Food and Beverage
Elevate Summer Entertaining with an Enjoyable Crunch
Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) As families and friends gather on patios and decks to enjoy the warmth of summer and meals fresh off the grill, many are searching for that perfect ingredient that can complement salads, appetizers, main courses, desserts and more.
This year, you can turn to pecans to elevate meals and give your guests something to rave about. Iconic for their flavor versatility – shining in a wide range of profiles from sweet and spicy to salty, smoky and savory – they’re a tasty addition for favorite summertime recipes.
From an enjoyable crunch to comforting creaminess and a satisfying chew, pecans deliver a perfect bite and texture. These Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Pecan Salsa, for example, are loaded with fresh flavors for an easy, nutritious warm-weather meal.
Taste is just the beginning – pecans also pack a nutritious punch with a unique mix of health-promoting nutrients and bioactive compounds. Known for their rich, buttery consistency and naturally sweet taste, pecans have a longstanding tradition as a nut topping. They’re sprinkled atop this Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese for a refreshing seasonal salad with a nutty crunch.
To find more recipes that take summer entertaining to the next level, visit EatPecans.com.
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Pecan Salsa
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
- 4 boneless pork loin chops (each 1-inch thick)
- 3/4 teaspoon, plus 1/8 teaspoon, kosher salt, divided
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 medium peaches, diced
- 2/3 cup raw pecan pieces
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno pepper
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- Season pork chops with 3/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Grill pork chops until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook 5-6 minutes until food thermometer inserted in center registers 135 F.
- Transfer to plate and rest at least 5 minutes until internal temperature rises to 145-160 F.
- Gently stir peaches, pecans, onion, basil, jalapeno, lime juice and remaining salt.
- Add salsa on top of each pork chop with remaining salsa on side.
Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Spiced Pecans:
- 1 large egg white
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups pecan halves
Salad:
- 1/4 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, extra-virgin olive oil or pecan oil, divided
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper, to taste
- 2 large peaches, halved and pits removed
- 6 cups mixed baby greens (such as arugula, spring mix and spinach)
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese
- To make spiced pecans: Preheat oven to 275 F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In medium bowl, whisk egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt until well combined. Fold in pecans and mix until evenly coated in mixture. Spread in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until pecans are fragrant and golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
- To make salad: Heat grill to medium-high heat.
- In small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Brush cut sides of peach halves with remaining olive oil and grill until grill lines appear and peaches become tender, 3-5 minutes. Remove peaches and cut into slices.
- Divide greens among four plates. Top with grilled peach slices and goat cheese. Divide 1 cup spiced pecans evenly among salads and reserve remaining cup for snacking. Drizzle each salad with vinaigrette.
SOURCE:
American Pecan Promotion Board
Food and Beverage
5 Tips to Make Hosting Easy and Fun
From celebratory parties to casual get-togethers, hosting is a wonderful way to bring people together, share laughs and make memories. Of course, planning and hosting can be quite a bit of work, so a little preparation can go a long way to ensure an enjoyable time for everyone, including the host.
5 Tips to Make Hosting Easy and Fun
(Feature Impact) From celebratory parties to casual get-togethers, hosting is a wonderful way to bring people together, share laughs and make memories. Of course, planning and hosting can be quite a bit of work, so a little preparation can go a long way to ensure an enjoyable time for everyone, including the host.
Follow these tips from the hosting experts at Bravo, makers of eco-friendly, high-performance paper towels, to plan your next gathering so it goes off without a hitch.
Keep the Menu Simple
Naturally, you want to make sure your guests are well-fed and happy, but trying to achieve a Michelin-star rating in your home kitchen is usually just a recipe for stressing yourself out. If you’re serving a meal, stick to some tried-and-true crowd-pleasers you can make in your sleep. Cook or bake in advance as much as possible so you’ll have less to worry about on the day itself.
Let Guests Know What to Bring
Good houseguests often enjoy contributing something, so make it easy for them – and yourself – by letting them know how they can help. You could ask one person to bring snacks, another to pick up beverages and a third to cover dessert. Potluck-style lunches or dinners are a great way to make sure everyone has enough to eat and drink while taking the pressure off just one person’s shoulders.
Have a Backup Plan
In case you’re arranging an outdoor get-together, remember the weather can betray you. Keep alternative plans on standby in case you need to move the party indoors. Tidy up your living areas and ensure there is enough seating for everyone attending. It doesn’t hurt to have indoor-friendly entertainment options available too – often, people are content to just sit and chat with one another, but depending on the crowd, classic party games can still be a hit.
Set Up Kids’ Zones
If you’ll be welcoming children to your home, provide one or two dedicated areas where they can safely play and enjoy themselves away from the rest of the action. Having an assortment of toys, games, coloring books, chalk, bubble wands and other sources of kid-friendly fun makes it easy for the whole family to have a great time.
Make Prep and Cleanup a Breeze
Keeping quality cleaning supplies on hand like Bravo paper towels means you can quickly wipe up spills and messes while you’re prepping. Then, after your guests depart, the strong, absorbent sheets make it easy to get your countertops sparkling again. They’re made with 75% curbside recycled paper and cardboard, making them sustainable-household-approved. Use them with water or your go-to cleaning solution before enjoying some well-deserved post-hosting relaxation in your fresh, clean home.
“Hosting can put paper towels to work, from quick countertop wipes to stuck-on foods and bigger cleanup jobs,” said chef and lifestyle expert Jamie Gwen. “Bravo has a clothlike feel that is soft on your hands, but it is still durable enough for scrubbing and strong enough to rinse and reuse.”
Find more smart cleaning tips at BravoTowel.com.
