EDIBLES

A full menu of festive holiday flavor

Published

3 years ago

11/15/2023

(Family Features) Cooking up a successful holiday gathering calls for everyone’s favorite recipes. From the centerpiece main dish to fresh salads and appetizers, roasted sides and baked sweets, you can take seasonal get-togethers up a notch by mixing traditional classics with newfound favorites.

Consider this full-fledged menu of flavor to give guests a memorable holiday experience from beginning to end and find more festive recipe ideas at Culinary.net.

Fresh Flavors for Holiday Festivities

With the festive season arriving, bring together family and friends for a delicious feast you can feel good about serving. One standout recipe is this Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad that pairs fresh, leafy kale with roasted sweet potatoes and tender Cornish game hens for a truly elegant meal.

Elevate your cooking during the holidays with inspiration from Fresh Express and its more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient ready-to-eat salads like the Sweet Kale Chopped Kit. It’s a perfect blend of a nutrient-dense salad mix of leafy kale, green cabbage, shredded broccoli and Brussels sprouts, as well as crunchy pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, topped with a tasty poppyseed dressing.

Visit FreshExpress.com to discover more fresh, easy and healthy recipes for the holiday season.

Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Servings: 4

1 package (6 ounces) stovetop stuffing
2 cups chopped apples, divided
4 Cornish game hens (20 ounces each)
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 package (10.9 ounces) Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Kit

Heat oven to 350 F.
Prepare stuffing according to package directions. Add 1 cup apples and fluff stuffing with fork; cool 15 minutes.
Remove anything inside hens, rinse cavity with cold water and pat dry.
In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Remove from heat.
Fill cavity of each hen with apple stuffing.
Place hens in 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Tie legs together and tuck wings under. Baste with butter mixture.
Bake 50-60 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 165 F and stuffing temperature reads 165 F. Baste with butter mixture every 15-20 minutes.
In bowl, toss sweet potatoes with remaining Italian seasoning and olive oil. Arrange in single layer on sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt, to taste.
Bake with hens 25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and cool. Tent hens with foil and let rest 10 minutes.
Place greens from salad kit in large bowl. Add remaining apples and sweet potatoes; mix well. Toss with salad dressing. Add toppings; toss to combine.
Serve Cornish game hens with sweet potato kale salad.

A Festive, Everyday Side Dish

While the busy holiday season can be loads of fun, you still need to get dinner on the table between parties. When you find yourself in a pinch this holiday season, squeezed for time and searching for a quick solution for dinner, turn to an easy side dish that can appease everyone. Potatoes are a nearly unanimous favorite.

Make putting dinner on the table a breeze with a solution like little potatoes from The Little Potato Company, which can help bring holiday happiness to mealtime. Ready in as little as 5 minutes, they come pre-washed and require no peeling or cutting, making them the perfect time-saving solution for the holiday season.

Ideal for this Perfect Roasted Little Potatoes recipe, these little potatoes are a tasty, fresh whole food that you can feel good about serving. Ready in half an hour with minimal prep and a few simple ingredients, it’s a perfect side dish for any occasion.

Visit littlepotatoes.com for more information and holiday inspiration.

Perfect Roasted Little Potatoes

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

1 1/2 pounds The Little Potato Company Little Potatoes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 F.
In large bowl, toss little potatoes with oil, salt and pepper until coated.
Spread potatoes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Tip: For extra holiday flavor, add paprika, garlic and fresh herbs.

Get Creative with Delicious, Decorative Cookies

A decadent holiday meal isn’t complete without a sweet dessert to cap off the evening. When in doubt, go with a traditional treat that’s perfect for sharing: cookies.

These Ornament Cookies can be shaped any way you like to celebrate the holidays. The royal icing adorning these festive favorites is made with powdered sugar and meringue powder; just use food coloring to add a personal touch.

For more than 120 years, Domino Sugar has helped millions bake special recipes like these cookies made with non-GMO, vegan, kosher and gluten-free Golden Sugar that’s free flowing and easy to scoop, spoon and pour. The sugar retains a hint of molasses flavor, giving it a golden color and providing a perfect way to add less processed sweetness to your loved ones’ favorite desserts.

Find holiday recipes, baking tips and more at dominosugar.com.

Ornament Cookies

Prep time: 25 minutes plus 1 hour to decorate
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Cookies:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup Domino Golden Sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Royal Icing:

4 cups Domino Powdered Sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/3 cup, plus 2-3 tablespoons, warm water, divided
desired food coloring

To prepare cookies: In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; beat until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add flour and salt; beat until just combined.
Dump mixture onto lightly floured surface and divide in half. Shape each half into disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Working on lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-inch thick. Cut cookies using ornament-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies on prepared pans and bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature.
To make royal icing: In large mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water. Beat on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat 8-10 minutes, adding 2-3 tablespoons warm water, as necessary. Icing should be stiff enough to hold peak when tested.
Color royal icing with food coloring and decorate cookies.

