Make a heart-healthy menu with flavorful fruit

(Family Features) Heart-healthy foods can play a role in healthy aging. Whether you enjoy them by the handful as a refreshing snack or use them to add color, crunch and a touch of sweetness to a meal, grapes are a heart-healthy option that make eating better easy.

Grapes of all colors – red, green and black – are a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols. At just 90 calories per serving, they also contain no fat, no cholesterol and virtually no sodium.

With a juicy burst of flavor, grapes show how simple it can be to make good-for-you-dishes that also taste great. Even though California grapes are a snacking staple in most kitchens, you may not realize how versatile they can be for cooking. For example, grapes add a sweet touch to a crunchy yogurt salad and complement the bold spice on a skewer of grilled shrimp. Fresh, flavorful grapes even put a tangy, fresh twist on a soothing glass of iced tea.

Grapes and Brain Health

A grape-enriched diet helped protect against metabolic brain decline in Alzheimer’s-related areas of the brain, according to research from the University of California-Los Angeles. The pilot study, funded by the California Table Grape Commission, was conducted among people with early memory decline and showed that subjects who didn’t consume grapes exhibited significant metabolic decline in these critical regions. Additionally, those consuming the grape-enriched diet showed beneficial changes in regional brain metabolism that correlated to improvements in cognition and working memory performance, according to a report published by Experimental Gerontology.

Find more delicious recipes to make healthy eating easy at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Zahtar Shrimp and Grape Kabobs

Servings: 6

• 2 tablespoons zahtar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 36-40 large shrimp (about 2 pounds), shelled and deveined
• 1 cup whole green California grapes
• 1 cup whole red California grapes

1. In medium bowl, combine zahtar, garlic, thyme, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper and olive oil. Whisk to combine. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
2. Thread shrimp and grapes onto skewers. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
3. Grill skewers, turning once, until shrimp are lightly charred and cooked through and grapes are caramelized but firm, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Nutritional information per serving: 190 calories; 20 g protein; 12 g carbohydrate; 6 g fat (28% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (5% calories from saturated fat); 180 mg cholesterol; 870 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Savory Yogurt with Grape and Cucumber Salad

Servings: 4
Dukkah:

• 1/3 cup raw cashews
• 1/3 cup hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Yogurt:

• 3 cups plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup green California grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup red California grapes, halved
• 1 cup English cucumber, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons dukkah
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

1. To make dukkah: Heat oven to 350 F. Spread cashews and hazelnuts on baking sheet and toast 6-8 minutes. Transfer to food processor and set aside. In skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds, cumin seeds and coriander seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes, then transfer to food processor. Add dried thyme and salt. Pulse mixture until coarsely ground. Makes about 1 cup that can be stored in an airtight container.
2. Divide yogurt into four 3/4-cup portions. In small bowl, combine grapes, cucumber, shallots, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Top each bowl of yogurt with 1/2 cup grape mixture, 1 tablespoon dukkah and sprinkle of lemon zest.

Nutritional information per serving: 220 calories; 19 g protein; 18 g carbohydrate; 8 g fat (33% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 10 mg cholesterol; 140 mg sodium; 2 g fiber.

Sparkling Hibiscus Tea with Grapes and Mint

Servings: 8

• 6 cups water, divided
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 6 hibiscus tea bags
• 2 cups green California grapes, divided
• 10 mint leaves
• 1 navel orange, sliced
• ice
• 16 ounces sparkling water

1. Using tea kettle or saucepan, bring 3 cups water and honey to boil. Add tea bags, turn off heat and steep 6-8 minutes. Remove tea bags and allow remaining liquid to cool 15 minutes.
2. In martini shaker or bowl, muddle 1 cup grapes with mint leaves. Add muddled grape and mint mixture to 48-60 ounce pitcher along with remaining water and orange slices. Stir in hibiscus tea mixture. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Strain before serving.
3. To serve, add ice to 8-ounce glass. Top with 3-4 grapes, 2 ounces sparkling water and hibiscus tea mixture.

Nutritional information per serving: 70 calories; 1 g protein; 16 g carbohydrate; 10 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Source: California Table Grape Commission

(Family Features) Enjoying the bounty of harvest means creating dishes that celebrate the most intense character and flavors a region can deliver. Put a fresh twist on farm-to-table goodness by pairing two vine-ripened garden treasures: heirloom tomatoes and crisp, refreshing white wine.

Northern California’s Sonoma County is known for some of the nation’s finest vineyards. It’s also a culinary destination with a wide range of farms and artisan food purveyors. The Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens offers the best of both: sampling wine while exploring the four-acre estate’s culinary garden, which offers a wide array of unique crops, including 150 varieties of heritage tomatoes.

Inspired by the annual Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, these recipes are a twist on classic favorites, delighting the palate by pairing farm-fresh tomatoes with the perfect wine. A perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, this simple tomato and mozzarella salad is only better paired with Chardonnay. Or, for an elevated take on an old southern favorite, serve up these fried green tomatoes with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Find more pairing tips and recipes featuring seasonal ingredients at kj.com.

Heirloom Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Servings: 4

• 2 1/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, mixed varieties
• 1/4 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil
• kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup micro basil (or 1 dozen basil leaves, sliced and torn), divided
• 2 large balls fresh mozzarella, cut into wedges
• flaked sea salt

1. Slice tomatoes into 3/4- to 1-inch thick wedges. In large bowl, add tomatoes, olive oil, kosher salt, pepper and half the basil. Toss and allow to marinate 2 minutes. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on serving plate, alternating each. Pour marinating liquid over tomatoes and mozzarella. Garnish with remaining basil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

Serve with Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay. Chardonnay’s flavors of orchard fruit complement the sweetness of late summer tomatoes.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Delice de la Vallee

Servings: 4

• 2 large unripe green tomatoes, sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons rice oil (or other neutral flavored oil)
• 1/4 teaspoon good quality sea salt
• 1/4 cup Delice de la Vallee
• 1 ounce trout caviar, for garnish (optional)
• 1 ounce purslane, picked

1. In medium bowl, soak tomatoes in buttermilk at least 30 minutes (or as long as overnight).
2. In large bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, kosher salt and pepper. Using tongs or fork, remove tomato slices from buttermilk and coat with cornmeal-flour mixture.
3. In 12-inch cast iron skillet, add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Place tomato slices in skillet in batches and fry until golden brown on both sides.
4. Place fried tomatoes on paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with sea salt. Place tomatoes on serving plate and garnish with cheese, caviar, if desired, and purslane.

Serve immediately with Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. The crisp Sauvignon Blanc matches the acidity in the tomatoes.

Note: Fromage Blanc, cream fresh or sour cream can be substituted for Delice de la Vallee.

Source: Jackson Family Wines

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