(Family Features) Between juggling work, family, friends and social activities, powering through busy day-to-day schedules requires a lot of energy. Building meals around recipes packed with a plant-based protein such as peanuts or peanut butter can help your family come together to refuel.

In fact, at 7 grams per serving, a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts delivers the most protein of any nut and contains six essential vitamins – vitamin E, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6 – and seven essential minerals – phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and calcium.

As a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or part of a variety of recipes from morning to night, peanuts can take center stage at the family table when it’s time to recharge at the end of long days. Start with an appetizer like Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing, which can be on the table in 10 minutes, to hold over hunger ahead of a protein-packed main course like Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps. Finish off the evening meal with Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake as a better-for-you dessert.

Find more delicious ideas for keeping your family energized at gapeanuts.com.

Chicken with Peanut Sauce in Lettuce Wraps

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3/4 cup diced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup water chestnuts, diced
• 3 green onions (both white and green parts), chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts, for garnish
• iceberg or butter lettuce, for wraps

Peanut Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

1. In pan, saute ground chicken in sesame oil until cooked through. Drain if mixture is watery.
2. Add shiitake mushrooms and onion; saute until mushrooms have softened and appear caramel colored.
3. Add garlic, ginger, hoisin, water chestnuts and green onions. Let chicken mixture simmer on low.
4. To make peanut sauce: In saucepan over medium-low heat, mix peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, ginger and soy sauce until smooth, warm and thinned slightly.
5. Fold into chicken mixture. Stir until combined and simmer on low until peanut sauce is evenly distributed.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts. Serve in lettuce wraps.

Broccoli and Edamame Salad with Peanut Dressing

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Dressing:

• 1/2 fresh lime, juice only
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seed oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon chili oil
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• kosher salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon hot water, plus additional for thinner consistency (optional)

Salad:

• 2 cups broccoli slaw
• 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked
• 1 1/2 cups chopped raw broccoli
• 1/2 cup English cucumber, quartered and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
• toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

1. To make dressing: In bowl, whisk lime juice, toasted sesame seed oil, honey, tahini, peanut butter, chili oil, garlic, ginger and salt, to taste. Add hot water, adding additional, if necessary, until dressing reaches desired consistency. Set aside.
2. To make salad: In large bowl, combine broccoli slaw, edamame, broccoli, cucumber, mint, cilantro and peanuts. Toss with dressing to combine and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of Parker’s Plate on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Servings: 8 (1 slice each)

Crust:

• 2 cups pretzels
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla-flavored wafer-style cookies
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• nonstick cooking spray

Filling:

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped peanuts
• 1 pinch sea salt

1. To make crust: In food processor, pulse pretzels, wafer-style cookies and peanuts until chopped but not powdery.
2. In skillet, melt butter. Add pretzel mixture until combined with butter.
3. Spray pie pan with nonstick cooking spray and spread mixture on bottom of pan and slightly up sides; press down until even.
4. To make filling: In bowl using hand mixer, whip cottage cheese until lumps are smoother, 3-4 minutes.
5. In separate bowl, use hand mixer to whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
6. Add cottage cheese and peanut butter to heavy cream mixture; whip until combined, about 1 minute.
7. Top pie with chopped chocolate and peanuts and freeze 2 hours. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before ready to serve.
8. Before serving, sprinkle with sea salt.

Source:

Georgia Peanut Commission

(Family Features) Summer means it’s time to stock up on fresh produce and light the grill for a season of outdoor gatherings with friends and family. Make entertaining easier with flavorful options that can make menu-planning a breeze all summer long.

A nutritious and versatile ingredient, American Pecans can be your secret weapon for a variety of entertaining occasions. Add one bag of pecans to your shopping list and transform standby recipes into wholesome and delicious meals and snacks for the whole crowd.

Enjoy the long summer nights on the back porch with a Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad, packed with the essential flavors and textures of summertime. Or serve up Pecan-Crusted Asian Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps, a light and delicious appetizer or easy entree to keep guests satisfied.

Discover more summertime entertaining recipes and cooking tips at AmericanPecan.com.

Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese

Spiced Pecans:

• 1 egg white
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups pecan halves

Salad:

• 1/4 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, extra-virgin olive oil or pecan oil, divided
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 large peaches, halved and pitted
• 6 cups mixed baby greens
• 4 ounces soft goat cheese

1. To make spiced pecans: Heat oven to 275° F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In bowl, whisk egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt until well combined. Fold in pecans and mix until evenly coated. Spread in single layer on baking sheet.
3. Bake 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until pecans are fragrant and golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
4. To make salad: In bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
5. Brush cut sides of peach halves with remaining olive oil; grill until grill lines appear and peaches become tender, about 3-5 minutes. Remove peaches and slice.
6. Divide greens among four plates. Top with grilled peach slices and goat cheese. Divide 1 cup spiced pecans evenly among salads and reserve remaining for snack. Top each salad with drizzle of vinaigrette.

