A simple way to satisfy many taste preferences and still serve up some healthier options is a snack board featuring a variety of items. From whole grains to fruits, vegetables, dairy and proteins (meat, eggs, nuts, etc.) you can build a balanced meal with the right combination of snack board items. Plus, they don’t have to take a lot of time to prepare. Just rinse and chop up some fruits and vegetables. You can buy other packaged ingredients already prepared (hard cooked eggs, deli meat slices, cubed and sliced cheese). The great thing about preparing a snack board is that there’s no look of perfection – random assembly is totally acceptable!

Simple Snack Boards Sample Ingredients:

• Hard cooked eggs
• Strawberries
• Colby Jack cheese cubes
• Deli ham & turkey slices
• Cheddar cheese slices, quartered
• Bell peppers, thinly sliced
• Apple, cored and thinly sliced
• Baby carrots
• Dark chocolate-covered pretzels
• Pretzel crisps
• Red grapes
• English cucumber, thinly sliced
• Whole-grain crackers
• Roasted whole cashews and/or peanuts
• Hummus
• Yogurt dip
• Caramel dip

If anyone has food allergies or gluten issues, you can remove the grain and nut items entirely or display them separately to eliminate cross-contamination.

Directions:

• In medium bowl, whisk yogurt, sunflower butter, honey and cinnamon. Makes about 3/4 cup.

Directions:

• In blender, purée all ingredients on high until smooth. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.

As you grill up your favorite meat, poultry, seafood, or plant-based proteins, don’t forget to add a few veggies for an easy side dish. But how can you include fruit in a fun, flavorful way? Fresh salsas are a simple solution! There are a wide variety of recipes using seasonal fruits in salsa. Grab what’s on sale this week and experiment with flavors. If you’re looking for some extra sweetness, grill the fruit first!

• 2 cups diced watermelon
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
• 1/4 of a small, sweet onion chopped
• 2 Tbsps. chopped basil

• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 4 boneless skinless chicken cutlets

• 1 mango, peeled, pitted and finely chopped
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries
• 3 Tbsps. finely chopped red onion

• 2 Tbsps. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper

If you use the grill to just cook up protein (like meat, poultry, seafood, etc.), then you’re missing out. Fruits and veggies taste fabulous grilled! Both take on a sweetness that you don’t get from their raw forms. Cutting them into smaller sizes and cooking on skewers speeds up cook time. Try these delicious options next time you fire up the grill!

• 12 (10-inch) wooden skewers
• 2 Tbsps. fresh lime juice
• 2 Tbsps. olive oil
• 2 tsps. lime zest
• 1-1/2 tsps. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 2 small pork tenderloins, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
• 2 orange and/or red bell peppers, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
• 1 small onion, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

• 4 (10-inch) wooden skewers
• 1/4 cup brown sugar & cinnamon cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsps. fresh orange juice
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 kiwis, peeled and cut in 1-inch pcs.

• 1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cut in 1-inch pcs.
• 1 cup halved strawberries
• 8 (4-inch) street taco flour tortillas
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

Sheet pan and foil packet meals are simple ways to add more vegetables that don’t require much hands-on time or kitchen clean-up. They save time and don’t require a lot of cooking skills. So, they’re great for home cooks with limited experience in the kitchen. Save more time on busy weeknights. Clean and chop up veggies when you first get back from shopping. Makes it easier to pull together a meal when time is more limited. These foil packets from Mrs. T’s combine frozen and pre-cooked ingredients, along with lots of veggies and a freshly prepared dressing. It’s a great idea for a home-cooked dinner when you have a packed schedule and little time to cook.

• 1 box Mrs. T’s Pierogies
• 10 oz. fully cooked chicken apple sausage, sliced
• 2 cups zucchini, sliced

• 2 cups yellow squash, sliced
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 1 large red bell pepper, cored and sliced
• Lemon parsley dressing (see below)

• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 Tbsps. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
• 2 tsps. low-sodium soy sauce

• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Casseroles are an affordable meal option that can combine pantry staples and frozen veggies with small amounts of fresh meat and produce. Choosing quality ingredients from Best Yet® helps keep ingredient costs lower, which is key these days! With a variety of flavor combinations, casseroles are easy weeknight meals. With simple prep and hands off cooking, you can regain some precious time for the family before dinner is served. Plus, any leftovers can easily become lunch for another day to avoid extra servings going to waste.

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen Brussels sprouts
• 2-1/4 cups unsalted chicken stock

• 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper