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Celebrate the best of the season

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(Family Features) If it seems like your grocery store’s apple section is more abundant than it has been in the past, you’d be correct. With new apple varieties coming onto the scene every few years, gone are the days of choosing between simply red or green.

Instead, choosing the right apple is similar to selecting the perfect wine. Apples can range from tart to sugary sweet, so finding the right balance for your palate is key. Scent can also influence taste, especially when you have a balanced sweetness with an uplifting, fresh aroma.

When it comes to apples, a satisfying texture is as important as taste. Consider an option like the Envy apple, which has been referred to as “the ultimate apple experience” for its consistently balanced, delightful sweetness coupled with a crisp, elegant crunch. They are an easy snack when eaten fresh out of hand and are perfect for pairing with cheese, charcuterie boards, chocolate and nut butters.

Easy to spot with their crimson red skin over a golden background that practically glows, Envy apples are naturally descended from Braeburn and Royal Gala apple varieties, bred by farmers who use time-honored plant-breeding methods. Plus, the apples’ bright white flesh is naturally slow to brown when sliced, so they stay fresher longer.

Creating the Ultimate Charcuterie Board

Stick to the basics this holiday season to create a perfect charcuterie board:

  • The board: Select a board big enough for your gathering but not too big as you want there to be overlap and crowding.
  • The cheeses: Select three different cheeses that complement the other items. Brie is a solid soft cheese choice while blue fills the need for a stronger, more pungent cheese. Try an aged cheddar or smoky gouda to round out the trio.
  • The meats: Something salty with a little fat, like prosciutto or speck, provides a flavorful addition to the board.
  • The produce: Choose fruits that not only taste great, but are also beautiful to display such as Envy apple slices, which stay whiter longer, making them ideal for any entertaining occasion. Plus their balanced sweetness pairs well with any item on the board.
  • The crackers: Variety is key with crackers, and like the cheeses, three types is typically the magic formula. Think water crackers, multi-grain wafers and breadsticks.
  • The snacks: Sweet and salty are king when it comes to snacks, so a mix of chocolate and nuts works for many charcuterie boards.

Home for the Holidays

Traveling to visit friends and loved ones will likely be limited this year, so make this holiday season a time for cherishing traditions in new, different ways. Consider these ways to make apples part of the celebration:

  • Break out the webcam and challenge your siblings to a cross-country apple pie bake off.
  • Give a relish tray an upgrade with a sophisticated charcuterie board stacked with creamy gorgonzola cheese, salty caramel sauce, crunchy mixed nuts and crisp apple slices. Entertaining tip: Envy apples are a perfect addition to any holiday spread as their white flesh stays naturally whiter longer and resists the browning that sometimes shows with other apples.
  • Visit Alaska, Austria or nearly any other location from the comfort of your couch by watching one of Hallmark Channel’s 40 new holiday movies, munching on apples as your movietime snack.
  • Share the scents of the holidays with neighbors by crafting pomanders, which are fresh apples studded with whole cloves.
  • Fill decorative bowls with festive Envy apples, enclose in cellophane and gift them to friends and family member.

For more information, including recipes and entertaining tips, visit EnvyApple.com.

SOURCE:
Envy Apple

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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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