Recipes

12 Appetizing Ways to Eat Mango All Year Long 0

Mango is one of the most delicious summer tropical fruits, and here are different ways to eat them. Some people slice and dice and add to salads and desserts, while others prefer to buy pre-cut slices from the supermarket. From making delicious mango salsa to eating cut up chunks of mango in a salad, you can incorporate mangos can be into various recipes. You may love snacking on freeze dried mangos right out of the package. Did you know that you can use mango in many other creative ways? Scroll down through this collection of recipes to explore innovative ways to eat mango all year long.

Smoothies¹

Mangos make delicious smoothies - fresh or frozen.  What about when mangoes are not in season? We've got you covered. Add freeze dried mango slices, whole or crushed, to the blender when mangos are out of season.

To make mango smoothie, add to a blender ½ cup yogurt, chopped pieces of mango and banana, and 1 cup of orange juice. Blend at medium speed until smooth. Enjoy the boost of nutrition and tropical flavor.

Make pancakes²

Do you want to enjoy fluffy pancakes with fruit every morning? Adding mangos to pancake batter adds a refreshing twist to your usual mix. It is easy to use freeze dried mangos in your pancake batter. Toss a handful of slices into the pancake mix. You can crush them into a powder, so they’ll add a delicious and unique fruity flavor.

Add to breakfast cereal²

Aside from bananas, you can also add mangos to your oatmeal and cereal. This adds a naturally sweet taste, especially if you're trying to cut back on your sugar intake. Freeze dried mangos will soften in milk and complement the crunchy cereal.

Mango jam³

For this recipe, you will need:

• 10 peeled organic mangos
• Two peeled lemons
• 800g jaggery powder (a kind of unrefined sugar popular in South and Southeast Asia)

Method

1. Place the peeled mangos in a large pot. Add the lemons and their peels. Sprinkle the jaggery to cover them completely.
2. Cook on low heat till the mixture is boiling. The mangos will detach from their cores at this point.
3. To test if it is well cooked, put some of the jam on a cold plate. If it is runny, it still needs more time to cook. Once it sticks to the plate, it is ready to use.
4. Put the jam into a sterilized bottle. Dribble some of alcohol into the lid. Keep the  jam in the fridge till you need to use it.

Mango ice cream³

For this you will need:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp custard powder
• 1 cup jaggery powder (a kind of unrefined sugar popular in South and Southeast Asia)
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 cup mango puree
• 3 cups coconut cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence

Method

1. Mix custard powder with 1/4 cup of milk. Let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Mix the other portion of milk with jaggery and heat till it dissolves.
3. Once it boils, add the custard mixture. Let it simmer for a minute, then let it cool.
4. Add the mango puree and  mango pieces and mix.
5. Add the coconut cream, and vanilla essence. Mix well, then put into a container with a tight lid and freeze it until almost solid.
6. Remove it from the freezer, then whip with a hand mixer or beater. Then refreeze in the container with a tight lid. Whip at least once more, then refreeze. Enjoy!

Eat cubed mango⁴

You can eat mango as a snack on its own. Wash it, peel it, and cut it into cubes into a bowl. Grab your spoon and enjoy. If you want to eat it later, put it in the refrigerator, but it won't be as fresh as freshly cut mango. Add a few drops of lemon juice to keep it fresh.

Make a salad⁴

Cubed or sliced mango is a fantastic addition to fruit salad or vegetable salad. You can use sliced mango in many dishes, but cubed mango is more versatile. Peel the washed mango, cube, and add to salad.

You can make different variations of salad

• Make mango salad with pawpaw, avocado, apples, and strawberries
• Make a salad with mango and pineapple slices. Add a few cherries and a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Make a salad with mango, peaches, and sliced cherries.
• Make a salad with mango, oranges, and peach slices.

Mango tea⁵

Make naturally sweet tea with mango. Peel, slice, and freeze mangos. Make iced tea and add the frozen mangoes for a sweet,  decorative touch. Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Make mango salsa⁶

You will need mangos, lime juice,  onions, red onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. Serve it alongside fish, chicken, or pork. Try this mango salsa recipe.

