(Feature Impact) Sheet pan cooking makes weeknight meals wonderfully easy – and fresh grapes give them an unexpected upgrade. Roasted alongside chicken, vegetables, gnocchi and more, grapes become warm and juicy, adding a pop of sweetness that complements savory flavors and makes simple dishes feel a little more special.

From satisfying dinners and sides to a crowd-pleasing dessert, these recipes bring something unexpected to the sheet pan without adding extra fuss. Find more family recipe ideas by visiting GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

1. California Grapes and Sage Chicken – This simple sheet pan dinner pairs savory sage-seasoned chicken with sweet California grapes, butternut squash, red onion and garlic. As everything roasts together, the grapes become warm and juicy while apple cider vinegar adds a bright, tangy counterpoint. It’s an easy, colorful meal that delivers plenty of flavor with minimal cleanup.

1. Roasted California Grapes and Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes and California grapes make a delicious pairing in this colorful, easy-to-prepare side dish. Roasting grapes brings out their natural sweetness, while balsamic vinegar, onion and fresh basil add savory, tangy notes for balance. Serve it alongside your favorite protein or add it to a grain bowl for a simple way to bring more fruits and vegetables to the plate.

1. Roasted California Grapes and Gnocchi – Tender gnocchi, juicy roasted California grapes, broccolini and red onion come together in this satisfying one-pan meal. Fresh thyme, feta and lemon zest balance the grapes’ sweetness with savory, tangy and bright flavors. With just 25 minutes of roasting time, it’s an easy way to turn everyday ingredients into a flavorful meatless dinner.

1. Chicken and Roasted California Grapes with Carrots and Parsnips – Warm, spiced cumin and turmeric give this hearty chicken sheet pan dinner plenty of flavor, while carrots, parsnips, onions and California grapes round out the meal. The grapes add juicy bursts of sweetness that complement the earthy root vegetables and savory spices. Everything cooks together on one pan for a colorful, satisfying dinner with easy cleanup.

1. California Grape and Apple Sheet Pan Pie – Tart apples and juicy black California grapes offer a delicious twist on classic apple pie in this crowd-friendly sheet pan dessert. The fruits bake beneath a golden lattice crust with the grapes adding extra color, sweetness and juicy texture to every slice. Designed to serve 16, it’s an inviting dessert for holidays, parties and other gatherings.

SOURCE:

California Table Grape Commission

(Feature Impact) Fall flavors and Halloween decorations make an ideal seasonal combination. These Cinnamon Spiced Ghost Cupcakes are the perfect example, with the warmth and sweetness of the cake offering a tasty base for piles of frightful frosting. All it takes to transform a swirl of white buttercream into a spooky ghost is a couple dots of food coloring, chocolate chips or another candy of choice.

They’re simple to make, easy to personalize and fun for all ages, whether you’re baking a tray for kids to decorate or bringing them to a Halloween party. Add sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon or decorations that fit your theme.

Find more seasonal recipes to enjoy at Culinary.net.

Cinnamon Spiced Ghost Cupcakes

Recipe adapted from The Marble Kitchen
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 16 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 1/4    cups all-purpose flour
  
• 3/4       teaspoon baking powder
  
• 2          teaspoons ground cinnamon
  
• 1/2       teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 6          tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
• 1/2       cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
  
• 1          egg, at room temperature
  
• 3/4       cup milk
  
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

• 1          cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
  
• 4          cups powdered sugar, sifted
  
• 3-5       tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature
  
• 1          tablespoon vanilla extract
  
•             black food dye or chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
3. Using electric or stand mixer, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar about 4 minutes on medium or medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, mixing well and scraping down bowl.
4. In small bowl or measuring cup, whisk milk and vanilla. Set aside.
5. Add 1/3 dry ingredient mixture to butter mixture and beat until combined. Add 1/2 milk mixture and mix well. Continue alternating dry and wet ingredients.
6. Bake about 16 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
7. To make frosting: Using electric or stand mixer, beat butter and salt on medium-high speed 5 minutes, scraping down bowl halfway through.
8. Reduce speed to low and add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream until 3 tablespoons have been added. Stop occasionally to scrape down bowl. Once all sugar is in, add vanilla and beat on medium-low 1 minute until light and fluffy. If desired, add additional cream 1 teaspoon at a time until frosting reaches preferred consistency.
9. Place buttercream in piping bag with large round tip. Pipe tall mounds of frosting on each cupcake in ghost shapes (wider on bottom, narrower on top). Add dots of black food dye or chocolate chips for eyes.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

