WIC inspired recipes

Delicious & Nutritious: Using Canned Pumpkin Puree for a Family-Friendly Pasta Sauce
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Delicious & Nutritious: Using Canned Pumpkin Puree for a Family-Friendly Pasta Sauce

Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition

Delicious & Nutritious: Using Canned Pumpkin Puree for a Family-Friendly Pasta Sauce

If you have little ones, you’re always on the lookout for ways to make quick meals that are both delicious and nutritious. If you’re part of the WIC program, you know that making the most of the healthy foods available is key to feeding your family well. One ingredient that might not always be top of mind but is packed with nutrients and versatility is canned pumpkin puree. It’s full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is a great way to introduce a new flavor to your family’s meals while also sneaking in some extra veggies!

Why Pumpkin Puree?

Pumpkin puree isn’t just for pies and lattes! Canned pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, both of which support immune health, vision, and skin health. It’s also rich in fiber, which is great for digestion and helps keep little tummies feeling full longer. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to use in a variety of dishes, and it’s something you can stock up on thanks to WIC benefits.

This Pumpkin Pasta Sauce recipe is simple to make and a perfect way to introduce your little ones to the flavors of autumn all year round. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and savory, and it pairs perfectly with any type of pasta!

A Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

1 can (15 oz) of canned pumpkin puree

1 cup of low-fat milk

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but adds a lovely warmth)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess and flavor)

8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite pasta shape)

Cook the pasta according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in the canned pumpkin puree and let it heat up for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pumpkin will start to soften and blend with the garlic. Slowly add the milk, stirring continuously to combine it with the pumpkin. If the sauce feels too thick, you can add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Add the seasonings and stir everything together, and let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes.

Once your sauce is creamy and well-seasoned, add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss the pasta in the sauce to coat it evenly. If you like your pasta saucier, add a bit more milk or pasta water to adjust the texture.

Plate the pasta, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve immediately. You can also add a side of veggies or a simple salad to complete the meal.

This Pumpkin Pasta Sauce is an excellent way to introduce your family to the wonders of pumpkin, and it’s an easy meal that you can feel good about serving.

Visit JC Food Mart for easy WIC grocery shopping, and pick up a few cans of pumpkin puree and give this simple recipe a try. Your kids will love it.

By Shauna Siegel|2025-09-16T14:01:41-05:00January 17th, 2025|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: canned pumpkin, easy WIC inspired recipes, pasta, pumpkin, pumpkin puree, WIC Foods, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Refreshing Tuna Fish Ceviche Using WIC-Approved Foods
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Refreshing Tuna Fish Ceviche Using WIC-Approved Foods

Meal Planning, Mom Health, Recipes, WIC Food

Refreshing Tuna Fish Ceviche Using WIC-Approved Foods

Looking for a quick and delicious meal that’s approved using WIC-approved foods? Turn canned tuna fish into a refreshing ceviche.

Ceviche is a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s popular in many Latin American countries. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and can be tailored to include a variety of fresh ingredients. Whether you’re enjoying it as a topping or on its own, ceviche is a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of produce and lean protein.

TUNA FISH CEVICHE

1 can of tuna fish, drained

¼ cup diced onion

¼ cup diced tomatoes

Juice of 1 lime

½ avocado, diced

¼ cup diced mango (fresh or frozen)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tortillas

1 teaspoon of oil

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.

Toast the tortilla (or two) in the pan until it’s golden and crispy.

In a bowl, combine the tuna, onion, tomatoes, lime juice, avocado, and mango. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add tuna mixture to the tortilla and enjoy!

Pick up all your WIC foods at a JC Food Mart store.

By Shauna Siegel|2024-09-27T10:55:37-05:00September 18th, 2024|Categories: Meal Planning, Mom Health, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: Avocado, Cilantro, Easy Recipes Inspired by WIC, limes, onion, produce, Recipes inspired by WIC, tomatoes, Tostada, tuna, Tuna Fish, WIC Foods, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Easy Family Dinner Featuring WIC Foods
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Easy Family Dinner Featuring WIC Foods

Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition

Easy Family Dinner Featuring WIC Foods

Ingredients:

1 cup diced onion

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 tomato, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

½ cup diced bell pepper of any color

1 ½ cups of rice

1 can kidney beans

3 tbsp+ hot sauce (Louisiana, Tabasco, or your favorite hot sauce)

2 tbsp Soy Sauce

Salt & Pepper, Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder

Cook the rice according to package instructions. Heat oil in a large skillet then add onions. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes then add in garlic, tomato, and celery then stir together and cook for a few minutes. Add in jalapeno and bell pepper then stir together. Cook until all vegetables are tender. Add in the cooked rice and kidney beans, stir and cook for about 5 minutes. Add in the seasonings and sauces, then cook for about 5 more minutes to allow the flavors to soak in. Serve and enjoy!

By Ashley|2024-04-05T09:07:02-05:00March 24th, 2024|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: recipes, red beans and rice, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Colcannon Mashed Potatoes
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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Colcannon Mashed Potatoes

Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Colcannon Mashed Potatoes

Serve up a bowl of good luck with this Colcannon Mashed Potato recipe. This St. Patrick’s Day favorite features WIC-approved vegetables like potatoes, cabbage and milk. It’s sure to be a hit with your family this St. Patrick’s Day and all year long.