Mango Salsa Recipe

You will need

• 2 diced large mangos
• 1 diced tomato
• 1 diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 diced red onion
• 1 seeded and diced jalapeno (optional)
• 1 bunch of finely chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

1. Put all the ingredients in a bowl.
2.  Stir well and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors combine.

Add to yogurt²

The next time you're eating your favorite yogurt, add mango and get a sugar boost. Cube the mango, and add to the yogurt. Since they are naturally sweet, you can use them with plain yogurt. You can use freeze dried mangos, too. Crush them into powder, and add to the yogurt. You're in for a healthy treat!

Baking⁵

Since mangoes are always not is season, you can use freeze dried mangos any time of the year to make muffins, bread, cake, and brownies.  The fruit adds a delicious burst of natural mango flavor to your baked goods. If you use freeze dried mango slices, ensure to add an extra ¼ cup of water to your mixture since the freeze dried fruit will soak up excess moisture. Also, ensure the fruit is nicely folded into the mixture, so it doesn’t turn when it gets into contact with the pan while it is baking in the oven.

For frosting and decorations⁵

You can use fresh mangos to decorate or garnish as a topping for baked goods. Just slice the mango neatly and you're good to go.

You can use crushed freeze dried mango and sprinkle it over cookies and frosting for cakes and muffins. It is a natural and healthy alternative to sugar sprinkles. It also gives an aesthetic appeal and sweetness. Try out vanilla frosting with freeze dried mango, and enjoy a unique fruity tropical twist to your regular frosting.

We hope that you’ve learned new ways to eat mango. Try out these recipes with our freeze dried mangos. They are preserved naturally, with no added preservatives.  You can enjoy these recipes all year long whether it is mango season or not.

Try these out and let us know the best option for you in the comment section below. Click here to buy our freeze dried mango.

References

1. https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-mango-2/

2. http://www.margaritas.com/http://www.eatyourteacup.com/2014/03/mango-pancakes.html

3. http://www.isayorganic.com/blog/different-ways-to-eat-mangoes/

4. https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Mango

5. https://parade.com/847908/kavitharamaswamy/41-innovative-ways-to-eat-a-mango/

6. https://eclecticrecipes.com/mango-salsa

Grilling Tips and Tricks: How to Prepare the Perfect Steak 0

Summertime equals grilling season. During summer, people spend most of their time outdoors as they try to maximize on the hot nights. There are higher chances this season that most of your meals will be outdoors. You are likely to spend a lot of cash on food and other outdoor adventures. But, it’s possible to save if you can make perfect meals in your backyard. Here are a few grilling tips and tricks for the ideal barbecue.

Warm the Meat

When you take the meat directly from the fridge to the grill, it will take longer to cook perfectly. The secret to a tasty steak is warming it first. Warm your meat for at least 20-30 minutes at room temperature before cooking to soften the meat, and make it easy for heat to penetrate through while on the grill. It will only take a few minutes to cook, and it won’t be tough to eat.

Clean the Grill Grate

Cleaning the grill grate guarantees nonstick grilling, regardless of how often you grill. It’s possible that the grate still has some food remains on it. If you take fresh meat on the grate without cleaning, the results will be unsatisfactory. Take your time and clean your grate evenly with a grill brush. Scrub every part. Once its sparkling clean, use a paper towel to wipe oil on the grate evenly. Oil ensures that your meat won’t stick on the grate.

Season Your Meat

Liberally season your steak before cooking. Seasoning gives your meal a unique taste. With seasoning, you get an opportunity to create your tastes the way you want. Using salt and pepper, you are likely to give your food a unique flavor; however, most people don’t know how to season and get it tasty. The secret to a perfect taste is to use enough seasoning ingredients. It’s simple: whatever amount you think is enough to get that unique taste, double it for a magical meal from your backyard. Sprinkling enough salt on both sides of the meat helps retain water, making your meat juicy. Once it's slightly warm, sprinkle some salt on both sides, and let it dry for a few minutes.

