Tropical Fruit Salad Recipe

Learn how to make a simple, beautiful salad that pairs fabulously with grilled meats or fish.

Frozen Sugared Grapes with Pasture-Grazed Cheddar Recipe

A simple recipe with delicious results! The sweetness of the frozen grapes and the sharpness of the Pasture-Grazed Cheddar cheese create a winning combination.

Ingredients:
25-27 assorted seedless grapes
2 egg whites, lightly stirred in a bowl deep enough for dipping
1/4 cup white granulated sugar, spread on shallow plate for dusting
5 Sargento Limited Edition Pasture-Grazed Cheddar Cheese sticks OR 3 slices Sargento Limited Edition Pasture-Grazed Cheddar Cheese

25 Toothpicks
Aluminum foil and baking sheet

Wash and dry grapes. Remove from stems. Place one toothpick through each grape, leaving the bottom end of the toothpick poking out.

Holding it from the top, dip each toothpicked grape into the egg white mixture to coat. Then roll each grape gently in the shallow plate of sugar. Place sugar-coated each grape on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Place in freezer and freeze for at least 6 hours (or even overnight).

Cut each cheese stick into 5 cubes (or stack cheese slices and cut into 9 squares).

Thirty minutes before serving, remove frozen toothpicked grapes from freezer. Place one cube of cheese on the end of each toothpick. Place on serving platter.

About Sargento Limited Edition Cheeses
With Sargento's new Limited Edition Cheeses, they're bringing you small batches of unique and flavorful cheeses – each available for a limited time only. Our third Limited Edition is a custom Cheddar – the most popular variety of natural cheese – that is crafted from the milk of select pasture-grazed dairy cows from Southwestern Wisconsin.

Apple Sauce Recipe

Apple sauce is a delicious treat and when you make it your self you know the ingredients that went in to the recipe. In this video, Rita uses an old-fashioned food mill to make her apple sauce recipe.

Freezing Tomatoes

Freezing tomatoes is a great way to store tomatoes to use all winter long. In this easy recipe, Rita shows you how to freeze and use tomatoes from your garden.

Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Applesauce, homemade and easy - super good too!

Toffee Apples Recipe

VideoJug: How To Make Toffee Apples
Deliciously sweet and sticky toffee apples. A classic treat for the whole family. These must be tried to be appreciated. Delight in our Toffee Apples recipe.

Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Salad

How many servings of fruit do you eat every day? Fruit is nature's candy. It's sweet and delicious and a great way to keep a healthy diet. Fruit salad makes a fantastic snack, side-dish, or dessert. This particular recipe tosses in some yogurt and nuts for a unique twist.

Get a Head Start on Healthy After-School Living

While what children eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner are extremely important for a child’s health, snacking also plays an important role. Developing healthy snacking habits early on may have more of an impact on a child’s overall health than most people realize.

After-school snacking can either contribute to a healthy lifestyle or can be an unhealthy culprit in your child's day. It’s no surprise that most kids are ravenous after school; they often eat lunch at 11:30 a.m.! And with today’s parents staying later at the office or facing longer commutes, many families are not sitting down for dinner until 7:30 p.m. It's all too easy for children to fall into a routine of junk food, and hours in front of the TV after school if parents or caregivers do not intervene.

A great first step to improve your child's well-being is to plan an after-school routine to help your child stay healthy and active even after the school bell rings.

“With the changing demands and pressures of work and school, it’s more important than ever to incorporate simple nutritious solutions into our routines,” says Laura Molseed, registered dietitian for Del Monte Foods.

Here are some simple solutions to meet every family’s needs!

Stock Your Pantry with Easy Choices

Tip: Take your kids to the grocery store, and allow them to be directly involved in the selection process.

According to experts, they are more likely to make better choices for it. Encourage kids to choose their favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as a selection of nuts, raisins, low-fat yogurts and whole-wheat crackers, all of which are low in fat, sodium and sugar.

“While an occasional sweet is a nice treat, having routine sweet afternoon treats, such as cookies and cupcakes, can really add up in terms of extra calories, fat and sugar ” says Molseed. “Keeping delicious, fun and healthy options in the kitchen and in your children’s lunchboxes will help them feel energized until dinner.”

Get Them Involved!

Tip: Teach your kids that healthy can still be fun.

Children love the idea of cooking, and making their own snacks and treats. Young children can help make easy 1-2-3 recipes, and older children can assist with meal planning, even creating their own dinner or lunch options. For example, for a twist on dessert, take Del Monte Fruit Chillers sorbet out of your pantry and turn them into something your entire family will love -- a fun, after-dinner treat! Kids will love making this easy recipe for Iceberg Pie, a creamy, refreshing dessert. Simply mix 1/4 cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt with a 4.5-ounce cup of Fruit Chillers sorbet and pour the mixture into a favorite bowl. Freeze overnight. Del Monte Fruit Chillers sorbet (delmonte.com) is available at Target and Wal-Mart nationwide and is found at room-temperature in the canned fruit aisle. One cup of Fruit Chillers sorbet contains 100 percent DV Vitamin C and almost one complete serving of real fruit.

