Salads are of course one of the easiest ways to combine the flavors of your favorite fruits and veggies, but you can take your greens to the next level with refreshing recipe ideas. Explore 2 great salad recipes for Spring in the full Medium article here.
By incorporating versatile ingredients into your holiday cooking, you can make a vast array of tasty seasonal goodies. Add taste and visual appeal to seasonal dishes with recipes like Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes, Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres, Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce and Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts.A Grape Sensation![]() Delicious seasonal dishes for a happy holiday(Family Features) By incorporating versatile ingredients into your holiday cooking, you can make a vast array of tasty seasonal goodies. ![]() For example, California grapes are abundant throughout the holiday season and add taste and visual appeal to dishes of all kinds, such as Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes, Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres, Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce and Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts. Plus, they’re an easy, fresh, healthy snack to keep on-hand for hungry guests waiting for the meal. With their natural beauty, grapes can also be used to create tablescapes and centerpieces for festive holiday settings. 5 Tips for Healthier HolidaysWith filling meals and tempting desserts at every corner, it can be difficult to keep nutrition in mind during the holidays. However, these simple tricks can help keep you stay on track, while still enjoying the best that the season has to offer.
Find more holiday recipe inspiration at grapesfromcalifornia.com. Seared Salmon with Spinach and GrapesServings: 4
Nutritional information per serving: 449 calories; 36 g protein; 20 g carbohydrates; 23 g fat; 45% calories from fat; 4.3 g saturated fat; 9% calories from saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 730 mg sodium; 1,120 mg potassium; 1.6 g fiber. Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ OeuvresServings: 24
Nutritional information per serving: 44 calories; 2.5 g protein; 1 g carbohydrates; 3 g fat; 64% calories from fat; 11 mg cholesterol; 20 mg sodium; .07 g fiber. Grapes in Rosé Wine SauceServings: 4
Nutritional information per serving: 250 calories; 0 g protein; 49 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 55 mg sodium; 1 g fiber. Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and HazelnutsServings: 12
Nutritional information per serving: 166 calories; 5.4 g protein; 21 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat; 40% calories from fat; 1.4 g saturated fat; 8% calories from saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 126 mg sodium; 2.6 g fiber. SOURCE:California Table Grape Commission
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Oils are an integral part of many foods. While some have a reputation for being fatty and holding little to no benefits, several oils are quite healthy as well as delicious. These oils are a part of the foundation for a plethora of great foods and have proven themselves to be beneficial when consumed.
Peanut Oil Peanut oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the peanut plant. Peanut oil creates a diverse range of flavors based on how it is processed. Its ambiguity has made it useful for frying, sautéing, and adding flavor to foods, primarily Asian-based cuisine. Peanut oil encompasses quite a few benefits. This oil has large amounts of beneficial unsaturated fats, as well as antioxidant, vitamin E, and phytosterols. These nutrients promote heart health, low cholesterol, and improved triglyceride levels. Black Seed Oil Black seed oil has many benefits; one of which is adding flavor to some favorite types of food. It is processed using black cumin seeds from the black cumin plant. Black cumin seeds are popular for how aromatic they are alongside the bold flavor that they create. These qualities are equally prominent in black seed oil, which can be used in salads, beverages, and dishes in need of spicing like curry. Black seed oil contains three very powerful natural chemicals: thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), and thymol. TQ is an antioxidant with properties that discourage inflammation and cancer. THQ inhibit enzyme activity, treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Thymol is a chemical that works as a pesticide, disinfectant, and virucide. All these chemicals come together in black seed oil, making it an especially powerful nutrient in foods. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extra virgin olive oil is an oil derived from olives. Because it has not been processed with heat or chemicals, it retains its beneficial nutrients and flavors. Its taste is diverse, making it popular in salad dressings, sautéed dishes, and soups. The antioxidants and healthy fats that extra virgin olive oil contain make it a very healthy oil, contributing to longer and healthier lifespans in the areas where it is prominent in the diets of locals. This is the result of the oil having high amounts of monounsaturated fats which promote heart health while also reducing inflammation, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Oil can serve as an important part of any diet when it is used in moderation and when the correct ones are utilized. A variety of benefits ranging from a healthier heart to the avoidance of diseases can be reaped from these nutrient-filled oils that are just as delicious as they are healthy. Check out these other great articles!
