also good topped with walnuts and parmesan.

Strawberry Banana Blast

Ingredients

1 cup lowfat milk

8 ounces frozen sliced and sweetened California strawberries, thawed

8 ounces ice

2 ounces frozen fat free yogurt

½ banana

2 tablespoons chocolate-flavored syrup

Preparation

In blender container combine ingredients. Blend until smooth

Tags: shesays, food, family