Get Them Moving!

Time spent in front of the TV or computer is often at the expense of physical activity. Kids need to be moving at least 30 to 60 minutes a day, according to experts.

Your child is continuously bombarded with advertisements, often for fast food and other sugary snacks that do not promote healthy habits. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages eight to 12 see an average of 21 television ads each day for candy, snacks, cereal and fast foods. It’s no wonder the first snacks they reach for are typically the items they see on TV each day.

Keep your kids active and provide plenty of healthy snacks along the way to avoid this. As kids often do not go directly home after school, packing healthy, delicious snacks they can easily eat on the go is important.

The colorful new “Bento Box”, based on the Japanese version, will hold several nutritious snacks in its various compartments and comes with a nutritious eating guide that allows you to plan fun, healthy snacks with your child!

Tip: Check with your babysitter or daycare center to ensure they are walking, dancing or playing group games.

Consider suggesting the babysitter host an after-school game session, but swap the usual board games with entertaining and interactive games designed to get your kids up and off the couch. One game that combines yoga, aerobics and stretches is the new WiiFit, soon to be launched from Nintendo.

Finally, encouraging your child to eat healthier snacks and do more physical activities after school may prevent your child from reaching for the sugary or salty snacks, while still leaving them hungry for a delicious family dinner!

Iceberg Pie
A creamy cool dessert that can be dressed up with fresh fruit and whipped topping.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Freeze time: overnight
8 servings

Ingredients
2 4.5oz cup Del Monte Fruit Chillers Sorbet, Arctic Strawberry, room temperature
2 4.5oz cup Del Monte Fruit Chillers Sorbet, Polar Raspberry, room temperature
1 cup whipped topping
1 (9-inch) prepared chocolate or graham cracker crust, or individual tart crust.

Directions
1. Combine thawed Fruit Chillers sorbet and whipped topping in bowl; mix well. Pour mixture into prepared crust. Decorate top with fruit, if desired.

2. Cover with freezer-safe plastic wrap and freeze overnight until firm.

3. When ready to serve, remove from freezer about 10 minutes before serving and decorate top with additional whipped topping, if desired.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 270
Total Fat: 9 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 170 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 44 g
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Sugars: 25 g
Protein: 2 g
Vitamin A: 4 percent
Vitamin C: 50 percent
Calcium: 2 percent
Iron: 6 percent

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Listen Up Ladies -- Here’s How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Heart Disease kills more American women each year than all other causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer, but don’t let that statistic scare you. According to the American Heart Association, the number one cause of death is also the single most preventable cause of death, and lifestyle factors play a key role.

If you smoke…

Put down the cigarettes. Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases HDL (good cholesterol) and increases the tendency for blood to clot.

If you do everything possible to avoid exercise…

Change your attitude and join a gym. Exercise is a great habit to develop that will help you with heart health. It can help lower your blood pressure, improve your blood circulation and keep your weight down.

If you’re guilty of regularly eating a non-healthy diet that includes a lot of fat and sugar…

Change your tune! According to the Cleveland Clinic, women who hold excess fat around the middle of their bodies are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Although there is nothing you can do to change your body type -- you can take steps to keep your weight at a healthy level.

A good place to start is by figuring out ways to work the foods that have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease into your diet. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition lists these as including apples, bran, grapefruit, red wine, strawberries, chocolate and pears.

Of all these foods, perhaps the most versatile is the pear. Here are some examples of how adding pears to your diet can benefit your health:

* You can reduce the number of calories you consume at the main course by 12 to 13 percent if you begin a meal with foods that have a lot of bulk or volume, but few calories. A pear fits this bill exactly because of its high fiber and low caloric content, just 100 calories for a medium pear.

* Spice up salads with heart healthy ingredients. A sliced pear makes an excellent addition to a green salad along with blanched sweet potatoes, pistachios and lean chicken. This is a filling, healthy meal that will do your heart good and tastes delicious.

Here’s a tasty recipe you may want to try:

Curried Pear, Pistachio and Grilled Chicken Salad (Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients for salad:

6 cups mixed, washed and torn salad greens or spinach
3 large ripe Bartlett Pears, cored and sliced
1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1/2 cup shelled pistachio nuts
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 small red onion, sliced
4 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless grilled chicken breast fillets, chilled

Ingredients for the curry-chile vinaigrette:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded and minced

Directions: Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. To assemble salad, toss half of the dressing with the salad greens. Divide evenly among 4 salad plates or bowls. Top with pears, nuts, bell pepper and onion. Slice each chicken breast into strips and lay over salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

* Avoid added sugars in your diet whenever possible. Table sugar, honey, brown sugar and other sweeteners offer no value to our diet other than empty calories.

This doesn’t mean, however, you have to skip dessert. Imagine a lusciously sweet and healthy fresh, poached pear for dessert each night. This recipe for poached pears includes a small amount of added sugar, but also incorporates heart healthy ingredients like wine and chocolate along with the fiber-rich pears. Bosc is the traditional variety used for poached pears, but any variety can be used.

