recipes
Fall Into Fresh Ideas for Autumn Entertaining
Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Crafting cozy crowd-pleasers is a must for hosting – especially during the cooler fall months. Give your crowd something to celebrate, regardless of the occasion, with comforting sides and appetizers that warm loved ones from the inside-out.
Always a healthy snack, fresh California grapes can also be the versatile ingredient you need for elevating dishes for get-togethers and parties. In addition to providing a juicy burst of flavor and pop of color, roasting grapes in recipes like these intensifies their flavor as the natural sugars caramelize.
No matter your main course, you can enjoy it alongside an easy yet refined side dish in Roasted Cauliflower with Grape Gremolata. Tender, caramelized cauliflower is topped with a vibrant grape gremolata with fresh herbs, garlic and a hint of lemon zest adding a bright and flavorful finishing touch. Colorful, tasty grapes bring balance to this savory side that pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled fish or hearty grain bowls.
Sesame-Roasted Grapes in Crispy Won Ton Cups offer perfect party bites that blend sweet and savory in each mouthful. Juicy, fresh California grapes are tossed with sesame oil, honey and a touch of soy then roasted until caramelized. Nestled in golden brown won ton cups, they make for a simple yet sophisticated way to start any gathering.
If a warm medley of color and taste sounds like the ideal addition to your fall celebrations, Sheet Pan Roasted Grapes and Sweet Potatoes provide an effortless solution as a crowd-pleasing side. Sweet potatoes, grapes, red onion and tangy balsamic glaze are roasted and topped with fresh basil so you can enjoy the flavors of the season without spending all your hosting time in the kitchen.
To discover more recipes that elevate fall entertaining without the hassle, visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
Roasted Cauliflower with Grape Gremolata
Servings: 6
Grape Gremolata:
- 1 cup finely chopped green Grapes from California
- 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 large lemon, zest only
- 1 pinch sea salt
Roasted Cauliflower:
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- To make grape gremolata: In medium mixing bowl, stir grapes, parsley, garlic, lemon zest and salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 day ahead.
- To make roasted cauliflower: Heat oven to 450 F and line baking sheet with foil.
- Discard leaves and stems from cauliflower and cut into 1-1 1/2-inch florets. Place in large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss well to coat. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and spread in single layer.
- Roast 15 minutes. Stir well and roast 15 minutes, or until golden brown on edges. Serve warm with grape gremolata.
Nutritional information per serving: 90 calories; 3 g protein; 12 g carbohydrates; 5 g fat (50% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 290 mg sodium; 3 g fiber.
Sesame-Roasted Grapes in Crispy Won Ton Cups
Servings: 24 (1 cup each)
- 24 square won ton wrappers, at room temperature
- olive oil cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 cups red Grapes from California
- sesame seeds
- snipped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Heat oven to 350 F. Spray won ton wrappers on both sides with olive oil spray. Press into 24 mini muffin cups, gently pressing into bottom to form flat base. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned; let cool.
- Increase oven temperature to 425 F and line small baking sheet with foil. In medium bowl, stir sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, vinegar and ginger. Add grapes and toss well to coat.
- Spread mixture in single layer on baking sheet and roast 30 minutes, or until grapes are cooked but still holding shape, stirring occasionally. Let cool then spoon a few grapes into each won ton cup, adding any leftover juices. Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro.
Nutritional information per serving (1 wonton): 50 calories; 1 g protein; 9 g carbohydrates; 1.5 g fat (27% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 120 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
Sheet Pan Roasted Grapes and Sweet Potatoes
Servings: 6
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 cups red Grapes from California
- 1 pound orange sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced onion
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- snipped fresh basil
- Heat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, salt, grapes, sweet potatoes and onion, tossing well to coat. Place on large baking sheet and spread in single layer.
- Bake 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, stirring halfway through cooking. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper, to taste, and fresh basil.
Nutritional information per serving: 170 calories; 2 g protein; 27 g carbohydrates; 7 g fat (37% calories from fat); 1 g saturated fat (5% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 310 mg sodium; 2 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/food-and-drink/
Food
Hellmann’s Calls the Plays for Game Day Food With New Football Campaign
Hellmann’s is kicking off football season with “Call for Hellmann’s,” a new campaign combining the language of the gridiron with burgers, chicken tenders and other game day favorites.
Football season is back, and for many fans, what’s on the table can be almost as important as what’s happening on the field.
