Food and Beverage
Bring On Dessert with Better-for-You Sweets
Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) If healthier eating holds a prominent spot on your list of goals, you may feel it’s necessary to eliminate some of your sweetest favorites. However, committing to a nutritionally friendly way of life doesn’t have to leave desserts by the wayside.
Instead, rethinking nighttime treats with better-for-you ingredients like California Prunes as a quick substitution can make healthier eating easy. As a versatile ingredient that can replace added sugar, fats and eggs in all kinds of recipes, prunes can also add nutrients important for bone and gut health.
Plus, the copper in prunes inhibits bone breakdown, while boron plays a role in calcium metabolism and polyphenols can help decrease bone breakdown through their antioxidant power. As a fruit that’s high in vitamin K, which helps improve calcium balance and promotes bone mineralization, prunes are also a “good gut food,” meaning a single serving (roughly 4-6 prunes) can help support a healthy microbiome.
They’re easy to use in recipes that can become favorites in your household such as these Chocolate Energy Balls. Enjoyed as an easy, on-the-go snack, they’re a perfect way to refuel for an adventure, recharge after a workout or to simply savor as a healthy snack.
Chocolate lovers rejoice: This rich, delicious, gluten-free, grain-free Chocolate Covered Prune Fudge Cake is naturally sweetened using prunes instead of added sugar. If brownies are more your style, prunes can also take the place of eggs in these Vegan Brownies for a family-friendly treat that won’t wreck your eating plan.
To find more better-for-you desserts, visit californiaprunes.org.
Vegan Brownies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 9
Prune Puree:
- 16 ounces pitted California prunes
- 1/2 cup hot water
Brownies:
- nonstick cooking spray
- 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1/2 cup California extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 10 ounces California prune puree
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- flaky sea salt, for garnish
- To make prune puree: In blender, combine prunes and water. Pulse to combine then blend until smooth, pourable consistency forms, scraping sides, if necessary.
- Store puree in airtight container in fridge up to 4 weeks.
- To make brownies: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper then lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using double boiler, melt chocolate and olive oil. Whisk in sugar and prune puree; mix until dissolved.
- Into large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Gently fold in chocolate and prune mixture then add vanilla.
- Spread batter in prepared pan, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and bake 20-25 minutes, or until top starts to look dry and brownies are just beginning to pull away from sides of pan.
- Cool in pan. Remove then cut brownies into 3-inch squares.
Chocolate Covered Prune Fudge Cake
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Yield: 1 cake (8 inches)
Cake:
- Coconut oil spray
- 14 tablespoons butter, chopped
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 10 soft, pitted prunes, chopped small
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup almond meal
Ganache:
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 1/3 cups dark chocolate morsels
- To make cake: Preheat oven to 300 F. Lightly spray bottom and sides of 8-inch springform pan with coconut oil spray. Place round piece of parchment paper in bottom of pan and lightly spray with coconut oil spray.
- In small saucepan over low heat, place butter and vanilla. Use sieve to sift cocoa into saucepan. Stir with spatula until completely smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In bowl of food processor fitted with “S” blade, place prunes and syrup. Top with cooled butter mixture then process until smooth. Transfer to large mixing bowl, scraping all chocolate mixture from food processor with spatula.
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip eggs and coconut sugar on high speed 7 minutes, or until tripled in volume.
- Add one-third of egg mixture to bowl with chocolate mixture. Using spatula, gently fold together until completely combined. Add almond meal and remaining egg mixture to bowl and gently fold to combine.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 55 minutes, or until set. Once cooked through, transfer cake to cooling rack and cool completely in pan.
- To make ganache: In top of double boiler, melt coconut milk and dark chocolate until completely smooth. Pour prepared ganache over cake. Serve immediately for molten fudge effect or allow to completely set.
Chocolate Energy Balls
Recipe courtesy of Meg van der Kruik on behalf of California Prunes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 pieces
Prune Puree:
- 16 ounces pitted California prunes
- 1/2 cup hot water
Energy Balls:
- 1 cup old-fashioned or gluten-free oats
- 2/3 cup toasted, unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup creamy natural nut butter (peanut or almond)
- 1/2 cup pecan meal
- 1/2 cup prune puree
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- To make prune puree: In blender, combine prunes and water. Pulse to combine then blend until smooth, pourable consistency forms, scraping sides, if necessary.
- Store puree in airtight container in fridge up to 4 weeks.
- To make energy balls: In mixing bowl, stir oats, coconut, nut butter, pecan meal, prune puree, cocoa powder and vanilla until completely combined.
- Cover and chill in refrigerator 30 minutes. Once chilled, use small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to measure equal-sized amounts of mixture then form into balls by applying gentle pressure to dough using palms. Do not roll as balls will break apart.
- Store covered in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
SOURCE:
California Prunes
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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
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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
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(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:
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