(Family Features) When it comes to preparing a spread for a holiday gathering, some may look to traditional wine varieties such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon. However, as holiday traditions become less traditional, you can also branch out in your selection of wines.

Produced from the indigenous grapes of Sicily, wines from Sicilia DOC offer fresh taste, quality and variety. The wines come to life when paired with a variation of holiday dishes.

These three tips can help you pair Sicilian wines with the dishes you may serve as part of your holiday spread:

For the Light White Wine Fan
With a low alcohol percentage and fruity notes, an option such as Grillo can be a fan favorite at any holiday gathering and makes for a perfect hostess gift. This white wine features notes of white peaches and grapefruit and can pair well with seafood appetizers, baked casseroles, vegetarian sides or a well-known Sicilian dish like this Green Bean and Blood Orange Salad.

For Guests Looking for a Graceful Red Wine
A modern take on Pinot Noir, Frappato is a light-to-medium-bodied wine with a lingering freshness that’s persistent and balanced with notes of cherry and strawberry. This wine pairs well with both white and dark meat of flavorful holiday turkeys as well as pastas, pizza, roasted meats, potatoes and cheeses.

For Friends Who Favor a Complex Red
For guests who favor Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, an option such as Nero d’Avola is a nice alternative, with aromas of ripe cherry, rose, sweet spices, licorice and cocoa. As a go-to red wine, it pairs well with a hearty charcuterie platter, roasted meats, lamb, pizza and pastas.

For more holiday wine pairings and recipes, visit winesofsicily.com.

Green Bean and Blood Orange Salad

Recipe courtesy of Wines of Sicilia DOC Servings: 8

• Salt
• 2 pounds thin green beans
• 6 blood oranges
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• maple syrup
• almonds

1. Add salt to large pot of boiling water. Add green beans and cook until tender and bright green. Drain beans in colander and transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Once cool, drain and pat dry with towel.
2. Peel four oranges and remove white pith. Working over bowl, cut between membranes to release sections into bowl. Zest one remaining orange and juice both uncut oranges; reserve zest. Transfer juice to saucepan and add vinegar, honey and pepper flakes. Bring to boil then simmer over moderate heat until reduced to syrup, 10 minutes. Season with salt.
3. In large bowl, toss beans, orange sections and 3 tablespoons vinegar syrup. Transfer to serving platter; drizzle with maple syrup, almonds and orange zest.

Pair each serving with a glass of Grillo.

Source: Wines of Sicilia DOC

Festive dishes and drinks to get in the holiday spirit

(Family Features) Whether you’re getting together with family or throwing a party with friends, holiday festivities are intended to be merry and bright. And one of the best ways to celebrate the spirit of the season is to share simple, wholesome food with the ones you love.

When you use real dairy milk in your favorite holiday recipes, you can feel good knowing it provides a unique nutrient package that is hard to match in any other single food or beverage. During this holiday season, bring family and friends together to enjoy savory comfort foods and sweet holiday treats – all made with nutrient-rich milk.

These eight easy-to-make recipes make it simple to create special moments around nourishing meals and homemade treats, leaving ample time to relax and make family memories that last a lifetime. For more seasonal inspiration and recipe ideas, visit milklife.com .

Milk Punch

Toast to the holiday season with this classic New Orleans-inspired cocktail. When you use milk as the base of your cocktails, you’re serving a wholesome, quality beverage that will impress your guests.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Quiche

If you’re looking for a new twist on those post-holiday leftovers, turn your roasted Brussels sprouts into this savory quiche to enjoy during breakfast, and pair each serving with an 8-ounce glass of milk for added nutrition. With deliciously sweet and nutty flavors, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-favorite.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potato and Cauliflower with Cheese

This simple slow cooker recipe elevates mashed potatoes, a holiday staple, with cauliflower, brown butter and fresh sage, made even more satisfying with milk.

Mushroom, Fennel and Camembert Pot Pie

With the winter months bringing cold weather, few dishes provide a warm-up quite like pot pie. A vegetarian twist on a British classic, this recipe combines wild mushrooms and fennel in a creamy milk and Camembert sauce to create a mouthwatering puff pastry perfect for dinner parties.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Put a twist on an ordinary drink this holiday season by simply combining cocoa mix, chocolate syrup, milk and ice cubes for a creamy, extra chocolatey treat.

Green Bean and Shallot Casserole

For a reimagined side dish, combine fresh green beans with cremini mushrooms, shallots and nutrient-rich milk.

Eggnog Bread Pudding

It’s simply not the holidays without eggnog, which makes this recipe a perfect choice for dessert. Combine cinnamon bread, milk, eggnog and warm spices to create this treat for your gatherings.

