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Infuse Holiday Gatherings with Fresh Grape Flavor

The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.

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Last Updated on July 15, 2024 by Daily News Staff

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(Family Features) The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.

As a highly versatile addition to appetizers, snacks, main courses, sides and desserts, grapes are an essential ingredient to keep on hand. Thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture, Grapes from California can be the star at the center of the meal in unique and tasty Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes served with Spiked Grape Cider for a cozy adult beverage.

Finish the celebration by sharing Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake, where delicious, fresh grape juice is used in the cheesecake batter to lend natural sweetness and enhance flavor. Decorate the top with fresh, juicy grapes for a final festive touch.

Find more sweet ideas to celebrate the holidays at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

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A Sweet Party Starter

Set the stage for a delicious get-together by serving an easy, attractive appetizer like this Grape Party Tray with fresh grapes, prosciutto, cheeses, pistachios and more holiday favorites. Grapes are easy to include as they offer variety – different colors, shapes, sizes and textures – which makes them an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in tasty recipes.

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Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes

Servings: 4

  • 4 thick pork chops (about 3 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups whole red or black Grapes from California
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 small cinnamon sticks, broken
  • 3-5 whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
  2. Heat heavy, lidded saute pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Dust pork chops with flour and brown slowly in melted butter. Do not let flour burn.
  3. Remove pan from heat and add grapes, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt and pepper. Cover and place in oven. Braise slowly 50-60 minutes, or until pork is tender. Remove pork from pan and keep warm. Skim pan sauce of excess fat. Arrange pork chops on serving platter, spoon with sauce and sprinkle with chopped mint, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 569 calories; 54 g protein; 41 g carbohydrates; 21 g fat (33% calories from fat); 9 g saturated fat (14% calories from saturated fat); 33% calories from fat; 165 mg cholesterol; 407 mg sodium; 1.6 g fiber.

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Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus cooling and chilling
Bake time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12

  • 2 cups green Grapes from California, divided
  • 1/4 cup, plus 2/3 cup, granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 large pinches kosher salt
  • 21 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
  1. Heat oven to 425 F with rack in center. Use 12-by-16-inch sheet of parchment paper to line 9-inch springform pan in center. Press paper into bottom edge of pan and flatten creases around sides. Place pan on shallow baking sheet.
  2. In mini blender or food processor, blend 1 cup grapes, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch and salt on high until smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until fluffy, 1-2 minutes. With mixer on medium speed, gradually pour in heavy cream; scrape down and beat on high speed until mixture resembles soft whipped cream, about 1 minute. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down between additions. At medium speed, gradually add grape puree mixture; scrape and mix until well blended, 1 minute.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan, transfer to oven and bake 38-40 minutes until cake is puffed and top is caramel brown. Cracks will appear around edges and cake will be wobbly when touched gently with finger. Set cake pan on baking sheet on rack to cool. Cake will sink to half its height. Cool to room temperature, 1-2 hours, then refrigerate uncovered. Do not unmold cake from pan until well chilled, at least 5 hours or overnight.
  5. Slice remaining grapes in halves or rounds. In small bowl, combine grapes with orange liqueur, if desired, and set aside.
  6. When ready to serve, remove side of pan. Carefully pull creased parchment away from side of cheesecake then transfer to serving platter by peeling parchment away from bottom of cake and underneath pan while gently tugging cake toward platter and off parchment.
  7. Garnish top of cheesecake with grape-liqueur mixture, if desired, or fresh grapes. Cut cake into wedges with thin, sharp knife.
  8. Note: Cheesecake can be made up to 2 days ahead. Once cake is well chilled, cover pan with plastic wrap until ready to serve

Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 6 g protein; 25 g carbohydrates; 26 g fat (67% calories from fat); 15 g saturated fat (39% calories from saturated fat); 135 mg cholesterol; 200 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

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Hot Spiked Grape Cider

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: about 1 hour
Servings: 4

  • 5 cups red Grapes from California, plus additional for garnish, divided
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise (optional)
  • 1 large navel orange
  • 6 ounces amber rum
  1. In large saucepan, combine 5 cups grapes with water, honey, cinnamon and star anise, if desired. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until grapes are tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.
  2. Lay medium mesh strainer over bowl and pour grape mixture through. Gently press on solids to remove juice from fruit for about 2 cups grape cider.
  3. With peeler, peel off large strip orange zest and add to warm juice. Let cool, cover and refrigerate.
  4. When ready to serve, gently warm cider over medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup cider into each cup. Add 1 1/2 ounces rum and garnish with twist of orange and small skewer of grapes.

Nutritional information per serving: 170 calories; 0 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

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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

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    Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington

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Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington

Food

Have a ‘Hoppy’ Easter with a Holiday Ham

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Perfect for pairing with deviled eggs, potato salad and a traditional Sunday feast, this Maple-Glazed Easter Ham provides a hands-off approach to the main dish. With an easily prepared glaze and your oven doing most of the work, you can keep your attention on time spent with loved ones.