Before getting it on the grate, use a paper towel to pat it dry, then season it again with salt. Lastly, when you get your meat on the grate, generously season again with salt to taste. The more the salt, the better the taste.

Additionally, as you add salt, don’t forget to include pepper on the steak. Pepper adds a unique spicy element and crunch to your steak. It also guarantees that regardless of your steak size, you still have the same taste from medium to large pieces.

Preheat Your Grill

The more time your steak spends on the grill, the tougher the meat gets. To avoid dealing with tough meat, preheat your grill evenly. The hotter the grill, the easier and quicker the outside meat will cook. This will minimize the chances of sticking, guaranteeing a slice of tasty meat. When your grill is hot, your meat will cook quickly and evenly, unlike when you place the meat on a cold grill.

Avoid Flame Grilling

While grilling, flames can be inevitable. If you want to get great results, prevent flames from spoiling your steak. Keep your eyes constantly on the steak and avoid using excess heat. For instance, if you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire point and keep your steak slightly away from the fire. Flames will prevent you from getting that perfect grilling experience. Instead, it will trick you by making the outside of the steak look better while the inward has yet to cook. When you avoid flames, your steak will evenly cook both inwardly and outwardly.

Don’t Cut to Check if the Meat is Done

Although the practice of cutting meat from time to time helps us to know when the steak is ready, it’s not the professional way to grill. Cutting your meat slows down cooking and exposes your steak to losing more moisture. Remember, you are looking for a slice of juicy and tasty meat, and the more moisture you preserve, the better results you get.

Let It Rest

Once you’re done grilling, let the meat rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the moisture to settle, giving you a unique and personalized taste. Use the time to prepare dishes to accompany your steak after serving. You can serve your steak with vegetables, like broccoli or sweet potatoes, for an added taste and a balanced meal.

Whether you have ample space or not, you can still use our grilling tips and tricks and make your home the place to be during summer. Since grilling is a skill, the more times you do, the better your chances of mastering. If you manage to make the perfect grilled steak, invite your friends over and show them how to grill next summer.

Share your grilling tips and tricks with us in the comment section below.

5 Best Cherry Dessert Recipes for National Cherry Cobbler Day 0

National Cherry Cobbler Day happens every May 17^th - a day dedicated to celebrating cherry dessert recipes. A cobbler is simply a dish with a fruit filling, especially cherry covered with a top dough crust in form of a pie, biscuit, or batter. Cobblers originated in the British American colonies in the mid-19th century. The English settlers lacked proper cooking equipment and suitable ingredients to make suet puddings, a British traditional meal; so, they covered a stewed filling using uncooked dumplings or biscuits to improvise.

Sometimes, vanilla ice cream is added to top a cobbler. Here are some tips for the best cobblers:

1. Ensure the crust is baked through, and the fruit is bubbling. Insert a knife to make sure the cobbler is done. The knife should come out clean.
2. You can never go wrong with cobblers served warm with a scoop of yummy vanilla ice cream.
3. Use perfectly ripe fruit or rehydrated freeze dried cherries.

Here are amazing cherry dessert recipes to make your National Cherry Cobbler Day incredible.

1. Chocolate Cherries

Prep time: 20 minutes and chilling   Servings: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp butter
• 8 oz well-drained maraschino cherries, stemmed
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 oz chopped semisweet chocolate

To coat

• 2 tbsp shortening
• 6 oz chopped semisweet chocolate

Instructions

1. Add butter, sugar, and cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring from time to time. Remove from heat and stir in the 4 ounces chocolate until melted. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
2. Pat cherries with paper towels to dry. Form a ball by coating each cherry using 1 tsp chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for around 3 hours until firm
3. Melt shortening and chocolate in a microwave. Stir until smooth and dip cherries to coat. Let excess drip off.  Allow to set on waxed paper.