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With a little creativity and a simple ingredient like olive oil, you can set the table with flavorful meals comprised of dishes like Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Berries and Pecans or White Fish Fillets with Pesto, then end with a dessert such as Chocolate-Pumpkin Cake. You can even prepare the recipes using these Olive Oil Cubes.Simplify and Savor Dinner with Bold Flavors![]() (Family Features) A busy day doesn’t have to come between you and your favorite people at mealtime. With a little creativity and a simple ingredient like olive oil, you can set the table with flavorful meals and surround yourself with the company of friends and family, enjoying the experience together. There’s no need to get complicated when you have quality ingredients like olive oil to add some extra zest. You can have flavor at the ready with Olive Oil Ice Cubes, for example. Add fresh herbs from your garden to an ice cube tray then fill with smooth, light and flavorful olive oil and freeze. Whenever you need to get the flavor sizzling, simply toss a cube into the pan. Create a nearly effortless dressing with olive oil for a recipe like Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Berries and Pecans. White fish fillets like cod also pair well with an olive oil-based pesto, which can help ensure you’re prepared for any stressful day that dares to challenge your time around the table, allowing you to enjoy life’s pure moments. Olive oil even adds flavor to sweet and succulent desserts, such as Chocolate-Pumpkin Cake. When the minutes start to slip away, capture them back with recipes that use olive oil to create meals you can feel good about while savoring the company of those around you. Make every moment count and find more simple, enjoyable recipes at Bertolli.com. Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Berries and PecansPrep time: 15 minutes
Dressing:
White Fish Fillets with PestoTotal time: 15 minutes Fish:
Red Pesto:
Chocolate-Pumpkin CakeTotal time: 20 minutes
Olive Oil Cubes
Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Berries and Pecans, Olive Oil Cubes) SOURCE:Bertolli KEYWORDS
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.Simple, Satisfying Weeknight Solutions![]() (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 SalmonPrep time: 5 minutes
Tips: Substitute maple syrup for honey, if desired. Omit chili flakes and season with freshly ground pepper. ![]()
Greek-Style Roasted Sweet Potato SaladPrep time: 15 minutes Red Wine Dressing:
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad:
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 VinaigrettePrep time: 10 minutes Honey Dijon Vinaigrette:
Green Bean, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad:
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Just like forward-thinking culinary artists, many at-home chefs seek out the next trendy flavor to provide friends and family gathered around the table. When pondering which trend you’ll dive into in the future, consider incorporating tastes like Tomato, Feta and Basil Salad, Hummus and Fresh Figs with Honey from an especially influential international location – the Mediterranean Sea region.Make it Mediterranean![]() 3 dishes to highlight the next trend in internationally themed cuisine(Family Features) Just like forward-thinking culinary artists, many at-home chefs seek out the next trendy flavor to provide friends and family gathered around the table. When pondering which trend you'll dive into in the future, consider incorporating tastes from an especially influential international location - the Mediterranean Sea region. Considered by the experts at Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) in the organization's 2018 Trends Report to be one of the most influential parts of the world on the American food scene, flavors from the Mediterranean Sea focus on a diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts. Take this Hummus recipe, for example, which involves processing a host of beans, seeds and seasonings to create a light, smooth dip to serve with anything from vegetables to crackers. Because the fare is typically lighter, small bites and salads such as Fresh Figs with Honey or this Tomato, Feta and Basil Salad provide easy-to-prepare versions of Mediterranean cuisine. Incorporating vegetables (tomatoes and basil) along with the salty, milky flavors of feta cheese makes the salad a distinctly Mediterranean dish. In addition to Mediterranean food, the trends report highlighted Middle Eastern cuisine and Latin American flavors as areas of the world that will influence American dining in the next year. Additionally, LDEI highlighted these regions as likely to be influential in the next three years:
To go along with specific regions and countries to influence American food culture, the report identified these international food concepts as the most likely to become prominent food trends:
Mediterranean food, because of its reliance on the inclusion of vegetables and exclusion of red meat in many of its dishes, also squarely fits into the top established and growing health trends, according to the report, which are:
Find full results from the report and learn more about the organization at LDEI.org. 10 Ways to Find Culinary InspirationConsider these strategies for achieving inspiration in the kitchen from the LDEI 2018 Trends Report:
Tracking the Top Food TrendsAs trends continue changing, growing and spreading, the experts at LDEI continue to provide updates from the food world. Find complete 2018 Trends Report survey results and expert panel insights by contacting info@ldei.org. LDEI is a worldwide philanthropic organization of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. The invitation-only membership, composed of 2,300 women in 40 chapters across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico, is highly diversified and reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality. For more information, visit LDEI.org or find LDEI on Facebook.