Pecan-Crusted Asian Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps

Meatballs:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey thigh
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 2 stalks)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1 cup fresh pecans

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 head butter lettuce leaves
• 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
• chopped scallions (optional)
• cilantro leaves (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375° F.
2. To make meatballs: Using hands, combine ground turkey, green onions, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, garlic and powdered ginger.
3. In food processor, pulse pecans until coarsely ground to similar consistency as panko bread crumbs.
4. Scoop 1 tablespoon meat mixture at a time and roll into meatballs. Roll meatballs in ground pecans until evenly coated.
5. Place pecan-crusted meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet; bake approximately 20 minutes. Flip after 15 minutes.
6. To make sauce: In small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, fish sauce and sesame oil. Stir until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
7. Sprinkle lettuce cups with shredded carrots. Place meatballs on top and drizzle with sauce. Garnish with scallions and cilantro, if desired.

Source: American Pecan Council

Roasted Slicing Chicken From the Deli

(Family Features) Looking for a way to get out of the kitchen to enjoy warm weather activities with friends and family? Here's a secret for cooks looking for time-saving shortcuts that won't compromise the taste of homemade meals. Fully cooked, roasted chicken sliced to desired thickness at the deli counter can save hours of preparation time for dishes calling for roasted chicken as an ingredient. By substituting chicken that's already been slow-roasted and seasoned when bought sliced at the deli, meals can still have the homemade taste of roasted chicken even if the cook has spent the day at the beach, on the golf course or in the garden.

Deli slicing chicken is versatile, too. It can be sliced thick and then cut into pieces and tossed into a refreshing salad, or give a boost to a summery soup. Cut thin, deli slicing chicken goes gourmet when layered on soft slices of multigrain bread and combined with an assortment of fresh vegetables and spices.

Visit www.boarshead.com for more time-saving meal preparation tips.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Barbecue Dressing

Servings: 4 wraps
Light and satisfying, tangy and sweet - this recipe has it all. Juicy roast chicken topped with a sweet and mild barbecue sauce and wrapped up in tender butter lettuce leaves makes a quick lunch or a light supper - and it all comes together in just minutes.

• 2 cups Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, julienned
• 4 large butter lettuce leaves
• 1 cup mixed cucumber and green onion strips
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mix black and white sesame seeds

1. Place the chicken onto the lettuce leaves and top with the cucumbers and onions. Mix the barbecue sauce with the lemon juice and mayonnaise and pour over the top. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Chicken Gazpacho Sandwich

Servings: 4
The pungent tastes of roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet carrots, cucumbers and spices turn a simple chicken sandwich into the perfect gourmet meal for a warm day or evening.

• 8 slices multi-grain bread
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 small cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup drained roasted red peppers, cut julienne style
• 1/2 cup drained, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, cut julienne style
• 12 slices Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast

1. Place 4 bread slices on a work surface. Spread each with a layer of mayonnaise and add enough cucumbers to form a layer. Sprinkle with carrots and a pinch of dried rosemary and garlic powder. Mix peppers with tomatoes and layer on top of carrots. Evenly divide chicken among sandwiches. Close sandwich with remaining bread slices and serve.

Pulled Chicken and Tomato-Vegetable Soup

Servings: 6
Cut the cooking time for this flavorful soup by substituting deli slicing chicken for recipes calling for pre-cooked chicken. Make sure to use a quality chicken that is sliced fresh at the deli for a homemade chicken taste.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 head cabbage, shredded
• 1 red onion, cut into a small dice
• 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 4 small Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into a 1/2-inch dice
• 2 large carrots, cut into
• 1-inch julienne strips
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 6 sprigs for garnish
• 2 14-ounce cans chicken broth
• 2 14-ounce cans fire-roasted tomatoes with liquid
• 1 pound (1/4 inch thick) slices Boar's Head EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, cut in strips

1. Add olive oil to large soup pot and heat at medium high until oil is hot. Add cabbage, onion, celery and potatoes; sauté for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots, dried oregano, chicken broth and tomatoes. Cook 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Use your fingers to pull chicken into strips; add to soup. Serve in individual bowls garnished with an oregano stem.

Source: Boar's Head