(Feature Impact) When your kitchen is full of colorful eggs, candy baskets, tempting sweets and all that comes with Easter, sometimes a holiday classic is just the answer for simplifying the season. Perfect for pairing with deviled eggs, potato salad and a traditional Sunday feast, this Maple-Glazed Easter Ham provides a hands-off approach to the main dish.

With an easily prepared glaze and your oven doing most of the work, you can keep your attention on time spent with loved ones. Visit Culinary.net to find more seasonal favorites, both classic and contemporary.

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Maple-Glazed Easter Ham

Recipe adapted from Southern Living

Total time: 3 hours

Servings: 10

  • 1          bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-9 pounds)
  • 1          cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2       cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2       cup (4 ounces) bourbon
  • 1/2       teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4       teaspoon ground cinnamon
  •             orange slices and wedges, for garnish
  •             fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place ham in large roasting pan and fill with 1/2 inch of water. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake about 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with juices from pan, until meat registers 120 F at thickest portion.
  3. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, ginger and cinnamon; bring to boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
  4. Remove ham from oven and discard foil. Increase oven temperature to 400 F. Using pastry brush, glaze ham with 1/3 cup maple-bourbon mixture.
  5. Bake ham about 30 minutes until top is lightly caramelized and meat registers 145 F at thickest portion, brushing with remaining glaze every 10 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven and transfer ham to serving platter. Let rest 15 minutes and garnish with orange slices, orange wedges and rosemary sprigs.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

   

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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/food-and-drink/


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A Delightful Bite for a Bit O’ Luck

Going green for St. Patrick’s Day can stretch beyond beer, clothes and decor – it can even make its way to the dessert table. With a classic recipe and a dash of green food coloring, these Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes offer a sweet-tooth-satisfying bite as you gather friends and family for the festivities.

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Last Updated on March 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Delightful Bite for a Bit O' Luck

A Delightful Bite for a Bit O’ Luck

(Feature Impact) Going green for St. Patrick’s Day can stretch beyond beer, clothes and decor – it can even make its way to the dessert table. With a classic recipe and a dash of green food coloring, these Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes offer a sweet-tooth-satisfying bite as you gather friends and family for the festivities.

Find more holiday-worthy nibbles and noshes throughout the year at Culinary.net.

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Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes

Recipe adapted from Delish

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes:

  • 1 2/3    cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2    teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4       teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4       teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1          cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4       cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3          large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1          tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2       cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1/2       cup whole milk, at room temperature

Frosting:

  • 1          cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4          cups powdered sugar
  • 3          tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2          teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8       teaspoon kosher salt
  •             green food coloring
  1. To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F and arrange rack in center of oven. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  2. In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add egg whites and vanilla; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sour cream and beat until combined.
  3. Add half of dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Beat on low until incorporated. Add milk and beat to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and beat until combined.
  4. Add batter to liners until three-quarters full. Bake 19-22 minutes, until slightly golden on top.
  5. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely.
  6. To make frosting: In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add heavy cream, vanilla and salt; beat until combined. Mix in green food coloring.
  7. Transfer frosting to piping bag and pipe frosting onto cupcakes.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

    

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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/food-and-drink/


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Food and Beverage

A Hearty Stew to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

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Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Celebrate the luck o’ the Irish with this St. Patrick’s Day Stew, a hearty, beefy meal loaded with chuck stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onions and, of course, stout beer.

(Feature Impact) Green beer and decor may get all the attention, but for hosts looking to wow their St. Patrick’s Day guests or astound their loved ones, a traditional Irish recipe can become an annual tradition. Celebrate the luck o’ the Irish with this St. Patrick’s Day Stew, a hearty, beefy meal loaded with chuck stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onions and, of course, stout beer.

To find more recipes that put tradition center stage, visit Culinary.net.

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St. Patrick’s Day Stew

Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Servings: 6

  • 1 1/4    pounds marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1          teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste, divided
  • 1/4       cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6          garlic cloves, minced
  • 4          cups beef stock
  • 2          cups water
  • 1          cup extra stout beer
  • 1          cup red wine
  • 2          tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1          tablespoon sugar
  • 1          tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1          tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2          bay leaves
  • 2          tablespoons butter
  • 1          large onion, chopped
  • 4          carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3          pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2          tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  1. Sprinkle beef chunks with 1 teaspoon salt. In large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
  2. Pat beef dry with paper towels and add to pot, working in batches to avoid crowding pot. Cook until browned on one side then flip and brown.
  3. Add garlic cloves to pot with beef and saute 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add beef stock, water, beer, wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir.
  4. Bring mixture to simmer then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  5. In separate pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and carrots; saute until golden, about 15 minutes.
  6. After beef mixture simmers 1 hour, add onions, carrots and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer uncovered until beef and vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves and spoon excess fat.
  7. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

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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/food-and-drink/


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