Tomato, Feta and Basil SaladRecipe courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav of Cooking by Design, LLC, on behalf of Les Dames d'Escoffier International
HummusRecipe courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav of Cooking by Design, LLC, on behalf of Les Dames d'Escoffier International
Fresh Figs with HoneyRecipe courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav of Cooking by Design, LLC, on behalf of Les Dames d'Escoffier International
Photos courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav SOURCE:Les Dames d’Escoffier International KEYWORDS
The season of warm summer nights and bright sunny days calls for equally vibrant meals. When the hotter summer weather calls for light, fresh snackable fare, give Asian small plates a try with recipes like Chinese Shrimp Potstickers, Thai Chicken Satay and Light Cucumber Salad, or Korean Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi over Sticky Rice.Add a Splash of Flavor to Your Summer![]() Asian-inspired small plates for the entire family(Family Features) The season of warm summer nights and bright sunny days calls for equally vibrant meals. As the season of entertaining continues, many at-home chefs are searching for exciting and flavorful meals to feed their family and friends. According to Mintel’s 2018 US Flavor Trends Report, consumers continually seek to be more adventurous with their palates by trying ethnic flavors, such as those found in Asian cooking. When the hotter summer weather calls for light, fresh snackable fare, give Asian small plates a try. Have a go at a variety of flavorful appetizers like dippable Chinese Shrimp Potstickers, which pair perfectly with a savory Thai Chicken Satay and Light Cucumber Salad. Round out your meal with a satisfying Korean Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi over Sticky Rice, featuring irresistible and exotic flavors that can have your guests coming back for more. To create impressive meals with a variety of ingredients, incorporate an option such as Nakano clean-labeled rice vinegars, which are available in seven varieties and feature easy-to-read labels showing no more than six real, recognizable ingredients to help enhance the flavors of summertime dishes. For more fresh and flavorful summer dishes, visit NakanoOrganic.com. Thai Chicken Satay with Light Cucumber SaladPrep time: 25 minutes, plus marinating Cucumber Salad:
Chicken Satay:
Peanut Sauce:
Korean Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi over Sticky RicePrep time: 15 minutes, plus marinating
Chinese Shrimp PotstickersPrep time: 25 minutes
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Summer provides an abundance of delicious, fresh-picked flavors, giving home chefs plenty of opportunities to use them in both classic recipes and newfound favorites. From Carrot Beauty Noodles to a Miso Kale Caesar Salad to Peach Smoothies and everything in between, summer is all about creating dishes that taste tempting, bright and balanced.Brighten and Awaken Summer Flavors![]() (Family Features) Summer provides an abundance of delicious, fresh-picked flavors, giving home chefs plenty of opportunities to use them in both classic recipes and newfound favorites. From sides to salads to smoothies and everything in between, summer is all about creating dishes that taste tempting, bright and balanced. ![]() Using seasonal ingredients, like peaches and other sun-ripened fruits, can help play up the bounty of summer for all types of eating occasions. However, with a wide variety of available choices, it can be a dizzying task to select recipes you’ll want to make again and again. This summer, Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and celebrity chef Candice Kumai – also known as the “Golden Girl of Wellness” – recommend these make-at-home recipes to help brighten and awaken the best flavors at your table. “Apple cider vinegar is my favorite natural way to cook, look and feel my very best for all of summer,” Kumai said. “These recipes feature its powerful benefits and bright taste, which awaken summertime cooking.” Kumai recommends her Carrot Beauty Noodles as a show-stopping side dish to accompany main courses throughout the summer, while a light and savory Miso Kale Caesar Salad can curb and satisfy appetites before dinner. Meanwhile, the fresh-and-fruity versatility of this Peach Smoothie means you can enjoy it at breakfast, as a nutritious midday snack or even for dessert. With so many fresh, delicious choices, summer is the perfect opportunity to make the most of flavors in almost anything you’re making, but selecting the right recipes and ingredients can be the first step toward truly soaking up the brightness of the season. Find more tips and recipes for enjoying summer flavors at NaturesIntentVinegars.com, and find Nature’s Intent on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Carrot Beauty NoodlesRecipe courtesy of Candice Kumai
Peach SmoothieRecipe courtesy of Candice Kumai
Miso Kale Caesar SaladRecipe courtesy of Candice Kumai Dressing:
Salad:
Optional toppings:
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