LET’S GET CHEESY!

Everyone knows that cheese makes everything better, not to mention that it can provide you with both calcium and protein (good for your bones and muscles!). But if cheese isn’t your thing, some other options are listed below for those who cannot eat cheese but would like to try out these delicious dishes!

Quesadilla’s

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, diced
• 1 (1.27 ounce) packet fajita seasoning
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 10 (10 inch) whole wheat tortillas
• 1 cup shredded part-skim cheddar cheese

1) Preheat the broiler. Grease a baking sheet.

2) Toss the chicken with the fajita seasoning, then spread onto the baking sheet. Place under the broiler and cook until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes.

3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

4) Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the green and red bell peppers, onion, and chicken. Cook and stir until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.

5) Layer half of each tortilla with the chicken and vegetable mixture, and then sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and Place onto a baking sheet.

6) Bake quesadillas in the preheated oven until the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.

  7) Enjoy!

Mozzarella Sticks

·         1 cup of whole wheat bread crumbs

·         1 tablespoon flaxseed meal

·         1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

·         1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

·         ½ cup cauliflower puree

·         1 tablespoon cornstarch

·         Nonstick cooking spray

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

1) In a bowl toss the breadcrumbs with the flaxseed meal and sesame seeds.

2) In a second large bowl, stir together the mozzarella, cauliflower puree, and cornstarch until well combined. Shape into 2x ½ inch logs. Gently roll each log in the bread crumbs, the wrap in aluminum foil or waxed paper and freeze for 20 minutes.

3) Coat a large non- stick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in the pan in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crumb coating begins to brown. Sprinkle with salt.

4) Enjoy!

Why are these dishes so good?

·         The cheese in these recipes can be any kind including soy cheese, rice cheese and low fat cheese; making these recipes good for those who avoid dairy products.

·         Can make the Quesadillas vegetarian by removing the Chicken, and can use many different alternatives.

·         Cheese is a good way to mask the taste of some vegetables that your children normally may not eat.

·         You can ask your kids to help you sprinkle the cheese on their quesadilla or get them to roll the cheese stick in the bread crumbs to help get them involved with food preperation.

·         Both foods go well with dip making it more fun for your kids!

·         Cheese is part of the milk and alternatives group of the Canadian Food Guide, check it out to see how many servings you need per day!

·         The outer bread crumbs of the mozzarella sticks and the whole wheat tortillas provide your children with fiber and a serving of grain products from the Canadian Food Guide (1 tortilla= 1 serving of grain products).

Both of these recipes are very good and easy to make, I especially love to see the look on kids faces when they try these mozzarella sticks for the first time. These cheesy dishes are fun to eat, good for you, and great comfort foods which are sure to be one of your family’s favorites!