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies

For a simple dessert to bake with your kids, these homemade whoopie pies make the ideal wintertime treat. With light, airy cookies and fluffy cream cheese filling, these gingerbread goodies are a must-make around the holidays.   

Source: MilkPEP

(Family Features) Hectic daytime schedules can often lead to even busier evenings, which makes putting dinner on the table in less than an hour a valuable time-saver for home chefs. Balancing a busy lifestyle with healthy food choices can certainly become a tall task, but making filling, nutritious meals a priority starts with planning and preparation.

One way to set the course toward more quality weeknight meals at home is planning in advance rather than making day-of decisions. Ensuring you have the correct ingredients on-hand can make meal prep a simpler process once it’s time to get started in the kitchen.

By focusing meals on recipes that incorporate easy-to-use, versatile ingredients like Filippo Berio vinegars, you can have flavorful main courses, sides and appetizers ready in under an hour. The vinegars are allergen free, cholesterol free, trans fat free and GMO free, making them an ideal addition to healthy menus.

For example, while waiting for a meal to bake, Green Bean, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette can keep appetites at bay and help incorporate nutritious vegetables.

Follow your salad with a main dish like this Honey-Balsamic Glazed Salmon, which involves just a handful of ingredients and seasonings, leading to just 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven. Greek-Style Roasted Sweet Potato Salad makes for an ideal complementary side dish, enhanced with a red wine dressing made with Filippo Berio Red Wine Vinegar for a pleasantly sharp taste that’s a welcome addition to an array of recipes.

When a light yet filling meal is attainable in less time, you can focus on nutritious choices even on the busiest of evenings. Find more quick, simple recipe ideas at FilippoBerio.com.

Honey-Balsamic Glazed Salmon

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1          salmon filet (about 2 pounds)
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper
• 3          tablespoons Filippo Berio Balsamic Vinegar
• 2          tablespoons honey
• 1          tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1          clove garlic, minced
• pinch of chili pepper flakes
• 1          tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon (optional)

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Season salmon with salt and pepper; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Whisk together vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic and chili pepper flakes; brush over salmon.
2. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until fish just starts to flake easily with fork. Sprinkle with chopped tarragon, if desired.

Tips: Substitute maple syrup for honey, if desired. Omit chili flakes and season with freshly ground pepper.

Greek-Style Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Red Wine Dressing:

• 1/4       cup Filippo Berio Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 2          tablespoons Filippo Berio Red Wine Vinegar
• 2          tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1          teaspoon honey
• 1          clove garlic, minced
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad:

• 3          tablespoons Filippo Berio Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 1          tablespoon Filippo Berio Red Wine Vinegar
• 1          teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2       teaspoon dried mint
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper
• 2          pounds sweet potatoes, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1          cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1          tomato, chopped
• 1/3       cup sliced pitted Kalamata olives

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. To make Red Wine Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, parsley, honey, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. To assemble Roasted Sweet Potato Salad: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, oregano, mint, garlic, salt and pepper; toss with potatoes until well-coated. Arrange in single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Roast about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and tender.
4. Arrange sweet potatoes on serving platter. Top with lettuce, tomato and olives; drizzle with dressing.

Tips: For traditional Greek flavor, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese before serving. Alternatively, cut sweet potatoes into wedges.

Green Bean, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 3 minutes
Total time: 13 minutes
Servings: 4

Honey Dijon Vinaigrette:

• 2          tablespoons Filippo Berio White Wine Vinegar
• 1          shallot, minced
• 1          tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2          teaspoons honey
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper
• 1/4       cup Filippo Berio Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Green Bean, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad:

• 1/2       pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2       pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6          cups baby arugula
• 1/2       cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/4       teaspoon pepper
• 1/4       cup diced sundried tomatoes in oil
• 2          tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1. To make Honey Dijon Vinaigrette: Whisk together white wine vinegar, shallot, tarragon, mustard, honey, salt and pepper; whisk in olive oil.
2. To assemble Green Bean, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad: In steamer basket, steam green beans and asparagus 3-5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Transfer to large bowl; add arugula and goat cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Toss salad with vinaigrette. Garnish with sundried tomatoes and chives.

Source: Filippo Berio

(Family Features) Of the many challenges parents face daily, encouraging healthy eating habits for their children can be one of the most vexing. While the consumption of nutritious foods like vegetables is good for kids while they’re young, it can also serve an important role in encouraging lifelong healthy habits.

One strategy for achieving that goal is to pair familiar foods with vegetables and prepare them in interesting ways. This tactic – pairing foods kids already enjoy with the foods you want them to start eating willingly – is called “associative conditioning,” and can help encourage children to try the new food, according to research conducted by Elizabeth Capaldi-Phillips and Devina Wadhera and published in the “Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.”

