Food and Beverage
Bring On Dessert with Better-for-You Sweets
(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
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
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Food and Beverage
Hidden Valley Ranch Teams Up with Pizza Hut and Eli Manning to Launch New Easy Squeeze Bottle and First-Ever Collectible Pizza
Eli Manning to Use the new Hidden Valley Ranch Easy Squeeze Bottle to Autograph Pizza Hut Pizza Creating Crave-worthy Memorabilia
Fans Can Win a Year’s Supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and Pizza Hut Pizza to Create Signature Moments All Year Long
OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hidden Valley ® Ranch, the nation’s original ranch dressing brand, is changing the game with the launch of its brand-new Easy Squeeze bottle, making it even easier to add ranch flavor to anything. To celebrate the launch and just in time for the Big Game, Hidden Valley Ranch is teaming up with Pizza Hut and football legend, Eli Manning, to create the one-of-a-kind Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza, delivered by Pizza Hut.
This unexpected collectible is a crave-worthy Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, autographed by Eli Manning using the precision and control of the new Hidden Valley Ranch Easy Squeeze bottle and preserved in resin for eternity. PSA – the largest and most respected third-party authentication and grading company for trading cards and memorabilia – will authenticate the prized pizza. Football, ranch and pizza enthusiasts can learn more about how to win the forever-lasting memorabilia here.
“Our new bottle design is a game-changer for ranch lovers, making it easier than ever to enjoy every drop of Hidden Valley Ranch without the mess,” said CC Ciafone, marketing director at Hidden Valley Ranch. “We’re thrilled to team up with two icons, Pizza Hut and Eli Manning, to create a one-of-a-kind ranch and pizza experience that combines great food, legendary talent, and our new Easy Squeeze bottle.”
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Grand Prize: One lucky winner will receive the one-of-a-kind Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza encased in resin, along with a year’s supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and a year’s worth of Pizza Hut pizza.
- 10 Runners-Up: 10 runners-up will receive a year’s supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and a Pizza Hut pizza to create your own signature moments.
“Pizza Hut is always looking for innovative ways to bring excitement to the table, and partnering with Hidden Valley Ranch to celebrate their Easy Squeeze bottle is the perfect match,” said Melissa Friebe, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut. “This experience brings this dynamic duo together in a fun and memorable way, celebrating the deep love fans have for both.”
How to Enter**
Ranch and football fans alike can enter the sweepstakes via social media starting on January 15, 2025, through kickoff on February 9, 2025. Visit www.HVRSignaturePizza.com to find step-by-step instructions on how to enter. Submissions will be accepted until 6:30 pm EST on Feb. 9. Don’t miss your chance to savor the excitement and take your ranch game to the next level.
The new bottle will feature several consumer benefits including:
- Improved Flow Control Cap: No mess, no drips—just clean, controlled pours every time.
- Inverted Easy-Squeeze Bottle: Enjoy every drop while eliminating ranch waste in this easier-to-hold-and-control design.
The new design, which will be available in both 16oz and 24oz, will be on shelves at retailers nationwide beginning in March 2025.
To learn more about Hidden Valley Ranch, exclusive recipes and more, visit www.hiddenvalley.com.
ABOUT HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH
Founded in 1954, Hidden Valley® Ranch is the nation’s original ranch dressing brand and America’s favorite ranch.*. Bottled Hidden Valley Original Ranch and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasonings & Packets come in a variety of flavors and forms for fans to enjoy the ranch flavor they love across all mealtime and snacking occasions. Hidden Valley Ranch products, including Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning, Dressing & Dip Mix, Hidden Valley Restaurant-Style Ranch Dressing Recipe Mix, Plant Powered Hidden Valley Ranch Topping & Dressing and more, can be found in grocery retailers nationwide and online. Follow us! www.instagram.com/hidden.valley/ and www.tiktok.com/@hiddenvalleyranch. Learn more at HiddenValley.com.
* Based on IRI unit sales data L52WE 08/25/24 for Hidden Valley Original Ranch
About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original Pan® and Original Stuffed Crust® pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 18+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,500 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world.
For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what’s happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
[email protected]
** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. (D.C.) 18 YEARS OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Ends 2/9/25. See Official Rules, for entry req’s, prize details & odds disclosure, at www.HVRSignaturePizza.com. Sponsors: HV Food Products Co., 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607 & Pizza Hut, Inc., 7100 Corporate Dr., Plano, TX 75024.
