Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap

(Feature Impact) When you’re craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren’t going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

For instance, if you’re jonesing for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They’re a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweetpotato.

Sweetpotatoes – deliberately spelled as one word to better differentiate this unique root vegetable from traditional potatoes – are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a “diabetes superfood,” as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They’re also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery.

Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

• 4 sweetpotatoes
• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups buffalo sauce
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons diced chives

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweetpotatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.
2. Let sweetpotatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweetpotatoes.
3. In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
4. Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweetpotato. Top with diced avocado and chives.

SOURCE:

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

5 Habits to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season

(Feature Impact) Your immune system is your strongest ally during cold and flu season, working hard to keep you healthy as you start hearing those telltale coughs and sneezes all around. Help your body do its job well by adopting a few simple habits that naturally support its ability to fight off germs or recover faster.

Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice then work on making these habits normal in your household.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is like a wonder drug that can improve nearly every aspect of health and wellness. Physical activity increases blood flow, reduces long-term inflammation, helps immune cells circulate through the body to guard against invaders and may even flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways. Plan to fit at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise into each week, like a bike ride, brisk walk, yoga class or on-demand video workout.

Eat Foods That Support Immune Health

To keep your immune system fueled, experts recommend eating a varied diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil. Consider adding fresh grapes to your diet to enjoy benefits from their naturally occurring plant compounds.

Protecting the body starts all the way down at the cellular level, and grapes contain powerful polyphenols that support the health and function of cells. Studies indicate certain compounds in grapes, like resveratrol and flavonoids, support immune system function as well as brain, skin, GI and heart health.

These little fruits are easy to add to your diet, whether you enjoy sweet, juicy Grapes from California by the handful or toss them in a blender to make this California Grape Wellness Juice recipe. Support multiple aspects of wellness with the drink’s powerful combination of fruits and vegetables, delivering a variety of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water helps clean your lymphatic system, which is responsible for producing special white blood cells that fight germs. It also keeps membranes in your nose and mouth moist, decreasing infection risk. If you struggle to drink enough, eating water-rich foods like grapes also helps you improve hydration.

Practice Good Germ Hygiene

To increase your odds of staying healthy during peak illness season, hearken back to the tried-and-true hygiene advice your parents might have tried to drill into your head as a kid. Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face while out and about, keep your distance from symptomatic people and disinfect commonly used surfaces like doorknobs when someone in the house or office is sick.

Sleep More, Stress Less

Before you start feeling stressed that you aren’t getting enough sleep, rest assured there are easy changes you can make to support your well-being in both areas. Try switching up your nightly routine to be oriented less around screens and more around calming activities that actually help you wind down, like yoga, meditation or reading.

Discover more health information and recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

California Grape Wellness Juice

Servings: 3 (1 cup each)

• 5          cups black or red Grapes from California
  
• 1/2       cup peeled raw beet slices
  
• 3/4       cup orange juice
  
• 1/4       cup lemon juice
  
• 1          small carrot, peeled and sliced          
  
• 1          piece fresh turmeric (1-inch), peeled and sliced or1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1. In high-speed blender, puree grapes, beet slices, orange juice, lemon juice, carrot and turmeric until smooth.
2. Pour through fine mesh sieve, stirring to extract as much juice as possible, about 3 cups. Stop when mixture starts to get thick. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes: This juice can also be added to iced tea or fizzy water.

Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 3 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 0.5 g fat (2% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

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SOURCE:

California Table Grape Commission

(Feature Impact) Football, family, friends and food are a winning combination during tailgating season, especially if your recipe game is locked in. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd in the stadium parking lot or putting together a savory plate to enjoy while you chill on the sofa, these recipes bring plenty of flavor and keep the energy going until the final whistle.

A main course of Grilled Chicken Kebabs served alongside Steakhouse Hasselback Potatoes and Simple Salami Sliders will fuel you and your crew all the way from the pre-game festivities to the after party.

Visit Culinary.net to find more recipes to inspire your game plan.

Fire Up the Grill for Mouthwatering Chicken Kebabs

Tailgating and grilling go together like touchdowns and victory dances, and some of the best game-day recipes are the ones you can make well ahead of kickoff so you aren’t rushing around to get ready. These sweet-and-smoky Grilled Chicken Kebabs can be prepped and marinated up to 8 hours in advance so all you need to do is pull them out of the fridge and get them to the grill.

With lean protein from the chicken plus vitamins and fiber from a generous amount of bright, colorful veggies, this recipe is a score for more than your taste buds.

