Welcome the World to Holiday Gatherings
(Family Features) The traditional dishes served year after year at your family’s holiday gatherings may bring comfort and a sense of nostalgia, but you can open your loved ones up to a whole new world by incorporating recipes from around the globe.
People of all different cultures across the Earth are often connected by food, whether it’s a classic holiday dish or a unique take on a traditional dish, like this raisin-infused Challah. While the dishes themselves may drastically differ, using similar ingredients can be a unifying thread.
For those looking to pull off worldly cuisines this holiday season, consider a familiar and nearly universal ingredient like raisins, an innovative and delicious addition incorporated in culturally diverse dishes. On top of their versatile flavor, Sun-Maid Raisins offer a better-for-you whole fruit option with no added sugar per 1/4-cup serving.
Consider these global recipe ideas enjoyed at holiday gatherings around the world.
Germany
- Apple Strudel: Quite possibly one of the most famous German desserts of all, raisins add a delicious chewiness to this traditional strudel.
- Lebkuchen: A traditional German cake similar to gingerbread that’s full of sweet spices, walnuts, dates and raisins.
Italy
- Cuccidati Siciliani: Typically at their most popular during the holiday season, these Italian fig cookies feature raisins inside the deliciously fruity filling.
- Panettone: Also a holiday favorite, Panettone is a towering round of sweet bread speckled with raisins, citrus and almonds.
England
- Fruitcake: Traditional fruitcake is chock-full of dried raisins, golden raisins, cherries, dates, pineapple and apricots soaked in dark tea overnight.
- Bread Pudding: This English staple uses stale bread, spices, sweetener and raisins to create a dense and delicious cake.
Poland
- Cinnamon-Raisin Rugelach: These flavorful pastries are characterized by a melt-in-your-mouth cheese-based dough with a sweet cinnamon, raisin and walnut filling.
Greece
- Christopsomo: Considered sacred in many Greek households and translating to “Christ’s Bread,” this revered dish is usually prepared the day before Christmas Eve and is served with nothing but bare hands at the table. Raisins, nuts, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are all found throughout the loaf.
Armenia
- Ghapama: A baked pumpkin stuffed with partially cooked rice, raisins, nuts, cinnamon and honey.
Ireland
- Irish Soda Bread: The cakey texture of this Irish favorite is complemented by sweet, chewy raisins throughout the loaf.
Visit SunMaid.com to find more recipes perfect for holiday gatherings.
Crown Raisin Challah
Yield: 3 loaves
Dough:
- 2 envelopes (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 extra-large eggs, plus 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 cup Sun-Maid raisins
- 3 cups bread flour
- 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Egg Wash:
- 2 extra-large eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- To make dough: In big bowl, mix yeast, sugar, honey and warm water. Let yeast bloom about 7 minutes.
- Add cinnamon, oil, eggs, egg yolks and salt. Mix well. Add raisins. Add flours and mix until sticky. Dough should be creamy yellow.
- Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 12-15 minutes, or until smooth. Oil bowl, place dough back in bowl and cover tight with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place about 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
- Punch dough down, cover and let rise another 45 minutes. Punch down again and cut into three equal pieces. Let rest about 10 minutes then roll each piece into snakes about 30 inches long; taper at one end. Starting with thick end, roll each snake into spiral shape like snail shell. Use a little water and stick tapered end onto body of spiral. Mold into place with hands.
- Oil loaves lightly, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until poofy, about 25 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- To make egg wash: In small bowl, whisk eggs and sugar. Gently brush loaves with egg wash, taking care not to deflate them.
- Bake 45 minutes, or until loaves are golden. Let cool completely.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images (mother and daughter baking)
Source:
Infuse Holiday Gatherings with Fresh Grape Flavor
(Family Features) The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.
As a highly versatile addition to appetizers, snacks, main courses, sides and desserts, grapes are an essential ingredient to keep on hand. Thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture, Grapes from California can be the star at the center of the meal in unique and tasty Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes served with Spiked Grape Cider for a cozy adult beverage.
Finish the celebration by sharing Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake, where delicious, fresh grape juice is used in the cheesecake batter to lend natural sweetness and enhance flavor. Decorate the top with fresh, juicy grapes for a final festive touch.