CLX-B
SOURCE Hidden Valley® Ranch
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/food-and-drink/
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Foodie News
Sensei Debuts World’s Largest Autonomous Supermarket at NRF 2025
Sensei introduces a new customer experience with democratic entry, simplified real-time basket checkout, discrepancy detection and streamlining the grocery experience for customers.
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Sensei (https://www.sensei.tech/), a global leader in autonomous retail technology, is proud to announce the official debut of its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York City from January 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales; transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency.
“Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines – it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” said Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-Founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring this transformative solution to larger scale supermarkets and challenge the retail industry with what’s possible.“
At NRF 2025, Sensei will showcase a live demo of its autonomous store concept at Booth 117 in the FoodService Innovation Zone. Attendees will experience firsthand how Sensei’s technology creates a seamless shopping experience, combining:
- Autonomous Grocery Solutions: Consumers grab items like cereal, milk, or pasta, and their virtual basket updates in real-time.
- Assisted Sales Integration: Retailers can redeploy staff from checkout lines to high-value roles, such as supporting bakery or deli operations.
- Smart Integration: Automated systems like coffee machines can be seamlessly incorporated into the autonomous ecosystem.
Pioneering Retail Innovation
Sensei’s proprietary AI technology combines computer vision, machine learning and sensors to achieve 99% accuracy in tracking consumer interactions with products, a significant improvement over existing autonomous solutions. Shoppers enjoy transparency, as purchases are displayed in real-time, eliminating the friction of scanning and lines.
Exclusive Launch Announcement
Sensei’s presence at NRF coincides with the launch of its 1,200+ square-meter autonomous supermarket in Portugal, in partnership with MC (Sonae Group), the country’s leading grocery retailer. This groundbreaking achievement sets a new benchmark for large-scale autonomous retail environments. Store features include:
- Democratic Entry: No app, card, or registration is required to enter the store. The entry is open as in any regular supermarket.
- Diverse and Comprehensive Assortment: The store offers a range of products similar to a traditional supermarket, including solutions like weighable fruits and vegetables, a fish market with service, and bakery and pastry options sold in bulk.
- Simplified Checkout: Thanks to “real-time basket” technology, customers don’t need to scan products. At checkout, items automatically appear on the screen for confirmation, eliminating the need to remove products from bags or carts.
- Discrepancy Detection: The technology identifies discrepancies between what the customer picked up (e.g., fruits and vegetables) and what was actually weighted, ensuring greater control and accuracy throughout the shopping journey.
This innovative retail environment integrates AI-powered computer vision, shelf sensors, and real-time inventory tracking to provide unparalleled accuracy and convenience for consumers while delivering valuable behavioral insights and operational efficiencies for retailers.
Visit Sensei at NRF 2025
Sensei will host autonomous store demo at its booth (#117) in the FoodService Innovation Zone at NRF 2025. Explore how autonomous solutions can revolutionize grocery stores, convenience stores, and beyond.
About Sensei
Sensei is the leading European provider of autonomous retail technology, a pioneer in the industry, it was the first technology company to open fully autonomous stores in Europe, Latin America and Brazil. Through an advanced infrastructure that combines AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion, Sensei builds experiences that make shopping more intuitive and generate unprecedented store metrics and performance insights for businesses. www.sensei.tech
SOURCE Sensei Tech
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Food and Beverage
TUMS Teams Up with DraftKings to Launch TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool, Making Gameday Food Dreams a Reality
TUMS has launched the Fantasy Foodball Pool with DraftKings, allowing fans to select favorite foods for a chance to win a share of $40,000 in prizes while addressing heartburn concerns during game day.
Fans can draft their top food and drink picks for a free shot at
winning a share of $40,000 in total cash prizes
WARREN, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — As hundreds of millions prepare to tune into the biggest day in football, a new survey from TUMS has revealed that 1 in 4 viewers will be focused on the real MVP: the food.* To celebrate gameday foodies, TUMS has teamed up with DraftKings to launch TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool, a first-of-its-kind free online game where players can create a lineup made entirely of their favorite food and drink combinations. No matter the plate – fantasy or real – TUMS provides fast relief when occasional heartburn strikes so fans can tackle unwanted symptoms and get back to their beloved gameday bites. Age and eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. See terms at www.draftkings.com/tumsfoodball. Contest facilitated by DraftKings.