Nutrition value (each)

• Carbs: 6g
• Fat: 4g
• Protein: 0
• Fiber: 0
• Cal: 57

2. Cherry Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time: 30 minutes     Cook Time: 25 minutes    Servings: 8

Ingredients

• ½ cup of water
• 14.5 ounces tart cherries, pitted
• 3 tbsp red-hot candies
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Roll Topping

• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 6 tbsp divided brown sugar
• 1 lightly beaten large egg
• ¼ cup shortening
• ½ tsp cinnamon, ground
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp softened butter

Lemon Glaze

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

1. Drain cherries, reserve juice, and set cherries aside. Combine the reserved juice, water, cornstarch, and sugar in a saucepan until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Lower the heat and cook for 2 more minutes until they melt or bubbly and thick. Stir in the cherries and transfer to greased square 8-in baking dish.

2. In a bowl, combine 3tbsp brown sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until blended.

• Place on a lightly floured surface and knead 4 times. Roll to make a rectangle (14x10) inches. Spread with butter and sprinkle with pecans. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the roll.
• Start with short side and roll up. Cut into eight equal slices. Place the cut side on a baking dish over the cherry filling
• Bake for around 25 minutes until golden brown at 400F. Allow cooling for 12 minutes. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cobbler.

Nutrition value 9 (per slice)      

• Carbs: 38g
• Fat: 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Cal: 363

3 . Cherry, Pear and Apple Compote

Prep Time: 30 minutes    Cook Time: 20 minutes    Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp sugar
• 8 apples, peeled and chunked
• 8 firm pears, peeled and sliced
• 4 Bramley apples, peeled and chunked
• 280g/ 9.87oz sour cherries, dried
• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Place pears and apples, 50ml/ 1.69oz water and sugar in a pan. Bring to simmer and cook covered until Bramley apple collapse into a puree for about 15 minutes and the pear and eating apple tenderize. Stir regularly.
2. Stir in cherries and cook for 1 min. Add sugar to taste. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Value (per serving)

• Carbs: 51g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 4g
• Cal: 199

Tip

The compote can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

4. Posh Cherry Scones

Prep Time: 15 minutes     Cook Time: 15 minutes    Servings: 12

Ingredients

• I tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 2 ¼ cup self-raising flour
• 3.5oz dried glace cherry, chopped
• 9.6 oz buttermilk
• 2 tbsp milk
• 3.5 oz diced cold butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

To Serve

• Clotted cream
• Cherry Jam

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Put flour, butter, bicarbonate of sode, and ½ tsp salt in a bowl. Using fingertips, rub in to form a breadcrumb-like mixture. Mix in sugar.
• Mix in vanilla, buttermilk, cherries, and milk to make a soft dough. On a lightly floured surface, press out to 1 inch thick. Using cutters, cut out 2 inch portions.
• Place on a lightly floured baking tray. Bake for about 15 minutes until well risen and golden. Serve with cherry jam and clotted cream.

Nutrition value (per serving)

• Carbs: 36g      
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Cal: 218

Tip

Mix cranberries and cherries for taste variation!

5. Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes     Cook Time: 10 minutes     Servings: 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ cup baking cocoa
• ½ cup butter
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 48 blotted dry maraschino cherries

To Frost

• 1-3 tsp maraschino cherry juice
• 6 ounces chocolate chips, semisweet
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Cream sugar and butter together in a bowl until fluffy. Add vanilla and beat in the egg. Combine all dry ingredients. Add mixture to creamed mixture gradually to make a very firm batter.  Shape to form 48, about I-inch-sized balls. Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet. Into each ball, push a cherry halfway in.
2. In a small-sized saucepan, melt the chocolate chips in the milk over low heat while stirring often. Turn off heat and stir in cherry juice until smooth. Spoon 1 tsp frosting mix over each cherry.
3. Bake for about 12 minutes at 350C. Allow cooling for 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Value (per serving)

• Carbs: 22g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Fat: 4g
• Cal: 177

Try these amazing cherry dessert  recipes with our freeze dried cherries.

References

1. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/truffle-cherries/
2. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cinnamon-roll-cherry-cobbler/
3. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/355604/apple-pear-and-cherry-compote
4. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1162675/cherry-scones
5. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-covered-cherry-cookies/

6 Easy Fruit Compote Recipes to Tickle Your Taste Buds 0

Whether combined with other desserts or enjoyed by itself, a fruit compote gives a delicious close to a meal. The best thing about fruit compotes is that they are easy to make, and you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry and fridge.

