Consumers are increasingly interested in food, however, a recent study shows people are becoming increasingly confused about what they should and shouldn’t eat.
“I grew up in a small Midwest town with strong connections to farming. My husband works in agriculture, as well,” said April Zornes of Waukee, Iowa, in conjunction with a recent event hosted by the Iowa Food & Family Project (IFFP). “Despite this, I still find it difficult to stay current on the many issues involving food and food safety… We’re constantly bombarded with information about food, including nutrition and safety and it can be hard to sort through it all.”
To help answer consumers’ questions about food production and food safety, the IFFP has teamed up with renowned Iowa food bloggers Kristen Porter of Iowa Girl Eats and Cristen Clark of Food and Swine. Kristen and Cristen are helping host the IFFP’s Recipe Refresh events across Iowa.
Consumers are invited to enter a Recipe Refresh contest near them for a chance to win a recipe makeover plus $250 in Hy-Vee groceries. Click here for your chance to win! Contest winners will be introduced to farmers and Hy-Vee dietitians, who will help answer questions related to everything from organic foods and GMOs to the use of hormones and antibiotics. Even your recipe isn’t selected for the “makeover,” you can get a complimentary copy of the new Iowa Food and Family Cookbook simply by visiting Hy-Vee West in Mason City between 4 and 7 PM on July 30.
This new Food and Family Cookbook includes more than 50 recipes from bloggers, farm group partners like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds and Iowa farm families. You’ll find recipes suited for summer like Barbecue Chicken & Cheddar Foil Packets. I’m excited that some of my favorite fall recipes like pumpkin muffins and raspberry pork roast are included in this cookbook, too!
Speaking of recipes, April Zornes’ recipe for Chicken Alfredo received a healthier makeover at one of the Recipe Refresh events earlier this summer. The Iowa Food & Family Project has given us permission to share it on TheFieldPosition, so we hope you enjoy this version that’s lower in fat but full on flavor!
“Refreshed” Chicken Alfredo Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups Hy-Vee Omega-3 rotini pasta
- ½ cup Fairlife fat-free ultra-filtered milk (skim milk)
- 1-2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp butter
- 3 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss
- 1 (12 oz) package Dole vegetable medley (or frozen mixed vegetables of your choice)
- 6 oz cooked chicken breast, cubed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Combine skim milk, cheese, garlic, butter and cheese wedges. Whisk until melted and blended.
Microwave vegetable medley according to package directions. Carefully remove vegetables from package and combine with Alfredo sauce.
Add cooked chicken and pasta to Alfredo mixture and gently toss until well-combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish with red pepper flakes and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.