Squeeze Freeze Ice Cream

Even though June Dairy Month is coming to an end, we still have a lot of summer time to celebrate! Squeeze Freeze Ice Cream is a perfect project for the 4th of July  family picnic, any summer camping trip or a day-camp activity. It's  just  one of the many delicious dairy  recipes  found at DairyMakesSense.

Squeeze Freeze Ice Cream

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup whole milk

1 Tablespoon salt

Ice cubes

Other Items:

Small re-sealable plastic bag

Large re-sealable plastic  bag

Measuring spoons

Measuring cup

Plastic spoon

Preparation:

Put sugar,vanilla, and milk into small plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag and properly seal. Put salt into large plastic bag. Drop the small bag into the large plastic bag with salt in it. Add 18-20 ice cubes. Remove as much air as possible from the large bag and properly seal. Knead the bag for approximately 10 minutes, making sure ice in the larger bag surrounds the smaller bag.

When a soft ice cream is formed, remove small bag from large bag, open and eat right out of bag with a plastic spoon. For extra fun, add fresh seasonal fruit or other favorite ice cream toppings.

Notes:

It is important to use whole milk. Other types of milk take too long to freeze. Salt is also very important. Without it, the ice cream will not freeze. One pint of half and half can be added to a gallon of milk. This  makes the ice cream richer and freezes faster.

Dairy Q&A

                                                                      Question:

                                                                  What is whey?

                                            

Answer:

Whey is one of two major proteins found in cow's milk. Whey protein is produced during the process of making cheese, which begins when special enzymes are added to milk causing it to separate. The curd are used to make cheese, leaving behind whey protein in the liquid portion. This liquid whey is then pasteurized and dried into a powder for various uses.

National Dairy Council

Kraft opened a cheese plant in Bentonville,Arkansas in the 1940's. At that time, the whey from cheese production was taken to local farmers and fed to dairy and beef cattle.

Thanks to dairy research and development of food products, whey protein can be found in powders,drink mixes, energy bars,yogurt, and other foods.Whey protein powder is very convenient and can be added to smoothies,oatmeal,soups,sauces,dips,baked goods, or other common foods.

Dairy Makes Sense

No Foolin'--Dairy Makes Sense!

I would know it was a joke if the farmers came into the kitchen and told me they wouldn't be hungry today!  I'm looking forward to trying Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas With Yogurt. It's no joke--Dairy Makes Sense!

Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas With Yogurt

3 ounces cream cheese
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
12 ounces chunky salsa
1 cup Mexican-blend cheese,shredded
8 (6 inch) whole wheat tortillas
Yogurt Sauce:
2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Preparation:P
Heat cream cheese in large skillet over medium heat until soft. Stir in chicken and 1/2 cup of the salsa; mix well. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese; stir until melted.Spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place seam side down in 12x8 inch baking dish. Top with remaining salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes or until heated through. Serve with yogurt sauce.

For the yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, cilantro and cumin. Chill until needed.

 

No foolin'--you can find a variety of delicious recipes at Dairy Makes Sense.

Happy April Fool's Day!

 

 

Dairymom's Monday Night Play

Everyday on the dairy farm is busy but Mondays are always hectic so  I'm planning a simple supper--simple but nutritious--that will be the perfect addition to Monday night's football kick-off. Touchdown Taco Salad  from the Dairy Makes Sense recipe collection    will definitely be a winning play!

Touchdown Taco Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese,divided
1/2 cup salsa,divided
8 cups salad greens
1 cup chopped tomato
1 1/2 cup black beans

Preparation:
Brown beef in large non-stick skillet; remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese and 1/4 cup salsa; mix until blended. Spoon onto serving platter. In a large bowl, toss together salad greens, tomatoes, black beans and remaining cheese and salsa. Spoon salad over meat mixture and serve.

Servings: 8

Dairymom Wraps Up Tuesday

With the rain and cooler temperatures, I'm thinking it may be time to bring out the heavier work jackets in addition to the rain suit and rubber boots. Just as we're wrapping up more on the outside and planning for a busy day on the farm ,  a quick wrap-up in the kitchen will be perfect for Tuesday's schedule.

I'm planning to wrap-up Tuesday with a Beef Burrito with Pepper Jack Cheese and Black Bean recipe I found at Dairy Makes Sense.

Beef Burrito with Pepper Jack Cheese and Black Beans

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef sirloin
2 teaspoons  minced garlic
1 cup chunky salsa,divided
2 cups cooked brown or white rice
6 (9 inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (11-ounce) can corn kernels,drained
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onion, including green tops


Preparation:

In medium non-stick skillet, brown ground beef and garlic over medium heat; (break beef mixture up into smaller chunks with a spoon). Drain fat and stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa; set aside.

