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Sweet, luscious snacks for loved ones

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Valentine’s Day eats and treats

(Family Features) Valentine’s Day naturally brings thoughts of hearts, flowers, sweetness and love. Because it also occurs during American Heart Month, it’s a perfect opportunity to start taking care of your own heart and the hearts of loved ones.

Part of the charm of the day’s celebrations is in giving family and friends flavorful foods to enjoy from chocolates and candies to other sugary treats. However, the festivities don’t have to be completely focused on unhealthy bites in order to make someone feel special.

This year, it can be easy to share in the fun of Valentine’s Day by serving those you love with sweet, seasonal treats. For example, these Frosted Watermelon Cutouts make for ideal snacks for children and adults alike whether it’s an after-school treat or a sweet dessert with just three ingredients, heart-shaped cookie cutters and minimal time spent in the kitchen.

If you’re really looking to impress that special someone, this Watermelon and Chocolate Dessert Board calls for creativity and plenty of tasty morsels like berries, cashews, almonds and dark chocolate. Without any baking or cooking required, simply spread out the ingredients for a platter that’s just as visually appealing as it is appetizing.

Both recipes include the benefits of watermelon, which boasts plenty of vitamin C to boost the immune system’s defenses as a cholesterol-free, fat-free and sodium-free food. Plus, watermelon draws its red color from the powerful antioxidant lycopene (12.7 mg per serving), which may help protect cells from damage, and the healthy treat is American Heart Association Heart-Check Certified with just 80 calories per serving, making it the perfect centerpiece for Valentine’s Day recipes.

Find more Valentine’s Day inspiration and recipes at watermelon.org.

Frosted Watermelon Cutouts

  • 1          seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-3/4-inch thick slices
  • 4          brownie bites
  • 1          cup frosting (any flavor)
  1. Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut shapes out of watermelon slices or simply use cut watermelon wedges, if desired. Top heart shapes with brownie bites and add frosting as desired.

Watermelon and Chocolate Dessert Board

Servings: 6-8

  • 1/2       medium seedless watermelon, cut into wedges and cubes
  • 1          cup fresh raspberries
  • 1          cup fresh red cherries
  • 1          cup strawberries, trimmed and halved
  • 1/4       cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3       cup roasted, salted cashews
  • 1          cup chocolate covered almonds
  • 1          bar dark chocolate, broken into squares
  • 1          cup coconut chips
  • mint leaves, for garnish
  1. On serving board, arrange watermelon in center and surround with raspberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries, cashews, almonds, chocolate and coconut chips. Scatter mint leaves around board for garnish.

SOURCE:
Watermelon Board

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EDIBLES

A sweet, savory, simple holiday side dish

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(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6

  • 1/2 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
  • 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  1. Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
  2. In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
  3. In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
  4. Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

Cozy, comforting recipes to take on the cold

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(Family Features) If blustery conditions are giving you the blues, come inside from the cold for a winter warmup in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cold-weather favorites that are baked, roasted or slow cooked are usually equal parts easy, delicious and filling, making them perfect solutions for chilly, snowy days.

Add a bit of comfort to your weeknight menu with this Loaded Chicken Bake that’s ready in about half an hour. A short list of ingredients and allowing your oven to do most of the work for you mean it’s ideal for saving time (and money at the grocery store) while still satisfying winter appetites.

Serving as the hearty base is READ German Potato Salad, made with thinly sliced potatoes and bacon in a traditional sweet-piquant dressing. While it’s delicious when served chilled, heated or at room temperature on its own, it can also be the star of the show in family meals.

For another true cent saver, try Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets. This savory side dish highlights the flavors of the season in a recipe that’s as easy to assemble as it is to enjoy with loved ones.

Picked and packed at peak ripeness, antioxidant-rich Aunt Nellie’s beets are pickled with a delicate balance of sweetness and vinegar for a homemade flavor that’s perfect in this roasted side that can accompany winter meals of all sorts. Versatile jarred whole pickled beets are always in season, meaning you can enjoy them chilled, warmed or worked into recipes.

Find more favorite wintertime recipes by visiting READSalads.com and AuntNellies.com.

Loaded Chicken Bake

Recipe courtesy of Hungry In LA
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) READ German Potato Salad
  • 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cups crumbled, cooked bacon
  • French fried onions (optional), plus additional for serving (optional), divided
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
  2. Lightly coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Spread German potato salad evenly in dish. Top evenly with chicken.
  4. In small bowl, stir heavy cream, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken.
  5. Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and onions, if desired.
  6. Bake 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with additional onions, if desired.

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets

Servings: 4

  • 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Whole Pickled Beets
  • 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 pound) peeled and cubed (1/2-3/4-inch cubes)
  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 red onion, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
  • 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus additional for garnish
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Drain beets. Discard liquid or save for another use.
  2. In large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and onion until coated.
  3. Place silicone mat on baking sheet or line with aluminum foil.
  4. Pour contents of bowl onto baking sheet in single layer. Remove rosemary from stems; sprinkle over vegetables. Bake 30 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
  5. Add beets to baking sheet. Return to oven 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and beginning to brown. Garnish with additional rosemary, if desired.


SOURCE:
Seneca Foods



Seneca Foods



 

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EDIBLES

Please pumpkin lovers with a twist on a fall favorite

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(Family Features) Apple, cherry and blueberry crumbles may get all the adoration, but when fall comes around, you may as well lean into the flavor of the season: pumpkin. This simple dessert satisfies the sweet tooth with some fiber to boot.

Discover more desserts designed for pumpkin lovers at Culinary.net.

Pumpkin Crumble

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12

  • 1 can pumpkin
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 box cake mix (yellow, white or spice)
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup chopped white chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups melted butter

Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In bowl, mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Pour into greased 9-by-11-inch baking dish.
  3. In separate bowl, mix cake mix, pecans and white chocolate chips. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Pour butter evenly over top. Do not mix or stir. Bake 1 hour.
  4. To make whipped cream: Using hand mixer, whip heavy whipping cream and sugar until thick.
  5. Serve crumble with whipped cream.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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