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Reusing your vegetable scraps is just one way to make an effort to be more environmentally conscious. By making use of those vegetable scraps in other cooking, you can reduce food waste and maybe even save a little money while you’re at it. One main way to use vegetable scraps is to make a broth or stock out of it. Read on further to learn more about how to help reduce food waste by using those leftover vegetable scraps.
You might buy branded, everyday items in bulk at a discount store. But when it comes to your produce? …
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This time of year, breakfast recipes for the family are in high demand. Kids and parents are scrambling to get ready for school. And making breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday can be a challenge when the kids get back to school! Quick and easy breakfast recipes require just a bit of planning, but can be tasty and healthy for everyone to enjoy. Read on for recipe ideas for healthy and easy breakfasts that the whole family will look forward to.
Breakfast Recipes for the School Year
Breakfast recipes are easier to approach when you have the ample time. But during the school year, it’s all about saving time and energy during those hectic mornings. To get breakfast ready for the kids and yourself, it’s best to plan ahead and do things the night before. Or, meal prep in big batches at once and you’ll end up with a week’s worth of food. In general, try a few recipes like these, which can be prepared ahead of time and finished quickly:
- Overnight Oat Parfaits and chia seed pudding are similar tasty breakfast recipes. Oats or chia seeds are soaked overnight and enjoyed as a protein packed breakfast: They’re best for making ahead of time and enjoying on the go.
- Tacoma Boys Bagels can be remixed with different spreads and toppings, from cream cheese, to peanut butter, to anything in between (see below: breakfast toast!).
- Scrambled eggs in a jar: This recipe by Women’s Day is a nice make-ahead breakfast that can be customized with whatever add-ins you’d like.
Healthy Recipes
Tasty, healthy recipes for breakfast are important because it starts your day off on a nutritious note. Protein-packed, nutritious breakfast for the whole family can be tasty and easy to prepare, too! Go for fruits, vegetables, starch, and lots of protein. And while some healthy recipes may seem overwhelming and time consuming, there’s plenty of ideas for quick and easy options! Try these to start:
- Breakfast toasts: Mix-and-match different spreads on toast like Sabra Classic Hummus, Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread, or mashed avocado. Top these spreads with proteins or add-ons like sliced vegetables or fruit, cooked eggs, nuts, seeds, meat, cheese, or anything else you’d like.
- Smoothies and smoothie bowls: Blend up some frozen fruit with Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk and Manitoba Harvest Shelled Hemp Seeds for a protein-packed smoothie. If you want to top it with extras like granola and fresh fruit, just dump it in a bowl and customize your toppings!
Two Ingredient Banana Pancakes
These quick and easy banana pancakes are packed with protein and only require two ingredients. Make sure to combine it all in a blender rather than a bowl to ensure the oats are broken into fine pieces.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup Nature’s Path Organic Old Fashioned Oats
- Toppings: Sliced fruit, granola, whipped cream, butter, pure maple syrup, or our favorite: Tacoma Boys Apple Walnut Butter
Directions
- Blend the banana and oats in a high speed blender until combined and smooth. If it’s too thick (compared to a standard pancake batter), add 2 tbsp water at a time until the batter is an appropriate consistency.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Scoop ¼ cup batter into the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until golden. Flip and continue cooking 2-3 minutes, until cooked through.
- Continue with remaining batter. Serve hot with desired toppings.
Weekday Breakfast
Weekday breakfast can be tricky. Mornings are the busiest time of day for many people, and making breakfast is a huge reason why! Weekday breakfast is especially a rush as the kids and family get ready for school and work.
One of the simplest ways to approach weekday breakfast is by planning ahead and meal prepping. Check out this guide to meal prepping if you’re not familiar with the process and want to get started. And bonus: Tacoma Boys also has you covered with recipes for the kids’ school lunch and snacks!