For example, prepared beef products like hot dogs, deli roast beef, salami and summer sausage provide sources of nutrients like protein, zinc and vitamin B12. In addition to the direct benefits, these meats can also be used in recipes like Green Bean Twists and Salami-Babs to help encourage the consumption of vegetables.

Easy-to-make recipes such as Jerky Trail Mix, Fried Bologna Cups and Beefy Lettuce Cups also provide simple snacking solutions for kids that include the nutritional benefits of both beef and veggies.

6 Strategies to Encourage Nutritious Snacking

With an abundance of prepared-in-advance snacks available that likely come along with unnecessary salts and sugars, it can be difficult to encourage kids to eat snacks with healthier ingredients.

Quick recipes that include beef and veggies may not be the first snack idea that comes to mind for kids (or parents), but it’s not impossible to instill better decision-making in the kitchen. Skip the chips and improve your children’s snack habits with these simple ideas for influencing healthier decisions:

• Enhance the visual appeal of foods by piercing them with decorative toothpicks.
• Offer a variety of colorful foods on a plate.
• Create color contrasts with foods on a plate or in a bowl.
• Arrange foods in an orderly way using a bento box or divided plate that helps keep them separate.
• Involve kids in preparing their meals.
• Pair nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables, with well-liked or familiar foods.

Find more family-friendly recipes and tips to encourage nutritious eating habits from the North American Meat Institute, a contractor of The Beef Checkoff, at meatpoultrynutrition.org.

Fried Bologna Cups

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
Yield: 8 bologna cups

• Vegetable oil spray
• 8          slices beef bologna

Potato-Vegetable Filling (enough for one bologna cup):

• 1/4       cup mixed vegetables
• 1/4       cup mashed potatoes

• tablespoon grated cheddar cheese

Apple Salad Filling (enough for one bologna cup):

• 3          tablespoons chopped apple
• 2          teaspoons minced celery
• 1          teaspoon golden raisins
• 2          teaspoons light mayonnaise

• teaspoon plain, low-fat yogurt

1. Spray large, nonstick skillet with vegetable oil spray. Set skillet over medium heat and lay bologna slices in pan, as many as will fit in one layer. Let bologna fry until it cups. Transfer cups to serving plate and fry remaining bologna in same fashion.
2. To make Potato-Vegetable Filling: In small, microwave-safe bowl, stir together vegetables and potatoes; microwave until hot.
3. To make Apple Salad Filling: In small bowl, stir apple, celery, raisins, mayonnaise and yogurt.
4. Spoon desired filling into each cup. For cups with Potato-Vegetable Filling, top with grated cheese.

Jerky Trail Mix

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
Yield: 4 cups

• 1 1/2    cups kettle corn with no added sugars
• 1          cup mini unsalted pretzels
• 1/2       cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
• 1/2       cup beef jerky, broken or chopped into 1/4-inch bits
• 1/2       cup golden raisins

1. In large bowl, stir kettle corn, pretzels, peanuts, beef jerky and raisins together. Seal in sandwich bags or serve in bowl.

Salami-Babs

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
Yield: 8 kebabs

• 6          ounces beef salami or summer sausage, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 8          bamboo skewers (8 inches long)
• 4          ounces cheese (cheddar or swiss), cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 16        small broccoli florets
• 4          baby carrots, cut in half crosswise

1. Thread pieces of meat onto skewers, alternating with cheese, broccoli and carrots. Arrange on plate and serve.

Note: To prevent choking, children should be seated while eating, especially when a recipe involves toothpicks; encouraged to take their time and thoroughly chew their food; and should be carefully supervised. When serving young children, cut any circular-shaped foods like grapes, carrots or hot dogs into thin, coin-shaped slices or long, thin strips.

Green Bean Twists

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
Yield: 16 twists

• 8          ultra-thin slices roast beef, about 2 ounces, cut in half lengthwise
• 16        green beans, trimmed, blanched and chilled

1. Wrap one slice roast beef around each bean, creating spiral, arrange on plate and serve.

Beefy Lettuce Cups

Recipe courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
Yield: 8 lettuce cups

• 8          ounces corned beef, chopped
• 1/2       cup shredded carrots
• 1/2       cup chopped water chestnuts
• 2          tablespoons unsalted, dry-roasted cashew pieces
• 2          tablespoons teriyaki sauce
• 8          butter lettuce leaves

1. In medium bowl, stir together corned beef, carrots, water chestnuts, cashew pieces and teriyaki sauce. Spoon onto lettuce leaves and serve.

Source: North American Meat Institute