Grilled Chicken Kebabs

Recipe adapted from Dinner at the Zoo

Prep time: 20 minutes

Marinating time: 1 hour

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Marinade:

• 1/4       cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1/4       cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
  
• 1/8       cup soy sauce
  
• 1          teaspoon lemon juice
  
• 1/4       cup brown sugar
  
• 1          teaspoon minced garlic
  
• salt, to taste
  
• pepper, to taste

Kebabs:

• 1          pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• 1          red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• 1          orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• 1          small zucchini, cut into 1-inch slices
  
• 1          small yellow squash, cut into 1-inch slices
  
• 1          red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• 4          wooden skewers
  
• 1          tablespoon chopped parsley

1. To make marinade: In large bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
2. To make kebabs: In bowl, toss chicken, bell peppers, zucchini, squash and red onion with marinade. Cover and refrigerate 1-8 hours.
3. Soak wooden skewers in cold water at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread chicken pieces and vegetables onto skewers, alternating ingredients. Cook 5-7 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Fuel Your Tailgate Team with a Steakhouse Side

If you’re looking for a tasty twist on tailgating tradition that’ll give you as much energy in the stands as the athletes on the field, look for a steakhouse-worthy side dish that’s loaded with complex carbohydrates and fueling flavor.

These Steakhouse Hasselback Potatoes, loaded with caramelized onions and crispy bacon, feature Wisconsin Russets – a complex carbohydrate that plays an important role in the body by providing energy to cells, the brain and certain parts of the kidney. As a healthier choice than simple carbs, which are composed of sugars that break down faster in your system, potatoes are also a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fiber and pantothenic acid, making them a superstar selection on game day.

Tackle your next tailgate with more delicious recipes by visiting eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.

Steakhouse Hasselback Potatoes

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 90 minutes

Servings: 8

Hasselback Potatoes:

• 4          Wisconsin Russets (about 1 pound each)
  
• 4          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2          tablespoons kosher salt

Caramelized Onions:

• 2          tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2.2       pounds yellow onions, sliced thin
  
• 2          teaspoons kosher salt
  
• 1/4       cup cognac or brandy (optional)

To Plate:

• 1          cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
  
• 12        ounces hickory smoked bacon, cooked and cut into 2-inch pieces
  
• 1/2       cup sour cream
  
• 2          tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. To make Hasselback potatoes: Using vegetable brush, wash potatoes. Dry well and place on cutting board. Arrange handles of two wooden spoons so they are alongside potatoes to prevent knife from slicing all the way through. Make several cuts down each potato about 1/4 inch apart. Repeat with remaining potatoes and arrange on baking sheet fitted with wire rack.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, making sure some oil is in slices. Sprinkle salt on each potato.
4. Bake 90 minutes, or until potatoes are crispy on outside, fluffy in center and internal temperature is 205 F. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
5. To make caramelized onions: In heavy-bottomed shallow pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add sliced onions and season with salt. Continue to cook, stirring regularly until onions are deep brown and caramelized. Deglaze pan with cognac or brandy, if desired, scraping caramelized bits off bottom of pan. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. To assemble, sprinkle potatoes with cheese, about 1/4 cup per spud, ensuring some cheese is in potato slices. Place cooked bacon pieces in some slices.
7. Return potatoes to oven for about 5 minutes, just long enough to heat potatoes slightly and melt cheese. Place potatoes on serving platter and garnish with caramelized onions, sour cream and chopped chives.

Slide Into the End Zone with Salami

A tailgating MVP recipe is easy to assemble, easy to eat and packed with flavor – and these Simple Salami Sliders check every box. Soft slider buns, melty cheese and savory salami are baked in a buttery sauce for craveable bites that will disappear as soon as you pass the basket around.

Switch up the sauce, use a different cheese or add your favorite extra toppings to customize your perfect slider.

Simple Salami Sliders

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Servings: 4-6

• 1          package slider buns
  
• 8          slices Swiss cheese
  
• 8          slices salami
  
• 8          slices ham or other deli meat
  
• 1          stick butter, melted
  
• 1          tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  
• 2          tablespoons brown sugar
  
• 1          tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 1          teaspoon onion powder
  
• 1          teaspoon garlic powder
  
• everything bagel seasoning (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Halve slider buns, creating top and bottom portions. Set top portion aside, leaving bottom portion in original container. Place bottom portion and container in baking dish to prevent sticking.
3. Layer Swiss cheese, salami and ham then cover with top buns.
4. Mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Parmesan cheese, onion powder and garlic powder. Pour over sliders.
5. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes then remove foil, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, if desired, and bake, uncovered, 10 minutes. 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (kebabs)

SOURCE:

Wisconsin Potatoes

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