Find more sweet ideas to celebrate the holidays at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.
A Sweet Party Starter
Set the stage for a delicious get-together by serving an easy, attractive appetizer like this Grape Party Tray with fresh grapes, prosciutto, cheeses, pistachios and more holiday favorites. Grapes are easy to include as they offer variety – different colors, shapes, sizes and textures – which makes them an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in tasty recipes.
Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes
Servings: 4
- 4 thick pork chops (about 3 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
- 1 1/2 cups whole red or black Grapes from California
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 small cinnamon sticks, broken
- 3-5 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Heat heavy, lidded saute pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Dust pork chops with flour and brown slowly in melted butter. Do not let flour burn.
- Remove pan from heat and add grapes, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt and pepper. Cover and place in oven. Braise slowly 50-60 minutes, or until pork is tender. Remove pork from pan and keep warm. Skim pan sauce of excess fat. Arrange pork chops on serving platter, spoon with sauce and sprinkle with chopped mint, if desired.
Nutritional information per serving: 569 calories; 54 g protein; 41 g carbohydrates; 21 g fat (33% calories from fat); 9 g saturated fat (14% calories from saturated fat); 33% calories from fat; 165 mg cholesterol; 407 mg sodium; 1.6 g fiber.
Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake
Prep time: 15 minutes, plus cooling and chilling
Bake time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
- 2 cups green Grapes from California, divided
- 1/4 cup, plus 2/3 cup, granulated sugar, divided
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 large pinches kosher salt
- 21 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
- Heat oven to 425 F with rack in center. Use 12-by-16-inch sheet of parchment paper to line 9-inch springform pan in center. Press paper into bottom edge of pan and flatten creases around sides. Place pan on shallow baking sheet.
- In mini blender or food processor, blend 1 cup grapes, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt on high until smooth, about 1 minute.
- In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until fluffy, 1-2 minutes. With mixer on medium speed, gradually pour in heavy cream; scrape down and beat on high speed until mixture resembles soft whipped cream, about 1 minute. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down between additions. At medium speed, gradually add grape puree mixture; scrape and mix until well blended, 1 minute.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, transfer to oven and bake 38-40 minutes until cake is puffed and top is caramel brown. Cracks will appear around edges and cake will be wobbly when touched gently with finger. Set cake pan on baking sheet on rack to cool. Cake will sink to half its height. Cool to room temperature, 1-2 hours, then refrigerate uncovered. Do not unmold cake from pan until well chilled, at least 5 hours or overnight.
- Slice remaining grapes in halves or rounds. In small bowl, combine grapes with orange liqueur, if desired, and set aside.
- When ready to serve, remove side of pan. Carefully pull creased parchment away from side of cheesecake then transfer to serving platter by peeling parchment away from bottom of cake and underneath pan while gently tugging cake toward platter and off parchment.
- Garnish top of cheesecake with grape-liqueur mixture, if desired, or fresh grapes. Cut cake into wedges with thin, sharp knife.
- Note: Cheesecake can be made up to 2 days ahead. Once cake is well chilled, cover pan with plastic wrap until ready to serve
Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 6 g protein; 25 g carbohydrates; 26 g fat (67% calories from fat); 15 g saturated fat (39% calories from saturated fat); 135 mg cholesterol; 200 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
Hot Spiked Grape Cider
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: about 1 hour
Servings: 4
- 5 cups red Grapes from California, plus additional for garnish, divided
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise (optional)
- 1 large navel orange
- 6 ounces amber rum
- In large saucepan, combine 5 cups grapes with water, honey, cinnamon and star anise, if desired. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until grapes are tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.
- Lay medium mesh strainer over bowl and pour grape mixture through. Gently press on solids to remove juice from fruit for about 2 cups grape cider.
- With peeler, peel off large strip orange zest and add to warm juice. Let cool, cover and refrigerate.
- When ready to serve, gently warm cider over medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup cider into each cup. Add 1 1/2 ounces rum and garnish with twist of orange and small skewer of grapes.
Nutritional information per serving: 170 calories; 0 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
Source: California Table Grape Commission
Show Your Love with a Naturally Sweet, Delicious Gift
(Family Features) Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, saying “I love you” to a faraway relative or offering a kind gesture to a friend or neighbor, sending a gift is a thoughtful way to share your appreciation. A handwritten note goes a long way, and you can take that token of gratitude one step further by pairing it with an authentic fruit basket.
