Now that the new school year is in full swing, the Barrington 220 School District has brought back “Tasty Tuesday”, a lunchtime initiative in our school cafeterias aimed at teaching students about healthier eating.
On the first Tuesday of the month, elementary school students have an opportunity to sample a specific fruit or vegetable in Barrington 220 cafeterias during lunch. Then, the same food item will be offered intermittently in the lunch menu for the remainder of the month. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Sodexho Food Service and our local PTOs are also participating. The “Tasty Tuesday” ingredient for September is grape tomatoes and we have two easy recipes your kids will love to eat at home.
It’s not hard to get kids and adults alike to try these little gems, and use them to infuse health into your meals. Many kids already enjoy the bite-sized vegetable treat as-is for a quick snack or with dinner.
Grape tomatoes are smaller and more elongated than cherry tomatoes. They are also sweeter and have a thinner skin, They have a full burst of flavor, and contain less than 30 calories per cup. Their nutrition content includes vitamin C, which is important for immune health, and wound healin, lutein, which is important for eye health and lycopene, the cancer-fighting antioxidant that gives them their red color.
Grape tomatoes are ripening up in gardens all over Barrington, and are plentiful at local grocers and the Barrington Farmer’s Market. It’s the perfect time to pick up a batch for your family, and following are two great recipes for Tomato Salad.
Tomato, Blue Cheese & Kalamata Olive Salad
Ingredients
2 cups tomatoes, diced
1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
5 ounces crumbled blue cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Combine ingredients, Blend well and chill.
Caprese Bread Salad
Ingredients
4 cups firm bread (my favorite is the quick and easy Salted Bread Loaf baked at home), cubed
8 ounces buffalo mozzarella, cubed
1/2 cup fresh torn basil
2 cups tomatoes cut in bite sized wedges
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Combine all ingredients and toss well. Serve immediately.
Photo Credit: Lori L. Stalteri via Compfight cc
………………………………………………………
About the Author
Kelly Donlea is a Barrington mom, chef, cookbook author the owner of Organizing Dinner, a company that brings sensible cooking solutions to busy people. She has published several cookbooks and one of her specialties is helping parents plan family meals with fewer trips to the grocery store. Kelly also offers cooking classes and demonstrations in your home or public facility. To learn more about Kelly, her recipes and her services, you’ll find her Facebook page by clicking HERE and her website at OrganizingDinner.com. Kelly is going to be sharing recipes, cooking tips and special features about chefs and popular menu items at area restaurants right here at 365Barrington.com.
Please join us as we discover local culinary treasures and new kitchen classics in our regular weekly food feature here at 365Barrington.com called “Barrington Eats” with Kelly Donlea!
If you’d like to us to feature you favorite chef, restaurant or food store or if you have a food related question that you’d like Kelly to answer, make a quick stop at the 365 Barrington Suggestion Box and leave us a note in the form which you’ll find by clicking HERE or simply leave your comment in the box below.