Compotes are an excellent way to prolong the shelf life of fruits. You may add vanilla, ginger, or cinnamon for flavor. Here are 6 easy fruit compote recipes you should try.

1. The Classic Peach Compote¹

How do you choose a good peach? Avoid peaches with bruises or with soft spots, since they are likely overripe. An unripe peach is firm, but a ripe one gives a little when squeezed.

Ingredients

   4 1/2 cups chopped peach slices (6 ripe peaches)

   1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

   ¼ cup maple syrup

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

   Dash of sea salt

   Dash of nutmeg, ground

Directions

Add all ingredients to an average-sized saucepan. Over medium heat, bring a simmer. Simmer until the peaches are tender and form a thick sauce.  

Turn the heat off and let it cool. Transfer the compote to a jar and serve or refrigerate. The classic peach compote can be refrigerated up to a week. You may freeze it if you need to store longer.

2. The Delicious Apple Compote²

Apples are ranked among the healthiest fruits in the world. They are a great source of flavonoids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.² When buying or picking apples, ensure they are firm. Avoid discolored apples and those that easily indent when you squeeze them.

Ingredients

   10oz (750g) cored, peeled, and chopped apples

   3 1/2oz (100g) unsalted butter

   1 vanilla pod

   3 1/2 oz (100g) caster sugar

Directions

Add the butter in a saucepan to melt. Add the sugar, vanilla pod and the apples. On medium heat, cook the mixture for approximately 30 minutes, while stirring regularly until the texture of the sauce is thick. Remove the pod of vanilla and store it for future use.

Transfer the yummy apple compote to a blender and blend into a fine pulp. Serve.

3. The Aromatic Strawberry Compote³

Strawberries are a low-calorie food with numerous nutrients, including manganese, potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants.³ When buying strawberries, look out for the bright red ones. Worry less about the size and shape.

Ingredients

   4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

   ¼ cup fresh orange juice

   ¼ cup of sugar

Directions

Over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Add the strawberries and cook for 10-12 minutes,  stirring every now and then. You may use a wooden spoon to help break the strawberries.

Turn off the heat when the sauce starts thickening and the berries are still soft chunks. Place in a jar or a container and allow cooling. Serve or store in the refrigerator, not longer than a week. To reheat the fruit compote, you may heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

4. The Flavourful Raspberry Compote⁴

Raspberries have numerous health benefits, including obesity management and repairing damaged cells.⁴ There are various types of raspberries, such as red, purple, green and golden. You may use either of them for this recipe.

Ingredients

   1 1/2 cup ripe raspberries

   ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  ¼ cup extra fine sugar

Directions

Add all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer while stirring often until the sugar dissolves. Turn off heat when a syrupy consistency forms. This may take around 6 minutes.

Transfer the thick mixture to a bowl. The sauce may be served warm or cool. Store the compote for up to one week in a fridge.

5.  The Tropical Pineapple Compote⁵

Did you know consuming pineapple speeds up surgery recovery? Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, reduces inflammation, bruising, and swelling, and soothes the pain that may occur after surgery. A study reveals that bromelain has effects similar to anti-inflammatory medicines.⁵

Ingredients

   6 cups fresh pineapple, cubed

   1/3 cup brown sugar

   2/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice/ pear nectar

   1/3 cup raspberry vinegar

   ½ teaspoon allspice, ground

Directions

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until slightly thickened for around 10 minutes while stirring often. Transfer to a bowl and serve chilled or warm.

6. The Tasty Blueberry Compote⁶

Blueberries are deep blue-purple or blue-black in color. Blueberries do not ripen when harvested unripe (green and white). Look out for dry, firm, smooth skinned, and plump blueberries when making a purchase. Avoid shrivelled or soft blueberries. Size is not an indicator of maturity. Blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants of all vegetables and fruits.⁶

Ingredients

2 cups freeze dried, frozen or fresh blueberries

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons water

¼ tablespoon cinnamon

I tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

Add sugar, water, lemon juice and a cup of blueberries to a saucepan. Over medium heat, cook for 10 minutes while stirring regularly. Add in the cinnamon and the remaining blueberries and cook for about 5 more minutes until thick.