When it’s time to give a gift to a friend or loved one, consider sending fresh Florida Citrus boxes, which contain premium citrus hand-selected at the peak of ripeness. Available in a variety of sizes to fit your budget and filled with your choice of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and unique jams, jellies and candies, the baskets arrive fresh at the door of your recipient.
With naturally sweet taste from the Sunshine State, the unique climate with subtropical temperatures, abundant sunshine, distinctive sandy soil and ample rainfall help grow juicy citrus. Plus, the delicious fruits are equally nutritious as they’re loaded with vitamin C and provide a combination of nutrients to support overall health to help adults and children alike meet intake recommendations for certain key nutrients.
On top of their taste as appetizing snacks, they’re perfect for cooking in recipes like Citrus Marinated Flatiron Steak Salad or Citrus Cherry Cobbler that take advantage of their natural sweetness and allow for mouthwatering meals, sides, desserts and more.
To choose a premium, hand-selected basket and send to your friends, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones, visit gifts.floridacitrus.org.
Citrus Marinated Flatiron Steak Salad
Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup Florida Tangerine Juice
- 2 teaspoons Florida Orange zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil
Flatiron Steak Salad:
- 1 1/2 pounds flatiron steak
- 2 cups Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette, divided
- 1/2 cup Florida Orange segments
- 1/2 cup Florida Grapefruit segments
- 2 quarts baby spinach
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup radish, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- To make citrus balsamic vinaigrette: Combine orange juice, tangerine juice, orange zest, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously. Set dressing aside.
- To make flatiron steak salad: Place flatiron steak in container and add 1 cup citrus balsamic vinaigrette. Marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours.
- Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill steak to desired doneness. Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
- In large mixing bowl, combine orange segments, grapefruit segments, baby spinach, red onion, cherry tomatoes, radish and cucumber. Add remaining citrus balsamic vinaigrette, as desired, and toss well to combine.
- To serve, divide salad and sliced steak among four plates and top with crumbled goat cheese.
Citrus Cherry Cobbler
Cobbler:
- 4 cups cherries, pitted, juice reserved
- 1/2 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups Florida Orange segments, seeded
- 1/2 cup Florida Grapefruit segments, seeded
Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3 tablespoons milk
- To make cobbler: In medium saucepan, combine cherries and reserved juice, orange juice, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute and remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. Cool and add orange segments and grapefruit segments. Pour filling into baking dish or pie pan.
- To make topping: Heat oven to 350 F.
- In food processor, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Add butter and pulse until butter is cut into small, pea-sized pieces. Remove flour mixture from food processor and place in mixing bowl. Add egg and milk; stir until just combined. Drop topping mixture by tablespoon over filling until almost covered.
- Bake until topping is browned and filling is bubbling and hot. Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving.
Source: Florida Department of Citrus
Sweet Ideas for Celebrating Parents All Year Round
(Family Features) Regardless of the occasion, any excuse to celebrate moms and dads is a worthy one. From birthdays and holidays to regular weekends at home, one of the best gifts you can give them is time spent together.
The entire family – including little ones – can get involved when the celebration calls for easy yet delicious recipes. Start a day of celebrating on a high note with these Apple Cinnamon Waffles for a sweet breakfast in bed. As the day goes on, keep everyone energized with Apple, Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches or Apple Berry Salsa served with chips, apples or graham crackers. Finally, as the day winds to a close, finish off the festivities with Apple Blondie Cupcakes for one last reminder of how much Mom and Dad mean to you.
These recipes and more family-friendly breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snack ideas are enhanced by the satisfying texture and taste of Envy Apples for a consistently balanced, refreshing sweetness coupled with crisp, elegant crunch. Easy to spot by their large, sharable size and crimson red skin that sometimes features a golden blush, they offer a fresh flavor perfect for snacking.
Try serving them as a tasty snack next time your loved ones gather for time together to watch an exciting family-friendly show like “Strawberry Shortcake.” Enjoy seasonal stories about her and her pals discovering hidden treasures while on vacation, encountering mysterious monsters and tangling with out-of-control spring flowers as she’s ready to “bake the world to a better place” all year round.