SOURCE:
Bravo
🍽️ Love discovering great food and drink? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News Food and Drink newsletter for the latest recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and culinary stories delivered straight to your inbox.
recipes
The Nutrient-Packed Fruit Families are Adding to Their Fruit Bowls
Busy families are looking for snacks that do more than simply satisfy hunger – they want foods that deliver great taste along with meaningful nutrition. Nutrient-Packed Fruit? For a fresh twist on breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack, try this Kiwi and Whipped Feta Toast.
The Nutrient-Packed Fruit Families are Adding to Their Fruit Bowls
(Feature Impact) Busy families are looking for snacks that do more than simply satisfy hunger – they want foods that deliver great taste along with meaningful nutrition. That’s one reason kiwifruit has become one of the fastest-growing fruits in the produce department with more shoppers discovering its sweet taste and impressive nutritional benefits.
With its vibrant golden flesh, smooth skin and juicy tropical-sweet flavor, an option like Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit makes it easy to enjoy a snack that’s as delicious as it is nourishing. Whether packed into lunchboxes, sliced over breakfast or enjoyed straight from the fruit bowl, it’s a simple way to add more nutrition to everyday routines.
Why Every Bite Matters
Kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-dense fruits available, making it an ideal choice for busy families looking to maximize nutrition with minimal effort. When time is tight, choosing foods that deliver whole food nutrition becomes essential.
Naturally packed with vitamins and minerals, Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit provides 100% of your daily vitamin C needs in just one fruit. They also provide potassium to support normal muscle and nerve function, vitamin E to help protect cells from everyday damage and folate to support healthy cell growth and development.
Sweet Flavor, Endless Possibilities
The versatility of sweet kiwifruit allows it to pair beautifully with everything from smoothies and yogurt bowls to salads, desserts and savory dishes.
For a fresh twist on breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack, try this Kiwi and Whipped Feta Toast. Creamy whipped feta, ripe avocado and slices of sweet kiwi come together for a delicious balance of vitamins, minerals and vibrant flavor that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying.
Discover more delicious ways to get more nutrition from every bite, including recipes, at Zespri.com.
Kiwi and Whipped Feta Toast
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 8 small rustic bread slices, 3/4-inch thick, toasted
- 2 Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 firm but ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
- extra-virgin olive oil
- fresh basil
- In small food processor, process crumbled feta cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth.
- Spread equal amounts onto bread slices and top with alternating slices of kiwi and avocado.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil before serving.
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon tahini sauce to feta for richer flavor.
Variation: Omit avocado and use three kiwis. Sprinkle lightly with chopped Kalamata olives. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with snipped fresh oregano and crushed red pepper flakes.
SOURCE:
Zespri
🍴 What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News Food and Drink newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!
(Family Features) Whether you’re lounging by the pool or hitting the trails for a family hike or bike ride, exposure to summer heat can leave you feeling dehydrated and fatigued.
Comprised of nearly 90% water and delivering essential electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, 100% orange juice can serve as a healthy complement to your hydration routine. These electrolytes are crucial in helping to maintain fluid balance and muscle function regardless of the time of year, but they’re especially important during the warmer summer months when you are exerting more.
Consider these unexpected ways Florida Orange Juice can help power your summer.
Support Immunity
100% orange juice isn’t just a tasty drink; it’s also packed with essential nutrients that support your immune system. An 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, plus it provides key nutrients such as folate, potassium and thiamin, as well as vitamin D and calcium (in fortified juices), that help support the immune system all year long.
Add Healthy Flavor to Meals
Fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free with no added sugar, 100% orange juice is a healthy addition to any diet, adding a burst of flavor to favorite dishes. Consider using Florida Orange Juice as part of the marinade in these Orange Juice Citrus Chicken Kebabs or as a base for salad dressings to create a perfect balance that will delight your taste buds.
Electrolyte and Hydration Support
With many kids participating in summer sports and other outdoor demands on families during the warmer months, it can be difficult to provide your family with healthy, hydrating beverages. However, an option like this On-the-Go Orange Juice Sports Drink helps to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes during and after physical activity, such as running, biking, exercising or playing sports.
Find more nutritious and delicious recipes to keep your family energized during summer activities at FloridaJuice.com.
Orange Juice Citrus Chicken Kebabs
Recipe courtesy of Aaron Himrod on behalf of the Florida Department of Citrus
Servings: 8 (2 kebabs per serving)
- 1 large Florida Orange, zest only
- 1 lime, zest only
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- white pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 8 wooden skewers
- To make marinade: In medium mixing bowl, combine orange zest; lime zest; thyme; oil; garlic; salt; white pepper, to taste; orange juice; and soda.
- Add chicken and completely coat with marinade. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator at least 1 hour.
- Soak wooden skewers in water 20-30 minutes.
- To make kebabs: Remove chicken from fridge and lace through each skewer using weaving motion. Repeat for all chicken tenders and set aside.
- When skewers are prepared, drizzle extra marinade over chicken.
- Heat grill to medium. Place chicken on grill. Cover and cook 3 minutes per side, or until center of meat reaches internal temperature of 170 F.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately, or cover with foil and serve later.
Tips: Cover kebabs with foil for at least 20 minutes after cooking to trap in flavor and juices.
Add vegetables to kebabs, if desired, to increase flavor
On-the-Go Orange Juice Sports Drink
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus
Servings: 1
- 8 ounces Florida Orange Juice
- 8 ounces water
- 1 pinch salt
- Mix orange juice and water.
- Add pinch of salt.
- Pour into small bottle or reusable pouch.
SOURCE:
What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News Food and Drink newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!
