EDIBLES

Create a truly memorable summer menu

Published

4 years ago

06/09/2021

(Family Features) Summer days are often spent with family and friends, soaking in the sun’s rays and enjoying outdoor living with warm-weather activities. Complement this year’s summertime excitement with food that matches your enthusiasm for the season.

Your menu can start with a fruity dip and a salad before diving into steak for the main course and a kid-friendly treat to top it all off. These recipes make the most of what summer has to offer with fresh fruits and veggies, bright and refreshing greens, tender cuts of meat and frozen treats that celebrate those memorable moments together.

Find more summer recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.

Dip Up a Good Time

Whether your summer days include planning extravagant meals or your on-the-go lifestyle calls for quick and easy recipes, simple snacks can fit a wide variety of menus. Dips are a perfect solution for afternoon pick-me-ups or evening appetizers when the whole family comes together.

This Apple Guacamole can be made in mere minutes, making it an ideal shareable among loved ones, by combining mashed avocados and seasonings with chopped Granny Smith apple pieces.

Visit Culinary.net for more snack ideas.

Apple Guacamole

Recipe adapted from the Meredith Corporation
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8-10

3 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
1/2 cup finely chopped Vidalia onion
1/2 cup snipped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juice only
bottled hot pepper sauce, to taste
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
kosher salt, to taste
tortilla chips

In bowl, use fork to mash avocados, onion, cilantro, lime juice and hot pepper sauce to desired consistency. Stir in apple and season with salt, to taste.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Savor a Bite of Steak

A hearty flavor profile and perfectly prepared, high-quality meat can make a summer meal truly spectacular, especially when paired with fresh veggies in a protein-packed sandwich.

Inspired by Vietnamese tradition, this Steak Banh Mi recipe – which features tender grass-fed flat iron steak, pickled carrots, bright lettuce and crunchy cucumbers – is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next summer gathering. Take your taste buds to new heights with Silver Fern Farms natural cuts of 100% grass-fed beef from New Zealand, which is minimally processed with no added growth hormones or antibiotics. There, the animals roam and graze freely over lush green hills and pastures, resulting in lean, flavorful, nutritious meat that tastes just as nature intended.

Visit silverfernfarms.com for more inspiration.

Steak Banh Mi

Prep time: 2 hours
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

10 ounces Silver Fern Farms New Zealand grass-fed beef flat iron steak
2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon, plus 1/2 cup, rice vinegar, divided
1/8 teaspoon five-spice powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 pinch salt
1 small carrot, cut into matchsticks
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
2 Vietnamese baguettes or dinner rolls
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 Batavia lettuce leaves
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 Persian cucumber, sliced

Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once steak reaches room temperature, place steak in deep plate or storage container. In small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, fish sauce, garlic, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and five-spice powder; pour over steak. Cover and marinate in fridge at least 2 hours, or overnight.
In small pot over medium heat, heat remaining rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Cook and stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool.
Place carrots in deep plate or storage container. Pour cooled pickling liquid over carrots. Set aside to marinate.
Remove steak from marinade and pat dry. Reserve marinade.
Heat oven to 325 F.
Heat heavy-bottomed pan over high heat and add oil. Once oil begins to smoke, add steak. Sear both sides, about 1 minute per side. Lower heat to medium.
Add reserved marinade and water to pan. Cook, covered, 3 minutes, removing lid to flip meat occasionally. Remove lid and let sauce reduce 1 minute, or until slightly thickened.
Transfer steak and sauce to large plate and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Toast baguettes in oven 5 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes.
Slice baguettes along middle without cutting through.
Slice steak into thin pieces.
Spread mayonnaise on baguettes and add 1-2 lettuce leaves to each. Layer steak on lettuce leaves followed by cilantro, cucumbers and pickled carrots. Slice baguette into two sandwiches.

Go for Satisfying Summer Greens

Many summer meals start with a simple yet satisfying appetizer: salad. This year, make sure you set the table with a bright, delightful bowl of greens that sets the tone for an enjoyable and festive meal with loved ones.

This Apple, Strawberry, Blueberry Salad calls for an array of fruits, including a homemade blueberry dressing, paired with Fresh Express 5-Lettuce Mix for a fresh and flavorful base with pecan halves to add crunch. The salads are thoroughly washed, rinsed and gently dried then sealed in Keep-Crisp bags to maintain freshness.

Find more salad inspiration at freshexpress.com.

Apple, Strawberry, Blueberry Salad

Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Blueberry Dressing:

2 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

2 large apples
2 packages (6 ounces each) Fresh Express 5-Lettuce Mix
1 pint strawberries, cut in half
1 pint blueberries
1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted
blueberry dressing

To make blueberry dressing: In blender, process blueberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth. Set aside.
To prepare salad: Cut apples into 1/4-inch thick slices. Using 1-1/2-inch diameter star-shaped cutter, cut apple slices into stars.
Place lettuce mix in large bowl; add apples, strawberries and blueberries. Sprinkle with pecans. Before serving, drizzle each salad with blueberry dressing.