Visit EnvyApple.com to find more recipes the entire family can enjoy together.
Apple Berry Salsa
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6
- 2 Envy Apples, cored and chopped
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- tortilla chips, pita chips, apple chips or graham crackers, for serving
- In medium bowl, combine apples, strawberries, blueberries and salt.
- In small bowl, whisk honey and lime juice. Pour honey and lime juice over fruit mixture. Stir together to combine.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, pita chips, apple chips or graham crackers, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Apple Blondie Cupcakes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted and cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 Envy Apples, peeled, cored and 1/4-inch diced
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In large bowl, whisk butter and brown sugar 2 minutes, or until well combined. Add vanilla and egg; whisk until incorporated.
- Add flour mixture to large bowl of wet ingredients. Stir until just combined; be careful to not overmix.
- Fold in diced apples.
- Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners.
- Bake 18-22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake comes out clean. Let cool and serve.
Apple, Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 (1 sandwich per serving)
- 1 Envy Apple
- 6 tablespoons peanut butter
- 4 slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Core apple and thinly slice.
- Spread 3 tablespoons peanut butter on two slices of bread, reserving two slices of bread for sandwich tops.
- Layer apple slices on top of peanut butter.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey over apple slices on each sandwich half.
- Top each sandwich half with reserved slice of bread.
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
- 1 Envy Apple, peeled and cored
- nonstick cooking spray
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), at room temperature
- maple syrup, to taste
- In large bowl, whisk flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and brown sugar.
- In smaller bowl, whisk eggs, milk and melted butter.
- Make well in dry ingredients then mix in wet ingredient mixture until just combined.
- Using cheese grater, grate apple. Fold grated apple into batter.
- Prepare waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray.
- Ladle 1/4 of batter mixture into waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer's instructions. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Top each waffle with 1 tablespoon room temperature butter and maple syrup, to taste.
Source: Envy Apples
Make the Most of Your Money with Family-Friendly Meals
(Family Features) It can be hard to ignore the rising costs of food, gas and other basic household items. Many families are especially feeling the burden of inflation at the grocery store.
However, you can make your hard-earned dollars stretch a little further at the supermarket and put delicious, nutritious meals on the table with these cost-saving tips from Healthy Family Project and by looking for the Produce for Kids logo in your local produce department. These produce companies give back to local communities and support nutrition education and information sharing.
Plan your meals. Making a plan for what meals will be on the menu each week can help you identify ingredients you can use in multiple recipes and save money by not adding items you may not use to your grocery list. Once your meals are planned and you head to the store, stick to your list to avoid unnecessary spending.
Opt for in-season produce. Typically, fresh fruits and vegetables cost more when out of season since they’re not as readily available. Buying in-season produce also helps ensure you get better tasting fruits and veggies.
Keep ingredient lists short. Quick and easy meals the entire family can enjoy are often accompanied by shorter ingredient lists. For example, these recipes for Grilled Peach Flatbread with Goat Cheese and Mixed Berry Pizza with Oatmeal Coconut Crust both require 15 ingredients or less and can be on the table in half an hour, giving you more time to spend with those who matter most.
Discover more family-focused recipes and tips for saving on grocery bills at healthyfamilyproject.com.
Mixed Berry Pizza with Oatmeal Coconut Crust
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey, plus additional for drizzling, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1pinch salt
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/2 lemon, juice only
- 3 strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup blackberries
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In mixing bowl, mix egg, rolled oats, coconut, flour, brown sugar, butter, 1/4 cup honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until incorporated.
- Evenly spread mixture in greased springform pan and bake 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove pan from oven and cool.
- In bowl, mix Greek yogurt with lemon juice.
- Once oatmeal crust is fully cooked, use spatula to spread lemon-yogurt mixture on top.
- Top with sliced strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Drizzle with additional honey.
Grilled Peach Flatbread with Goat Cheese
Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
- 2 large naan or flatbreads
- 2 fresh peaches, sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- fresh arugula (optional)
- Preheat grill or grill pan.
- Grill naan until softened and lightly grilled.
- Place peach slices on grill and sear about 1 minute per side.