(Feature Impact) When busy weeknights begin to make dinners feel more like a race against the clock than a chance to slow down, families need meals that come together quickly without defaulting to takeout. One solution may already be sitting on your counter: an air fryer.

Air fryers are now found in 7 of 10 American homes, according to new consumer research from the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association, but consumers are still learning how to use them beyond dinner, despite nearly 9 in 10 owners saying they’d like to discover more ways to get the most from their air fryer.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of air fryer users said the appliance is faster than their oven, making it a convenient solution for everything from quick breakfasts and lunches to snacks and weeknight dinners. With the added convenience encouraging users to eat at home more often, air fryers can also help stretch the family food budget.

If you’re looking to get more from your air fryer, start by thinking beyond dinner. Frequent users treat air fryers as an all-day essential, putting them to work for breakfast, quick lunches, after-school snacks and beyond. Look for frozen and refrigerated products that include air fryer directions on the packaging, such as frozen potatoes and vegetables, then visit Easy Home Meals for even more recipe inspiration.

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Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or simply looking to try something new, recipes like Air Fryer Butternut Squash and Chorizo Tacos and Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Bowls can help you get more from your air fryer while bringing fresh flavors to the table.

For more air fryer recipes, tips and inspiration for every meal occasion, visit EasyHomeMeals.com.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash and Chorizo Tacos

Recipe courtesy of Easy Home Meals
Total time: 15-30 minutes
Servings: 1-4

• 1          pound fresh chorizo sausage links
  
• 1          pound frozen, diced butternut squash
  
• 1          tablespoon olive oil
  
• kosher salt, to taste
  
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  
• 12        flour tortillas (6 inches)
  
• 1/2       cup crumbled queso fresco
  
• 1/4       cup pickled red onions
  
• chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 F 5 minutes. Place chorizo and butternut squash in even layer in air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Air-fry 10-14 minutes, flipping sausage and butternut squash halfway through, until chorizo’s internal temperature reaches 160 F and vegetables are tender.
2. Transfer sausage to cutting board. Cut into 1/4-inch slices. Top tortillas with sausage and butternut squash. Garnish with queso fresco, pickled red onions and cilantro.

Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Bowls

Recipe courtesy of Easy Home Meals
Total time: 15-30 minutes
Servings: 1-4

• 1/4       cup ketchup
  
• 1/4       cup Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1          tablespoon molasses
  
• 1 1/2    teaspoons soy sauce
  
• 1 1/2    teaspoons sugar
  
• 1          clove garlic, finely grated
  
• 2          frozen, breaded chicken breast cutlets
  
• 1          bag (10.8 ounces) frozen California blend vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots
  
• 1          tablespoon olive oil
  
• kosher salt, to taste
  
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  
• 1          microwavable bag (8.5 ounces) jasmine rice, prepared and kept warm
  
• 1          cup shredded purple cabbage
  
• 1/2       cup shelled edamame
  
• toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
  
• chopped green onions, for garnish

1. In small bowl, combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, soy sauce, sugar and garlic. Set aside.
2. Preheat air-fryer to 400 F 5 minutes. Place chicken cutlets in even layer in air-fryer basket. Arrange vegetables in even layer around chicken cutlets. Drizzle vegetables with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook 10-15 minutes, flipping cutlets halfway through, until lightly browned and crisp and vegetables are tender. Slice chicken cutlets.
3. Divide prepared rice evenly between bowls. Top with chicken cutlets, vegetables, cabbage and edamame. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with ketchup mixture.

SOURCE:

National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association