Wine Poached Pears in Chocolate Sauce (Makes 6 servings)

6 pears, peeled and sprinkled with the lemon juice as they are peeled
1 lemon, squeezed for juice
peel of 1 orange
2/3 cup sugar
2-1/4 cups of water
1 bottle of red wine
1 stick of cinnamon
1 peppercorn
1 pinch of salt
Fat free chocolate syrup

Directions: Stand the pears in a pan, not touching each other. Sprinkle with the sugar. Add the salt and wine. Then add the orange peel, cinnamon, and peppercorn. Bring the pears to a boil over high heat. As soon as the wine starts to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Gently lift the pears from the syrup with a slotted spoon, place on a platter or bowl and set aside. Boil the juice down until it is reduced by half. Set aside to cool.

To serve: Pour chocolate into individual serving bowls and warm slightly in microwave. Place poached pear on top of chocolate and drizzle with poaching juices. Top with additional chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings.

For more heart-healthy recipes that include pears, log on to www.calpear.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Fruit Parfait with Cinnamon Tortilla Strips Recipe

Sara makes a quick fruit parfait with cinnamon tortilla strips... ready in minutes!

Watermelon Salad Recipe

Refreshing summer salad with watermelon and feta, arugula, basil and mint!

How To Cut A Pineapple

How To Cut A Pineapple - The best video clips are here
In this video, learn the best way to choose the perfect pineapple and then cut it into perfect circles.

A Different Kind of Citrus: Cara Cara Oranges

Have you ever worried about your family getting tired of the same old varieties in your fruit bowl? Why not try something different, delicious Cara Cara oranges.

Very juicy and best when eaten fresh out of hand, Cara Caras aren’t just for breakfast or snacks. This fruit is also popular with chefs for use in cooked sauces and other dishes. The Cara Cara orange is sometimes called a red navel orange. It originated at the Hacienda de Cara Cara in Valencia, Venezuela, hence the name.

Cara Cara oranges have a bright orange peel and pink - raspberry colored flesh. They have a sweet taste with undertones of cherry and a low acid profile. Cara Cara oranges are medium-sized and round, with a yellow-orange rind and they’re usually seedless. They peel and segment easily. The flesh is a brilliant reddish-pink, which makes it a colorful and tasty addition to salads.

Like other citrus fruits, Cara Cara oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C. They’re also an excellent source of Vitamin A and dietary fiber as well. Juicy sweet Cara Cara oranges are available in stores now.

Visit Melissa’s web site, www.melissas.com for more information about Cara Cara oranges and other interesting specialty fruits and vegetables that can add variety to your family’s diet. For more nutrition information, tips, and recipes featuring fruits and vegetables visit www.5aday.org.

Recipe provided courtesy Melissa’s World Variety Produce. Meets nutritional standards set by Produce for Better Health Foundation.

Cara Cara Orange Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound baby greens, rinsed
• 2 Cara Cara oranges, segmented
• 6 ounces blueberries
• 1 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
• 1/3 cup key lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Directions:

Wash and dry greens. Gently toss together Cara Cara oranges and blueberries. In a blender, combine the frozen raspberries, key lime juice, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper and blend until creamy. To serve, plate the greens, top with the fruit mixture and drizzle the vinaigrette lightly over the salad.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional information per serving: calories: 70, total fat: 0.3g, saturated fat: 0g, percent calories from fat: 4 percent, percent calories from saturated fat: 0 percent, protein: 2g, carbohydrates: 17g, cholesterol: 0mg, dietary fiber: 5g, sodium: 154mg.

Courtesy of ARA Content

How to Pair Pears

Serving pears today carries a special cachet... and so it's really worth knowing more about them.

Apple Tuna Sandwich Recipe

Recipe Summary:

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Number of Servings: 3
Cups of Fruits and Vegetables Per Person: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 6 oz cans unsalted tuna in water, drained
• 1 medium apple chopped
• 1 celery stalk, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
• 1 tsp prepared mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 6 slices whole wheat bread
• lettuce leaves
• 6 slices tomato

Directions:

• Combine and mix the tuna, apple, celery, yogurt, mustard and honey.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the mixture on three bread slices.
• Top each slice of bread with lettuce, tomato and remaining bread.
• Cut sandwiches in half or as desired.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tropical Fruit Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 15oz can of cream of coconut
• 1 medium banana
• 1 8oz can of crushed pineapple in juice
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice
• 2 cups ice cubes

Directions:

• Pour ingredients into blender
• Blend until ingredients are well mixed

Raw Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Host, Nili Nathan visits with Chef A.J. to learn how to make Raw and Vegan Desserts. In this video you will learn how easy and delicious it is to make a Raw Banana Ice Cream right at home!

Zest, Peel, Slice and Section an Orange

Learn to zest, peel, slice and section an orange with Professional Chef Gerald Hirigoyen and Cooking.com.

Chocolate-Covered Stawberries Recipe

Ever been in a situation where you thought you had EVERYTHING planned out, but then forgot to make a dessert? No? Well, then watch this to learn how to make homemade chocolate-covered strawberries anyway!

Cooking with Apples

This video features apples and show off some great unexpected recipes using them.