- Using pastry brush, spread olive oil onto naan.
- Top naan with goat cheese and peaches.
- Place back on grill over low heat, cover and cook 3-5 minutes.
- Add fresh arugula, if desired
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar before slicing and serving.
Source: Healthy Family Project
Whip Up a Bountiful Weekend Brunch
(Family Features) Fresh air, warm sun and delicious foods make brunch a favorite weekend event. Set the stage (and the table) for an inviting experience with recipes that cover all the bases from snacks and desserts to a mouthwatering main course.
Tide the appetite of your guests with Spiced Grass-Fed Lamb Over Hummus served with toasted flatbread or tortilla chips before dishing out Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole for a simple centerpiece. Just as those delectable dishes are vanishing, pull Brown Sugar Pound Cake out of the oven and pair with sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit for a sweet finishing touch.
Visit Culinary.net to find more ways to broaden your brunch menu.
Wake Up to a Wonderful Brunch
Perfect for any brunch occasion is a delicious dish that can be made a day in advance, simplifying your morning prep before guests arrive with growling stomachs.
Prepared the day before and chilled overnight, this Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is ready to bake to perfection in the morning with a gooey interior and crisp exterior filled with mouthwatering flavor. Drizzle with glaze then dish out to loved ones for a delicious way to make brunch easy.
Find more breakfast and brunch recipes at Culinary.net.
Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Servings: 12
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 package (20 ounces) French bread, cubed, divided
- 1 can (20 ounces) apple pie filling
- 9 eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup powdered sugar, plus additional (optional)
- 2 tablespoons milk, plus additional (optional)
- Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In baking dish, add 10 ounces cubed French bread in bottom of dish. Pour apple filling over bread. Top with remaining cubed French bread. Set aside.
- In medium bowl, whisk eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon. Pour evenly over bread.
- Cover with aluminum foil and chill overnight.
- Heat oven to 325 F.
- Remove foil and bake 50-60 minutes.
- Let cool 10-15 minutes.
- In small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk. Add additional, if needed, until pourable glaze is reached. Drizzle over casserole before serving.
A Fresh, Flavorful Brunch Bite
Brunch is a perfect opportunity to entertain friends and family with delicious recipes that will delight their taste buds. For example, this smooth hummus is paired with tender New Zealand grass-fed lamb loin chops and fresh toppings for flavor in every bite.
Ready in less than 30 minutes, this Spiced Grass-Fed Lamb Over Hummus recipe is made using Atkins Ranch lamb, which is available at your local Whole Foods Market and hails from New Zealand where the animals are grass-fed 365 days a year and allowed to roam and graze freely over lush green hills and pastures. The result is a lean, finely textured, flavorful meat that tastes just as nature intended.
Visit beefandlambnz.com for more recipes, cooking tips and information.
Spiced Grass-Fed Lamb Over Hummus
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Lamb:
- 4 Atkins Ranch grass-fed lamb loin chops
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Hummus:
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For serving:
- 1 Persian cucumber, small diced
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 2 tablespoons roasted pine nuts (or 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds)
- parsley, chopped
- lemon wedges
- toasted flatbread or tortilla chips
- To make lamb: Remove lamb from bone, dice meat into small cubes and transfer to medium bowl.
- Add cumin powder and salt. Toss to coat. Marinate while preparing hummus.
- To make hummus: Drain chickpeas, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid. Rinse chickpeas under running water then drain.
- In bowl of food processor, pulse chickpeas, chickpea liquid and garlic until chickpeas and garlic are chopped.
- Add tahini, lemon juice, salt, cumin, paprika and olive oil. Mix until smooth paste forms. Taste and adjust by adding more salt, lemon juice or olive oil, as desired.
- Transfer hummus to large platter and spread it out.
- In large skillet, heat extra-virgin olive oil over high heat until hot. Add lamb and cook 30 seconds without moving.
- Turn lamb over and cook 30-60 seconds, repeating until all sides are browned. Remove from pan and let rest 5 minutes.
- To serve, place cucumbers and tomatoes in well of hummus then top with lamb, pine nuts and parsley.
- Top with squeeze of lemon juice and serve with flatbread or tortilla chips.
