Recipes and photography by Lunches + Littles
It is now officially Spring, a time when we all want more easy, delicious, and lighter dishes. Of course, right now we are also in the midst of unprecedented times- putting easier dishes even higher on the priority list for most of us.
A couple months ago we first started brainstorming recipes we could make this Spring, in partnership with Village Farms that were both easy to prep, as well as nostalgic in nature. They say nostalgia can drown out anything, and I would have to say there is truth in that, especially when it comes to food. And right now we need that truth more than ever.
Back when we were recipe testing and planning this set of recipes, we knew we wanted to create at least one dish that could easily go from dinner table to weekly lunch prep, without a second thought so we landed on a tasty Caprese Chicken. Now we know that the majority of us are no longer packing up lunches to take into work on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still meal prep lunches for the weeks ahead. In fact, in our home- continuing to prep just like we have during more normal work weeks has helped us keep some normalcy in an otherwise abnormal time. And, if lunch prep isn’t your thing, this recipe is still a great one for dinner.
Our Easy Caprese Chicken can easily be dressed up or dressed down if you will, for the fancier dinner plate, or the everyday packed lunch. It’s juicy, flavorful and as the name says- easy! Pair it with some broccoli or other greens and you have a delicious meal- perfect for weekdays, the weekend or a sit down dinner. And if you have little ones, you could also try pairing this chicken with a side of pasta (something most little ones will easily eat up). No matter how you serve it- our Easy Caprese Chicken is recipe perfection- as is the balsamic glaze, which you could use on so many things beyond just this recipe.
Growing up my Mom always used to make a delicious Caprese Chicken dish. While hers was different, the taste still takes me back and instantly gets me remembering younger days, meals around the table, and most of all the love that filled our dining room. Giada De Laurentiis has been quoted as saying “Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love,” and we couldn’t agree more.
The use of the Sinfully Sweet Campari® Tomatoes from Village Farms really heighten the flavor of this dish too. These tomatoes are so sweet and perfect in so many dishes- we especially love them paired with anything featuring Mozzarella. Village Farm’s Sinfully Sweet Campari® Tomatoes are a low-calorie delicious source of Vitamins C and K, which also help to support brain health and strengthen bones. Now that is YUM- with benefits!
Next up, we have a salad that is honestly so much more flavorful than we even expected it to be, when we were planning for it. Our Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes isn’t just delicious, and beautiful to look at- it features tomatoes in one of the sweetest ways.
Now we know that salads can often get a bad rap, but truth is they can truly be sooo good- and good for you. And this recipe really combines the best of the best when it comes to flavors. This is another one that is great for lunch or dinner. And bonus- in a large bowl or spread out on a platter it is also a beautiful dish to place in the center of your table, whether or not you can have guests over. Truth is, beautifully presented food just tastes better, doesn’t it? And we all deserve a bit of beauty at the table.
Back when our kids were a few years younger and we started giving them tomatoes to taste, two (out of three) of them just didn’t care for tomatoes, which was a bit tough since we love them- and regularly include them in our recipes. One of the ways that we first got our little ones to change their minds was to offer up tomatoes that had been roasted (versus raw). They didn’t just tolerate or like roasted tomatoes- they ate them up like candy, and we have to say- roasted is one of our favorite ways to enjoy tomatoes too!
Our Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes takes a bit of time to come together (due to the roasting), but it is still very simple. While the tomatoes roast, you can prep all of the other ingredients and then you just combine it all together and voila- dinner (or lunch) is served.
Fresh greens, farro, roasted tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta cheese a homemade lemon vinaigrette- and more, all come together in our Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes. The Maverick Mix® Tomatoes from Village Farms featured in this recipe are the total star of the dish. These little beauties come together in a fun, multi-colored pack containing 4- 6 different flavorful, plump varieties with colors ranging from red, orange, yellow, green, and brown, and while they are a-mazing straight out of the container, they are next level when they are roasted.
Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes RECIPE
Village Farm’s Maverick Mix® Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, and full of other essential nutrients and antioxidants, and our Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes featuring these are a must-make. It’s feel good food that checks all the boxes and is incredibly nourishing.
We hope that you will give one or both of these easy recipes a try. With many of us now home full-time, with lots of extra time on our hands, there really is no time like the present to try new things in the kitchen. Our Easy Caprese Chicken and Farro Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts and Roasted Tomatoes are both delicious and easy recipes highlighting one of our favorite brands; Village Farms. Which one will you make first?