Preparing for Valentine’s Day with Your SNAP Benefits

By More Food

After the rush of the holiday season is officially over, you may find yourself having to plan a special meal all over again for Valentine’s Day. Whether you want to celebrate this holiday with your family, friends, or significant other, the following recipes are sure to get you many compliments. All the ingredients mentioned below are also SNAP-eligible so you can enjoy your benefit to its max.

Basic Quiche

Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust (baked, 9-inch)
  • 1 cup vegetables (chopped, broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms)
  • 1/2 cup cheese (shredded)
  • 3 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cup milk (non-fat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
  3. Shred the cheese with a grater. Put it in a small bowl for now.
  4. Chop the vegetables until you have 1 cup of chopped vegetables.
  5. Cook the vegetables until they are cooked, but still crisp.
  6. Put the cooked vegetables and shredded cheese into a pie shell.
  7. Mix the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
  8. Pour the egg mix over the cheese and vegetables.
  9. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
  10. Let the quiche cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional facts:

  • Calories: 133kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Fat: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 104mg
  • Sodium: 338mg
  • Calcium: 141mg
  • Sugar: 3g

Recipe and nutritional facts accessed at: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/basic-quiche

Mac & Cheese with Broccoli

Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk (1%, low fat)
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, low-fat shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups broccoli (cooked and chopped)

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Cook macaroni, following the instructions on the package.
  3. Drain the cooked macaroni and return to the pan.
  4. While the macaroni is still warm, sprinkle in the flour and stir thoroughly.
  5. Over medium heat, slowly stir the milk into the macaroni.
  6. Add the cheese and pepper.
  7. Stir over medium heat until the milk and cheese thicken into a creamy sauce, approximately 7-10 minutes.
  8. Stir in the broccoli, heat thoroughly.
  9. Taste: add a small amount of salt, if needed.
  10. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutritional facts:

  • Calories: 287kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Fat: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 12mg
  • Sodium: 274mg
  • Calcium: 292mg
  • Sugar: 6g

Recipe and nutritional facts accessed at: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/macaroni-cheese-broccoli

Angel Food Cake

Makes 12 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 12 egg whites (1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup flour (sifted)

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325 °F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until they are foamy.
  3. Add the cream of tartar and beat until stiff, but not dry. Gradually beat in the sugar
  4. Add the vanilla and salt and then gently fold in the flour.
  5. Pour the mix into an angel food tubular pan and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.

Nutritional facts:

  • Calories: 152kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 104mg
  • Calcium: 4mg
  • Sugar: 25g

Recipe and nutritional facts accessed at: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/angel-food-cake

For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or to receive SNAP Application Assistance contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org

English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451

Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105

Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash