“I received a gift card to offset the expense of my ingredients. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”
March is National Nutrition Month. This year the theme is “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.”
I love cheese and dairy products and I’m excited to share this post with you.
California Milk Advisory Board, which represents more than 1500 dairy families, is celebrating “dairy good” nutrition by asking Recipe ReDux members to share favorite recipes to encourage healthy habits with California dairy.
Dairy products can contribute to our good health throughout our lives. Milk provides calcium which is important for good bone health along with important nutrients, Vitamin D, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium.
As we age our bodies benefit from 3 glasses of milk a day to help lower the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure and certain cancers.
According to a recent study in the International Journal of Obesity, people who were dieting and consumed more dairy, like nonfat milk, lost more weight as compared to dieters who didn’t. The study found that dieters increased lean muscle, reduced body fat and lost more inches around their waistline. At just 90 calories per glass, nonfat milk contains nine essential nutrients, protein, calcium and vitamin D and is the perfect way to refuel after a workout.
If you shy away from certain milk products because of digestive issues associated with lactose intolerance here is some positive news. People with lactose intolerance can try to reintroduce dairy back into their lives, with little or no symptoms with small sips of milk at meal time or consuming hard cheese or yogurt. By slowly adding milk back to your diet you may find your tolerance level lifted. Lactose-free milk also provides the same levels of calcium, potassium, vitamin D and more.
I love real cheese for example so I need self control. I feel moderation is the key. I found this California Estate Cheddar and had to incorporate it in a meal.
I added this wonderful, flaky cheese to some portabella mushrooms and couscous cooked in vegetable broth.
By rolling the mixture into balls I could heat it without compacting the cheese.
Add a light sauce and serve over couscous with some grated California Cheddar. So easy.
For more healthy ideas to incorporate dairy in your diet, visit the Dairy Council of California’s website at HealthyEating.org .
- ¾ cup shredded California Cheddar Cheese, divided
- 1 cup cooked portabella mushrooms, drained and chopped
- ¾ cup uncooked couscous
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- Bring broth to a boil, stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. (makes about 2 cups)
- Mix together tomato puree and seasonings. Set aside.
- Pulse ½ cup cheese, mushrooms and 1 cup couscous in a food processor until blended.
- Loosely roll mixture into 1-inch sized balls.
- Place the balls in a baking dish and cover with sauce. sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake covered at 350 until cheese melts and mixture is thoroughly heated.
- Serve over remaining couscous.
Stay connected with California Milk Advisory Board for the latest news, recipes and ideas.
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Check out these great ideas for using California Dairy from Recipe ReDux!
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