SOURCE:
Fresh Express

Little Potato Company

Domino Sugar

EDIBLES

Living allergic in a food-centered world

Published

4 days ago

05/21/2026

bowienews

Food is supposed to bring people together.
It sits at the center of our holidays, church potlucks, birthday parties, first dates, family reunions and late-night kitchen conversations. In Texas especially, I feel like feeding people is one of the purest forms of love we know. We celebrate with casseroles, comfort with pies, and gather around smoked meats and shared desserts.
Food is hospitality. Food is belonging.
But for some people, food is also calculation.
Before the appetizers even arrive, some of us are already scanning ingredients, evaluating risk, rehearsing questions, and trying to determine whether asking those questions is about to make everyone at the table uncomfortable.

Read the full feature in On The Table in your Thursday Bowie News.

EDIBLES

Go green with fresh spring salad

Published

4 weeks ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

(Feature Impact) While most people think of dirty kitchens, cramped closets and grimy garages when they hear “spring cleaning,” the popular phrase can apply to your menu, too. Refresh your family’s regular dining routines with fresh ingredients that call to mind the flavors of the season.

When it’s time to put the slow cooker away, consider this Spring Greens Salad with Mozzarella. Paired with an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette, it’s a delicious way to swap out heavier meals for a lighter lunch.

To find more springtime solutions, visit Culinary.net.

Spring Greens Salad with Mozzarella

Recipe adapted from Organic Authority

Servings: 4

4 cups baby arugula or spring mix
1/2 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
sea salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
halved cherry tomatoes (optional)

In large mixing bowl, combine arugula or spring mix, mozzarella and lemon zest; set aside.
In small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice vigorously with fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour vinaigrette over greens; toss gently to coat. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, if desired.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Snack brighter: Fresh, flavorful nibbles

Published

1 month ago

04/23/2026

bowienews

(Feature Impact) When it comes to snacking, ease is often at the top of the wish list. Not far behind, however, are fresh flavors and real ingredients.

That’s where NatureSweet shines by adding a little color to snack plates with its tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Fair Trade and B Corp-certified, the produce company is widely recognized for meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, supporting agricultural workers and making a positive impact.

That commitment and the belief that “the more you put into something, the more you get out” shows up in flavorful recipes like these Caprese Skewers. Coated in a flavorful, fresh balsamic glaze, these light, colorful snacks make everything from after-school bites to weekend entertaining more fun.

Perfectly paired with fresh basil leaves and mozzarella, the star is Constellation tomatoes – a blended, balanced mix of classic cherry tomatoes, sweet yellow tomatoes, mini-heirloom tomatoes and orange cherry tomatoes. Easy to enjoy as a standalone sweet-and-healthy snack or as a palette-pleasing ingredient in a variety of recipes, it’s truly a tomato for every occasion.

Or if you prefer savory, hearty snacks, these Bruschetta Bagels are packed with flavor. Homemade bagels are topped with juicy Glorys cherry tomatoes – perfect for grilling, sauteing, roasting, baking or simply snacking – creamy goat cheese and a splash of balsamic to create a bite that feels indulgent but is packed with fresh ingredients.

Find more fresh recipe inspiration at NatureSweet.com.

Caprese Skewers

Recipe courtesy of The Produce Moms

Prep time: 15 minutes

Yield: 12 skewers

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 teaspoon cracked red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
12 mozzarella balls, drained and patted dry
24 ounces NatureSweet Constellation tomatoes
24 small fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup balsamic glaze (optional)

In small bowl, whisk olive oil, Italian seasoning, cracked red pepper flakes, garlic powder and salt.
Add mozzarella balls. Gently toss to coat. For best flavor, marinate in fridge overnight.
To assemble skewers: Thread tomato, folded basil leaf, marinated mozzarella ball, another folded basil leaf and another tomato. Repeat to make 12 skewers.
Place on serving platter. If desired, drizzle balsamic glaze over skewers on serving platter.

Bruschetta Bagels

Prep time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: 8 bagels

Bagels:

1 packet dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, divided
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
sesame seeds

Bruschetta:

2 cups NatureSweet Glorys cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup basil

Topping:

1 cup goat cheese
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

To make bagels: In bowl, mix yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup lukewarm water; let rest 5 minutes.
In separate large bowl, place flour and add yeast mixture, remaining lukewarm water and salt. Mix thoroughly with hands until homogenous mixture is obtained. Transfer to greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour.
Once dough rises, place on flat surface and divide into eight equal parts. Form small dough balls and, using finger, make hole in center of each to form bagels. Place on baking sheet, cover with kitchen towel and let rise 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 390 F.
In pot of hot water over medium heat, cook each bagel 5 seconds, making sure they do not stick to each other. Remove from water and drain thoroughly. Place on parchment paper-lined plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake 25 minutes.
To make bruschetta: On cutting board, use knife to cut tomatoes in half. Transfer to bowl; add olive oil, garlic and basil then mix. Set aside.
To make topping and serve: Cut bagels in half, place on cutting board and use knife to spread goat cheese on each bagel half. Add bruschetta and drops of balsamic vinegar then sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste.

SOURCE:

NatureSweet