Spread 1/3 cup of rice on center of tortilla, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Scatter about 2 tablespoons of beans and 1 1/2 tablespoons of corn over rice. Spread 1/3 cup of the beef mixture and 1/4 cup of the cheese over corn. Top with 2 teaspoons of the salsa and a few pieces of green onion. Fold in two opposite edges of tortilla one inch each and roll up. Place, seam side down, on microwave-safe dish.

Repeat with remaining tortillas. Place burritos in a microwave oven and heat 1 minute or until heated through. Serve with remaining salsa.

                                                   Wrap-up Tuesday with a little dairy!

Frannie's Milk Story

Everyone loves to milk Frannie, the fun loving ,friendly Benton County Farm Bureau cow! Frannie and I made the Centerton Day Celebration last weekend with a little help from my sons to transport us to the park.

Although Frannie doesn't talk much, she gives milk generously without kicking and allows us farmers  to share how we work everyday to produce high-quality milk and  the importance of dairy foods to a healthy diet.

If Frannie did talk, this would be her story about that delicious milk she produces:

Dairy foods are nutrient rich foods that provide essential nutrients and minerals that together help to keep the body in optimal health. Milk and other dairy foods provide nine essential nutrients that include:

• Calcium: Helps build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
• Potassium: Helps to regulate the body's fluid balance and maintain normal blood pressure and muscle activity.
• Phosphorus: Helps strengthen bones and generate energy in the body's cells.
• Protein: The protein in milk, yogurt and cheese builds and repairs muscle tissue, and serves as a source of energy and satiety.
• Vitamin D: Promotes the absorption of calcium and enhances bone strength.
• Vitamin A: Helps maintain normal vision and skin and also important for bone growth.
• Vitamin B-12: Helps maintain healthy red blood cells and nerve cells.
• Riboflavin: Helps convert food into energy the body can use.
• Niacin: Helps bodies digest carbohydrates and fatty acids.

Dairy foods  provide 70 percent of the calcium in the nation's food supply and milk is the top source of potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in the U.S. diet. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend these daily amounts of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products:

• 2 cups for children 2 to 3 years,
• 2.5 cups for children 4 to 8 years, and
• 3 cups for those 9 years and older

I'm sure Frannie would  be sure to mention that you can also find more dairy information and great nutritious recipes at  Dairy Makes Sense!

Bessie's Home Makeover

It's no wonder that Bessie is smiling--- her home at Dairy Makes Sense just got a new makeover!
Her new place has all kinds of interesting rooms filled with nutrition facts,health and fitness information, introductions to some of the Midwest dairy farmers, and all kinds of nutritious,delicious dairy recipes.

I'm celebrating Bessie's Home Makeover with   Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad (found at Dairy Makes Sense). Looks like a perfect fit for a holiday weekend or busy  summertime schedule!


Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups(10 ounces) low-fat lemon flavored yogurt
2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
3/4 cup sliced celery (about 3 stalks)
1/2 cup green onions (about 6), thinly sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced (about 1/2 medium pepper)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise. Mix in blueberries (saving a few for garnish) chicken,celery, green onions and bell pepper. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes.

Serve over endive or other salad greens with reserved blueberries and lemon slices, if desired.

Bessie's Pasture

Have you noticed that cute dairy cow hanging on the June Dairy Month logo? That's our Midwest Dairy friend, Bessie, the Dairy Makes Sense icon. I love this cow because her expression reminds me of a few of our Holstein cows that are often waiting by the gate, hoping for someone to leave it open so they can get into the next pasture. Although June Dairy Month is quickly coming to an end, you can always find Bessie in her pasture at http://www.dairymakessense.com/. Bessie may have different expressions or seasonal outfits through the year, but she will always make sure to have great dairy nutrition information, a place to learn more about dairy farming,recipe ideas for meals and snacks and a place to get answers to your dairy nutrition questions.

Promotion of dairy products with icons like Bessie don't happen by accident. Since 1985, dairy farmers have been funding the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Dairy farmers contribute fifteen cents per one hundred pounds of milk produced on each farm to fund this program. Our money is used collectively for promoting dairy on the national,state and regional levels and for the research and development of new dairy products to meet consumer demands. Information that we provide is factual and based on sound science and research. Bessie and the Dairy Makes Sense website are a great example of how dairy farmers in the Midwest Dairy regional promotion area are providing useful information to all consumers in a fun and engaging way.

Thanks for celebrating June Dairy Month with me and Bessie at Spotted Cow Review and don't forget to check out Bessie's pasture through the year!