While not an official holiday, April Fools' Day on April 1 is celebrated with practical jokes and hoaxes. In several European countries, children and adults observe the occasion by trying to tack paper fish on each other's backs and shouting "April fish!"

In keeping with the various versions of this lighthearted celebration, we've assembled recipes that either incorporate fish as an ingredient or follow April Fools' Day in their name or recipe description.

There's no fooling your family's taste buds with a delicious featured family meal of Mock Risotto, Smoked Salmon Cherry Tomatoes and Rhubarb Fool. Other recipes to enjoy this week include Sweet and Sour Fish, Mock Mozzarella Sticks, Something's Fishy Wraps and Cilantro Yogurt "Sour Cream."

"Family Meals Matter" features registered dietitian-approved recipes with foods from all the food groups to reflect Dairy Council of California's nutrition philosophy. For more information, nutrition tools and additional family meal recipes, please visit our new website, HealthyEating.org.

FEATURED FAMILY MEAL:

MOCK RISOTTO

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/35235/mock-risotto.aspx

Total Preparation Time: Less than 15 minutes

Actual Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes

Number of Servings: 4

Risotto is hardly effortless fare, what with all that stirring over a hot stove. But instant brown rice and creamy Neufchatel cheese can make a nutty, rich, stand-in version that's sure to be a family favorite. Substitute any vegetables you wish for the asparagus and bell pepper. Make it a meal: Paired with a salad, this is a perfect vegetarian main course, or serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups instant brown rice

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 1/2 cups vegetable or reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into \-inch pieces

1 red bell pepper, finely diced

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel)

1/2 cup grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese, plus more for passing, if desired

1/4 cup minced chives or scallion greens

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and just beginning to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add rice and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

2. Remove cover and spread asparagus and bell pepper on top of the simmering rice - do not stir into the rice mixture. Replace cover and continue simmering, adjusting the heat if necessary, until the liquid is almost absorbed and the asparagus is bright green but still crisp, about 5 minutes.

3. Add peas and cream cheese; stir until the mixture is creamy and the cheese is incorporated. Return to a simmer and continue cooking until the liquid has evaporated and the asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in 1/2 cup Asiago (or Parmesan). Serve topped with chives (or scallions) and additional grated cheese.

SMOKED SALMON CHERRY TOMATOES

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/7699/smoked-salmon-cherry-tomatoes.aspx

Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Actual Cooking Time: No cooking required

Number of Servings: 21/2 dozen

Festive bites are a showstopping finger food.

Ingredients:

30 cherry tomatoes

3 ounces smoked salmon, finely chopped

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/3 cup finely chopped green pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon milk

Fresh dill sprigs

Preparation:

1. Cut a thin slice off each tomato top; scoop out and discard pulp. Invert tomatoes on paper towels to drain. In a bowl, combine the salmon, onion, green pepper, salt and pepper; mix well. Spoon into tomatoes.

2. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and milk until smooth. Insert a star tip into a pastry or plastic bag. Pipe a small amount of cream cheese mixture onto tomatoes. Garnish with dill.

RHUBARB FOOL

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/94498/rhubarb-fool.aspx

Total Preparation Time: Less than 15 minutes

Actual Cooking Time: More than 2 hours

Number of Servings: 8

Mostly fruit, held together with the cream and yogurt. Use the reddest rhubarb you can find.

Ingredients:

1 cinnamon stick

3 whole cloves

1 2-inch-long strip lemon zest

2 1/4 pounds rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (8 cups)

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 cups fat-free vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup whipping cream

Preparation:

1. Tie cinnamon stick, cloves and lemon zest together in a cheesecloth bag. Combine rhubarb, sugar and the spice bag in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has the consistency of applesauce, 6 to 8 minutes. Discard the spice bag. Chill the rhubarb mixture about 1 hour.

2. Meanwhile, line a colander with cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Spoon in yogurt and let it drain in the refrigerator until it measures 1 1/2 cups, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Place the drained yogurt in a medium bowl. Add the rhubarb mixture and fold lightly, leaving some swirls. Whip cream in a chilled bowl and swirl it into the fool. Spoon into individual dishes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.

ADDITIONAL RECIPES:

SWEET AND SOUR FISH

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/8180/sweet-and-sour-fish.aspx

MOCK MOZZARELLA STICKS

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/21972/string-cheese-sticks-w-dipping-sauce.aspx

SOMETHING'S FISHY WRAPS

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/9588/somethings-fishy-wraps.aspx

CILANTRO YOGURT 'SOUR CREAM'

http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Meals-Recipes/Browse-Search-Recipes/rid/6861/cilantro-yogurt-sour-cream.aspx

For more healthy meal planning made simple, go to www.healthyeating.org

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� 2013, Dairy Council of California

See more at www.healthyeating.org

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