Tasty Bites Recipes and Demos

Winter Warmers!

Warm up this winter with these tasty, nutritious recipes.

Mulled Cider:

Try this recipe for mulled cider!

Minestrone Soup:

Find Jamie Oliver's recipe here.

Minestrone is a hearty Italian vegetable soup traditionally made with seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta or rice. It originated as a "poor man's soup" that made use of whatever ingredients were available. Key ingredients often include:

  • Vegetables: Carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, and green beans.
  • Legumes: Cannellini beans, kidney beans, or lentils.
  • Carbohydrates: Pasta, rice, or potatoes.
  • Herbs & Broth: Basil, oregano, thyme, and a vegetable or chicken broth base.
  • Customization: It’s highly flexible, with regional variations across Italy. Some versions include pancetta or cheese.

Minestrone is known for being nutritious and filling, packed with fiber, vitamins, and plant-based protein.

Minestrone Soup’s Connection to Blue Zones:

A Blue Zone is a region where people live longer, healthier lives, often reaching 100 years or more. Researchers identified five Blue Zones around the world where longevity is highest. Key factors contributing to their longevity include:

  • Plant-based diets rich in vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
  • Regular, natural movement through daily activities.
  • Strong social connections and community support.
  • Stress management and a sense of purpose.

These lifestyle habits promote physical and mental well-being, contributing to their exceptional lifespan.

In Sardinia, Italy, minestrone soup is a staple, made with seasonal vegetables and beans, aligning with the Blue Zone principles of a plant-based, nutrient-dense diet. It provides essential nutrients and fiber, supporting longevity.

Tasty Bites

Check out CVCOA’s new cooking demo series, Tasty Bites, filmed right in downtown Barre at the Central Vermont Television station! These short videos walk you through the creation of a healthy recipe, from start to finish, in just a couple of minutes. The servings are scaled for households of one or two, and the ingredients are simple---items you are familiar with or already have on hand. But, don’t take our word for it, see for yourself! 

Episode 1: Skillet Meatloaf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 2: Bolognese Sauce

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Episode 3: Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 4: Vegetarian Chickpea Salad

 

Episode 5: Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken