(Family Features) The days are getting longer and hotter and you’re itching to head outside to kick off grilling season. After a few weeks of eating the same boring burgers and hot dogs, you’re looking for something a little more exciting (and so are your guests). These recipes can help take your grilling skills to the next level and make your next party something to brag about.

When people come over for Buffalo chicken, they expect authentic flavor, so give the people what they want by making Buffalo chicken sandwiches with Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce. Frank’s RedHot was the secret ingredient used in the original Buffalo wings recipe in 1964.

For maximum flavor, each Buffalo chicken sandwich gets a quarter of the bottle of sauce to bring in just the right blend of flavor and heat. Take it to the next level by marinating the chicken in the sauce for at least 30 minutes so it can absorb the unmistakable Buffalo flavor that will send any party into overdrive. Add the tangy blue cheese and cool, crisp lettuce and tomato and you’ve got the perfect bite for a hot summer day.

Now that you’ve proved your grilling chops to most of the party crew, it’s time to kick it up a notch. Every party’s got a few tough critics, so it’s key to make something impressive and delicious that appeals to a different palate. Enter: Sweet Chili Ribs.

Start with two full racks of pork spareribs then load them up with Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce, garlic and ginger, making sure to spread that mixture all over the ribs. Grill them low and slow for 2 hours then pour another half-bottle of sauce over top for good measure and grill for another hour. After your guests have a chance to taste these sweet and tangy, fall-off-the-bone ribs, they’ll talk about them all summer long.

For more grilling tips and recipes, visit franksredhot.com/recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (if thick, cut horizontally into two even pieces)
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, divided
• 1/4 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
• 4 hard rolls, split
• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
• lettuce leaves (optional)
• tomato slices (optional)
• red onion rings (optional)

1. Marinate chicken in 6 ounces Buffalo wings sauce for 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours.
2. Mix remainder of Buffalo wings sauce and dressing together. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
3. Grill chicken 12 minutes, turning once, or until no longer pink in center.
4. Place 2 tablespoons of mixed sauce on each roll half. Place chicken on top of roll half and top with 1 tablespoon blue cheese crumbles.
5. Add lettuce, tomato and onion rings, if desired. Top with second roll half. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.

Sweet Chili Ribs

• 2 full racks pork spareribs, trimmed (about 6 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce, divided

1. Heat grill to 250° F and prepare for indirect cooking.
2. Spread ribs with ginger and garlic. Place ribs on rib rack or in foil pan. Cook on covered grill 2 hours.
3. Spread 6 ounces sweet chili sauce evenly over ribs then cook another hour, until tender.
4. Baste ribs with remaining sweet chili sauce during last 15 minutes of cooking. If desired, at end of cooking time grill ribs over direct heat to char slightly.

Source: Frank's Red Hot

Mongolian Beef

Makes 4 servings

• 1 pound boneless beef top sirloin
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1-1/2 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 bunches green onions, cut into 1-1/2-inch lengths, separating whites from tops, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• Mongolian Sauce*
• 1 teaspoon sesame seed, toasted

1. Cut beef across grain into thin strips. Combine next 4 ingredients; stir in beef. Let stand 15 minutes. Stir-fry half of beef in 1 table-spoon hot oil in wok or large skillet over high heat 1 minute; remove.
2. Repeat cooking procedure with remaining beef and 1 tablespoon oil; remove. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same pan. Add whites of green onions, garlic, ginger and red pepper; stir-fry 1 minute.
3. Stir in green onion tops. Add beef and Mongolian Sauce.
4. Cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. Sprinkle with sesame seed before serving.

*Mongolian Sauce: Combine 1/3 cup water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, 2-1/2 tablespoons Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon dry sherry and 1 teaspoon Kikkoman Hoisin Sauce.

Source: Kikkoman

(Family Features) What’s that warm and wonderful fragrance wafting through the air? Homemade pumpkin pie! Since 1929, Libby’s pumpkin has helped make that sweet ending to the holiday feast. Whether you use a traditional single crust or create a signature pie crust edging, you’ll be proud you made it yourself. Serve your homemade pumpkin pie warm or cold, topped with whipped cream or not. What’s your family tradition?

Tips for Delicious Pumpkin Pie

Like the classic recipe on the back of the can says, all it takes is “Mix, Pour and Bake.” Here are a few more tips from Libby’s, the pumpkin pie experts:

Before you bake. Make the batter ahead, if you wish, but pour it into the pie shell just before baking to keep the crust crisp.
During baking. The baking instructions start with a high oven temperature and then direct you to turn the temperature down part way through baking. Remember this important step which allows the crust time to crisp.
Is it done? Insert a knife near the center of the pie to test for doneness, as the center will still cook after you take the pie out of the oven.

Put a Crimp In It!

Give your homemade pumpkin pie a signature style. Line the bottom of the pie plate with homemade or refrigerated pie dough (before you add the filling) and trim around the perimeter for a 1-inch overhang. Then, create one of these decorative edges:

Simple Fork Edge

1. Fold overhang under and press down with your fingers.
2. Using the tines of a lightly floured fork, press the edge of the pastry to the rim of the pie pan.

Fluted Edge

1. Fold overhang under and pinch to make the edge stand up.
2. With the thumb and forefinger of one hand, pinch the outside edge of the pastry while pressing from the inside with the forefinger of your other hand.

Rope Edge

1. Fold overhang under and pinch to make the edge stand up.
2. Press the pastry along the edge of the pie plate between the side of your thumb at an angle, pinch and slightly twist.

Find more recipes at VeryBestBaking.com.

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Makes: 8 servings

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
• Whipped cream

1. MIX sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl; stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
2. POUR into pie shell.
3. BAKE in preheated 425°F oven 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 2 hours.
4. SERVE immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

NOTE: 1 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger and cloves; however, the taste will be slightly different.

Homemade Pie Crust Recipe

This quick pastry is a no-fail recipe made easily with ingredients usually found in most kitchens. Be sure to use cold water and keep well-wrapped until ready to use.
Makes: 1 9-inch (4-cup volume)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 tablespoons cold water*

1. COMBINE flour and salt in medium bowl; cut in vegetable shortening with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle with water; blend until mixture holds together.
2. SHAPE dough into ball; place on lightly floured surface. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Line pie plate with pastry. Trim around perimeter for 1-inch overhang to fold under and crimp as desired.

NOTE: To make two crusts, double all ingredients, follow procedure above, and divide dough in half.
*Add 1 additional tablespoon water as needed.

Source: Libby's Pumpkin

Moscato Moscow Mule

Servings: 1

• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 3 ounces Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 lime wheel
• 1 mint sprig for garnish

1. Pour ginger beer, Moscato and lime juice into ice-filled copper mug. Garnish with lime wheel and mint sprig.

Source: Gallo Family Vineyards

Tofu Tikka Masala

• 5 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 gram jalapeno chile, chopped
• 3 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 pound Wildwood Vacuum Pack Tofu
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped in 1-inch long thin slices
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 3-4 tablespoons plain or unsweetened yogurt
• 1 cup Wildwood Plain Soymilk
• Chopped cilantro (for garnish)

1. In bowl, mix lemon juice, ginger, garlic, green chili, half of cilantro, chili powder, salt and tofu together; mix well and cover. Let marinate for an hour.
2. In pan, heat oil and slowly add onions. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat until translucent.
3. Slowly add turmeric powder, yogurt, soy milk and remaining cilantro to the pain. Mix well for a few minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Add tofu mixture into sauce and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with Indian Naan bread or heated rice.

Source: Wildwood Foods

(Family Features) The holiday season evokes thoughts of delicious, hearty and festive meals. Whether planning a family feast or flitting among gatherings, you may find it harder than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your weight management goals on track. However, with the right approach, you can still enjoy many of your holiday favorites and serve foods your guests will appreciate as much as your waistline does. The key is managing your carbohydrate and sugar intake.

If you’re looking to lose or maintain weight, you know the importance of relying on a lifestyle with proven results – without feeling deprived. A low carb approach is backed by more than 80 scientific studies and still allows you to enjoy a wide variety of delicious foods. When you control your carbohydrate intake, you start burning stored fat as your fuel source instead of carbohydrates. A long-term, well-balanced, low carb eating plan such as Atkins encourages reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars, while optimizing levels of protein, high fiber carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

This wide range of foods makes it easy to find delicious ways to celebrate the holidays without feeling restricted. Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education at Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., offers several tips to help stay on track this season:

• Leading up to the big meal or holiday party, snack on proteins that contain healthy fats such as nuts or grab some cubes of cheese.
• When crafting a holiday menu, identify a savory main dish that offers a healthy serving of protein, such as this Low Carb Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast. Finish off the meal with a Low Carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, and you and your taste buds will be very satisfied.
• When alcoholic beverages are being served, confine yourself to a glass (or two at most) of wine or one glass of spirits. Just be sure to have your spirits with club soda and a slice of lemon or lime, or a mixer made without sugar. And make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

For step-by-step instructions for this tasty, low carb holiday roast, watch the video and find more recipes at Atkins.com.

Low Carb Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast

Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours

• Cooking oil
• 2 pounds pork chops or roast (center rib, bone-in)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning
• 1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1/8 cup sugar-free maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 cup chicken broth, bouillon or consomme
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) water
• 1/8 teaspoon guar gum or xanthan gum
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter stick (optional)

1. Prepare skillet with small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Season chops or roast with salt and pepper then place into skillet and brown each side for about 1 minute, 4 minutes total, to help seal in moisture and give it color. Set aside on plate to cool slightly.
2. Finely dice chipotle pepper and chop cranberries, if desired.
3. In small bowl, combine syrup, diced chipotle, ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Rub mixture onto roast then place it into slow cooker. Add cranberries and pour chicken broth down side of pan (avoiding rinsing rub from roast).
4. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours.
5. Remove roast and set on serving platter covered with tent of aluminum foil; reserving liquid.
6. Keep slow cooker on low and add water and guar gum or xanthan gum to reserved mixture, whisking to combine. Continue to cook on low heat until sauce thickens slightly. Once thick, enrich sauce, if desired, with butter, adding additional salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Serve sauce over pork roast.

Tip: While it is not necessary to chop cranberries (they will break down while cooking), chopping them makes sauce smoother.

Low Carb Browned Pumpkin with Maple and Sage

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter stick
• 1/2 pound pumpkin
• 1/8 cup chopped shallots
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup bouillon vegetable broth
• 1/16 cup sugar-free maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon sage, ground

1. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat butter. Cube pumpkin into 3/4-inch chunks.
2. Add pumpkin and shallots to pan; season with salt and pepper. Saute until pumpkin is lightly browned and shallots are translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Turn heat to low, add vegetable broth and simmer, covered, 8-10 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
4. Add maple syrup and sage, tossing to combine. Serve immediately.

Tip: Use fresh sage (7-8 leaves), if possible.

Low Carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Servings: 4
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes

• 2/3 cup halved pecan nuts
• 2/3 cup sucralose-based sweetener (sugar substitute), plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 tablespoon unsalted butter stick
• 1/2 large egg white
• 9 2/3 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 6 ounces canned pumpkin, without salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/4 large eggs

1. To make crust: Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In food processor, combine pecans, 1 tablespoon sugar substitute and cinnamon. Process until finely ground. Toss with butter and egg white; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan, rounding up to cover pan seam. Bake until golden and set, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
3. To make filling: Reduce oven heat to 325° F.
4. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar substitute and cream. With electric mixer at medium speed, beat until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, mixing to combine. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until just combined.
5. Pour batter over crust. Bake until just set, 45-50 minutes. Turn off oven and let stand 10 minutes; transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
6. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours or overnight. Slice and serve.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Source: Atkins

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