Serve warm or cool. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

How to Serve Fruit Compotes

Fruit compotes are mostly served as desserts. You may also use them as an ingredient in different dishes. Here are some unique ways of incorporating fruit compotes in your menu:

• Over frozen plain yogurt or ice cream. This option works best with warm fruit compote, due to the temperature contrast.
• Spoon your compote over oatmeal.
• On top of pancakes or waffles.
• Layering with yogurt and custard.
• Over cake; you can toast your cake in the oven for a crispy texture for contrast.
• Add it to your favorite milkshake or smoothie.
• Add it to the BBQ sauce.
• Garnish on French toast.

You can use canned, fresh, freeze dried, and dried fruit for your fruit compotes. In the case of freeze dried fruit, soak in water first to allow softening. Make sure you try out our freeze dried peaches, pineapples, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries for these recipes. You won’t regret your choice.

References

1. https://dietitiandebbie.com/simple-peach-compote/
2. https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/applecompote_11371
3. https://www.cravingsofalunatic.com/strawberry-compote/
4. https://www.raspberry-depot.com/raspberry-compote.html
5. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pineapple-compote/
6. https://www.dinner-mom.com/blueberry-compote-recipe-ways-to-use/

5 Delicious Dessert Recipes to Celebrate National Strawberry Day 0

The flowers, the heart-shaped candy, the mild obsession with all things red... Yup, we see it now! Valentine's Day is right around the corner. But, here's the thing: besides giving us the chance to devour chocolate in all shapes and forms, February is also the month to celebrate… strawberries. Yes, strawberries!

Following suit to Valentine’s Day’s heart shaped and red theme, this juicy fruit is celebrated nationwide on February 27th, and boy, are we ready to get our cooking/baking/dessert-making on! So, if you're ready to make the most out of National Strawberry Day this year, these five delicious dessert recipes are a great place to start.

Strawberry “Cream” Butter Cups

Love Reese's, but hate to see the calories piling up? Well, in this case, you need to try these homemade butter cups ASAP. Made with a creamy strawberry filling instead of peanut butter, this dessert is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth minus the sugar crash. Plus, they are easy to make which is always a plus! 

Ingredients:

(For the Filling)

½ cup coconut butter

3 tbsp freeze dried strawberries

1 tbsp maple syrup

(For the Chocolate Shell)

14 ounces dark chocolate

1 ½ tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

1. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and melt them for about 30 seconds.
2. Stir the mixture well and pour about one teaspoon of the chocolate into a muffin tin.
3. Using a spoon, spread the chocolate up the sides of the liners and freeze for about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, add all the filling ingredients into a small blender and process until you form a creamy butter.
5. Then, remove the tins from the freezer and spoon about ½ teaspoon of the strawberry cream into every muffin tin.
6. Cover all cups with the remaining chocolate and freeze again.
7. (Optional Step) Decorate the cups by placing a freeze dried strawberry slice on top of them before you put them in the freezer.

2. No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream

Even though nibbling on ice cream in the dead of February sounds a bit oxymoron, this no-churn treat is definitely worth the try. At just 5 ingredients, the dessert tastes like springtime in a bowl, which is great if you consider April is only a few months away. Not to mention it's a breeze to make which means you'll have more time devouring it. That's a win in our book!

Ingredients:

1 cup freeze dried strawberries

½ cup almond milk

4 tbsp plain yogurt

¼ cup lemon juice

1 ½ tbsp honey

Directions:

1. Add the lemon juice and honey to a blender and pulse for a few seconds.
2. Then, add the strawberries, almond milk, and yogurt and process until the mixture turns creamy.
3. Transfer to a loaf pan or container and freeze overnight or until it's hardened.

Strawberry Greek Yogurt Parfait

Delicious, healthy, colorful... Yes, this strawberry Greek yogurt parfait recipe checks all of our dessert boxes. And the best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to prep which makes it perfect not just for snacking time but also hasty mornings. So, dessert for breakfast? Well, why not?

