(Family Features) Creating memorable moments and special meals with friends and family during the holiday season doesn’t have to be overwhelming. While these festivities are often a favorite moment each year, the planning and preparation can be a bear for hosts. To help take some stress out of hosting duties, start with what you likely already have on hand, like eggs.

This year, simplify holiday gatherings by leaning into underappreciated ingredients that can make all kinds of recipes a cinch. After all, less time stressing over planning, shopping and prepping means more time to make memories that last a lifetime.

When it’s time for a celebration, eggs are at the heart of many favorite recipes. They are an invaluable ingredient to hosts, delivering convenience and inspiration for hors d’oeuvres, baked treats, traditional dishes perfect for entertaining and more.

Eggs keep baked favorites (and festivities) from falling flat. In only 10 minutes prep time and with a few simple ingredients, you can make crowd-pleasing recipes like these Popovers with Cranberry Butter from best-selling author and international social media chef Shereen Pavlides.

Start by whisking the star of the show – eggs – with flour, salt and milk to a silky-smooth texture. Cover and refrigerate the thin batter for 6 hours, or overnight, then bake in a popover pan (or try a muffin pan) to warm, eggy, flaky perfection.

Then combine softened butter and cranberry sauce with a pinch of salt before spreading on the melt-in-your-mouth popovers. For an extra special touch, consider whipping up homemade cranberry sauce rather than using a store-bought version.

Whether it’s served as an appetizer or light dessert, this savory-with-a-touch-of-sweet recipe can become part of your family’s most cherished traditions, made possible by eggs. Remember, all it takes is the egg carton already in the refrigerator to be the “host or hostess with the most-est” and make memories with those who matter most.

Don’t rule out the egg as a key ingredient for creating new experiences, memories and traditions this holiday season. Discover more benefits and recipes that go beyond eggspectations at IncredibleEgg.org/invaluableegg.

Popovers with Cranberry Butter

Recipe courtesy of Shereen Pavlides (@CookingwithShereen) on behalf of the American Egg Board
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 6 popovers

Popovers:

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons avocado or vegetable oil
• nonstick cooking spray

Cranberry Butter:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
• 1 pinch salt

1. To make popovers: In large bowl, whisk flour, salt, milk and eggs until silky smooth. Add oil and whisk to combine. Transfer to pourable pitcher, cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, or overnight.
2. Heat oven to 375 F.
3. Place 6-cup popover pan in oven 10 minutes.
4. Remove pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Stir batter, divide and pour into cups, filling each 3/4 full.
5. Bake until puffed high and cooked through, 45-50 minutes.
6. To make cranberry butter: In medium bowl, mix butter, cranberry sauce and salt until well combined.
7. Remove popovers from oven and serve with cranberry butter.

Source: American Egg Board

(Family Features) For those seeking to be more health-conscious, the idea of eating nutritiously seems simple. However, understanding what’s truly “good for you” can sometimes be confusing.

In honor of National Nutrition Month and Healthy Fats Day, Avocados From Mexico is sharing how avocados – a delicious food and source of good fats and several vitamins – make everything better. Avocados From Mexico conducted a survey and found that while 76% of respondents believe fat is an essential component of a healthy diet, less than one-third are confident they know why it’s important to have “good fats” in their diets.

For starters, according to the survey, nearly half of Americans didn’t realize foods with good fats, like avocados, can help with weight management. However, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in avocados can lower the risk of becoming overweight, according to research published in “Nutrients.”

“Most people are aware of the Mediterranean Diet, but nearly half (40%) of survey respondents didn’t realize that this eating pattern does not limit fat coming from plantsources like avocados,” said nutrition expert and registered dietitianBarbara Ruhs. “These types of unsaturated good fats are also recommended by the American Heart Association for heart health. Eating avocados in place of foods containing saturated fat is an easy and delicious way to approach healthy eating.”

Virtually the only fresh fruit with good fats, avocados can help people meet both good fat and fruit and vegetable recommendations in the same bite with approximately 6 grams of good fats per serving (one-third of a medium avocado). They are nutrient-dense, making avocados a delicious food with super benefits. Avocados are also free of cholesterol and sodium and have nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

Another finding from the survey is that while people believe fat is essential to a healthy diet, one-third of survey respondents believe saturated and trans fats are associated with health benefits, indicating confusion about the various types of fats. Many Americans need to balance their overall fat intake by reducing “bad” or saturated fat intake and increasing “good” or unsaturated (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) fat intake. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can help reduce LDL, or bad cholesterol levels.

Dietary fat helps the body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are fat soluble, which means they can only be absorbed by the body with the help of fats. Per one-third of a medium avocado (50 grams), avocados contribute 6 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be essential for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain.

Make good fats a part of your next trip to the grocery store with this avocado-inspired Harvest Bowl Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program.

To find more nutritional facts and figures, along with recipes, visit AvocadosFromMexico.com.

Harvest Bowl Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Servings: 8

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 Avocado From Mexico, diced
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons water

Salad:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico, diced
• 2 sweet potatoes, roasted and diced
• 2 cups quinoa, cooked
• 2 cups arugula
• 2 cups kale
• 1 cup Brussels sprouts petals, roasted
• 2 Honeycrisp apples, diced
• 2 tablespoons roasted pecans, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons roasted pepitas, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries

1. To make balsamic vinaigrette: In food processor, process avocado, avocado oil, shallots, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey and water to smooth consistency. Set aside.
2. To make salad: In large bowl, combine avocados, sweet potatoes, quinoa, arugula, kale, Brussels sprouts petals, apples, pecans, pepitas and dried cranberries. Pour balsamic vinaigrette over salad mixture.
3. Toss salad to coat. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 390 calories; 16 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g cholesterol; 370 mg sodium; 55 g total carbohydrates; 11 g dietary fiber; 12 g sugar; 15 g protein.

