Nutrition
Guilt-free, superfruit snacking
With today’s changing palates and the growing demand for sour, less sweet foods and beverages, a superfruit like tart cherries can help snackers permissibly indulge without the guilt.
For many, enjoying a small indulgence can serve as a reward for a job well done or a mood-boosting pick-me-up. In fact, mindful snacking is on-trend for a majority of consumers.
According to Mondelez International’s Fourth Annual State of Snacking Global Consumer Trends Study, 78% are choosing small indulgences to pamper themselves and 68% are checking nutrition labels on snacks.
With today’s changing palates and the growing demand for sour, less sweet foods and beverages, a superfruit like tart cherries can help snackers permissibly indulge without the guilt. Primarily grown on small family farms in the United States, Montmorency tart cherries – also referred to as sour cherries – are available year-round in dried, juice and juice concentrate, canned and frozen forms.
More than 110 scientific research studies show Montmorency tart cherries are a superfruit. In addition to their sweet-sour taste and unique nutrient profile, research suggests tart cherries – one of the few natural food sources of melatonin – may help improve sleep, aid in exercise recovery, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis symptoms, improve gut health and promote heart health. In fact, in one study published in the “European Journal of Nutrition,” adults who drank Montmorency tart cherry juice slept about 40 minutes longer on average and had up to a 6% increase in sleep efficiency.
While increasingly featured in functional beverages and health-positioned foods, tart cherries can also add drool-worthy flavor to superfruit-infused snacks, such as these Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits and Tart Cherry Brownie Bites. Plus, using tart cherries as a favorite ingredient in recipes like these adds a health halo to sweets – reinforcing the trend of permissible indulgences.
As an ideal superfruit snack that makes snacking more satisfying, tart cherries provide delicious flavor and potential health benefits in these recipes and beyond so you can savor the moment and cherish every bite.
Find more tart cherry snack recipes at ChooseCherries.com.
Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits
Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
2 cups tart cherry juice
2 ripe bananas
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup granola
1/4 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup frozen tart cherries, thawed
Place chocolate chips in bowl.
In saucepan over medium heat, bring tart cherry juice to simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to 2/3 cup.
Pour juice into bowl and mix until chocolate chips are melted and sauce is smooth.
Cut bananas in half lengthwise and place on two plates. Spoon 1/2 cup Greek yogurt on each banana then drizzle with 2 tablespoons almond butter and 2 tablespoons tart cherry chocolate sauce.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons granola, 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries and 1/4 cup thawed frozen tart cherries on top of each banana split.
Note: Leftover tart cherry chocolate sauce can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for later use.
Tart Cherry Brownie Bites
Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry
Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 12 bites
10 medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/4 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon chia or hemp seeds (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons peanut or almond butter
4 tablespoons tart cherry juice
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
cocoa powder (optional)
melted chocolate (optional)
In bowl of food processor, combine dates; dried tart cherries; walnuts; oats; cocoa powder; seeds, if desired; salt; and nut butter. Pulse 30-60 seconds until ingredients are ground into tiny pieces.
Add tart cherry juice in 1 tablespoon additions, pulsing mixture after each addition, until crumbly dough forms.
Transfer dough to bowl and fold in chocolate chips.
Roll dough into 12 balls. Serve plain or finish balls with dusting of cocoa powder or drizzle of melted chocolate, if desired.
Nutrition
Potato recipes for the holidays
Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family by turning to easy-to-prepare potato recipes that can make the whole family happy.
Many people would agree the holidays are one of the happiest times of the year – but also one of the most stressful. Replace the stress with smiles by cooking easy, delicious dinners that can help make the season a breeze and bring a little holiday happiness to mealtime.
Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family by turning to easy-to-prepare potato recipes that can make the whole family happy.
For example, when you’re busy trying to cook multiple things at once, free up precious oven real estate while saving time with these Herby Holiday Air Fryer Little Potatoes. For a busy weeknight during the holiday season, potato dishes like this one can be made in an air fryer and customized with a few of your favorite pantry staples. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, dried will do the trick.
This recipe and many others can be streamlined with Little Potatoes, which come pre-washed, are small enough they don’t need to be cut and are a fresh, whole food grown on family farms so you can feel good about serving them to your loved ones.
Remember, easy can still be fabulous and festive. This Warm Winter Potato Salad with Cranberries offers the best of both worlds as it comes together in around 7 minutes with seasonal pops of red and green.
This family-friendly side features A Little Roasted Garlic, Rosemary & Thyme Microwave Ready Little Potatoes that simply need to be steamed in the microwave for 5 minutes then tossed with the included seasoning pack – no boiling or peeling required. It’s truly a holiday shortcut, and you can make the recipe even easier by using store-bought honey mustard vinaigrette if you’re short on time to make it from scratch.
Visit littlepotatoes.com to find more ways to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family.
Herby Holiday Air Fryer Little Potatoes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
1 1/2 pounds Little Potatoes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh or dried herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, sage or oregano, chopped
In large bowl, toss potatoes with oil or melted butter. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Place in air fryer basket.
Air fry potatoes at 390 F for 25 minutes.
Once air-fried, sprinkle potatoes with herbs and serve.
Warm Winter Potato Salad with Cranberries
Prep time: 2-5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
1 package A Little Roasted Garlic, Rosemary & Thyme Microwave Ready Little Potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 small apple, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or other nuts (optional)
fresh parsley (optional)
green onions (optional)
Prepare potatoes according to package instructions, about 5 minutes, tossing with olive oil and included seasoning pack once cooked.
