Bring Warmth to Winter with a Filling Family Dinner

Bring Warmth to Winter with a Filling Family Dinner

(Family Features) Hearty, comforting foods that go perfectly with cold weather may be some of your family’s favorites, but if all those filling meals are starting to (literally) weigh you down, it’s time for a better-for-you spin.

Add a superfood to your winter menu for cold-weather dishes you can feel good about serving to your loved ones. Sweetpotatoes, known as a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association, are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health. They’re a natural sweetener for that “sweet” flavor you crave without the added sugar, making them a perfect addition to this Cheesy Sweetpotato Casserole made with sweetpotato puree, warm spices and ground turkey.

A healthy and easy weeknight dinner, this creative spin on a classic casserole takes advantage of sweetpotatoes’ sweet, savory versatility. They enhance both flavor and nutrition content in simple and elevated recipes alike. Plus, they can be cooked and prepared in several ways, such as on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or, in this case, boiled and pureed.

Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to discover more ways to cook better-for-you family meals this winter.

Cheesy Sweetpotato Casserole
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 6

• 1          medium North Carolina sweetpotato
• 16        ounces shell pasta (or any kind of noodle)

Ground Turkey:

• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          pound lean ground turkey
• 1/2       medium yellow onion, minced
• 1          teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• 1/8       teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4       teaspoon powdered mustard

Cheese Sauce:

• 3          tablespoons tomato puree
• 1/2       cup chicken broth (or any kind of broth)
• 1          cup shredded colby jack cheese, plus additional for topping (optional)
• salt, to taste
•             nonstick cooking spray
• fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Peel sweetpotato and chop into 1-inch cubes. Place in pot and cover with water. Bring to boil over high heat. Cook 13-15 minutes until sweetpotatoes are tender. Drain and let cool 2-3 minutes then puree in food processor or blender.
2. Bring large pot of water to boil. Add shell pasta. Cook until slightly harder than al dente as it will continue to cook in oven.
3. Strain pasta, rinse with cold water and set aside.
4. To make ground turkey: Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. When olive oil is fragrant, add ground turkey. Break turkey into small pieces. Mix in onion, garlic powder, salt, ground pepper and powdered mustard; cook 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. To make cheese sauce: Heat oven to 375 F and place sweetpotato puree in blender or food processor with tomato puree, chicken broth, 1 cup shredded cheese and salt, to taste. Blend until combined and sauce is smooth.
6. Spray 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place noodles, ground turkey and sweetpotato sauce in casserole dish and mix until coated in sweetpotato cheese sauce. Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese, if desired, and bake 15 minutes.
7. Remove, let cool 10 minutes and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Tasty Twists on a Traditional Holiday Treat: 3 red velvet variations of seasonal sweets

(Family Features) Embrace the color and flavor of tradition this holiday season with new twists on red velvet desserts. These variations on the classic cake can take your celebrations to new heights by throwing it back to childhood with a little bite of the past.

Take a trip down memory lane with “Cookin’ Savvy” and her delicious takes on tradition: Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Red Velvet Cake Balls and Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts, all of which make it easy for the entire family to join together for some fun (and rich homemade flavor) in the kitchen.

Find more “Cookin’ Savvy” recipes at Culinary.net.

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• white sanding sugar (optional)

1. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
2. Grease bundt pan with butter and pour in batter. Bake according to package instructions for bundt cakes then add 10-15 minutes. Let cool before icing.
3. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
4. Ice entire bundt cake or place frosting in piping bag and pipe with back and forth "drip" motion. Sprinkle sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1/2 stick softened butter
• 4 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/8 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus additional for rolling, divided

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
3. Grease 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in batter. Bake 45 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and use fork to crumble cake then place in large bowl.
5. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Mix frosting into bowl with cake.
6. Form cake mixture into balls then roll in powdered sugar.

Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• white sanding sugar (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
3. Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour half the mixture onto each sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes.
4. Let cookies cool then freeze 1 hour. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes.
5. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
6. Using knife or piping bag, frost cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.

 

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies

Aim for Healthier Hydration with a Habit-Building Beverage

Aim for Healthier Hydration with a Habit-Building Beverage

(Family Features) Begin building tiny, healthier practices into routines you already have to help make it easier to establish habits you can stick to. This concept is called “habit stacking,” and it can help you improve habits from morning to night.