(Family Features) A distinctive and unexpected ingredient like rice vinegar is an easy way to bring faraway flavors to your favorite summer dishes. This pantry staple adds an Asian-inspired flavor to recipes of all kinds, from marinades to high-end meals.

Explore a new way to enjoy steak this summer with a recipe for zesty, marinated beef paired with crisp broccolini and peppers to give a familiar dish a fresh makeover using flavors from another origin. Give fajitas an Asian makeover with shrimp seared in a decadent hoisin-ginger sauce or try a fresh take on a crunchy salad with this Mexican-meets-Asian layered approach that’s perfect for lunch.

Include seasonal produce like cucumbers, bell peppers and tomatoes to enhance your summer flavor fusions. Pantry staples like black beans and canned corn also offer accessible ways to make elevated summer classics.

Capture Asian flavors with ingredients like NAKANO Rice Vinegar, which has perfected its rice vinegars over eight generations to offer unique and delicious flavors perfect for making mouthwatering Asian-inspired recipes at home.

Pro Flavor-Fusion Tips

• The key to a successful stir-fry is to use high heat to quickly cook meats and vegetables in stages without overcrowding the pan. This ensures that veggies stay slightly crisp, and meats develop a delicious sear instead of steaming.

• Avocado oil has one of the highest smoke points, making it a great choice for high-heat cooking like stir-frying.

• Hoisin sauce, which you can find in the Asian section of most grocery stores, is used frequently in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a salty, fermented soybean paste often combined with garlic, chiles and five-spice powder, which adds a sweet, umami-rich, aromatic flavor to the dish.

• Shishito peppers are slender, mild, green Japanese peppers available in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores or Asian markets. If shishito peppers are unavailable, substitute with multicolored mini peppers.

• To accommodate those who love a lot of spice and those who prefer less spice, serve mild-to-medium-spicy foods with additional chili sauce on the side.

• Swap out heavy, high-calorie salad dressings for a splash of additional flavor with NAKANO rice vinegar.

Find more flavorful ways to put an Asian twist on your summer dishes at nakanoflavors.com.

Sizzling Shrimp Fajita Stir-Fry

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1 1/2    pounds large, raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (21-25 shrimp total)
• 2          tablespoons soy sauce, divided
• 4          teaspoons cornstarch, divided
• 1/4       cup NAKANO Roasted Garlic Rice Vinegar
• 3          tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2          teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 3          tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1          red onion, cut into thin slivers
• 1          red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/2       pound shishito peppers, stemmed
• 6          warmed corn or flour tortillas
• 1/2       cup finely shredded red cabbage
• 1/4       cup thinly sliced green onions

1. In medium bowl, combine shrimp, 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 2 teaspoons cornstarch; let stand 5 minutes to marinate.
2. In separate bowl, whisk remaining soy sauce, remaining cornstarch, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce and ginger until blended.
3. In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add half of shrimp; cook 1 minute on each side. Transfer to clean bowl; repeat with remaining shrimp. Wipe out skillet with paper towel.
4. In same pan, heat remaining oil until shimmering. Add red onion, bell pepper and shishito peppers. Cook, stirring, 2-4 minutes until peppers begin to blister. Add vinegar mixture; cook, stirring, 1-2 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened. Add shrimp to pan. Cook, tossing well until shrimp and vegetables are coated with sauce.
5. Fill tortillas with shrimp mixture, cabbage and green onions.

Spicy Steak and Broccoli

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1          beef tenderloin (1 1/2 pounds), cut into 2-inch cubes
• 1          tablespoon soy sauce
• 1          tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2       teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
• 3          tablespoons avocado oil, divided
• 2          cups multicolored, mini sweet peppers, cut into thin rings
• 1/4       pound broccolini, cut into 3-inch sections
• 2          large shallots, chopped
• 1/4       cup NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 1          tablespoon sugar
• 1          teaspoon sambal oelek (Asian-chili garlic sauce) or sriracha
• 1/4       teaspoon kosher salt
• 2          teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1. In medium bowl, combine beef, soy sauce, cornstarch, black pepper and garlic powder.
2. In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add peppers, broccolini and shallots; cook 3 minutes, or until tender crisp. Transfer to clean bowl.
3. In same skillet over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add half of beef in single layer. Cook undisturbed 2 minutes, or until bottoms are browned. Stir. Cook 1 minute, or until outer surfaces are no longer pink. Transfer to bowl with vegetables. Repeat with remaining oil and beef. Return beef and vegetables to skillet over medium-high heat.
4. In small bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, sambal oelek, salt and ginger. Add mixture to pan. Cook 2 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened.

Glass Jar Layered Taco Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1/2       avocado
• 1/4       teaspoon serrano pepper
• 1          tablespoon cilantro
• 2          tablespoons NAKANO Organic Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 2          tablespoons sesame oil
• 1          teaspoon lime juice
• 1/3       teaspoon salt
• 1/2       cup corn
• 1/2       cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1/2       cup jicama, diced
• 1/2       cup black beans, rinsed
• 1/2       cup shredded green cabbage
• 1/2       cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2       cup extra-firm tofu, diced
• 1/2       cup corn chips, crushed
• 1/2       cup spinach
• 1          tablespoon queso fresco

1. In bowl, mash avocado and add serrano pepper, cilantro, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice and salt. Stir to combine.
2. Build salad in layers of corn, cabbage, jicama, black beans, cabbage, tomatoes, tofu, corn chips, spinach and queso fresco while adding drizzles of dressing between layers.

Source: NAKANO