Satisfy Cake Cravings with a Brunch-Worthy Dessert
Whether your brunch feast consists of bacon and eggs, pancakes and waffles or a combination of favorites, you can cap it off with a sweet treat for the perfect ending. After all, no celebration is complete without dessert.
Once the table is cleared of the main courses, dish out decadent bites of this Brown Sugar Pound Cake baked with high-quality ingredients like C&H Sugars to end the meal on a sweet note. Top with whipped cream and your crowd's favorite fruits like strawberries and blueberries or serve the toppings separately for a customizable treat.
Visit chsugar.com for more brunch recipe ideas.
Brown Sugar Pound Cake
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for coating pan, divided
- 1 cup packed C&H Light Brown Sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- sweetened whipped cream, for topping (optional)
- fresh fruit, such as strawberries and blueberries, for topping (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Grease and flour 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan. In large bowl, beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. In separate bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to sugar mixture. Pour batter into pan.
- Bake 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan and turn out on rack to cool completely.
- Top with sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit, if desired.
Source: C&H Sugar
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
5 Reasons to Eat More Tart Cherries
(Family Features) If you want to add superfoods to your diet in the new year, Montmorency tart cherries may be perfect for you.
Montmorency is the variety of tart cherries grown in America, primarily on small family farms. Compared to sweet cherries that are typically eaten fresh during the summer season, tart cherries are available year-round as dried, frozen, canned, juice and juice concentrate.
Decades of scientific research has shown Montmorency tart cherries are deserving of their superfood reputation. Here are five reasons to enjoy them more often:
- Sleep: Tart cherries are one of the few food sources of melatonin and have been the focus of multiple sleep studies.
- Exercise recovery: Tart cherry juice has become a popular exercise recovery drink for athletes.
- Arthritis and gout: Studies have explored the impact of Montmorency tart cherry juice consumption on gout attacks and arthritis symptoms.
- Heart health: Montmorency tart cherry research has examined blood pressure and blood lipids.
- Versatility: Although they remain perfect for pie, tart cherries can easily transition from sweet to savory, adding complex flavors to oatmeal, smoothies, salads, granola bars, trail mix and grain bowls.
Look for dried U.S.-grown tart cherries at the store and online for enjoyment at the start of your day and at night in recipes like Tart Cherry Overnight Oats and Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites.
Find more recipes and scientific research at ChooseCherries.com.
A Dark, Colorful Clue
The deep red color is your clue to the science-based benefits of Montmorency tart cherries. The vibrant hue is due to the concentration of anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol in the flavonoids family that has been widely studied.
Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites
Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board
Yield: 12 bites
- 6 medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup finely shredded coconut flakes
- 3/4 cup unsalted cashews
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- In food processor, process dates until broken into pea-sized bits. Add dried tart cherries, coconut flakes, cashews, almond extract and sea salt; process until combined. Form into 12 balls and chill 2 hours.
Tart Cherry Overnight Oats
Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board
Servings: 2
- 1 cup dried tart cherries, plus additional for topping (optional)
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, plus additional for topping (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tart cherry concentrate
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- honey, for topping (optional)
- In large jar or container, mix cherries, oats, milk, almonds, cherry concentrate, chia seeds and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Spoon into bowls and enjoy cold or warmed up. Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with extra dried tart cherries and almonds, if desired.
No-Bake SweetPotato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites
(Family Features) Whether you’re a runner, a workout warrior or simply looking for a quick pick-me-up before heading to the office, grab-and-go foods can supply the energy you need for an active day.
Skipping salty snacks and opting for nutritious options can put you ahead of the game. Due to their high carbohydrate content, sweetpotatoes provide a sustaining option both before and after exercise sessions. Plus, with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and aid in the muscle repair process, they help both your endurance and recovery.
According to the American Diabetes Association, sweetpotatoes are a “diabetes superfood”
because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. Additionally, they offer a “sweet” flavor without the added sugar.
Another fun fact: the one-word spelling of “sweetpotato” was adopted by the National Sweetpotato Collaborators in 1989 in an effort to avoid confusion with the potato and yam among shippers, distributors, warehouse workers and consumers.
