Foodie News
Six Simple Summer Sides
Last Updated on June 5, 2024 by Daily News Staff
ATLANTA /PRNewswire/ — Hot temps call for cool sides and Chef Virginia Willis offers six simple summer side dishes that are perfect for parties or easy suppers at home. Your family and guests will love these creative and light recipes that draw on fresh seasonal ingredients to bring a bright new dimension to the table. 
“Each of these recipes takes a half hour or less to make and most can be made ahead for easy entertaining. Healthy, fresh ingredients have played a key role in the 65-pound weight loss I’ve maintained for more than a year, but I’m not afraid to cave to cravings once in a while. Friends appreciate a table that includes healthful options, but they also love decadent treats, and a party is the perfect place to splurge!” said Virginia.
“Real-life recipes” are a Chef Virginia Willis hallmark. You’ll find all the ingredients at your local grocery store and the dishes are quick and easy to prepare. Ready to celebrate the season? Here you go! All recipes listed below are available on Virginia’s blog along with fabulous photos of how to present them at the table.
- Tomato Ginger Green Beans – Big, bold flavors of ginger and jalapeño partner with green beans for a side dish that can be served hot, warm or chilled.
- Air Fryer Greek Feta Fries– Who needs soggy takeout? This showstopper seems indulgent, but with 80% less fat than the deep-fried version.
- Creamed Corn Stuffed Tomatoes– Two of summer’s most delicious ingredients pair up with savory herbs, fresh peppers and creamy cheese.
- Baked Zucchini Chips– Good and good for you zucchini crisps are a great summer side dish- if they make it to the table!
- Peach and Tomato Gazpacho– This chilled soup is so good you might want to splash it with vodka and turn it into a cocktail.
- Small Bake Almond Crusted Baked Peaches – You won’t believe the secret ingredient that amps up the peach flavor.
All Recipes magazine is launching a Simple Sides column by Virginia, and you’ll see creative new recipes in every issue. Chef Virginia Willis shares recipes, culinary inspiration and lots of inside scoop on cooking and food on her Cooking with Virginia blog.
About Chef Virginia Willis
Virginia Willis is a French-trained chef, Food Network Kitchen talent, James Beard award-winning cookbook author, television personality, content creator, and social media influencer. She is the author of seven cookbooks including the James Beard Award-winning cookbook, Lighten up Y’all. She has appeared on Food Network’s Chopped, CBS This Morning, Fox Family and Friends, Martha Stewart Living, and as a judge on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. She is the former TV kitchen director for Martha Stewart Living, Bobby Flay, and Nathalie Dupree.
Virginia has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, People Magazine, Eater, and Food52 and has contributed to Eating Well, Garden & Gun, Bon Appétit, and more.
Virginia’s followers and fans love her down-to-earth attitude, approachable spirit, and traveling exploits. Read all about her on VirginiaWillis.com.
SOURCE Virginia Willis Culinary Enterprises, Inc
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Food and Beverage
Survey Finds Cooking Oil Now Influences Where Many Americans Choose to Eat
A new survey suggests cooking oil is no longer just a kitchen detail. Coast Packing found that 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences where they choose to eat.
Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
New national survey data suggests cooking oil is becoming a visible factor in restaurant selection, with younger diners showing the strongest preferences.
A new national survey suggests that cooking oil is no longer just a back-of-house decision for restaurants. It is increasingly becoming part of how consumers decide where to eat.
According to new data released by Coast Packing Company, 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences their dining choice. The survey, based on responses from 1,005 U.S. consumers, points to a clear shift in how ingredient decisions are perceived by the public.
The strongest signal comes from younger diners. Among adults ages 18 to 34, 52% say knowing whether a restaurant uses Beef Tallow or seed oils affects where they choose to eat. Among consumers 55 and older, that number falls to 33%.
The preference gap also shows up when diners are asked to choose between two otherwise identical restaurants. In that scenario, 31% of adults ages 18 to 34 say they would choose the restaurant using Beef Tallow, compared with 19% of adults 55 and older.
The survey also found that 24.7% of diners prefer restaurants to use traditional animal fats such as butter or Beef Tallow, while 15.6% prefer seed or vegetable oils. That suggests ingredient choices once treated mainly as operational decisions may now be influencing brand perception, menu appeal, and customer loyalty.