In small bowl, whisk Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar and honey or maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
In large bowl, toss warm potatoes with cranberries, thinly sliced apple and walnuts, if using.
Drizzle mustard dressing over top and gently mix until well-coated.
Top with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired, for pop of color. Serve warm.
Tips: If you like more texture, toast walnuts for extra crunch. For added creaminess, mix 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or mayonnaise into dressing. To save time or reduce ingredients needed, use storebought honey mustard vinaigrette.
Nutrition
Tasty twists on a traditional holiday treat
These variations on the classic cake can take your celebrations to new heights by throwing it back to childhood with a little bite of the past.
Embrace the color and flavor of tradition this holiday season with new twists on red velvet desserts. These variations on the classic cake can take your celebrations to new heights by throwing it back to childhood with a little bite of the past.
Take a trip down memory lane with “Cookin’ Savvy” and her delicious takes on tradition: Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Red Velvet Cake Balls and Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts, all of which make it easy for the entire family to join together for some fun (and rich homemade flavor) in the kitchen.
Find more “Cookin’ Savvy” recipes at Culinary.net.
Red Velvet Bundt Cake
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy“
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1 stick softened butter
1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
5 cups powdered sugar
white sanding sugar (optional)
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Grease bundt pan with butter and pour in batter. Bake according to package instructions for bundt cakes then add 10-15 minutes. Let cool before icing.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
Ice entire bundt cake or place frosting in piping bag and pipe with back and forth “drip” motion. Sprinkle sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy“
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1/2 stick softened butter
4 ounces softened cream cheese
1/8 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus additional for rolling, divided
Heat oven to 350 F.
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Grease 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in batter. Bake 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and use fork to crumble cake then place in large bowl.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Mix frosting into bowl with cake.
Form cake mixture into balls then roll in powdered sugar.
Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy“
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1 stick softened butter
1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
5 cups powdered sugar
white sanding sugar (optional)
Heat oven to 350 F.
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour half the mixture onto each sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes.
Let cookies cool then freeze 1 hour. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
Using knife or piping bag, frost cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.
Nutrition
Asian-inspired dishes to enjoy
You can skip the to-go boxes with these tasty Asian-inspired dishes that come together almost as fast as delivery while allowing you to get creative at mealtime.
Some nights, especially when schedules are jam packed, the allure of grabbing takeout or swinging through a drive-thru between activities may sound more appealing than spending time in the kitchen. You can skip the to-go boxes, however, with these tasty Asian-inspired dishes that come together almost as fast as delivery while allowing you to get creative at mealtime.
Packed with fresh shrimp and crispy veggies, this Crab and Shrimp Sushi Burrito fuses some favorite takeout dishes together to satisfy cravings in half an hour. Using Success Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice, which cooks up soft and fluffy, provides a flavorful and aromatic base. This combination of seafood, homemade sauces and flavorful veggies makes for an unforgettable taste experience comparable to your favorite quick-serve restaurant.
Or let your kitchen appliances help create a satisfying, soothing take on a Thai classic. A quick and easy bowl of deliciousness that’s sure to comfort the whole family, this Thai Red Curry Chicken and Rice Soup features chicken, lime juice, Thai red curry and coconut milk mixed with basmati rice.
Ready in just 10 minutes, Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is quick, easy and mess-free, and it’s guaranteed to always cook right – just place the bag in chicken broth to experience the long-grain rice’s subtle, nutty flavor and unique texture. Plus, Success Rice is free from artificial additives and unprocessed ingredients, so you can feel good about serving it with a variety of dishes.
Find more recipe inspiration to tackle takeout cravings and more at SuccessRice.com.
Crab and Shrimp Sushi Burrito
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
4 sushi nori sheets
1/2 carrot, ribboned, divided
1/2 cucumber, ribboned, divided
6 crab sticks, shredded, divided
6 large shrimp, cooked, deveined, tails removed and butterflied, divided
Rinse rice bag under cold water to remove starch. Prepare rice according to package directions.
In small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat rice vinegar, sugar and salt until sugar and salt have dissolved, about 1 minute. Set aside.
In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
Transfer cooked rice onto large baking sheet. Drizzle half the vinegar mixture over rice, turning until all rice is fully coated. Taste and add more vinegar mixture, if desired. Spread rice into thin layer and cool to room temperature. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Lay down one sushi nori sheet. Spread layer of rice on it. Place half the carrots and cucumbers on rice. Place crab and shrimp on top.
Place another sushi nori sheet just under first one and roll. Repeat with remaining sushi nori sheets, rice, carrots, cucumbers, crab and shrimp. Wrap both burritos in plastic wrap. Let rest 10 minutes.
Slice burritos in half and serve with spicy mayo.
Thai Red Curry Chicken and Rice Soup
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
6 cups chicken broth
2 bags Success Basmati Rice
1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 pound chicken breast tenders
2 tablespoons lime juice
4 green onions, thinly sliced
In pressure cooker on saute setting over high heat, bring broth and rice bags to boil. Boil, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove bags with fork and set aside.
Add coconut milk, curry paste, soy sauce and brown sugar to pressure cooker. Turn off saute setting. Add chicken. Cover and lock to seal. Set to pressure cook setting over high heat about 10 minutes, or until chicken is tender. Carefully, manually or naturally, release pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions before removing lid.
Set pressure cooker to saute setting over medium heat. Remove chicken and shred with two forks; add to soup along with lime juice and green onions. Remove rice from bags and stir into soup. Simmer until rice is heated through.
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