With schools, colleges and universities embarking on new terms this month, here’s a run down on the latest Country Range products, recipes and innovations to make sure your food and drink menus score top marks this school year.
Breakfast
A quality breakfast is vital for energy, concentration and cognitive function so a diverse and nutritious menu can provide huge value to the pupils, students and staff.
Our frozen ready-to-bake pastries are a great tool for the morning rush. For a great grab-and-go breakfast treat, how about a savoury protein-packed ham and cheese croissant. Try mixing a little Country Range Dijon Mustard into some mayo to add a tangy finishing touch.
A lighter and healthier side to the menu is also required so make sure you have a good selection of fruits, juices and cereals. Our Country Range Oat Flakes continue to be a favourite throughout the year and can be elevated with our nuts and frozen mixed berries. Our Country Range Muesli is also extremely popular and can be served in bowls, take out tubs or even used to make energy balls and bars, whilst fruit, yoghurt and cereal pots are easy to create and pack a balance of nutrients and energy into one tasty pot.
Lunch
In addition to providing nutrition and fuel, a diverse lunch menu can help students to build strong and positive relationships with food. For some, it’s their only hot meal of the day so the menu needs to fortify and bring the joy.
POTATO PLEASERS
Much-loved by kids, teenagers and young adults, potatoes play a pivotal role across lunch menus in the education sector. Our frozen potato portfolio includes spot on spuds for all situations. Skin-on, skin-off, sweet potato, triple cooked, chunky, shoestring, seasoned waffle fries, roast potatoes, halos and crunchies – they can’t be beaten when it comes to a long-lasting crunch and a silky soft centre. What’s more, they can be oven baked or air fried. For a super street food potato dish, try topping our Signature by Country Range Potato Sidewinders with five bean chilli and salsa for a nutritious and meat-free crowd-pleaser.
Global
Many of us wouldn’t have known the first thing about quinoa, pesto, hummus or even burritos when we were growing up, but the diet of this generation has changed massively. Italian, Mexican, French, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Americana – you name it, young people are not just trying it, they have been weaned on it. Help push their horizons further and your own this term by delving into a new cuisine. It could be Caribbean jerk recipes, North African tagines, Persian platters or maybe it’s time to discover what Eastern Europe can offer. A great way to try new flavours is by changing up your wrap selection. Why not try this Vietnamese chicken wrap.
Treats
To provide an energy boost, motivation and smiles, don’t forget the tasty treats. Our much-loved Delights, Cake and Muffin Mixes continue to be core products across the education catering sector. Simple, easy and loved by all, they can be used in various ways to create simple, yet stunning sweets and cakes. Try this Strawberry Delight cheesecake recipe.
The waste free school
A new school year means new targets and cutting down on waste has to be high on your list. This rocking recipe piles in your leftover veggies into a comforting menu favourite – mac and cheese.