For restaurant operators, the findings point to a broader change in consumer behavior. Diners, especially younger ones, appear increasingly interested in how food is prepared and what ingredients are used behind the scenes. That shift aligns with wider food industry trends that emphasize transparency, flavor, and traditional preparation methods.
Coast Packing says the data builds on years of tracking consumer attitudes toward animal fats. Earlier research showed growing openness to ingredients such as Lard and Beef Tallow, particularly among younger consumers who associate them with flavor and old-school cooking. This latest survey goes a step further by suggesting those views are now influencing actual dining behavior.
The findings also match broader market signals. Whole Foods Market’s 2026 food trend forecast identified Beef Tallow as an emerging ingredient gaining visibility, while analysts continue to project growth in the global tallow sector through 2030.
Restaurants are unlikely to overhaul kitchen practices overnight. Still, the survey suggests cooking oil is becoming more than a technical ingredient choice. For a growing share of consumers, it is part of the dining experience itself.
For more information, visit Coast Packing Company.
External Links
- Back to Flavor, Back to Tallow white paper
- Email to request the full survey results
- Coast Packing Company official website
- Coast Packing TasteMap
- Healthy Fats Coalition
Visit the Food and Drink section on STM Daily News for the latest food news, beverage trends, restaurant stories, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and community-driven lifestyle coverage.
Food and Beverage
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops
JonnyPops is launching No Sugar Added with Electrolytes mini frozen pops—an organic, dye-free treat with hydration support—coming April 2026.
Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Daily News Staff
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops.
JonnyPops Launches Refreshing New “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” Mini Frozen Pops
A better-for-you frozen treat meets hydration support in a grab-and-go mini format.
If you’ve ever reached for something cold after a workout, a long day outside, or when you’re just not feeling 100%, you’re not alone — and JonnyPops says its fans have been telling that story for a while.
The Minnesota-based frozen treat brand announced it’s expanding its No Sugar Added Minis lineup with a new option designed to be both refreshing and functional: JonnyPops “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” mini frozen pops.
Fans asked for hydration-friendly pops — JonnyPops listened
According to the company, the new product was inspired by emails and social media comments from customers who were already using JonnyPops as a simple way to cool down and feel a little more hydrated.
JonnyPops says consumers shared stories about playing sports in the heat, spending time outdoors, or recovering from an illness — and how a frozen treat with hydration support would be the perfect pop for those moments.
That feedback led the brand to add electrolytes to its popular No Sugar Added Minis.
What’s inside the new minis
JonnyPops says the new “No Sugar Added with Electrolytes” minis are built around the same standards fans expect from the brand, including:
- Organic ingredients
- No artificial dyes
- No added sugar
- Electrolytes for hydration support
- Layered flavors designed for a fun, refreshing bite
“Consumers often share with us how JonnyPops is part of their everyday moments,” said Erik Brust, Co-Founder of JonnyPops. “We hope that these new frozen pops will be loved by our fans and enjoyed in all moments that need a refreshing treat.”
When you can find them
JonnyPops says the new minis are expected to hit stores in April 2026.
For updates on availability and additional product news, visit www.jonnypops.com and follow JonnyPops on social media.
About JonnyPops
JonnyPops’ tagline is “A Better Pop for a Better World!™” and the company says its mission is to make “delicious, magical products” while helping make the world a kinder place.
The brand notes its pops are free from artificial dyes, made in a peanut-free facility, and include a kind deed printed on every pop stick.
JonnyPops was founded in a St. Olaf College dorm room and sold its first pops at Twin Cities farmers’ markets and local cafes in 2012. Today, the company employs 200+ people, produces its frozen pops in-house, and is sold through major retailers across all 50 states.
Learn more at jonnypops.com or follow @jonnypops on Instagram.
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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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Last Updated on March 28, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) If you’re in need of a soup outside the usual mushroom or celery varieties, turn to another springtime favorite: carrots. More than just a veggie you can serve with dip, they’re creamy, delicious and pair well with ginger in this Creamy Carrot Soup. Discover more easy recipes for family meals at Culinary.net.
Creamy Carrot Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) carrots
- 2 cups broth of choice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- honey
- BLT wraps, for serving
- In blender, blend canned carrots, including juices, until smooth. Transfer to pot and add broth.
- Mix in brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger and orange juice. Bring to simmer then add cream. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle honey over each bowl. Serve with BLT wraps.
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