(Family Features) When meals at home get stale and boring, adding some excitement back to family dinners can be as simple as a protein swap. Despite fish being a no-go for picky eaters in some families, there’s a flavorful solution for adding it to the menu in your home.

If you’re hoping to introduce kids (or a picky spouse) to fish for an at-home shakeup, try wrapping it with a flavorful favorite. This Bacon-Wrapped Halibut recipe calls for lightly seasoned fillets wrapped with all-natural bacon served alongside your favorite grains and vegetables – an easy yet tasty way to put seafood on the table.

Sourced from American Humane Certified family farmers that raise animals 100% crate-free with no antibiotics or added hormones, the Coleman Natural bacon in this 20-minute dish contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives so you can feel good about feeding your family better. Plus, with no sugar, it’s paleo-friendly and perfect for those looking to reduce sugar intake.

To find more family-friendly recipes, visit ColemanNatural.com/Recipes.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Bacon-Wrapped Halibut

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

• 4          halibut fillets (6 ounces each), skin removed
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 8          slices Coleman Natural Bacon
• 1          tablespoon canola oil
• cooked rice or other grain (optional)
• salad or other vegetable (optional)

1. Season halibut with salt and pepper, to taste, then wrap each fillet along shorter side with two bacon slices, tucking ends underneath to hold in place.
2. In large, nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook, turning once, until bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes on each side.
3. Serve fish with rice or salad.

Source: Coleman Natural Foods

(Family Features) Skip boring dishes and instead dive into a sweet, satisfying macaroni salad that’s perfect for enjoying al fresco.

With fresh ingredients and appetizing flavor, this Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad is more than just a side – it’s a meal on its own. Grilled chicken breast is complemented by mandarin oranges and the sophisticated sweetness and crisp texture of Envy apples. Named America’s No. 1 apple for taste, crispness, aroma and appearance, according to an independent sensory test by Forward Agency, the apples are a delightful way to enhance your favorite dishes.

This recipe calls for firing up the grill to cook chicken to juicy perfection, mixing your own homemade macaroni salad and dicing up a beautiful apple, making it an ideal dinner option for summer evenings at home.

Visit EnvyApple.com to find apples at a grocer near you.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad

• 2          thinly sliced chicken breasts
• 1/2       package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4       cup Greek yogurt
• 1          tablespoon finely chopped shallot
• 1          lemon, zest only
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice
• 1          can (10.7 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained, juice reserved
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1          teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
• 20        turns fresh cracked pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided
• water
• 1/2       pound macaroni
• 1          Envy apple, diced

1. Allow chicken breasts to sit at room temperature 20 minutes.
2. Mash softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons reserved mandarin juice, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Preheat grill to high heat. Season chicken breasts with drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Grill chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Allow chicken to cool then dice into small chunks.
5. Bring medium or large pot of salted water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain and pour hot noodles into large mixing bowl.
6. Gently stir in cream cheese mixture until noodles are well coated. Let cool slightly.
7. Add diced chicken, apples and mandarin oranges; stir to combine. Serve warm or chill in refrigerator to serve cold.

Source: Envy Apples

(Family Features) Creating family meals with nutrition in mind adds another consideration to a daily task that is often stressful enough. However, making health-conscious decisions each evening at the dinner table doesn’t have to mean turning away from your loved ones’ favorite dishes.

Simple swaps to more nutritious ingredients paired with healthier preparation methods, such as baking chicken rather than frying it, can help you make more nutrition-based choices. This Baked Chicken Parmesan offers the best of both worlds, providing a 30-minute meal that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen without forgoing healthy habits.

Made with Parmesan cheese, this recipe provides an excellent source of calcium. Dairy foods, such as cheese, are an irreplaceable part of a balanced diet that offers a valuable source of essential nutrients. Plus, because it’s made using just a handful of ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t call for seldom-used spices or seasonings you may never use again.

Find more family meal inspiration at milkmeansmore.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Recipe by Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

• 2/3       cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
• 1          teaspoon Italian seasoning medley with garlic
• 3/4       cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 5          tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2    pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3          cups prepared tomato and basil sauce, warmed, divided
• 1          pound thick spaghetti, prepared according to package directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line rimmed half sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In shallow dish or pie plate, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring with fork until blended. Pour melted butter in separate shallow dish or pie plate.
3. Working with one chicken thigh at a time, dip each side in melted butter to coat. Press butter-soaked chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat well on both sides. Place breaded chicken on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.
4. Drizzle remaining melted butter over breaded chicken. Bake 8 minutes. Turn chicken over and bake 7 minutes to crisp other side.
5. Briefly remove chicken from oven. Spoon two tablespoons pasta sauce over each chicken thigh. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over chicken. Return chicken to oven and continue baking 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
6. Serve Baked Parmesan Chicken over cooked spaghetti topped with additional pasta sauce.

Source:  Milk Means More

(Family Features) Between the time it takes to plan healthy meals and the actual minutes spent in the kitchen, it can be easy for some families to let nutrition fall by the wayside. However, all it takes is a little twist on your loved ones’ favorite meals to free up those valuable moments while taking health into account.

These Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas, for example, offer a meatless version of an ethnic meal many families love. Gather fresh onions and bell peppers to mix with earthy, wholesome mushrooms as the heart of this plant-forward dish. Slice, season with taco seasoning, toss with vegetable oil and bake for less than half an hour for a family dinner that’s as simple as it is flavorful. Plus, you can garnish the fajitas with any combination of avocado and lime to salsa or hot sauce for a perfectly customizable taste.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to the menu at mushroomcouncil.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Sheet Pan Mushroom Fajitas

Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 fajitas

• 2          large portobello mushroom caps, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          medium yellow onions, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          large red bell peppers, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 2          tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 1/4    teaspoons taco seasoning
• 6          flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• 1/4       cup roughly chopped cilantro
• avocado (optional)
• salsa (optional)
• hot sauce (optional)
• lime (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line large 18-by-13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In large bowl, toss mushrooms, onions and peppers with oil and taco seasoning. Distribute on baking sheet. Roast 25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until veggies are fork tender and edges are slightly browned.
3. Serve with warmed tortillas and garnish with cilantro. Top with avocado, salsa, hot sauce or lime, if desired.

Source:  Mushroom Council

As families spend more time at home, Americans are finding comfort in recipes made using bread. In addition to the comforting flavor, this trend provides valuable nutritional benefits. As a part of many healthy eating plans, bread and pasta are nutritionist approved and provide nutrients needed for healthy aging such as B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, iron, folate and fiber.

Try this tasty recipe for Apple Cheese Dijon Delight, which is not only packed with grains but is also under 500 calories. Find more recipe ideas at GrainFoodsFoundation.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Apple Cheese Dijon Delight

Prep time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 sandwich

• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2          slices honey oatmeal bread
• 6          thin slices Granny Smith apple
• 2          slices Brie cheese
• 2          slices cheddar cheese
• 4          slices deli turkey
• nonstick cooking spray

1. Spread Dijon mustard on one bread slice.
2. Layer apple slices, Brie cheese slices, cheddar cheese slices and turkey slices.
3. Spray panini press or grill with nonstick cooking spray. Add sandwich and grill each side 2-3 minutes.

Source:  Grain Foods Foundation