Sweet, Summery Treats

After some fun in the pool and time spent in the sun, a cooling treat is often the perfect way to cap off a summer day. Fresh fruits make those sweet eats even tastier and easier by making dessert in the morning and letting it freeze while you enjoy the warmth outdoors.

These Watermelon Berry Frozen Pops make dessert about as simple as possible by blending watermelon, blueberries, raspberries and honey before adding to ice pop molds and freezing throughout the day. With the addition of refreshing watermelon, you’re opting for a flavorful fruit that includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 milligrams per 2-cup serving) – an antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.

To find more summertime snacks, meals and treats, visit watermelon.org.

Watermelon Berry Frozen Pops

Servings: 8

6 cups watermelon
1 cup blueberries, divided
1 cup raspberries, divided
3 tablespoons honey

In blender, blend watermelon, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup raspberries and honey until smooth. Press through fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds.
Fill ice pop molds 3/4 full with liquid. Add remaining whole blueberries and raspberries to molds. Insert sticks and freeze at least 4 hours, or until completely frozen.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Apple Guacamole)

SOURCE:
Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Fresh Express

National Watermelon Promotion Board

EDIBLES

Elevate your menu for a legendary backyard barbecue

Published

4 days ago

05/29/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Summer is here and it’s time to hit the grill. Take at-home entertaining to the next level by upgrading everyone’s favorite cheeseburger with ground pork.

Family and friends will love this elevated twist on a summer favorite that is oh-so-deliciously different than the traditional beef patty. These Pork and Bacon Burgers are made with Heritage Duroc pork, known for its rich flavor and juiciness, and will be a hit at your next barbecue. The crispy bacon adds another level of texture and flavor, making these juicy burgers a gourmet treat that rivals any takeout burger. Celebrating 150 years as the premium all-natural meat choice for families, Coleman All Natural Meats offers a variety of products that are sourced from American family farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones.

Find more recipes to elevate your grilling experience at ColemanNatural.com.

Pork and Bacon Burgers

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

2 pounds Coleman Ground Pork
1/4 pound ground pork chorizo
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
6 cheese slices (optional)
6 hamburger buns
6-8 strips Coleman Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon, cooked
tomato slices (optional)
red onion slices (optional)
lettuce (optional)
ketchup (optional)
mayonnaise (optional)

Preheat grill to medium heat.
In large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, chorizo, onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
Gently mix ingredients, being careful not to overwork meat.
Divide meat into six burger patties.
Cook burgers 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145 F or desired doneness.
During last 2-3 minutes of cooking, place cheese slices on top of burgers to melt, if desired.
Transfer burgers to platter. Assemble burgers with buns, bacon, tomato slices, red onion slices, lettuce, ketchup and mayonnaise, as desired.

Tip: Burger patties may be frozen up to 1 month. Fully defrost before cooking.

SOURCE:

Coleman Natural Foods

EDIBLES

Tackle your family’s hunger with a touch of heat

Published

2 weeks ago

05/22/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) It’s easy to get into a recipe rut when every day feels the same – work, kids’ activities, social events and bedtime routines make it tough to experiment in the kitchen. If your family’s meals are growing boring, all you need is a touch of heat to bring new life to the menu.

Add a delicious blend of savory, sweet and a hint of spice to mealtime with Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, which are ready to serve fast for busy families. Packed with flavor, they complement main courses, snacks and sides without the hassle.

With just the right balance of heat and honey, they add delicious sizzle and mouthwatering flavor to recipes like Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs. Perfectly toasted hoagie rolls are packed with spicy, sweet chicken meatballs and smothered in melted provolone for a tough-to-top taste. Ready in 35 minutes, the subs offer a blend of convenience and gourmet flavor, making this meal an unbeatable choice at dinner time.

Sandwiches deliver an easy way to make mealtime customizable so all your loved ones are satisfied. Try topping your subs with coleslaw for a crunchy, creamy texture or pickled vegetables for an added touch of tanginess to complement the sweet, rich meatballs. For fans of spice, turn up the heat with extra hot sauce.

Solve afternoon hunger pangs with these Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers and Ranch Dip, loaded with the sweet heat of hot honey chicken and baked to crispy perfection. This inventive snack is uniquely crunchy and flavorful, blending fiery sweetness with savory chicken flavor as a convenient way to shake up snack time.

For the adventurous types, these homemade crackers pair with more than just ranch. Engage your taste buds further with these suggestions:

Spicy cheese dip: Add a little extra kick with cheese dip that’s spiced up with jalapenos or chili flakes.
Cucumber dill yogurt: A perfect match for the sweet heat of hot honey chicken with its refreshing, cooling effect.
Barbecue sauce: Smoky and slightly sweet, it pairs well with the honey in the crackers.
Garlic aioli: Rich and garlicky, this dip brings a robust flavor contrast to the table.

Discover more ways to shake up mealtimes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
1 pound ground chicken
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
4 hoagie rolls
2 tablespoons butter
4 slices provolone cheese
garlic sauce, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
In large bowl, mix rice; chicken; salt; cayenne, if desired; and breadcrumbs.
Use cookie scoop or hand roll chicken mixture into balls. Place on aluminum foil-lined sheet tray, leaving small space between each ball. Bake 25 minutes, flipping meatballs halfway through.
Slice hoagies in half, lengthwise. Remove some bread from middle to make room for meatballs. Butter inside of each hoagie and place on sheet tray.
Once meatballs are cooked through, turn broiler on high and place buttered hoagies in oven. Cook 1 minute, or until butter is melted and hoagie has browned.
Remove hoagies from oven, place 3-4 meatballs inside (depending on size) and cover with slice of cheese. Broil on high 30 seconds to melt cheese.
Drizzle garlic sauce on top.

Tip: Garlic sauce can be substituted with topping of choice.

Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers andRanch Dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 packet ranch dip seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 F. Heat rice according to package directions.
Lay rice on parchment paper. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Use rolling pin to roll out rice into thin layer.
Bake 20 minutes.
In medium bowl, mix sour cream and ranch seasoning.
Once crackers are cooked, cut into squares while still hot. Allow to cool.
Serve crackers with ranch dip.

Tip: Ranch dip can be substituted with hummus or any flavored dip.

SOURCE:
Minute Rice

EDIBLES

Create fresh, filling springtime salads

Published

3 weeks ago

05/15/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) When the crisp air of spring tickles your face and sunrays splash you with warmth, you know salad season has arrived. With fresh flavors abounding this season, the options are nearly endless – just choose your favorite base, toppings and dressings and you’re set with a delicious first course or hearty meal all on its own.

Not every salad requires leafy greens for the base, however. Consider this Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad, a Greek-inspired Jasmine rice dish loaded with fresh, tangy flavors that are sure to please your taste buds. Made with Success Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice that cooks up soft and fluffy every time, this recipe offers a hint of floral, sweet flavor to keep you feeling full. In just 10 minutes, you can have sweetly aromatic Jasmine rice that’s perfect for your lifestyle needs – it’s naturally gluten free, non-GMO Project Verified and free of MSG and preservatives.

Fruit salad may be nothing new, particularly when using fruits like oranges, cherries or grapes, but watermelon may be the fun new spin you need at your next cookout. The pairing of sweet watermelon, tangy feta cheese, refreshing mint, earthy beets, nuts and fluffy rice offers a winning combination. Quick tip: Make sure the rice is fully cooled after cooking to avoid a warm, watery result.

Fresh herbs, tomatoes, corn, basmati rice and a simple vinaigrette make Spring Corn and Rice Salad another delicious seasonal side that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Step out of your salad comfort zone with this refreshing solution that makes it easy to add veggies to your diet. When you’re drawing up weekly meal plans and tired of relying on traditional lettuce-based salads, consider rice salads as an alternative for enjoying chopped vegetables – plus, hearty rice can help keep you full longer.

Better yet, you can make this rice salad your own by experimenting with the ingredients. Try adding shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, fresh mango, ground cumin, fresh grated ginger, grilled corn or any other springtime flavors.

Remember, high quality doesn’t have to be high maintenance. Aromatic, premium long-grain Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is a no measure, no mess option that cooks up perfectly every time. Aside from being naturally gluten free, it’s also free of preservatives and MSG and is non-GMO Project Verified. It’s no stranger to versatility either – in 10 minutes, you can enjoy basmati rice’s subtle, nutty flavor and unique texture alongside other warm-weather favorites.

Find more ways to enjoy spring salad season by visiting SuccessRice.com.

Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup thinly sliced, cooked golden beets
1 cup thinly sliced watermelon
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup pitted black olives, halved
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fresh mint, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons walnuts, toasted and chopped, for garnish

Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.
In medium bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Add rice to bowl with dressing and stir to combine. Let stand 5 minutes.
Transfer rice to serving platter. Lay beet slices down one side of rice. Lay watermelon slices down opposite side. Top with feta, olives, red onion and mint. Garnish with walnuts.

Tips: Substitute capers for olives, if preferred.

To diminish “raw” flavor of onions, soak in ice water at least 5 minutes before using in recipe.

Use roasted, boiled, steamed or grilled beets.

Spring Corn and Rice Salad

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

1 bag Success Basmati Rice
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup minced fresh basil
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup vinaigrette dressing
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.
In medium bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, basil, red onions, vinaigrette and green onions. Fold in rice, salt and pepper.
Serve salad at room temperature or chilled.

SOURCE:
Success Rice