(Family Features) Celebrations abound throughout summer, and if you plan on hosting your nearest and dearest for events large and small, you’ll need a tasty, convenient ingredient to elevate your entertaining all summer long. When that one ingredient also serves as a healthy, refreshing snack on its own, it’s a win-win.

Delicious, healthy and versatile, Grapes from California can be that special ingredient and pleasing snack. In recipes, grapes deliver sweet-tart flavor and crisp, juicy texture to appetizers, main courses, drinks, desserts and beyond. These recipes show the myriad ways this bite-sized fruit can bring out the best in warm-weather fare: a tasty frozen treat, a chic cocktail and a flavorful Southwestern-inspired salad that each add a special touch to any gathering.  

In fact, while grapes complement a wide array of flavors – including sweet, sour, salty, spicy and smoky – that make them easy to use in recipes and serve alongside other foods, they’re also an ideal snack to serve by themselves. Grapes are inherently cool and refreshing, easily shareable and satisfying to eat.

Take your summer entertaining to new heights with additional recipe inspiration at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

6 Ways to Chill Out with Grapes

Taking get-togethers, parties and celebrations outdoors during the summer months means frozen treats are essential. Consider these creative ways to use frozen grapes in your summer entertaining:

• Freeze grapes as they are – on or off the stem – for 2 hours for a healthy frozen treat.
• Ice cubes – frozen grapes offer a visually appealing (and delicious) replacement for plain ice cubes to help keep guests’ drinks cool.
• Swalty Frozen Grapes – these cold, sweet and spicy grapes rolled in honey, lime juice and spicy chili-lime seasoning are fun to eat.
• Wine-marinated frozen grapes – soak grapes in wine overnight then freeze for a festive, boozy bite.
• Frozen Yogurt Dipped Grapes – dip skewered grapes in yogurt then freeze for a mini, sweet-tart treat.
• Grape Sorbet – fresh grapes blend and freeze beautifully for a lovely frozen dessert.

Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Grape and Yogurt Clusters

Yield: 7 mounds

• 1 cup black Grapes from California, halved
• 3/4 cup plain nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1. In medium bowl, combine grapes, yogurt and vanilla. Line 9-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper then, using 1-ounce scoop, place mounds of grape-yogurt mixture on sheet. Freeze until set, about 3 hours, or overnight.
2. Place chopped chocolate in small, wide microwaveable bowl. Microwave 1 minute on medium power. Stir and repeat. Stir then microwave 30 seconds, repeating as needed until melted and smooth.
3. Stir in oil. Dip bottoms of frozen clusters in chocolate to coat and return to pan.
4. Store frozen clusters in airtight container in freezer up to 1 week.

Nutritional information per serving: 100 calories; 3 g protein; 12 g carbohydrates; 4.5 g fat (41% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (23% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 10 mg sodium; 2 g fiber.

Southwest Charred Corn Salad with Grapes

Yield: 4 servings (6 cups)

• 2 large ears yellow corn on the cob, shucked
• 1/2 English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1 cup large green and red Grapes from California, halved
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh jalapeno, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 avocado, diced 1/2 inch
• 1 ounce cotija cheese, crumbled
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

1. Over open flame on stove, directly under broiler or on grill, char corn, turning with tongs as needed, until roasted all around, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. In medium mixing bowl, combine cucumber, grapes, black beans, onion, jalapeno, olive oil, vinegar, cumin and salt; toss well.
3. Working with sharp knife in wide, shallow bowl or pie pan, cut corn from cobs. Stand ear of corn upright in bowl and cut from middle downward, rotating to cut down 4-5 times. Invert cob and repeat. Repeat with remaining cobs.
4. Add corn, avocado and cheese to bowl with grape-black bean mixture. Sprinkle with pepper, to taste, and top with cilantro; toss well.

Nutritional information per serving: 200 calories; 5 g protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 11 g fat (50% calories from fat); 2 g saturated fat (9% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 160 mg sodium; 4 g fiber.

Lemongrass Grape Cocktail

Yield: 1 drink

Lemongrass Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3-4 stalks lemongrass, trimmed, halved, inner cores cut into 1-inch pieces, chopped

Cocktail:

• 1/2 cup cold Grapes from California
• 2 slices fresh ginger
• 1 cup ice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces lemongrass simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• frozen Grapes from California, for garnish
• lemongrass stalk, trimmed, for garnish

1. To make lemongrass simple syrup: In heavy, small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved; add lemongrass pieces and simmer 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat. When cool, cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
2. To make cocktail: In shaker, muddle cold grapes and ginger. Add ice, vodka, lemongrass simple syrup and lime juice; shake well. Pour into glass over ice and garnish with frozen grapes and lemongrass stalk.

Note: For mocktail, replace vodka with seltzer water.

Nutritional information per serving: 270 calories; 1 g protein; 37 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

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.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy

(Family Features) As patriotic parties roll on throughout the day and fireworks light up the night, Fourth of July fun calls for favorite snacks that complement the excitement. Whether you’re a pyro or prefer to leave the fiery entertainment to the experts, one thing you can take charge of is the dessert table.

Summer is a perfect time to make fruit the star of the show, and Fourth of July is no exception. These special occasions can be uplifted with the aroma and flavor of Envy Apples, a leading apple variety that offers an invitation to guests to savor memorable moments together.

Their versatility makes them ideal for sweet treats like these Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts for a patriotic touch with red, white and blue pops of color. These tasty bites are shareable, handheld and festive, making them a savvy solution that keeps entertaining simple.

Just combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, pipe onto baked tart shells and top with raspberries, blueberries and star-shaped apple cutouts. Better yet, you can even swap out raspberries for preferred red fruits like strawberries or cherries, if desired.

If all the planning and entertaining leaves you short on time, turn to these Patriotic Apple “Donuts” that swap out traditional dough for thick, round apple slices topped with cream cheese and sprinkles. With just a few ingredients, you can slice the apples then let little ones in on the fun by spreading the cream cheese and decorating with sprinkles.

The craveable texture and crunch of Envy Apples provides balanced sweetness for these favorite desserts and beyond, giving guests the ultimate apple experience for all your Fourth of July festivities. They’re an appealing backdrop for pops of red and white in patriotic recipes as their flesh remains whiter longer, even after cutting or slicing, so they look fresh and delicious throughout the holiday.

To find more Fourth of July salads, main courses, sides and desserts, visit EnvyApple.com.

Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts

• 1 cup diced raspberries
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 cup halved blueberries
• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk
• 12 frozen mini tart shells, approximately 2 inches in diameter
• 3 Envy Apples, cut into 12 large slices (around cores)

1. In bowl, stir raspberries and 2 tablespoons sugar. In separate bowl, stir blueberries and remaining sugar. Let sit 30-60 minutes.
2. Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Spoon into piping bag and cut off small part of tip.
3. Bake tart shells according to package directions. Once baked and cooled, fill halfway with cream cheese mixture.
4. Using small star cookie cutter, cut shapes from apple slices.
5. Top half of each tart with spoonful of raspberries and other half with blueberries. Top each with apple star and repeat with remaining ingredients.

Patriotic Apple “Donuts”

Servings: 6

• 2 Envy Apples
• 2/3 cup whipped cream cheese
• 6-10 tablespoons red, white and blue sprinkles

1. Cut apples horizontally to create thick, round slices. Use round cookie cutter to remove apple cores.
2. Spread cream cheese on “donuts.” Top with sprinkles.

SOURCE:
Envy Apple

(Culinary.net) When you think about summer foods and outdoor gatherings, one of the first things that often comes to mind is, of course, grilling. It’s delicious, fun and perfect for the summer heat. Grilling is popular during the warm months simply for the vast amount of different foods that can be created and devoured, plus you’re outside enjoying the sunshine.

Many love to grill kebabs, fajitas and the classics: hamburgers, hot dogs and bratwursts. However, this recipe is far from those signature meats yet you still get that charred, mouthwatering taste you crave every summer (with a sweet, juicy shift).

This Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip is sweet and tangy but also packs the flavor of summer from a flaming grill. It’s a summertime twist perfect for a change up from the classics.

Begin by creating a marinade for the pineapple and letting it chill. The Lime Dip is simple yet smooth and sweet with cream cheese, yogurt, honey and brown sugar. It also has a hint of lime juice and tangy lime zest to give it that fresh taste every summer meal needs.

Once the dip is complete, it’s time for the best part: firing up the grill. Grill the pineapple wedges on each side until they are ready to be served with the dip. It’s that easy, and all those flavors combine to create an unexpected culinary combination.

Next time the grill is calling your name, think outside the box. This is a light, vegetarian dish many will love during the hottest time of the year. Try something new this season and don’t be afraid, the outcome is wholesome and, simply put, delicious.

Find more summer grilling recipes at Culinary.net.

Watch video to learn how to make this recipe!

Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip

• 1          pineapple
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
• 2          tablespoons lime juice
• 3          tablespoons honey

Lime Dip:

• 8          ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2       cup plain yogurt
• 3          tablespoons honey
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
• 2          tablespoons lime juice
• 2          teaspoons lime zest

1. Peel pineapple; cut into wedges.
2. In resealable plastic bag, combine brown sugar, lime juice and honey. Add pineapple wedges, seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour.
3. To make Lime Dip: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt, honey, brown sugar, lime juice and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Heat grill to medium heat.
5. Remove pineapple wedges from plastic bag; discard marinade. Grill pineapple wedges, covered, 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
6. Serve with Lime Dip.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

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.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy