Food and Beverage
3 Essential Steps to Love Your Heart

(Family Features) Taking steps to improve your overall health can help you live a longer, healthier life. One key component of overall well-being – heart health – is especially critical as heart disease has been the leading cause of death among Americans since 1950, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adopting habits like exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits like grapes and getting the proper amount of sleep can set you on the right path.
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can have a positive impact on heart health and may lower your risk for heart disease. For example, grapes are easy to keep on hand as a heart-healthy snack. They have no saturated fat or cholesterol and are low in sodium; contain 7% of the daily recommended intake of potassium; and are a good source of vitamin K. Grapes are also a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols and help maintain healthy circulation by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels.
Whether enjoying them by the handful on their own or as part of recipes like these Baked Grape Falafel Bites, where Grapes from California add juicy goodness to a classic chickpea fritter, grapes are a perfect ingredient for heart-friendly eating plans. Research suggests eating grapes daily helps support heart health. In one study, for example, women who consumed 1 1/4 cups of grapes every day benefited from reduced blood triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol levels, inflammatory proteins and other markers of heart disease.
Exercise Regularly
Getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, as recommended by the American Heart Association, can have a positive impact on heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation and aiding in maintaining a healthy weight.
Get the Proper Amount of Sleep
A crucial component of heart health, experts recommend adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Creating a cozy sleep space by turning off electronics and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature is the first step toward a restful night’s sleep. Also aim for consistency with your bedtime routine, including going to sleep and waking at the same times each day (including weekends), for best results.
Learn more about the heart-health benefits of grapes, and find additional heart-friendly recipes, at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
Baked Grape Falafel Bites
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, rinsed
- cold water, for soaking
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in wedges
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 18 red Grapes from California
- vegetable oil cooking spray
- tahini sauce or baba ghanoush, for dipping
- In medium bowl, cover chickpeas with at least 2 inches cold water. Let soak at least 12 hours, or overnight, at room temperature.
- To make falafel bites: Drain soaked chickpeas, rinse well in colander and let stand.
- In bowl of food processor, process parsley and cilantro until chopped herbs stick to sides of bowl. Do not scrape down. With motor still running, drop garlic through feed tube; it will also stick to sides of bowl. Remove lid, add onion and pulse to chop well. Add chickpeas, cumin, salt and baking powder. Scrape everything off sides of bowl and process until mixture is well chopped and looks mealy. Add flour and pulse to blend. Cover mixture and chill at least 1 hour.
- Using 1-ounce scoop or tablespoon, drop 2-tablespoon mounds of chickpea mixture onto plate. Shape into balls, stuffing one grape inside each.
- Heat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with foil then parchment paper.
- Place falafel balls on sheet and spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Bake 20 minutes, turning 1-2 times with tongs, until golden brown.
Nutritional information per serving: 240 calories; 8 g protein; 30 g carbohydrates; 11 g fat (41% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (4% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 480 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.
SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission
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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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Food and Beverage
Celebrate Spring’s Arrival with a Skillet Fish Fry

(Family Features) Nothing says spring like a fish fry with the catch of the day. This Pan-Fried Catfish recipe is perfect for enjoying flaky fillets without the mess. Find more springtime favorites by visiting Culinary.net.