COLCANNON MASHED POTATOES

3 large russet potatoes, cut into chunks

7 tbsp butter

⅓ head of cabbage, shredded

2 tbsp garlic, minced

4 stalks of green onion, sliced

1 cup milk

Salt, pepper, garlic powder – to taste

Cut 3 large russet potatoes into chunks and add to a large pot of water with salt. Boil until fork tender then strain the potatoes in a colander. In the same large pot, add about 4 tbsp of butter and melt. Add in shredded cabbage, green onion, and garlic then stir. Cook until the cabbage is wilted, about 10 minutes. Add in the potato chunks, mash with a fork, and stir. Add in the milk ½ cup at a time, along with 2 more tbsp of butter, and stir thoroughly. Add in salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Top with a slice of butter and enjoy!

By Ashley|2024-04-05T09:07:19-05:00March 7th, 2024|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: colcannon mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, potatoes, recipes, St. Patrick's Day, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Black Bean Brownies

Craving something sweet? Whip up a batch of tasty black bean brownies using WIC-approved ingredients like black beans and peanut butter! Trust us, you won’t even notice the difference!

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES
3 eggs
3 tbsp oil (vegetable, olive, or avocado)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
⅓ cup cocoa powder
1 can of black beans (15oz)
Optional:
½ cup chocolate chips for topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Coat a 9×9 inch baking pan with oil or non-stick cooking spray. Drain and rinse the black beans. Add all ingredients aside from toppings into a blender and blend until the ingredients look well mixed. Pour into the greased baking pan and cook for 25-30 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool before cutting into pieces and serving. Enjoy!

By Ashley|2024-01-09T20:53:12-05:00January 9th, 2024|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: black bean brownies, black beans, brownies, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Halloween Stuffed Peppers

Use WIC approved foods to make these Halloween stuffed peppers!

Ingredients:

1 cup steamed rice

1 can black beans

½ can of corn

1 cup of diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)

½ cup minced cilantro

1 cup shredded cheese

4 large bell peppers

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.

Mix the first 5 ingredients together in a large bowl, then mix in ¾ of the shredded cheese.

Use a small knife to cut the bell peppers like a jack-o-lantern and use a spoon to fill the bell peppers with the mixture. Set the filled peppers into a baking tray and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 25 minutes then let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

By Ashley|2023-10-18T14:57:35-05:00October 18th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: bellpeppers, Fall Recipes, halloween, halloween recipes, jack o lanter, orange bellpepper, peppers, recipes, stuffed peppers, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Halloween Deviled Eggs

Use WIC approved foods to make this fun Halloween recipe!

Ingredients:

6 boiled eggs

1 avocado

Green & Purple or Red food coloring

Paprika, Salt & Pepper to taste

Boil 6 eggs. Crack the shell of each egg all around with a spoon, but don’t peel them! Add the boiled eggs into a tupperware filled with water that covers all of the eggs, and add red or purple food coloring to the water. Let them sit in the fridge overnight to soak up the food coloring and give a spooky spider web effect. Peel the eggs and cut in half. Remove the yolk and add to a bowl along with a sliced avocado. Mix the yolk & avocado together and add green food coloring to enhance the color. Add a spoonful of the green mixture to each egg and top with paprika, salt & pepper.

By Ashley|2023-10-04T10:11:42-05:00October 4th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: Avocado, boiled eggs, deviled eggs, Eggs, Fall Recipes, fall snacks, halloween, halloween deviled eggs, halloween treats, healthy recipes, recipes, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Thai Pasta Salad

Get ready to impress everyone with your cooking skills with this amazing Thai Pasta Salad! It’s bursting with colors and flavors that will make your taste buds explode. Not only is it super easy to make, but it’s also a great way to use up your WIC-foods in a delicious and nutritious way. Don’t wait any longer, give it a try tonight and surprise your family with a mouthwatering meal!

THAI PASTA SALAD

1 box of whole wheat pasta

1 cup diced red cabbage

1 cup diced cucumber

½ cup shredded carrots

⅓ cup diced green onion

Sauce:

½ cup peanut butter

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp soy sauce

½ cup water

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, drain and set aside to cool. While the pasta is cooking and cooling, chop your veggies and make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Add all of the pasta, veggies, and sauce together in a large bowl and toss together. This recipe makes about 6 servings.

By Ashley|2023-09-13T14:18:43-05:00September 3rd, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: easy recipes, pasta, peanut butter, peanut butter sauce, recipes, thai pasta salad, Vegetables, wic approved foods, wic approved groceries, WIC inspired recipes|0 Comments

Summer Smoothie Series: Coffee Smoothie

Delightful Summer Treat For Parents

Tired parents, listen up! Get ready to wake up and feel energized with this awesome coffee smoothie. Made with WIC ingredients + coffee, it’s the perfect way to recharge. Plus, it’s a refreshing treat you can enjoy any time of day. Just a heads up though, if you’re expecting or breastfeeding, remember to take it easy on the caffeine.