SPARKS, MD (September 13, 2011) Fall schedules bring the return of the family dinner table and a rotation of go-to recipes for busy weeknights. So, the flavor experts in the McCormick Kitchens took up the challenge to elevate the flavor – and potential health benefits – of the top ten internet-searched recipes of the season.1 Starting with these family favorites, they explored easy ways to add more flavor, plus antioxidants, with on-hand ingredients like spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits.
“This list of top recipes reveals that busy cooks are searching for new ideas to add some flavorful twists to the same weeknight standbys,” explains Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens. “Our kitchens wanted to create some deliciously simple variations that can inspire healthy choices every night of the week.”
Top Ten Most-Searched Family Dinner Recipes
- Spaghetti
- Tacos
- Pork Chops
- Pizza
- Chicken Soup
- Enchiladas
- Meatloaf
- Lasagna
- Chili
- Beef Stew
“I love how the McCormick Kitchens have used familiar spices and herbs to create amazingly flavorful upgrades to our favorite family dinners,” says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet. “Using ‘Super Spices’ like red pepper, oregano, ginger and garlic provides an added bonus because they are a delicious source of natural antioxidants, which play an important role in keeping the body in good health.” That’s why spices and herbs are some of Dr. Bazillian’s favorite go-to ingredients.
When looking for deliciously healthful dinner ideas, Dr. Bazilian believes that the best place to start is with what the family already loves – and then boost the excitement, flavor and nutrition of dinnertime with ingredients that are low in salt, fat and calories, and contain antioxidants. “For example, dial up the taste and antioxidants of basic pork chops with a blend of garlic, thyme, rosemary and red pepper,” she explains. “Top with some apple and cinnamon and you’ve added enough antioxidants to equal three ounces of pomegranate juice per serving!”
Simple Ways to Add Flavor and Antioxidants with “Super Spices”
The McCormick Kitchens have developed these easy tips to inspire healthy choices on even the busiest nights of the week. For additional better-for-you dinner ideas infused with a passion for flavor, visit www.spicesforhealth.com.
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| Spaghetti: |
Add 1 tsp. Oregano Leaves, 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder and 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper to
4-(8 oz.) cans of no salt added tomato sauce. Add 2 cups fresh vegetables (such as chopped zucchini, sliced mushrooms, diced onions or chopped green pepper) for extra antioxidants and nutrients.
Adds antioxidants = 1 cup honeydew melon balls per serving |
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| Tacos: |
Spice up taco night by seasoning ground beef or ground turkey with 1 tbsp. Chili Powder, 1/2 tsp. each Garlic Powder and Ground Cumin and
1/4 tsp. each of Crushed Red Pepper and Oregano Leaves.
Adds antioxidants = 3/4 cup fresh chopped tomatoes per serving |
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| Pork Chops: |
Rub four pork chops with a blend of 1 tsp. each Garlic Powder and Thyme Leaves,
1/2 tsp. crushed Rosemary Leaves and
1/4 tsp. Ground Red Pepper. Sauté in skillet with 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, 1/2 cup apple juice, a sliced apple and 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon.
Adds antioxidants = 3 oz. pomegranate juice per serving |
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| Pizza: |
Make a quick white pizza using a 12-inch prepared pizza crust. Top with 4 oz. reduced fat shredded cheese blended with 1/4 tsp. each Oregano Leaves, Thyme Leaves, Garlic Powder and Crushed Red Pepper. Add extra antioxidants by topping the pizza with 1 cup of assorted thinly sliced vegetables such as red peppers, zucchini and mushrooms.
Adds antioxidants = 2 cups chopped watermelon per serving |
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| Chicken Soup: |
Give homemade chicken soup an Asian flair. Stir 2 tsp. Ground Ginger and 1 tsp. Garlic Powder into 4 cups soup and top with snow peas and shredded carrots.
Adds antioxidants = 1/2 cup chopped cantaloupe per serving |
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| Enchiladas: |
Make easy chicken enchiladas by seasoning
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast with
1 tsp. Chili Powder, 1/2 tsp. each Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder and 1/4 tsp. Ground Red Pepper.
Adds antioxidants = 1 cup chopped zucchini per serving |
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| Meatloaf: |
Turn everyday meatloaf into a Mexican fiesta by adding 1 tbsp. each Paprika, Oregano Leaves and Ground Cumin and 1/2 tsp. Ground Red Pepper to 2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey. Top with salsa.
Adds antioxidants = 1 1/2 cups green peppers per serving |
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| Lasagna: |
Create a spinach and ricotta cheese blend for a tasty meatless lasagna. Mix 2–(10 oz.) packages of thawed and drained frozen chopped spinach with 2–(15 oz.) containers of part skim ricotta cheese and 12 oz. reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese. Then, give jarred sauce a flavorful antioxidant boost, adding 1 tsp. Garlic Powder and 1/2 tsp. each Oregano Leaves and Thyme Leaves.
Adds antioxidants = 1/2 cup chopped broccoli per serving |
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| Chili: |
Make a lower-sodium turkey chili with tons of flavor. Blend 1 pound cooked ground turkey with 2–(8 oz.) cans of no salt added tomato sauce spiced up with 2 tbsp. Chili Powder, 1 tsp. Ground Cumin and 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper.
Adds antioxidants = 1/3 cup chopped asparagus per serving |
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| Beef Stew: |
Spice up plain beef stew with 1 tsp. each Thyme Leaves and Oregano Leaves and 1/2 tsp. each Garlic Powder and Ground Black Pepper. Give it an extra antioxidant boost by adding sweet potatoes and chopped red peppers.
Adds antioxidants = 1 1/2 cups sliced kiwi per serving |
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Looking to create a new memorable top-ten family dinner? Check out www.spicesforhealth.com and find recipes for Mexican-Style Meat Loaf, Tomato Florentine Pasta Bake, Chicken Chili with Black Beans and Corn, and more.
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About McCormick
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor. With more than $3 billion in annual sales, the Company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. McCormick brings passion to flavor™! Visit mccormick.com and Facebook.com/McCormickSpice for more information.
1 Google Adwords, Top Family Dinner Recipes, August-October 2010
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