Family Meals Matter: Spring into the season with green cuisine

This week's theme is going green with your cuisine. While the recipes featured this week follow a green color scheme, they are also a nod to being environmentally "green." Buying fresh produce in season is one of the easiest ways to go green. Produce available "in season" is more likely to be locally grown and tends to be less expensive than food purchased out of season.

Consider heading to your local farmer's market to find fresh ingredients for this week's family meal menu, Spring Greens Chicken Salad, Green Rice and Blueberry Blackberry Gratin and for the additional recipes this week, like Baked Chicken and Zucchini, Pork Casserole Milano and Farfalle Pasta with Broccoli and Ricotta.

The very act of planning your meals for the week can also be "green." Frequent trips to the grocery store waste time, gas and money. Using Family Meals Matter's recipe ideas and grocery list can help you make all of your purchases in one trip to the store. If you want to make more detailed menus and shopping lists, use the free meal planning tools available on the Meals Matter website at www.mealsmatter.org.

FAMILY MEAL MENU

Spring Greens Chicken Salad

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/11630

Green Rice

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/8987

Blueberry Blackberry Gratin

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/12421

ENTREES (LUNCH AND DINNER) AND SIDES:

Farfalle Pasta with Broccoli and Ricotta

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/19650

One Pan Chili Chicken

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/10265

Baked Chicken and Zucchini

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/13872

Pork Casserole Milano

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/41282

Yogurt Cheesecake

www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/7669

SHOPPING LIST

BAKING NEEDS

4 teaspoons brown sugar

¼ cup Flour

Non-stick spray coating