Easy recipes to enjoy at warm-weather celebrations
MISSION,
Kan., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family
Features) Celebrations abound throughout summer, and if you plan on
hosting your nearest and dearest for events large and small, you'll
need a tasty, convenient ingredient to elevate your entertaining
all summer long. When that one ingredient also serves as a healthy,
refreshing snack on its own, it's a win-win.
Delicious, healthy and versatile, Grapes from California can be that special ingredient and
pleasing snack. In recipes, grapes deliver sweet-tart flavor and
crisp, juicy texture to appetizers, main courses, drinks, desserts
and beyond. These recipes show the myriad ways this bite-sized
fruit can bring out the best in warm-weather fare: a tasty frozen
treat, a chic cocktail and a flavorful Southwestern-inspired salad
that each add a special touch to any gathering.
In fact, while grapes complement a wide array of flavors –
including sweet, sour, salty, spicy and smoky – that make them easy
to use in recipes and serve alongside other foods, they're also an
ideal snack to serve by themselves. Grapes are inherently cool and
refreshing, easily shareable and satisfying to eat.
Take your summer entertaining to new heights with additional
recipe inspiration at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Grape and Yogurt
Clusters
Yield: 7 mounds
1 cup black
Grapes from California, halved
3/4 cup plain nonfat vanilla
Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons
pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon
extra-virgin olive oil
In medium bowl, combine grapes, yogurt and vanilla. Line 9-inch
square metal baking pan with parchment paper then, using 1-ounce
scoop, place mounds of grape-yogurt mixture on sheet. Freeze until
set, about 3 hours, or overnight.
Place chopped chocolate in small, wide microwaveable bowl.
Microwave 1 minute on medium power. Stir and repeat. Stir then
microwave 30 seconds, repeating as needed until melted and
smooth.
Stir in oil. Dip bottoms of frozen clusters in chocolate to coat
and return to pan.
Store frozen clusters in airtight container in freezer up to 1
week.
Nutritional information per serving: 100 calories; 3 g
protein; 12 g carbohydrates; 4.5 g fat (41% calories from fat); 2.5
g saturated fat (23% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg
cholesterol; 10 mg sodium; 2 g fiber.
Southwest Charred Corn Salad with Grapes
Yield: 4
servings (6 cups)
2 large ears
yellow corn on the cob, shucked
1/2 English cucumber, peeled,
halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup large
green and red Grapes from California, halved
1 cup canned
black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 small red onion, thinly
sliced
1 tablespoon
fresh jalapeno, minced
2 tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil
4 teaspoons
cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 avocado,
diced 1/2 inch
1 ounce cotija
cheese, crumbled
freshly ground black
pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons
fresh cilantro leaves
Over open flame on stove, directly under broiler or on grill,
char corn, turning with tongs as needed, until roasted all around,
about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In medium mixing bowl, combine cucumber, grapes, black beans,
onion, jalapeno, olive oil, vinegar, cumin and salt; toss well.
Working with sharp knife in wide, shallow bowl or pie pan, cut
corn from cobs. Stand ear of corn upright in bowl and cut from
middle downward, rotating to cut down 4-5 times. Invert cob and
repeat. Repeat with remaining cobs.
Add corn, avocado and cheese to bowl with grape-black bean
mixture. Sprinkle with pepper, to taste, and top with cilantro;
toss well.
Nutritional information per serving: 200 calories; 5 g
protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 11 g fat (50% calories from fat); 2 g
saturated fat (9% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol;
160 mg sodium; 4 g fiber.
Lemongrass Grape Cocktail
Yield: 1 drink
Lemongrass Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3-4 stalks lemongrass, trimmed,
halved, inner cores cut into 1-inch pieces, chopped
Cocktail:
1/2 cup cold Grapes from
California
2 slices fresh
ginger
1 cup ice
2 ounces
vodka
1 1/2 ounces lemongrass simple syrup
1/2 ounce lime juice
frozen Grapes from California,
for garnish
lemongrass stalk, trimmed, for garnish
To make lemongrass simple syrup: In heavy, small saucepan,
combine sugar and water. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Stir
until sugar is dissolved; add lemongrass pieces and simmer 3-5
minutes. Remove from heat. When cool, cover and refrigerate up to 2
weeks.
To make cocktail: In shaker, muddle cold grapes and ginger. Add
ice, vodka, lemongrass simple syrup and lime juice; shake well.
Pour into glass over ice and garnish with frozen grapes and
lemongrass stalk.
Note: For mocktail, replace vodka with seltzer water.
Nutritional information per serving: 270 calories; 1 g
protein; 37 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 mg
sodium; 1 g fiber.
6 Ways to Chill Out with Grapes
Taking get-togethers,
parties and celebrations outdoors during the summer months means
frozen treats are essential. Consider these creative ways to use
frozen grapes in your summer entertaining:
- Freeze grapes as they are – on or off the stem – for 2 hours
for a healthy frozen treat.
- Ice cubes – frozen grapes offer a visually appealing (and
delicious) replacement for plain ice cubes to help keep guests'
drinks cool.
- Swalty Frozen Grapes – these cold, sweet and spicy grapes
rolled in honey, lime juice and spicy chili-lime seasoning are fun
to eat.
- Wine-marinated frozen grapes – soak grapes in wine overnight
then freeze for a festive, boozy bite.
- Frozen Yogurt Dipped Grapes – dip skewered grapes in yogurt
then freeze for a mini, sweet-tart treat.
- Grape Sorbet – fresh grapes blend and freeze beautifully for a
lovely frozen dessert.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
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