Halos Mandarins, Plus Mandarins Vs. Oranges, The Difference

[1] Keep a bowl of Halos or other mandarins on your kitchen counter, for a nutritious, 35-calorie grab-and-go snack (photos #1 and #2 © Wonderful Foods). [2] Halos, unpeeled and peeled. [3] A yogurt parfait with clementine mandarins and raspberries (photo © Hannah Kaminsky | Bittersweet Blog).   April is the end of the season…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Spring Asparagus

[1] Freshly cut asparagus (photo © Baldor Food). [2] Three colors of asparagus (photo © Australian Asparagus Growers).   Asparagus is our favorite harbinger of spring, along with big artichokes, fava beans, green garlic, morels, nettles, ramps and spring peas (a.k.a. English or garden peas). Once upon a time—in your mother’s, grandmother’s or great-gran’s generation,…
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RECIPE: Creamed Spinach Without The Cream

March 26th is National Spinach Day, honoring the most iron-rich vegetable, the reason Popeye was strong to the finish. Many people name Creamed Spinach as their favorite way to enjoy the vegetable—along with a juicy steak. It’s a steakhouse staple. To help tone down the richness a bit, some steakhouses are making their Creamed Spinach…
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RECIPE: Chocolate Covered Raisins

March 24th is National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day, honoring a confection that dates well before the introduction of Raisinets in 1927. You need only three ingredients to make chocolate-covered raisins: raisins, chocolate and coconut oil. The oil thins the chocolate so it adheres better. We loved this suggestion from TheRoadNotProcessed.com: Add a bit of spice…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Hot Cross Buns

[1] Enjoy these delicious hot cross buns, even if you don’t celebrate Easter (photo courtesy King Arthur Flour). [2] Use raisins or dried cranberries, e.g. Craisins (photo courtesy Ocean Spray). [3] Out of the oven, cooled and iced (photo courtesy Amy’s Bread).   Tomorrow is Good Friday, a traditional time for Hot Cross Buns. You…
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