Ingredients:

1/3 cup freeze dried strawberries

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp water

1 cup granola (regular or gluten free)

Directions:

1. Add the strawberries slices and one cup of water to a small bowl and soak for 15-20 minutes until they hydrate. Then, transfer onto a paper towel and remove excess water.
2. Place the strawberries, maple syrup, water, and lemon juice into a pan and simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit so that it thickens.
4. Once it's cool enough, place a layer of Greek yogurt into a bowl, top with granola and then the strawberry mixture.

Cashew Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding

If we're being honest, chia seed pudding is one of the easiest ways to start your day with tons of flavor and nutrients. And even though this cashew strawberry combo screams “dessert,” we wouldn't ditch it from our morning menu just yet.

Ingredients:

3 cups cashew milk

1 cup freeze dried strawberries

1/3 cup chia seeds

¼ cup maple syrup

2/3 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Add the cashew milk and the strawberries to a blender and pulse until smooth.
2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, mix until it turns into a puree and serve.

Dark Chocolate Strawberry Bread

If you're the kind of person who hasn't eaten breakfast in - like - forever, this fruity bread is all you need. The treat is a cook-once-and-enjoy-all-week kind of deal, so it makes for the perfect weekday morning meal. For an extra flavor kick, serve it with a scoop of jam, and you've got yourself the tastiest wake up call imaginable.

Ingredients:

(For the Dough)

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tbsp coconut sugar

¾ cup lukewarm water

1 cup coconut milk

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp yeast

1 tsp salt

(For the Filling)

4 ounces dark chocolate

1/3 cup almond milk

2 tbsp maple syrup

½ cup freeze dried strawberries

Directions:

1. Add all the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
2. In a separate bowl, pour the water and the milk and then stir in the dry ingredients.
3. Add the coconut oil and mix well until you form a dough.
4. Cover with a towel and let the dough rest for about 2 hours. FYI, it will double in size.
5. At this point, place the strawberries in a bowl along with one cup of water and let them sit for 15-20 minutes or until they hydrate. Then, remove them from the bowl and remove excess water using a paper towel.
6. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water and then add the almond milk.
7. Later, add the maple syrup and keep stirring until the chocolate has melted completely. Once it's ready, remove from heat and set it aside to cool.
8. Preheat the oven to 375^oF.
9. Grease a loaf pan with unsalted butter and transfer the dough to a floured surface.
10. Using your hands, shape the dough into a rectangle, spread the chocolate from side to side and top with the strawberries.
11. Then, roll the dough from end to end (you'll make a small log), transfer into the loaf pan and cook for about 45-50 minutes or until the bread is golden and firm.

So, how will you celebrate National Strawberry Day? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments down below!

National Apricot Day 2019 0

National food holidays have been in existence for decades. Although they are not official holidays, they are sure fun to celebrate. It gives us a good excuse to enjoy certain foods. National Apricot Day is celebrated on January 9th every year in the USA by apricot lovers.

The apricot tree is a hardy winter tree that grows to 12 to 15 feet but can grow to 45 feet if not pruned. The tree produces pink, white, or red flowers,¹ and produces fruit for 20 to 25 years.²

The apricot fruit is fleshy and similar to peaches - a golden orange fruit color and a firm texture. Its flavor is more tart than a peach. You can eat it fresh, canned, or dried. To select fresh apricots, look for fruit with a rich orange color that’s soft to the touch; avoid pale yellow or green.

Apricots are fruits we can enjoy throughout the year when dried. They are tasty, healthy, and can be eaten any time of the day. Organic dried apricots are brown in color. Although most store-bought apricots have bright orange color indicating they were treated with sulfur compounds during preservation.¹

Here’s what you should know about National Apricot Day.