Hellmann’s Kicks Off Football Season With New Game Day Food Campaign
Hellmann’s is leaning into that connection between football and food with “Call for Hellmann’s,” a new fall campaign built around burgers, chicken tenders, sliders and the familiar language of the sidelines.
Announced September 2, the campaign puts a football spin on game-day cooking, positioning Hellmann’s mayonnaise and flavored condiments as part of the playbook for tailgates, watch parties and Sunday afternoon spreads.
Turning Game Day Food Into a Football Play
The campaign takes familiar football terminology and applies it to another game-day ritual: deciding what everyone is going to eat.
Two advertising spots anchor the campaign.
In “Make the Call,” Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise is paired with a classic burger, while “Chicky Tenders” features chicken tenders served with Hellmann’s Chipotle and Spicy varieties.
The commercials use coach-inspired direction, football language and original music influenced by classic football movies. The result is a combination of sports nostalgia, humor and plenty of food imagery.
“Football and food have always gone hand in hand and Hellmann’s has a natural place in so many of the dishes that fans reach for on game day,” Jessica Grigoriou, SVP Marketing, Condiments at Unilever North America, said in the announcement.
Grigoriou said the campaign is designed to have fun with language football fans already recognize while celebrating the foods and traditions that bring people together throughout the season.
Hellmann’s Heads to the Stadium
The campaign isn’t staying on television and social media.
Hellmann’s plans to bring its Manny Mayo mascot and food truck to several NFL stadiums during September and October, serving sliders while offering trivia, giveaways and other activities.
Scheduled appearances include:
- September 13 — MetLife Stadium
- September 20 — MetLife Stadium
- October 4 — Lincoln Financial Field
- October 11 — Gillette Stadium
The activation complements Hellmann’s existing football partnerships, which span both the professional and college games.
The brand has relationships with the New York Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, along with the Big Ten Conference and college programs including Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Texas and Georgia.
Game Day Is Also Food Day
The campaign taps into something football fans have known for generations: watching the game is often a food event of its own.
Burgers, wings, chicken tenders, nachos, dips, sliders and sandwiches have become staples of football weekends, whether fans are tailgating outside the stadium or watching from the couch.
That makes condiments particularly easy territory for a food brand to connect itself with football culture. Rather than introducing an entirely new game-day tradition, Hellmann’s is putting its products into foods many fans are already preparing.
And the campaign arrives just as kitchens, grills and backyard patios across the country are getting ready for another season of football gatherings.
What’s on Your Game Day Menu?
Maybe it’s burgers hot off the grill. Maybe it’s a giant plate of wings. Perhaps your football tradition involves nachos, chili, sliders or a bowl of homemade dip that disappears before halftime.
Whatever your starting lineup looks like, Hellmann’s wants a spot on the roster this season.
The “Call for Hellmann’s” campaign will run throughout football season across national television, streaming platforms and social media.
For football fans, meanwhile, there is another important call to make:
What are we eating during the game?
Official Hellmann’s resources:
Hellmann’s Game Day Recipe Ideas
Hellmann’s Game Day Recipes
Hellmann’s Game Day Dip Recipes
Source: Hellmann’s/PRNewswire, September 2, 2026.
About STM Daily News Food & Drink
From new products and restaurant news to recipes, food trends and the stories behind what we eat, STM Daily News Food & Drink serves up something worth coming back for. Check back for more food news, recipes and ideas for your next meal.
Recipe of the Week
Pack Pasta Salad in a Jar for a Taste of Summer in School Lunches
When students open up their lunchboxes in the cafeteria, it’s fun to be greeted with something bright, colorful and fresh. Pasta salad is a summer picnic staple, but once the weather starts to cool and kids head back to school, there’s nothing to say you can’t send a taste of summer with them.
Pack Pasta Salad in a Jar for a Taste of Summer in School Lunches
(Feature Impact) When students open up their lunchboxes in the cafeteria, it’s fun to be greeted with something bright, colorful and fresh. Pasta salad is a summer picnic staple, but once the weather starts to cool and kids head back to school, there’s nothing to say you can’t send a taste of summer with them.
The beauty of pasta salad is it’s totally customizable, ideal for eating cold and easy to make ahead of time. That means you can spend the evening before school dishing up jars then pop them in the fridge for a quick morning grab-and-go lunchbox filler. Adults in the household can take one to work while kids have their own at school – and if anyone wants a different dressing or no olives, it’s an easy accommodation.
