Meet our writers

Go60 YUM - articles about food and the joys of dining
YUM articles - The enjoyment of food

Food Ventures

New Food Adventures in the New Year

By Ann Hattes
Rate this item
(0 votes)

According to a recent study in the September 2011 Advances in Nutrition, research summarized the beneficial effect of apples and apple products on weight management, bone health and digestive health. In addition, the antioxidants found in apples may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes.

GREET THE NEW YEAR WITH ADVENTURE, trying new beverages and new easy recipes that will keep you energized throughout the day.

From Honest Tea comes Honest Cocoa Nova, a low-calorie cocoa brewed beverage that is light and refreshing in three flavors, mint, mocha and cherry. Also for those on the go is the 35- calorie energy drink developed by nutritionists targeting specific benefits, like NeuroBliss to help eliminate stress, NeuroSonic to help increase mental alertness, and NeuroTrim to help lose weight.

Enjoy quinoa, “the mother of all grains,” by itself or as a side dish in flavorful combinations from Roland foods such as Mediterranean, black bean, garden vegetable and toasted sesame ginger.

Ready in 15 minutes, simply add water, heat and serve.

For easy, high-fiber, flavorful meals, be creative with La Tortilla Factory’s 100-calorie tortillas. For example, jump-start your day with an egg, tomato and caramelized onion burrito, and for an afternoon snack or on-the-go wrap, put together a banana and raisin wrap. At www.latortillafactory.com you’ll discover appetizers and snacks, favorite entrees, global cuisine, meal recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and recipes for special diets from carb-conscious and low-fat to gluten-free and protein-plus.

For an entertaining twist in the New Year, treat family, friends and guests to an apple pairing party. According to a recent study in the September 2011 Advances in Nutrition, research summarized the beneficial effect of apples and apple products on weight management, bone health and digestive health. In addition, the antioxidants found in apples may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes.

Invite guests to sample a variety of fresh apple slices, selecting 3–6 varieties, from sweet to tart. Slice, dip in vitamin C-fortified apple juice to prevent browning, and fan on a large slab or cheese board. Provide apple tasting note cards so guests can record skin and flesh color, aroma, texture, flavor and overall perception. Serve cold hard cider and hot mulled cider with cinnamon.

Keeping the mulled cider on the stove top perfumes the house.

Try different pairing combinations such as a creamy-crumbly aged cheddar with a sweet-tart apple, a robust blue cheese with a tart apple, and a rich triple-crème cheese with a sweet apple. Or make an apple pesto to serve with a variety of fresh apple slices, favorite crackers and a variety of cheeses. Braeburn, Ginger Gold and Honey Crisp are sweet/tart; Granny Smith is tart; Crispin, Gala, Red Delicious and Rome are all sweet. At www.usapple.org discover an extensive collection of apple recipes from soups, side dishes and salads, to main dishes, burgers, breads, beverages and desserts.

 


Recipes:

Breakfast Burrito

Banana & Raisin Wrap

Apple Pesto


Ann Hattes travels far and wide in search of interesting food adventures.

Meet Ann