Make-Ahead Breakfast
If you plan your weekday breakfast ahead of time, you can be sure it’s ready to go when the morning comes around. When meal prepping and pre-planning, consider what ingredients you have and what you usually enjoy. Then, it’s all about getting into the kitchen to make it happen. Here are a few ideas for breakfast recipes that are easy to make ahead of time and heat up and eat in the mornings:
- Breakfast burritos: Customize your burritos with your desired mix of meat or beans, vegetables, eggs, and more. Try them with Tacoma Boys Gourmet Pico de Gallo or Salsa and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Simply make a large batch of multiple burritos and toss them in the refrigerator or freezer until breakfast time. Then, microwave in a damp paper towel to heat it up.
- Fruit salad as a snack: You can even use canned or jarred fruit when it’s not in season, like Del Monte SunFresh Mango or Mandarin Oranges.
- Breakfast muffins: Make meat prep easier with a boxed muffin mix to eat alongside fruit or eggs. Try Concord Farms Blueberry Muffin Mix or Namaste Gluten Free Muffin Mix at Tacoma Boys.
- Egg cups: Also known as mini egg bites, quiche, or frittata. Eggs cooked in a muffin tin are a great way to eat convenient portions of the protein-packed snack. Take a peek at this recipe by A Sassy Spoon for a few options on how to make your egg bites for the week.
Breakfast With Tacoma Boys
It’s easy to prepare healthy but simple breakfast recipes with the necessities you’ll find at Tacoma Boys. In addition to a wide selection of goods, Tacoma Boys is happy to help you find what you need and cook tasty food! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
As summer winds down and the weather begins to cool, it’s time to start thinking about getting back to school. This time of year is a good chance to start fresh with new school supplies, clothes, and of course school lunches. Specifically, this school year means many kids are getting back into the classroom for the first time in several months! If you’re used to sending your child to school with a packed lunch, you may be a bit out of practice. Get ready to get the kids back to school by preparing for simple, healthy lunches throughout the week.
Time to Get Back to School
In general, getting back to school can be a busy time. It can be fun to involve the kids in the process of getting ready for school. From supplies, to transportation, to preparing food, there’s a lot to do! But kid friendly school lunches don’t have to be time consuming or overwhelming.
Start by stocking up on their favorite small bites for snack time. Think fruit, nuts, seeds, granola bars, crackers, cheese, and whatever else they consistently love to snack on. Then, try to take a little bit of time to plan school friendly lunches for the week. It may take some adjusting to get used to the extra meals that need to be made ahead of time. Just keep in mind what food you have and what else you’d like to cook before you go grocery shopping.
10 Ideas for School Lunches
Depending on what your child’s school is like, you can prepare hot or cold school lunches. For a cold lunch, pack a lunch box charcuterie-style with fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, meat, and nuts. Many families make things convenient by using leftovers from dinner the night before as school lunch for the kids. This is easy when you’re already cooking kid friendly food for other meals. Otherwise, try these ideas for school lunches for the kids:
1. Pasta
In addition to Tacoma Boys’ pre-packaged pasta salad, you can find a variety of pasta noodles and sauces. Try Primal Kitchen Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce for a classic sauce. Or, Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce for something a bit different.
2. Soups
If your child is able to reheat soup at school, this is a great option for a filling lunch. Make your own soup with seasonal vegetables, Eden Organic Beans, and Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Broth. Or, grab a prepared soup mix like Rill Food’s Lentil & Potato Soup.
3. Lunchbox
Make a lunch-box style school lunch with whatever odds and ends you have on hand. Try a combination of protein, vegetables, and grains in the lunch box, like Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, baby carrots, and Quinn Whole Grain Sea Salt Pretzel Twists.
4. Sandwich Pinwheels
Mix and match your kid’s favorite sliced meat and cheese: Like deli turkey and California Premium Provolone Slices in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and Primal Foods Mayonnaise. Roll it up and cut into individual pinwheels.
5. Mini Egg Frittata Bites
Customize a dozen egg bites with vegetables, meat, cheese, and seasonings in a mini muffin tray. These can be eaten cold or heated up in the microwave.
6. Tuna Pita Pockets
Whip up a batch of tuna salad with Wild Selections Albacore Tuna. Then, stuff it inside of a pita pocket. Top it off with chopped cucumber, tomato, and lettuce.
7. Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups
Use your favorite nut or seed butter (like SunButter) and a sprinkle of Spice Hunters Cinnamon in a tortilla for a super kid friendly school lunch.
8. Burritos
Anything wrapped in a large tortilla is easy to pack and usually tasty! Make a few burritos your way with your choice of beans, meat, vegetables, and cheese.
9. Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
While it’s still just warm enough to grill outside, prepare a few grilled chicken breasts. Grill some vegetables too, and pack it for lunch. Most kids like the subtle flavor of chicken— Grab their favorite vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, and potatoes.
10. Fried Rice
Any fried rice is super easy to make with the vegetables and meat you already have. Steam a batch of rice, then fry up your veggies and meat. Mix it all together and season with soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil. This dish can be reheated or enjoyed cold.
Kid Friendly Food
Kid friendly food doesn’t have to be complicated nor overly simplistic. Everyone needs snacks and a solid lunch! But kid friendly food is simply food that kids would like to eat. Keep introducing them to new foods and ask them what they like to eat. To start, here are a few ideas for kid friendly food and snacks that are easy to take to school:
- Blue Diamond Nut Thins with Sabra Classic Hummus.
- Hippeas Organic Chickpeas Snacks.
- Northwest Delights offers a variety of tasty snacks, like Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites, Veggie Crisps, and Honey Oat Cranberry Crunch.
- Homemade trail mix with your choice of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and add-ins like chocolate chips and pretzels.
- Munk Pack Protein Cookies.
- Oatmeal Protein Balls.
At the end of the day, the important thing is making sure your children are happy and healthy. Sometimes, it can be as simple as asking your kid what they want to eat! Otherwise, just aim to keep things tasty and enjoyable for the whole family.
To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
How to Pair Specialty Cheese
Tacoma Boys’ selection of specialty cheese is not to be missed. If you generally stick to just one or two types of cheeses, we recommend branching out to try even more! Cheese can be produced in a variety of textures and flavors. Specialty cheese is often flavored with add-ins like herbs, spices, vegetables, and even wine. There are so many different kinds of cheeses to try that are best with other foods or for certain occasions. Charcuterie boards are often recommended as a great way to enjoy different cheeses with a group. For a guide on how to build the perfect charcuterie board, check out our blog all about it here.
Specialty Cheese
It’s easy to pair specialty cheese with just about any type of food you’d like for a satisfying snack or meal. Specialty and artisan cheeses are often produced in small batches or with seasonal ingredients. That’s what makes them so fun to enjoy and pair with other cheeses and foods. Pairing cheese with complementary and contrasting flavors and textures is a way to fully appreciate different cheeses: Whether it be wine, cured meats, fresh fruit, pickled vegetables, or assorted spreads. That’s why charcuterie boards are so popular and easy to put together!
Different Types of Cheeses
From the softest goat cheese to the most robust smoked cheddar, specialty cheese can vary widely. Soft, spreadable cheese like fresh goat cheese or port wine cheese are smooth and easy for snacking. This also includes creamy brie cheese, which is subtle in flavor. Semi-hard cheese includes classic cheddar cheese or gouda, which is versatile in cooking and tastes sharp. Hard cheeses, like romano, parmesan, or asiago, are even stronger and best in small amounts or as a finisher to dishes.
Dairy Free “Cheese”
In addition to cheese made with milk from cows, goats, sheep, and more, Tacoma Boys offers an assortment of dairy free cheese. Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or otherwise dairy-free, there are several options to explore. You can find dairy free “cheese” for any recipe or occasion at Tacoma Boys, including:
- Moocho Fiesta Blend
- Daiya Cheddar & Mozza Style Blend
- Follow Your Heart Feta Crumbles
- Miyoko Creamery Farmhouse Cheddar
- Plant Perks Sriracha Cheddar Plant-Based Cheese Spread
Cheese Pairing
Cheese pairing is fun to enjoy when you keep just a few tenants in mind. Pairing cheese is about highlighting the best bold flavors of your cheese with other foods to contrast or compliment. When it comes to cheese pairing, notice the strengths and flavors of your cheese and work from there. That means delicate, soft cheese with subtle pairings like fresh fruit. Or, sharp aged gouda with boldly seasoned meat or spicy crackers. Learn more about how and what to pair with cheese with the Beginner’s Guide to Cheese Pairing. Then, get started with of few of these cheese pairings using Tacoma Boys’ specialty cheeses:
- Ile de France Brie Bites alongside sliced apples and Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins.