If you’re making this Pasta Salad in a Jar recipe as the main course instead of a lunchtime side, up the protein by adding beans, chicken or cubed cheese to keep kids energized for the second half of the day. Choose whole-grain or high-protein pasta for an extra nutritional boost, and pack in vitamins and fiber with plenty of crunchy fresh produce, from cucumbers and carrots to tomatoes and olives.
Find more school-day recipes at Culinary.net.
Pasta Salad in a Jar
Recipe adapted from Best of This Life
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon parsley
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
- 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 2 tablespoons sliced Kalamata olives
- 1 cup cooked pasta of choice, cooled
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- To make dressing: In canning jar, combine olive oil, vinegar, basil, oregano, parsley and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in chickpeas.
- Layer tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, cooked pasta and spinach over dressing.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, flip jar over and lightly shake to combine dressing with other ingredients.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
SOURCE:
🍴 What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!
recipes
Build Heart-Healthy Habits That Last with 4 Simple, Everyday Steps
Build Heart Healthy Habits: Small, consistent lifestyle changes and healthy habits, including staying active and making smart food choices, can help support cardiovascular health. This Warm Lentil, California Grape and Arugula Salad includes a quick homemade rosemary lemon vinaigrette to pack in the flavor and complement black lentils and sweet grapes.
(Feature Impact) Your heart works around the clock, making heart health one of the most important parts of your overall well-being. The good news is improving heart health doesn’t require an overnight transformation. Small, consistent lifestyle changes and healthy habits, including staying active and making smart food choices, can help support cardiovascular health.
Sit Less Throughout the Day
If you work in an office setting, spending long periods sitting may be the norm. Even if you exercise regularly, those long-seated hours may affect heart health. Look for opportunities to move more by taking short walking breaks, standing while on the phone, stretching between meetings or taking the stairs instead of an elevator.
Prioritize Foods That Support Heart Health
A heart-healthy eating pattern can begin with foods that are low in saturated fat and sodium, and provide beneficial vitamins and plant compounds, like fresh, juicy grapes. They contain 7% of the daily recommended intake of potassium per serving, are a good source of vitamin K and deliver beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols, including flavonoids, that can help relax blood vessels and promote healthy circulation.
Some studies also suggest grapes have a beneficial impact on blood lipids and more. In fact, one study found women who consumed 1 1/4 cups of grapes every day benefited from reduced blood triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol levels, inflammatory proteins and other markers of heart disease.
Whether enjoyed as a snack, added to salads or blended into smoothies, Grapes from California make it easy to add more heart-smart nutrition throughout the day. For example, this Warm Lentil, California Grape and Arugula Salad includes a quick homemade rosemary lemon vinaigrette to pack in the flavor and complement black lentils and sweet grapes.
Cut Back on Added Sodium
Adding heart-healthy foods like grapes to your menu is a good place to start, but caring for your cardiovascular system is also about what you’re not eating. Many packaged and restaurant foods contain more sodium than some people realize, making it important to read nutrition labels, prepare more meals at home and flavor foods with herbs, spices, citrus or vinegar instead of extra salt to support healthy blood pressure.
Make Good Sleep a Priority
Quality sleep affects many aspects of health, including cardiovascular. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night in a cool, comfortable environment. To get a good night’s rest, try limiting screen time before bed, blocking out light and avoiding alcohol or caffeine in the evenings.
To learn more about the heart-health benefits of grapes and find additional health-supporting recipes, visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
Warm Lentil, California Grape and Arugula Salad
Servings: 6
- 1 pouch (8 ounces) precooked black lentils
- 1 1/2 cups Grapes from California, halved
- 1 cup radicchio, torn
- 1 cup arugula
- chopped toasted walnuts
Rosemary Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- To make rosemary lemon vinaigrette: In small blender or food processor, process olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, honey, salt, garlic and pepper, to taste, until rosemary is finely chopped; set aside until ready to use. May be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated in covered container until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature before using.
- In large glass bowl, microwave lentils 45 seconds, or until warm. Add grapes, radicchio, arugula and dressing to bowl and toss lightly to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts.
Nutritional information per serving: 160 calories; 4 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 9 g fat (51% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 200 mg sodium; 4 g fiber.
SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission
🍽️ Love discovering great food and drink? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for the latest recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and culinary stories delivered straight to your inbox.