Pan-Fried Catfish
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning (or seasoning of choice, such as lemon pepper)
- 1 stick butter
- 1/4 cup avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 1-2 pounds thawed catfish fillets (1/2 pound each)
- cooked rice, for serving
- In pie dish, mix flour and seasoning.
- In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add oil. Coat fish fillets in flour mixture on both sides. Place fish in skillet and fry 5 minutes then flip and fry 5 minutes.
- Place fish on paper towel to drain excess oil then serve with rice.
Tip: If skillet is large enough, fry two fillets at once. If frying more than four fillets, discard butter and avocado oil then start fresh before frying more.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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Food and Beverage
Sweet, Smokey and Peachy. The New Sonny’s BBQ Spring Menu Is Here!
Available for a limited time, Sonny’s is bringing fresh, seasonal ingredients to its famous BBQ
ORLANDO, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Sonny’s BBQ, the industry-leading BBQ restaurant rooted in quality food, hospitality and spreading kindness, is introducing a limited-time spring menu that combines bold flavors and seasonal ingredients crafted by Head Pitmaster Shannon Snell. Starting March 3, the mouthwatering lineup is packed with sweet peach flavors paired with smokey BBQ to create a lineup that can’t be missed, and marks the return of two Sonny’s signature dishes in response to guest requests.
“Sonny’s spring seasonal menu pulls on core memories for me,” shared Snell. “The first time I had peach barbecue sauce was at a small barbecue joint in Tampa, right around the corner from the gym I went to growing up. They smothered it over chicken, creating a melting pot of flavors that stuck with me for years. I wanted to bring that same unforgettable experience to our guests with a fresh, Sonny’s twist. There’s something about the rich, juicy flavor of Georgia peaches that pairs perfectly with our signature dishes.”
Snell along with the network of Sonny’s expert Pitmasters wove their roots of slow-cooked to perfection dishes with innovation that puts guest preference on the spring menu. Highlights include:
APPETIZERS
- Cheese Curds: TILLAMOOK® CHEDDAR CHEESE CURDS tossed in dry rub, served with Smokin’ Ranch
- Seasonal Wings: smoked wings tossed in a tangy Golden BBQ or Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce
SANDWICHES
- Brisket Grilled Cheese (RETURNING FAVORITE): chopped brisket, queso, and cheddar cheese on garlic bread
- Chicken Tender Sandwich: jumbo chicken tenders, tossed in Sonny’s Golden BBQ Sauce, loaded with pickles on garlic bread
ENTREES
- Sweet Peach BBQ Chicken: introducing the Sweet Peach BBQ sauced and grilled chicken to the menu, served with two Sidekicks and garlic bread
PREMIUM SIDES
- Hot Link Mac & Cheese: signature Mac & Cheese, topped with chopped Hot Links, dry-rub, cornbread crumble and a drizzle of Sweet Sauce
- Onion Rings: thick-cut sweet onions, beer battered, fried to a crispy golden finish and seasoned with Sonny’s signature dry-rub.
DESSERTS
- Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls (RETURNING FAVORITE): homemade Peach Cobbler, stuffed in an egg roll, deep fried to perfection, and served with whipped cream
SAUCES
- Golden BBQ: rich and tangy mustard-based sauce with a hint of sweetness
- Peach BBQ: vibrant peach flavored sweet BBQ sauce
Sonny’s BBQ invites guests to try the new seasonal menu and savor the flavors of spring. The lineup of new items, along with returning favorites, has something for everyone to enjoy – whether you’re a longtime Sonny’s fan or discovering Sonny’s as your new go-to BBQ spot.
Guests can also join the Sonny’s BBQ loyalty program to get more value of every bite. First-time guests get $5 off an entree and start gaining points for sizzlin’ deals.
To learn more about Sonny’s BBQ, visit SonnysBBQ.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Franchise opportunities can be found at https://sonnysbbqfranchise.com/.
About Sonny’s BBQ
With nearly 100 locations spanning the southeast, Sonny’s BBQ® is one of the largest barbecue restaurant brands in the country. Its signature pulled pork, sweet tea, and unique appetizers have afforded the restaurant the title of “Best Barbecue Chain in America” by The Daily Meal. Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife, Lucille, founded Sonny’s BBQ in 1968 in Gainesville, Fla. in hopes of creating a local BBQ joint for their community to enjoy. 55 years later, Sonny’s BBQ continues to do just that under the direction of CEO Jamie Yarmuth and local pitmasters spreading the spirit of BBQ in each of their communities through the ‘Q the Kindness and Random Acts of BBQ initiatives. The brand gives back more than $1.2 million annually across the eight states it serves, and reaches tens of thousands of community members with its generosity. Sonny’s BBQ is a leader in the hospitality industry with its commitment to creating unique consumer experiences, ability and willingness to utilize cutting-edge technology, and network of successful franchisee relationships. For more information, online ordering and to find the Sonny’s BBQ location closest to you, please visit www.SonnysBBQ.com or download the new Sonny’s BBQ mobile app.
SOURCE Sonny’s BBQ
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Food and Beverage
Creative Easter Cakes

Celebrate the holiday with tasty desserts and time with family
(Family Features) Sweet, delicious treats make Easter celebrations magical, putting the final touch on brunch, lunch or dinner gatherings. Whether your crowd enjoys the sweet-tart combination of fruit-infused cakes, mini bundts with personalized decorations or rich, creamy cheesecake, the dessert table is sure to be popular.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake and Carrot Cheesecake from “Cookin’ Savvy” are perfect desserts for sharing with loved ones, made with little effort and a lot of love. You can even let little ones help in the kitchen with Fun Mini Easter Bundts by allowing their creativity to run wild – just hand over the icing and chocolate toppers then watch the artistry unfold.
To ensure your feast goes off without a hitch, create these tempting cakes the day before for a no-hassle Easter.
Find more ways to elevate Easter celebrations with food by visiting Culinary.net.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake
- 1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Grease bundt pan and place rinsed blueberries in bottom. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk; pour on top of blueberries. Bake 35 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
- To make glaze: Mix butter, sugar and milk then pour over cake.

Fun Mini Easter Bundts
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 24 mini bundts
- 1 box confetti cake mix
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
Chocolate Toppers:
- 1 cup each color melting chips of desired colors
- silicone Easter candy molds of desired shapes
- 1 pouch ready-made green icing
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Pour into greased mini bundt pan and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
- To make chocolate toppers: In bowl for each color, melt melting chips in 1-minute intervals in microwave until thoroughly melted. Pour into baggies and snip corner. Pipe melted chips into molds and freeze 15-20 minutes. Pipe green icing onto mini bundt cakes for “grass” then place chocolate mold pieces on top.
Substitution: Save time on toppers by replacing with store-bought chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses or marshmallow bunnies.
Carrot Cheesecake
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake
Cake:
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup coconut
- 4 eggs
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
Cheesecake:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Topping:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chips
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- To make cake: Mix cake mix with carrot and coconut. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs, butter and yogurt. Pour mixture into greased springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Let completely cool in pan.
- To make cheesecake: Using hand mixer, whip whipping cream and sugar to form whipped cream and set aside.
- Using hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add in whipped cream and mix. Pour onto completely cooled carrot cake in springform pan. Let set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before unspringing pan.
- For topping: Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on cake before serving.
Tip: For extra festive appearance, add desired Easter candy on top.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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