(Family Features) Get out of the kitchen and head outdoors this summer for fresh, delicious meals that call for lighting the grill and relaxing in the warmth of the season. Take some of your favorite courses – like salads, for instance – to the next level by adding grilled ingredients for that perfect bit of char.

This Grilled Sweetpotato and Blueberry Salad offers all the tastes of the season with spring salad mix, fresh blueberries, walnuts and blue cheese. Topped with homemade lemon honey vinaigrette, it’s a light yet filling meal fit for warm days thanks in part to the superfood that takes it to new heights: sweetpotatoes.

As one of the most versatile vegetables that’s easy to add to a variety of recipes for flavor and nutrition enhancement, sweetpotatoes can be a key ingredient in simple or elevated, sweet or savory dishes alike. Whether they’re cooked on the stove, baked, microwaved, slow-cooked or grilled to a perfect doneness with a crispy char, they can be an ideal addition to better-for-you summer meals.

Plus, they’re a “diabetes superfood” per the American Diabetes Association because they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health. When enjoyed with the skin on, one medium sweetpotato contains more than 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, an important vitamin affecting vision, bone development and immune function. They’re also a good source of fiber and rich in potassium.

Another fun fact: the National Sweetpotato Collaborators officially adopted the one-word spelling in 1989 to avoid confusion with equally unique and distinctive potatoes, which are also grown and marketed in the U.S. Sweetpotato is a noun, not an adjective, meaning “sweet” is not a descriptor but part of the actual nomenclature. This is different than other potatoes using adjectives like white, red or russet to describe an entirely different vegetable.

Find more nutritional information, fun facts and summer recipe ideas at NCSweetpotatoes.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Grilled Sweetpotato and Blueberry Salad

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission and Andrea Mathis (beautifuleatsandthings.com)
Servings: 4

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Lemon Honey Vinaigrette:

• 6          tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4       cup lemon juice
• 2          tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 1/2    tablespoons honey
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 3          medium sweetpotatoes, peeled and sliced
• 2          tablespoons olive oil
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 4          cups spring salad mix
• 1          cup fresh blueberries
• 1/3       cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4       cup blue cheese crumbles
• lemon wedges, for garnish (optional)

1. To make lemon honey vinaigrette: In bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and honey. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Preheat grill to medium heat. Drizzle sweetpotatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill sliced sweetpotatoes on each side about 5 minutes, or until sweetpotatoes are tender and slightly charred. Remove from grill and let cool.
3. To arrange salad, spread spring salad mix onto large platter and top with grilled sweetpotatoes, blueberries, walnuts and blue cheese crumbles.
4. Top with lemon honey vinaigrette and garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual pizza brand, is introducing a new “What’s Hot” monthly value special for pizza lovers to enjoy at participating locations nationwide. Inspired by the brand’s most popular menu items, guests can anticipate a new, featured pizza every month to satisfy their cravings at a great price. Beginning June 1, Blaze Pizza will offer the first of its “What’s Hot” promotions featuring the brand’s number-one-selling protein topping – pepperoni!

Blaze’s June special is the Pepperoni Lover Pizza, made with a heaping portion of 32 slices of savory pepperoni layered over mozzarella cheese on Blaze Pizza’s original 11-inch crust pizza for only $8.99*. Orders are available in-store, or for delivery via www.blazepizza.com and the Blaze Pizza app.

“Blaze’s ‘What’s Hot’ monthly value program marks the beginning of our commitment to guests to offer fresh and high-quality menu items at everyday affordable prices,” said Beto Guajardo, CEO of Blaze Pizza. “We know what our guests love, so we want to offer their favorites at a special discount every month.”

The “What’s Hot” monthly value initiative offers guests the chance to explore even more menu options each month while also saving money. Next month’s “What’s Hot” offer will feature Hawaiian Pizza, due to the tropical seasonality of pineapple and its popular combination with ham. Check back at a participating Blaze Pizza location or join Blaze Rewards to discover each month’s craveable value offer.

For more information, visit blazepizza.com. Follow Blaze Pizza on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook for the latest updates.

About Blaze Pizza 
Founded in 2011, Blaze Pizza is the nation’s leading fast-casual pizza franchise concept with more than 330 restaurants across 38 states and six countries. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Blaze Pizza is committed to delivering a one-of-a-kind customer experience and unparalleled high-quality products. Known for its savory artisanal pizzas and customizable made-to-order menu, Blaze leads the industry in menu innovation and product excellence. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, as well as #1 spots on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers and Franchise Times’ Fast and Serious list. Visit blazepizza.com for additional information and stay connected @BlazePizza.  

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*Price and participation may vary.

SOURCE Blaze Pizza

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/

Summer is just around the corner, and there is no better way to beat the heat than with a delicious scoop of ice cream! With so many brands to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect flavor and brand for your summer treat. In this post, we’ll be discussing the five best ice cream brands that are sure to cool you down and satisfy your sweet tooth.

1. Ben & Jerry’s
   Ben & Jerry’s is a classic brand that has been around since 1978. They are known for their unique and creative flavors such as Cherry Garcia and Half Baked. Not only are their flavors delicious, they are also known for using high-quality and fair-trade ingredients.

2. Haagen-Dazs
   Haagen-Dazs is another popular brand that has been around for over 50 years. Their ice cream is made with only the finest ingredients and is known for its rich and creamy texture. With classic flavors like Vanilla and Chocolate, as well as unique ones such as Green Tea and Honey Salted Caramel Almond, there is something for everyone.

3. Jeni’s
   Jeni’s is a newer brand that has quickly gained popularity for their unique and innovative flavors. They use natural, whole ingredients and their ice cream contains no synthetic flavorings or dyes. Their signature flavor is Salty Caramel, but they also have flavors like Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Raspberry Rose.

4. Talenti
   Talenti is a gelato brand that originated in Italy and has since become popular worldwide. Their gelato is made in small batches with fresh, natural ingredients. They have classic flavors like Vanilla Bean and Chocolate, but also have unique options such as Sea Salt Caramel and Pumpkin Pie.

5. Graeter’s
   Graeter’s is a family-owned brand that has been around for over 150 years. They are known for their “French Pot” process, which allows them to make small batches of ice cream that have a rich and creamy texture. Their signature flavor is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, but they also have flavors such as Buckeye Blitz and Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip.

No matter what brand you choose, you can’t go wrong with a delicious scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic flavor or feeling adventurous and want to try something new, these five brands.

For more food related articles, please visit our Food and Drink section. There, you’ll find a wide variety of articles covering everything from recipes to restaurant reviews. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for some new culinary inspiration, our Food and Drink section has something for everyone. So why not check it out and see what delicious dishes await? https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/