- Carr Valley Goat Bread Cheese browned in the oven and served with crusty sourdough bread and sweet fruit spread.
- Snowdonia Cheese Company Cheddar with Roasted Garlic & Herb served charcuterie-style with Elevation Black Pepper Salami and pickled vegetables.
- Mifroma Emmentaler Hard Swiss Cheese melted between two slices of bread for a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
- Maple Leaf Pepper Jack Cheese shredded on a flatbread and topped with bell peppers and onions, then broiled.
- Singletons & Co. Port Wine Cheddar or Kaukauna Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball simply with your favorite crackers.
Pacific Northwest Local Cheese
While regions like Wisconsin are known specifically for their cheese-making, the Pacific Northwest is rich with local cheese. Farmsteads and cheese makers throughout Washington and Oregon produce an assortment of different cheeses: Think sharp cheddar, spicy jack, and bold blue cheese. To elevate your next meal with a little something cheesy, stop by Tacoma Boys for local cheese such as these:
- Rogue Creamery: Mountain Blue Cheese (Grants Pass, Oregon)
- Ferndale Farmstead: Scamorza Cheese (Bellingham, Washington)
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese: Flagship Cheddar (Seattle, Washington)
- Tillamook: Spicy Habanero Jack (Tillamook, Oregon)
- Face Rock Creamery: Peppercorn Harvest Cheddar (Bandon, Oregon)
- Cougar Gold: Sharp White Cheddar (Pullman, Washington)
While eating local usually refers to fruits and vegetables, it’s important to support farmers and local cheese producers throughout our communities. It’s a great way to sustain your local economy and enjoy delicious fresh food. And here in Washington, there are a growing abundance of local farmers to support. To learn more about the more than 50 cheesemakers of the Pacific Northwest, check out the Washington State Cheesemakers Association.
Specialty Cheese at Tacoma Boys
No matter what type of cheese is your favorite, Tacoma Boys has plenty to choose from. From dairy-free, to local, to internationally-produced cheese, there is an option for everyone to love. And who doesn’t love cheese?!
Next time you’re planning a charcuterie or building a mega-grilled cheese sandwich, come on by Tacoma Boys. You’ll find a variety of specialty cheeses and all the tasty foods for your cheese pairings! And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, never hesitate to ask. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
Baked Ricotta Egg Cups
These baked ricotta egg cups are as simple as they are delicious! A ricotta base includes cooked spinach, garlic, and seasoning. Then, a couple eggs are cracked on top and baked until just done.
End of Summer Corn Chowder
As we near the end of summer, you may be looking for ways to use leftover corn or get ready for cooler evenings. This corn chowder is both cozy and packed with flavor!
Turkey Provolone Pinwheels
Cream cheese is spread over tortillas and topped with provolone cheese, sliced turkey, tomatoes, and lettuce in these super simple turkey provolone pinwheels.
Peach Cobbler
A layer of cake mix is topped with sugary peaches and baked to bubbly perfection: It’s the perfect blend of sweet and slightly tart, and with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg!
Salmon Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
An ode to Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, these tacos come together with few ingredients and in under 20 minutes. (more…)
Roasted Radish, Zucchini, and Shallot with Asiago
Simple roasted vegetables are so easy to make, healthy, and delicious. (more…)
Watermelon Agua Fresca
This refreshing watermelon agua fresca is the perfect way to honor National Watermelon Day on August 3! (more…)
Zucchini Fritters With Lemon Chive Yogurt Sauce
These zucchini fritters are baked in the oven and served with a refreshing yogurt dipping sauce. (more…)