Consider those busy mornings when you need an on-the-go solution rather than opting for sugary foods and drinks, turn to Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies that include unsweetened green tea. When incorporated as part of an overall healthy diet, unsweetened tea can support heart health.

This no-sugar-added recipe from Lipton, a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign, can help you enjoy healthier mornings while checking emails or hydrating before heading to the office.

Choosing beverages with no added sugars can contribute to a healthy heart, according to the  American Heart Association, making these smoothies perfect for building into a morning routine. Because it’s predominantly water, which is needed to keep your body running at its best, unsweetened tea provides a delicious way to hydrate without ditching those healthier habits.

Visit Heart.org/eatsmart to find more habits that contribute to heart health.

 

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

• 3          cups water
• 8          single-serving green tea bags
• 16        ounces frozen mixed berries (about 3 cups)
• 2          medium bananas, peeled, cut in half and frozen
• 1          cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
• 2          teaspoons fresh-grated peeled gingerroot (optional)
• 2          teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
• 2          teaspoons chia or flax seeds (optional)

1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
2. In food processor or blender, process tea, berries, bananas and yogurt until smooth. Add gingerroot and vanilla, if desired, and process until smooth. Pour into four glasses. Sprinkle with chia seeds, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving (without optional ingredients): 136 calories; 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 3 mg cholesterol; 23 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 18 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 8 g protein.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding

A Savory Summer Dessert Perfect for Sharing

(Family Features) Put delicious desserts back on the menu all summer long with savory favorites that don’t call for wasting sunny days in the kitchen. Single-serve solutions are perfect for sharing with guests, whether you’re hosting a pool party or calling over loved ones for a backyard barbecue.

This Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding can be prepped first thing in the morning and refrigerated until it’s time for a treat. Portioned in 1/4-pint canning jars (or small, kid-proof cups to avoid a mess) for individual servings, you can simply break them out when the dessert bell dings and top them with whipped topping and extra cookies.

At 7 grams per serving, a nutrient-rich powerhouse like peanuts can put a better-for-you spin on summer sweets. They deliver the most protein of any nut and contain six essential – vitamin E, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and vitamin B6 – and seven essential minerals – phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and calcium.

Visit gapeanuts.com to find more protein-packed recipe ideas.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding
Recipe courtesy of Peanut Butter Lovers on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission

• 1          box (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3          cups cold milk
• 1          package (16 ounces) peanut butter sandwich cookies, divided
• 12        canning jars (1/4 pint each)
• 2-3       bananas
• frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. In large measuring cup, whisk pudding mix and milk until thoroughly combined. Set aside to soft set, about 5 minutes.
2. Cut or break six cookies in half and set aside. Pour remainder of package in 1-gallon bag, seal it and use rolling pin to crush cookies.
3. Spoon layer of cookie crumbs in bottom of each jar, reserving some for topping. Top with layer of vanilla pudding. Cut one banana in half lengthwise and slice. Put layer of bananas on top of pudding. Top bananas with another layer of pudding. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, top with whipped topping and sprinkle with crushed cookies. Serve each with broken cookie half.

Note: Twelve 1/4-pint canning jars fit into disposable foil lasagna pan with clear lid for easy refrigeration and transportation.

SOURCE:
Georgia Peanut Commission

Manage Hectic Mornings with Quick, Healthy Breakfasts

(Family Features) Getting kids up and out the door is a challenge all on its own, and on those busy school mornings when nothing seems to run smoothly, healthy breakfasts can go by the wayside. While it’s widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t always mean you have time to sit down and enjoy it.

Solving your morning rush with grab-and-go breakfasts you can make ahead of time accomplishes both goals at once: staying on schedule and fueling your kiddos (and yourself) for the day ahead. These delicious and nutritious recipes come from Healthy Family Project’s 2024 Back to School Campaign, which is raising $12,000 for the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

These Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins are a perfect solution when you need to hustle out the door. As a healthy, delicious treat kids can take with them to school or eat during the commute, they’re quick and easy to make. Loaded with blueberries – a bona fide superfood that’s high in fiber, low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K – you may even need to make a double batch so you have plenty for breakfasts and after-school snacks.

