EDIBLES
Party-worthy wine pairings perfect for easy entertaining

(Family Features) Red or white, sweet or dry, wine lovers are often entertainers at heart. When inviting guests to share your personal favorites, nothing enhances a tasting get-together quite like complementary snack and wine pairings.
The next time you find a wine party on your schedule, consider these simple yet delicious recommendations from sommelier and founder of “The Lush Life,” Sarah Tracey, who partnered with Fresh Cravings to create “Dips and Sips.” Aimed at reinventing wine and cheese parties, the movement focuses on simplistic recipes, easy dip pairings and suggested wines.
“When I entertain at home, I’m always looking for ways to impress my friends with fresh, creative bites I can pair with wine,” Tracey said. “My favorite hack is finding great products with high-quality ingredients then creating simple, elevated ways to serve them. The less time I spend in the kitchen, the more time I get to spend with my guests.”
Tracey relies on the versatility of Fresh Cravings’ array of dip options and crowd-pleasing, bold flavors worth celebrating. With authentic-tasting chilled salsas offering a vibrant alternative to soft, dull blends of jarred salsa and flavor-filled hummus made with premium ingredients like Chilean Virgin Olive Oil, these dips elevate both traditional and reinvented recipes.
For example, Tracey’s recipes for Polenta Rounds with Pico de Gallo Salsa and Crab, Spiced Butternut Squash Naan Flatbreads, Cheesy Tortilla Cutouts with Salsa and Hummus-Stuffed Mushrooms offer flavorful, easy-to-make appetizers that can make entertaining easy and effortless. Plus, these crave-worthy morsels are just as tasty and approachable for guests choosing to skip the wine.
Find more recipe and pairing ideas perfect for enhancing your next party at FreshCravings.com.

Hummus-Stuffed Mushrooms
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
- Nonstick olive oil spray
- 16 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems removed and gills scooped out
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 container Fresh Cravings Classic Hummus
- 1 jar manzanilla olives stuffed with pimientos, cut in half
- 1 jar roasted red pepper strips
- Oregon Pinot Noir
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare sheet pan with nonstick olive oil spray.
- Place mushroom caps on sheet pan, spray with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Roast 7-8 minutes then let mushrooms cool to room temperature.
- Fill each mushroom cap with hummus and top each with one olive slice.
- Thinly slice roasted red pepper strips and arrange around olive slices.
- Pair with lighter bodied pinot noir with cherry tones from Oregon.

Cheesy Tortilla Cutouts with Salsa
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 16 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
- 1 can (4 ounces) green chiles, drained
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 container Fresh Cravings Restaurant Style Salsa, Medium
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place large flour tortilla on sheet pan. Top with handful of grated cheese.
- Sprinkle chiles on top of cheese layer. Add chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with additional cheese.
- Top with another tortilla. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Work in batches to make three sets of cheese-filled tortillas.
- Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters.
- Serve with salsa and pair with sauvignon blanc from New Zealand with zest and zing.

Spiced Butternut Squash Naan Flatbreads
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
- 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 container Fresh Cravings Roasted Garlic Hummus
- 1 package mini naan dippers
- 1 bunch fresh rosemary, minced
- La Veielle Ferme Rosé
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Chop butternut squash into 1/2-inch chunks.
- Toss squash with olive oil, maple syrup, cumin and chili powder.
- Spread on sheet pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and roast until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Spread hummus on naan dippers and top each with squash and fresh rosemary.
- Pair with deeper, savory and earthy rosé.

Polenta Rounds with Pico de Gallo Salsa and Crab
Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
- 1 tube (16 ounces) prepared polenta
- nonstick cooking spray
- salt, to taste
- 8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat
- 1 container Fresh Cravings Pico de Gallo Salsa, Mild
- 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped
- Mateus Rosé
- Heat oven to 400 F.
- Slice polenta into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle with salt, to taste, and let cool.
- Combine jumbo lump crabmeat with salsa.
- Top each polenta round with crab salsa mixture.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh mint and pair with vibrant, fruity rosé.
SOURCE:
Fresh Cravings
EDIBLES
Tackle your family’s hunger with a touch of heat

(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

(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
EDIBLES
Turn a favorite spring veggie into a stellar soup

(Family Features) If you’re in need of a soup outside the usual mushroom or celery varieties, turn to another springtime favorite: carrots. More than just a veggie you can serve with dip, they’re creamy, delicious and pair well with ginger in this Creamy Carrot Soup. Discover more easy recipes for family meals at Culinary.net.

Creamy Carrot Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) carrots
- 2 cups broth of choice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- honey
- BLT wraps, for serving
- In blender, blend canned carrots, including juices, until smooth. Transfer to pot and add broth.
- Mix in brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger and orange juice. Bring to simmer then add cream. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle honey over each bowl. Serve with BLT wraps.
SOURCE:
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