We think the best recipes are the ones without any extra ingredients and don’t require a lot of fuss. Most mothers, afterall, don’t have a lot of extra time to waste. Since breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, we are going to start there. Our first recipe uses several WIC-approved ingredients.

EASY BAKED EGG CUPS

5 eggs

Handful of Fresh Spinach, Chopped

Grated Cheddar Cheese

¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper to taste

Non-stick spray

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the eggs until smooth. Add chopped spinach and mix. Add garlic powder. Spray muffin tin with nonstick spray. Pour egg mixture ¾ way up in each tin. Season each cup with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, until set. With 5 minutes remaining to cook, sprinkle the top of each muffin with cheese. Enjoy!

This next recipe is perfect for babies starting to explore table food. It’s also a great snack or side for toddlers. You can even use it as a topping for pancakes. Apples are also a WIC-approved ingredient.

EASY SPICED APPLE MASH

3 Apples

½ teaspoon Cinnamon

Wash and core apples. Use extra care to make sure you remove all seeds. Boil apples in hot water for 15 minutes or until the apples are very, very soft. Drain apples and transfer to a bowl. Using a large metal spoon (or potato masher), mash apples until smooth enough for your baby to eat. Make sure the apples are soft enough for your little one to eat and there aren’t any large chunks remaining. Remove any large chunks you aren’t able to smooth soft enough for your toddler. Add cinnamon. Serve warm or place in the refrigerator to serve chilled.

This next recipe is great for kids and adults. Eat it as a snack served with your favorite vegetables.

HOMEMADE HUMMUS TWO WAYS

1 Can of Garbanzo Beans, Drained and Rinsed (reserve liquid from can in separate container)

Garlic Powder

Juice from a Lemon

3 tablespoons of Olive Oil

1 tablespoon of Tahini or Sunflower Butter (these are optional)

OPTION 1: If you are using a blender or food processor, add garbanzo beans to the machine and blend until smooth. Add half the liquid from the can back into the blender or food processor. Add remaining ingredients and blend. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

OPTION 2: Add garbanzo beans to a bowl and smash with a fork. Add all ingredients (except Tahini or Sunflower Butter, which is excluded from this version). Smash with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

We can’t get the year started off right without an easy dinner and healthy dinner recipe. This one features several WIC ingredients. This recipe you will want to add into your family’s rotation.

EASY PASTA & VEGGIE SLOW COOKER STYLE

1 jar of Tomato Pasta Sauce

1 package of Whole-Wheat Pasta

½ bag of Fresh Spinach (you can add more or substitute vegetables such as Zucchini or Mushrooms if you prefer)

Italian Seasoning to taste (optional)

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Add ½ cup of water. Cook on high for 4 hours or until pasta is done.

Visit a Lone Star Family Market location in Austin to pick up your WIC-approved foods to make recipes using WIC ingredients today.