Food lovers can visit www.DraftKings.com/TUMSFoodball to play up to four rounds of TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool for free for a shot at winning a share of $40,000 in total cash prizes. From tailgate plates and spicy bites to sweet treats and New Orleans cuisine, fans can draft their top six food and drink choices from a menu of 36 items from now up to the Big Game following food-related themes:
- Jan. 6 to 12: Tailgate Foods
- Jan. 13 to 19: Spicy Foods
- Jan. 20 to 26: Sweet Foods
- Jan. 27 to Feb. 9: New Orleans Foods
Each round of TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool features the top foods and drinks selected by a survey of 2,000 Americans*, ensuring plates will be filled with the most popular options, including the top 10 foods on respondents’ Big Game plates: barbecue (34%), hot wings (33%), seven-layer dip (24%), brownies (22%), chicken tenders/nuggets (22%), nachos (21%), pizza (20%), buffalo chicken dip (20%), fries (17%) and mini sliders and/or burgers (16%). According to that survey, 54 percent of people believe that the gameday food spread has the power to make or break the experience. However, consistent snackers also note that enjoying these foods can occasionally lead to unwanted symptoms, with 1 in 4 citing heartburn as a potential outcome. Looking for a solution, 1 in 3 survey respondents said they hope their host has an antacid on hand.
To bring the delicious combination of football and food to the table, TUMS has partnered with former two-time professional football champion and food enthusiast, Vince Wilfork. An avid cook, Wilfork will lend his expertise from the field to the table and share his personal experience with tackling occasional heartburn.
“Nothing should stand between fans and their favorite foods, especially on gameday, so I’m thrilled to partner with TUMS to help foodies like me celebrate without the worry of heartburn getting in the way,” said Wilfork, who is a brand fan and user himself. “Since leaving the field, I never watch a game without my must-have foods, like brisket and ribs that are grilled low and slow, hot wings, sliders and brownies, my favorite dessert. When these occasionally cause heartburn, I reach for TUMS for fast relief.”
TUMS has reinvigorated its free-to-play pool concept with DraftKings to create TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool and give fans an engaging way to bring food to the forefront of gameday.
“The fans have spoken – food is clearly a big part of any football watch party, and we’re thrilled to give them a competitive way to celebrate their love of gameday bites,” said Patricia Melo, Brand Director for TUMS. “Although the foods we love can occasionally lead to symptoms of heartburn, TUMS provides fast relief, allowing fans to feel rest-assured that they won’t have to sideline their fun.”
“We learned first-hand just how passionate fans are about food as a result of our successful collaboration with TUMS last year,” said Jay Danahy, Head of Revenue, DraftKings Media & Sponsorships. “We’re thrilled to be working with TUMS once again, giving food fans a new way to engage on game day centered around their most valuable plate picks and a free shot at winning a share of cash prizes.”
In addition to providing fans with an opportunity to indulge in their food plate fantasies, TUMS will kick off Big Game Weekend in the heart of the New Orleans food and libations culture with an event taking place at Bourbon Heat on Feb. 7. Open to the public, attendees will have the opportunity to try samples of TUMS Chewy Bites, enjoy exclusive merch and giveaways (while supplies last), and learn how to play the final round of the free TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool.
For more information on TUMS and its range of products, follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok (@TUMSofficial) or visit www.TUMS.com.
*Data from a survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of TUMS from Dec. 5 to Dec. 10, 2024, with a sample of 2,000 Americans aged 21–43.
About TUMS
TUMS Chewy Bites offer tasty and effective occasional heartburn relief so you can savor the moment. They provide multi-symptom relief, including heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion relief, and upset stomach relief. TUMS Gummy Bites go to work in seconds* for occasional heartburn relief, plus feature a soft, easy-to-chew format and multi-benefit relief from occasional sour stomach, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. TUMS are the #1 recommended antacid brand by doctors, pharmacists and OBGYNs. TUMS is America’s #1 antacid with a wide variety of flavors and formats that offer something for everyone.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
About Haleon US
Haleon (NYSE: HLN) is a leading global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans six major categories: Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health, Sexual Health, and Wellness. Built on trusted science, innovation, and deep human understanding, Haleon’s U.S. brands include Abreva, Advil, Benefiber, Centrum, Emergen-C, Eroxon, Excedrin, Flonase, Gas-X, Nexium, Nicorette, Parodontax, Polident, Preparation H, Pronamel, Sensodyne, Robitussin, Theraflu, TUMS, Voltaren, and more. For more information on Haleon and its brands, please visit www.haleon.com or contact [email protected].
SOURCE TUMS
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