With a simple graham cracker crust and creamy Greek yogurt filling, Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts offer another refreshing, kid-friendly morning meal. They can help you start your day on the right foot whether you’re short on time or able to eat a quick bite together as a family.

Discover more ways to manage school-day schedules with easy, nutritious recipes at healthyfamilyproject.com.

Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan and set aside.
2. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate large bowl, mix egg, maple syrup, vanilla, yogurt and applesauce.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in strawberries and blueberries.
4. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about 3/4 full.
5. Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Remove from oven and let cool in muffin tin 5 minutes before removing.

Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 1 hour

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 4 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented

1. In bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.
2. Press mixture into bottom of individual mini tart pans or mini muffin tin. Refrigerate crusts to set while preparing filling.
3. In bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vanilla and honey or maple syrup. Mix well.
4. Spoon yogurt mixture into chilled crusts.
5. Freeze tarts at least 1 hour. Top with mandarin segments.

 

SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project

Cool, Creamy Cheesecake to Bring a Chill to Summer

(Family Features) When it’s hot but you crave something sweet, turn to a delicious dessert that’s cool and creamy. French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust offers the best of both worlds as a fresh, no-bake, refrigerated favorite you can top with chocolate, fruit or vanilla wafer crumbs. Find more summer dessert ideas at Culinary.net.

French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Total time: 25 minutes, plus 3 hours refrigeration
Servings: 8

Crust:

• 2          cups vanilla wafers, crushed
• 1          stick butter, melted
• 1/4       cup brown sugar

Whipped Cream:

• 1          cup heavy cream
• 3          tablespoons sugar
• 1          teaspoon vanilla

Cheesecake:

• 8          ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1          teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2       cup powdered sugar

1. To make crust: Mix crushed vanilla wafers, melted butter and sugar; press into pie pan or individual pudding cups.
2. To make whipped cream: In large bowl, using electric mixer, mix heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until thickened into whipped cream.
3. To make cheesecake: Add softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar to whipped cream bowl. Using electric mixer, mix until smooth. Pour over vanilla wafer crust and chill 3 hours.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

30 Minute Taco Salad

(Family Features) If you’re looking for a go-to meal for your hungry family, search no more. This Taco Salad calls only for pantry staples so you can spice up busy evenings in just half an hour. Visit Culinary.net for more quick dinner solutions.

Taco Salad

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies
• 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• salt, to taste
• 1 lime, juice only
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• romaine lettuce
• 2-3 cups shredded cheese
• 1 tub (16 ounces) sour cream
• crushed tortilla chips

1. In pan over medium heat, brown beef until cooked through; drain. Add black beans and corn. Stir in tomatoes with juices and half-and-half. Add onion powder, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning and pepper. Season with salt, to taste. Bring to simmer.
2. Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro.
3. Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls for toppings.
4. On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.

 

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Create a Family-Friendly Grazing Board

(Family Features) A beautifully designed charcuterie board may feel more like a grown-up treat, but with the right ingredients, delicious grazing boards can provide fun and nutrition for the whole family.

No matter what you call it, charcuterie boards, grazing boards and snack platters are all basically the same thing. The boards make a trendy addition to an entertaining menu, but a platter or kid-friendly board can be equally pleasing.

What you serve on a grazing board is entirely up to you. Most include a selection of meats and cheeses, and many incorporate nuts, crackers, dips and jams. Some also incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables. Creating your own board means there really are no rules; you can add just about anything you want.

To build a successful board, keep these tips in mind:

Choose ingredients and elements that don’t require temperature control. The idea of a grazing board is that it sits out for a while. Avoid anything that needs refrigeration, heat or will lose its shape or flavor if it rests for an extended amount of time.

Select a surface large enough to hold a variety of food. It can be a simple cutting board or a cute platter. There’s no specific size requirement but err on the side of bigger; spacing out your goodies can be more attractive and less messy.

Use high-quality ingredients to ensure every bite is delicious and nutritious. While shopping, remember to look for the Produce for Kids and Healthy Family Project logos next to favorite items in the produce department, as adding these flavorful fruits and veggies to your cart can help make a difference in your community.

Build your board around a theme to add an extra element of fun. Use mini cookie cutters to make fun, kid-friendly shapes out of cheese and meats. Be mindful of colors; a rainbow platter is vibrant and appealing, and colorful fruits and veggies offer a strong mix of nutrients.

Remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Classic favorites are all you need. Even kid favorites like sections of mandarin oranges, carrot sticks and chocolate chips are fair game for a family-friendly board.

Find more ideas for creating family-friendly treats at healthyfamilyproject.com.

Taco Tuesday Board

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s “Come Graze With Us” e-cookbook

• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Queso
• Hard and soft taco shells
• Ground turkey, seasoned and browned
• Lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped onions
• Chopped peppers
• Sour cream
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges

1. On grazing board or platter, arrange guacamole, salsa, queso, taco shells, ground turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, onions, peppers, sour cream, cilantro and lime wedges.

Weekend Breakfast Grazing Board

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s “Come Graze With Us” e-cookbook

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Cooked sausage links
• Mini frozen waffles, toasted
• Mini frozen pancakes, toasted
• Mini muffins
• Yogurt
• Fresh fruit
• Syrup
• Jelly

1. On grazing board or platter, arrange eggs, sausage links, toasted waffles, toasted pancakes, muffins, yogurt, fruit, syrup and jelly.

 

SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project

Serve Up a Summertime Spread

(Family Features) Few things complement warm weather like a summer spread with everyone’s favorite foods. From fresh appetizers and classics like grilled hot dogs to skewered sides and sweet, sugary desserts, these summertime recipes are sure to bring friends, family and neighbors running to get in on the action.

To find more recipe ideas that bring the heat to summer cookouts, visit Culinary.net.

Up Your Grilling Game with Beloved Toppings

Hot dogs and brats are summer favorites for a reason: the delicious (and personalized) add-ons. Make sure your spread fits everyone’s taste buds with an assortment of tasty toppings like these:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Relish
• Hot sauce
• Onions
• Pickles
• Sauerkraut
• Cole slaw
• Jalapenos
• Diced tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Nacho cheese
• Shredded cheese

Start Summer Meals with a Bright, Fresh Salad

Bright colors and fresh flavor bring out the best in summer meals, starting with seasonal salads that look as though the ingredients were just picked from a garden.

Orange, grapefruit and avocado are perfect accompaniments in this Citrus Spring Mix Salad when paired with Fresh Express Spring Mix. This garden-fresh blend combines carefully selected tender baby butter and red and green leaf lettuces with baby greens including spinach, arugula and kale that are picked when the tiny leaves are perfect and whole.

With more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient ready-to-eat salads, as well as an assortment of salad greens you can use to create your ideal summer dishes, the kits and lettuce blends are available in the refrigerated product department of your favorite grocery store.

Visit freshexpress.com to discover more than 300 fresh recipes and find availability near you.

Citrus Spring Mix Salad

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Salad:

• 1 package (5 ounces) Fresh Express Spring Mix
• 1 navel orange, peeled and sectioned
• 1 red grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1. To make dressing: In small bowl, whisk orange juice, orange zest, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar and salt. Set aside.
2. To make salad: In large bowl, toss spring mix with salad dressing. Divide salad evenly among two plates. Top with oranges, grapefruit, avocado and onion.

A Simple, Skewered Side

Keep your summer meals simple by leaning into versatile ingredients that can help you whip up a variety of side dishes.

These Grilled Red Potato Skewers display the delicious, nutritious, versatile qualities of Wisconsin Potatoes. With a multitude of varieties, they’re a favorite among world-class chefs, home cooks, large and small supermarkets and even the pickiest of eaters.

It can be love at first bite with these 100% gluten-free potatoes that can add a touch of nutrition to summer cookouts. They’re a good source of vitamin B6, high in vitamin C, rich in potassium and an excellent source of fiber.

Find more recipe ideas by visiting eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.

Grilled Red Potato Skewers

Recipe courtesy of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2 medium russet or Yukon gold Wisconsin potatoes or 6 red Wisconsin potatoes
• 2 medium zucchini
• 1/2 smoked sausage rope
• 4 skewers (12 inches each)
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing

1. Preheat grill to medium heat. Cut potatoes in half. Cut zucchini and sausage same width as potatoes. Skewer potatoes, zucchini and sausage. Repeat for each skewer.
2. Place skewers in dish and cover with Italian dressing. Marinate 5 minutes.
3. Place skewers on grill and cook 5 minutes on each side, or until potatoes are done. Remove from grill and serve.

