Every year there is a transition from the easy schedules of summer to the fast-paced commitments of fall. Here are three delicious recipes to add nutrition and ease to your start of school meal planning.

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CHEESY RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

INGREDIENTS

Ralston Family Farms Golden Rice, 24 oz.

2 acorn squash

Dijon mustard

Garlic

Kosher salt

Black pepper

Half-and-half (Can also use cream or milk)

Gruyère cheese, shredded

Cooked, crumbled bacon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare Ralston Family Farms Golden Rice according to package directions using 1/2 cup rice and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water. Meanwhile, eat cut acorn squash in half and scoop out the inside fibers and seeds. You may need to cut the pointed bottom of the squash so that it can lay flat in the baking dish. Baste each of the four halves with the dijon mustard then sprinkle the garlic bits evenly into each half. Start layering the ingredients for each half starting with about 2 heaping tablespoons rice, 2 heaping tablespoons cheese, 1/4 cup half-and-half, 2 more heaping tablespoons cheese and 1 strip crumbled bacon. (There may be some filling ingredients left depending on the size of your acorn squash.) Place the acorn halves carefully into a baking dish with high sides so that you can cover the pan with foil tightly (leaving the foil tented so it doesn't stick to the cheese). Bake covered for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 30 minutes.

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SWEET CHILI BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH PAN-SEARED CHICKEN

PAN-SEARED CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
Olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 chicken breasts, cubed
Cracked black pepper, salt, garlic salt
1 sprig, fresh rosemary

SWEET CHILI BRUSSELS SPROUTS INGREDIENTS
3 cups Brussels, trimmed and halved
Olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
Cracked black pepper, salt
1 cup sweet chili sauce

GARLIC RICE INGREDIENTS
2 cups Ralston Family Farms Jasmine Rice

DIRECTIONS

Add olive oil and garlic to a large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and seasoning. Sear, tossing often, until chicken is lightly browned. Add rosemary sprigs. Next, add all Brussels sprout ingredients into a large bowl (or directly into the air fryer) and mix. Cook on Air Fry Mode at 400F for 13-15 minutes or until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Finally, Cook rice according to package instructions. Once done, remove lid and fluff. After removing chicken from your pan, add rice and toss in the leftover sauce.

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CINNAMON RED RICE BREAKFAST BOWL

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Ralston Family Farms Red Rice
2 cups water
⅛ tsp cinnamon
1 knob of butter

TOPPINGS

1 slosh of maple syrup
A splattering of chopped nuts
Dried fruit (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Place 1 cup of Ralston Family Farms Red Rice in a saucepan. Pour in 2 cups of water, then add ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon and give it a good stir. Bring rice to a boil, then cover pan and lower to simmer. Cook for 45 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked. Place cooked rice in your favorite bowl, add one generous knob of butter, drizzle on maple syrup and finish up by topping chopped nuts and dried fruit on top.