Origin of the name

Apricot is a Latin word meaning precious, but its history has been linked to an Arabic word “al barquq” or early ripe. They ripen in early summer, much earlier than most summer fruits, and are dried to preserve for use throughout the year.¹

History of National Apricot Day

Apricots were discovered about 4,000 years ago in China. It was introduced in the USA in California in the 18th century by Spanish explorers. They planted the trees all over the west coast of the USA, and it quickly became a popular crop.¹

The first commercially produced apricots were cultivated in south San Francisco in 1972. The USA is among the top apricot producers. Currently, California farmers produce more than 95% of the apricot grown in the US.²

Nutritional value of apricots

Fresh apricots are rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, and iron. They are also a good source of fiber. They are versatile with their unique flavor and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. They make a perfect low-calorie snack right of the pack, whether dried or fresh. Dried or freeze dried apricots can be added to salads or granola.¹

How to observe National Apricot Day

Use the hashtag #NationalApricotDay on Facebook and Twitter. Aside from that, you can add apricots to your dishes, cakes, or salads. Be creative! They can be used in many more ways than you think. Here are five apricot recipes to try on National Apricot Day.

1. Apricot-Raspberry Preserves/jam⁴

Make delicious apricot raspberry preserves in just 15 minutes.  It acts a good sauce over pancakes and waffles or you can even add it to yogurt and ice cream.  The raspberries add a sweet taste and pop of color.

Ingredients

1 lb. ripe peeled pitted and halved apricots

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

Instructions

Add the apricots, lemon juice, and sugar in the food processor bowl. Pulse several times till the apricots are coarsely chopped.

Transfer the mixture to a pan. Lightly boil the mixture over medium heat while uncovered for about ten minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Add more sugar according to your preference. Add half of the raspberries and simmer for another minute or two till they are softened. Put aside to cool at room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate until when you want to use it. It can stay in the refrigerator for a week.                

2. Apricot Strawberry Smoothie⁵

This easy and quick smoothie recipe is healthy and delicious. The sweet-tart flavor is perfect for a summer afternoon or when a taste of summer is needed during winter. The strawberries add health and an energy boost with loads of vitamin A and C.

Ingredients

1 cup chilled coconut water/ filtered water

1 cup strawberries

2 cups pitted apricots

1 cup frozen pineapple

1 tsp. flax seed oil (optional)

Directions

Mix all the ingredients in the blender, one by one in the order listed and blend until smooth.

3. Baked Apricot Chicken⁶

This simple delicious chicken recipe is quick and easy for a busy day. Serve with rice or potatoes.

Ingredients

12 chicken thighs

1 cup apricot preserves

1 cup French dressing

1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix

Directions

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. // 350 degrees F

Combine the jam, dressing and soup mixture in a bowl.  Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish. Pour the apricot mixture over the chicken. Bake uncovered for about an hour. You can also bake in aluminum foil to cook it evenly and keep the chicken moist.

4. Pineapple Punch⁷

This budget friendly refreshing juice incorporates the goodness of pineapple and lime.  Enjoy a glass of the tropical flavored punch and garnish with a slice of pineapple.

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup apricot nectar

1 cup frozen limeade concentrate

2 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated soda

Directions

Combine all the ingredients except soda in a punch bowl. Add the soda and mix.

5. Apricot Bars⁸

One will not be enough.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter

2 egg yolks

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup apricot preserves

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 175° C/350° F.

Mix together butter, sugar, and flour. Add eggs gradually and mix well. Add vanilla extract. Don’t over mix. Pour the mixture into a baking tin preferably 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and spread the apricot preserves evenly. Sprinkle nuts on top. Cut into bars while still on the pan. Return to the oven at 120° C/250° F for another 15 minutes. Then cool on the rack.

Enjoy these delicious recipes on National Apricot Day. Don’t forget to purchase our freeze-dried apricots. They will make your work easier for these recipes.

References

1. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-apricot-day-january-9/
2. https://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/national-apricot-day/
3. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/apricot-day/
4. https://natashaskitchen.com/15-minute-apricot-raspberry-preserves/
5. https://natashaskitchen.com/apricot-strawberry-smoothies/
6. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8840/baked-apricot-chicken/
7. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20310/aileens-punch/
8. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10963/apricot-bars-i/