Cap the Night with a Brown Sugar Delight

Summer meals from small plates to grilled fare may be tasty, but don’t fill up entirely on the main course. Remember to save room for your favorite warm-weather sweets.

These Brown Sugar Meringues provide bursting summertime flavor in a little, handheld bite. They’re ideal for sharing with loved ones after a weekend barbecue or birthday celebration and, with just a few ingredients, they’re as easy to make as they are to enjoy.

To help bake this delicious dessert, you can trust Domino to deliver quality, consistency and results that only a century of experience can bring. Its Light Brown Sugar offers a buttery, caramel flavor, making it a perfect choice for sweets of all kinds.

Find more summery sweets at DominoSugar.com.

Brown Sugar Meringues

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, plus 1 hour rest time
Yield: 3 dozen meringues

• Water
  6 large egg whites, at room temperature
  1 cup Domino Light Brown Sugar
  3/4 cup Domino Granulated Sugar Easy Baking Tub
  1/8 teaspoon salt
  2 tablespoons Domino Turbinado Sugar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 225 F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Pour 1 inch of water into medium saucepan and heat it until simmering. In heat-proof bowl, mix egg whites, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt. Put bowl on top of saucepan and warm mixture until it reaches 125 F. Stir continuously and make sure mixture does not touch water.
3. Carefully remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat mixture at high speed 8-10 minutes. Transfer meringue into piping bag fitted with star tip. Pipe 12 meringues per baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of meringues, if desired. Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven and allow meringues to rest inside oven 1 hour. Remove from oven and enjoy.

 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (hot dogs)

 

SOURCE:
Fresh Express
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Domino Sugar

Add a Patriotic 'Pop' to Fourth of July Parties

(Family Features) Break out the red, white and blue and (safely) set off your favorite fireworks – it’s time to honor America’s birthday. Along with all the booms and blasts, make sure your crowd is satisfied with one of the country’s most beloved snack foods and a true firecracker in the kitchen: popcorn.

Celebrated for its seed-to-snack simplicity, popcorn’s smell, taste and versatility mean it can enhance any occasion as a budget-friendly solution for family gatherings. As a timeless treat nationwide, it’s an especially perfect partner for Fourth of July get-togethers as it bursts while cooking and brings a thrill to the senses.

Whether your gathering will take place poolside, in air-conditioned comfort or while watching spectacular fireworks shows among the backdrop of the night sky, tasty treats that honor the occasion allow you to show off your patriotic pride.

These Peanut Butter Cups are an ideal summer snack that’s easy to prepare with everyday ingredients. All you need to do is melt together peanut butter, butter and marshmallows then mix in popcorn, shredded wheat, peanuts and raisins. Bake in individual paper liners for grab-and-go convenience then share with your nearest and dearest. For added flair, use American flag-themed liners or finish your creation with toothpicks connected to miniature American flags.

Add a touch of heat to this year’s celebrations with Cinnamon Candy Poppers that bring a real bang to the snack table. Inspired by those classic firecrackers that a Fourth of July party can’t go without, these balls of ooey-gooey goodness provide a truly patriotic spark.

Find more popcorn-inspired snacks for your summer celebrations at Popcorn.org.

Peanut Butter Cups

Yield: 24 cups

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups freshly popped popcorn
• 6 cups spoon-size shredded wheat
• 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 1 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 250 F.
2. In microwave on high heat using large, microwavable bowl, melt peanut butter and butter 1 minute.
3. Add marshmallows and microwave on high 1 minute, or until marshmallows puff; stir.
4. Add popcorn, shredded wheat, peanuts and raisins; stir gently.
5. Place paper liners in two 12-cup muffin pans. Divide mixture into 24 cups.
6. Bake 10 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and tore "cups" in airtight container.

Cinnamon Candy Poppers

Yield: 24 balls

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup cinnamon-flavored candies
• red and blue confection stars
• red licorice string

1. Spread large sheet of plastic wrap on work surface and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.
3. In medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in marshmallows until melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn. Add cinnamon candies and mix well until coated.
4. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and form mixture into 24 balls. Gently press red and blue stars onto each ball. Place piece of licorice string on top of each ball.

SOURCE:
Popcorn Board