As a versatile veggie that’s easy to add to a multitude of recipes for flavor enhancement and nutritional content, they are a key ingredient in these No-Bake Sweetpotato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites from the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission. It takes just 45 minutes to turn cooked sweetpotatoes into tasty treats for much-needed fuel for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Find more nutritious recipe ideas at ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
No-Bake Sweetpotato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, on behalf of the North Carolina
SweetPotato Commission
Total time: 45 minutes
Yield: 14 bites (1 bite per serving)
- 1 cup cooked sweetpotato
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (or desired nut butter)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- In large bowl, combine sweetpotato, oats, peanut butter, honey, ginger and cinnamon; stir until well combined.
- Refrigerate bowl about 20 minutes to firm.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove dough and portion into snack-sized bites. Gently roll bites in shredded coconut and refrigerate 15-20 minutes or freeze 10 minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator or freezer and serve.
Nutritional information per serving: 115 calories; 7 g fat (11% daily value); 3 g saturated fat (19% daily value); 1 g polysaturated fat; 2 g monosaturated fat; 49 mg sodium (2% daily value); 129 mg potassium (4% daily value); 11 g carbohydrates (4% daily value); 2 g fiber (8% daily value); 5 g sugar (6% daily value); 3 g protein (6% daily value); 1,348 IU vitamin A (27% daily value); 1 mg vitamin C (1% daily value); 11 mg calcium (1% daily value); 1 mg iron (6% daily value); 9 g net carbohydrates.
Pop Up Some Winter Fun
(Family Features) The winter months provide many occasions to celebrate, and no celebration is complete without tasty treats. A perfect partner for a broad variety of flavors, popcorn is a versatile pantry staple that can be served plain or as a better-for-you addition to seasonal snacks.
With no artificial additives or preservatives, light and airy popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free, making it a sensible option to satisfy cravings for something savory, sweet and just about every flavor in-between. Plus, whole-grain popcorn has energy-producing carbohydrates and fiber, which can help keep you satisfied longer.
As a way to honor one of America’s oldest and most beloved snack foods, National Popcorn Day on Jan. 19 is a perfect opportunity to pop up a bowl to enjoy with loved ones or create whole-grain culinary masterpieces like fragrant and flavorful Jamaican Jerk Popcorn, which features hot pepper, spices and jerk butter to help you warm up from the inside out. Or consider another tasty snack option like Furikake Popcorn, a lighter recipe exploding with the flavors of sesame, nori and a Japanese spice blend.
You can combine favorite flavors for movie night with Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn, which is perfect for settling in on a snowy winter’s eve, and an option like Rocky Road Popcorn Clusters, featuring chocolate, marshmallows and nuts, are perfect for sharing with loved ones after an evening meal.
Find more fun, fluffy and flavorful recipes to celebrate everything winter has to offer at Popcorn.org.
Furikake Popcorn
Yield: 2-3 servings
Furikake Seasoning:
- 1 nori sheet, broken into pieces
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 6 cups popped popcorn
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- To make furikake seasoning: In spice grinder or using mortar and pestle, grind nori with 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds until finely ground. Transfer to small bowl; stir in remaining sesame seeds, salt and sugar.
- In large bowl, toss popcorn with butter and furikake seasoning until evenly coated.
- Tips: Use store-bought furikake seasoning and season to taste.
- To toast sesame seeds: In small dry skillet over medium heat, cook sesame seeds 2-3 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool completely before using.
Jamaican Jerk Popcorn
Yield: 4-6 servings
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon minced, seeded scotch bonnet chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 cups popped popcorn
- In small saucepan, combine butter, chili pepper, lime zest, chili powder, thyme, allspice, pepper, ginger, garlic powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, onion powder and salt. Cook over low heat 3-5 minutes, or until butter melts and mixture is fragrant.
- In large bowl, toss popcorn with spice mixture until evenly coated.
Tip: Omit scotch bonnet pepper and substitute 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, if preferred.
Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn
Yield: 6-8 servings (1 cup each)
- 1/4 cup nonfat Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon dried sage
- black pepper, to taste
- 12 cups air-popped popcorn
- 3/4 cup turkey pepperoni, cut into bite-size bits
- olive oil cooking spray
- In small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, sage and pepper; mix well.
- In large bowl, combine popcorn and turkey pepperoni; spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray.
- Sprinkle popcorn and pepperoni with cheese mixture; toss to coat evenly.
Rocky Road Popcorn Clusters
Yield: 3 dozen
- 1 bag (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 4 cups popped popcorn
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- In small microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips in microwave on high 1 minute, until melted. Stir in vegetable oil.
- In large bowl, add popcorn, marshmallows and walnuts. Pour melted chocolate over mixture, tossing to coat.
- Drop mixture by tablespoonful onto wax paper-lined jellyroll pan.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours, or overnight.
Source: Popcorn Board
Delightful Dishes to Dazzle Holiday Guests
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering more fruitful is a spread of delicious appetizers, delightful drinks and divine desserts that keep loved ones coming back to the kitchen for more.
For appetizing dishes from the first guest at the house to the last out the door, you can heighten the flavor and appearance of favorite recipes with one simple ingredient: apples. Ranging from tart to sugary sweet, finding the right balance for your palate is key. Scent can also influence taste, especially when you have a balanced sweetness with an uplifting, fresh aroma.
Turn to an option like Envy Apples this holiday season for satisfying texture and taste with a consistently balanced, refreshing sweetness coupled with a crisp, elegant crunch. They make for an easy snack when eaten fresh out of hand but are also perfect for holding over pre-dinner appetites in small plates like this Bell-Issimo Brie Melt or Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy.
The versatile flavor of apples isn’t just limited to foods, however. For the adults in the room, Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider with a splash of bourbon is a seasonally appropriate way to quench thirst and break the ice. Simply omit the bourbon for a kid-friendly version so the whole party can savor a sip.
Easy to spot with their crimson red skin over a golden background that practically glows, Envy Apples offer an easy, eye-catching way to try new tastes and celebrate joyful occasions together. The bright white flesh is naturally slow to brown when sliced for a fresher flavor in sweet treats like Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping for a tasty way to elevate your holiday get-togethers.
Find more sweet holiday recipes at EnvyApple.com.
Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Envy Apples, diced into large cubes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup cold butter, diced small
- 1/2 cup caramel
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 orange, zest only
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- vanilla ice cream
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In bowl, stir together sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Toss apples in lemon juice then in cinnamon sugar mixture. Spread in 9-inch pie dish.
- In another bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and oats. Using hands or fork, cut in butter until pea size crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over apples.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until mixture is bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes.
- In small pot, whisk caramel, salt, orange zest and orange juice until warm.
- Spoon apple oat crumble over large scoop vanilla ice cream and top with salted citrus caramel.
Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy
- 1 box stovetop stuffing
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups diced Envy Apples
- 1/2 onion, diced small
Gravy:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 20 turns fresh cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary
- Preheat broiler.
- Cook stuffing according to package directions; set aside and allow to cool slightly.
- In large saute pan, melt butter saute apples and onion until tender. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Stir together stuffing and apple mixture. Spread stuffing on sheet tray and allow to cool in refrigerator.
- After cooling, form stuffing into medium bites and place on sheet tray lined with parchment paper.
- Broil bites until golden brown and slightly crispy.
- To make gravy: In small pot, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook flour 1 minute, whisking frequently.
- Whisk in beef broth, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce; bring to boil, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and stir in rosemary. If desired, continue gently simmering gravy to thicken.
- Arrange stuffing bites in serving dish and drizzle with gravy. Serve hot.
Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider
- 1 Envy Apple, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 4 ounces pumpkin spice apple cider
- demerara sugar
- Envy Apple slices, for garnish
- rosemary, for garnish
- cinnamon stick, for garnish
- In pan over medium heat, saute diced apples in butter and pumpkin spice 5-10 minutes.
- In glass, combine bourbon and pumpkin spice apple cider; top with sauteed apples.
- Add demerara sugar then garnish with apple slices, rosemary and cinnamon stick.
Bell-Issimo Brie Melt
- 1 round brie (6-8 ounces)
- 2 Envy Apples
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- firm crackers
- Unwrap brie and place on microwave-safe dish. Cut off top of brie round and microwave 60 seconds until middle is soft.
- Slice apples into thick wedges.
- Top brie with half the apples, crushed walnuts and dried cranberries.
- Serve with firm crackers and remaining apple wedges.
Source: Envy Apples