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Great Tasting Raspberry Recipes

December 13, 2010 By 1 Comment

Potato Raspberry Delight
Serves 4
One 5 A Day serving
Source: Maine Potato Board

Ingredients

2/3 cup light margarine
1 cup sugar
Egg beaters equivalent to 2 eggs
1 cup mashed Maine potatoes
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups of flour
¼ cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup skim milk
1 cup raspberries
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp lemon juice
1 container fat free whipped topping

Cream margarine and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add eggs. Blend in potatoes and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and add alternately with milk. Blend well. Pour in 2, 8″ round pans. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool.

Raspberry topping: Heat berries, add 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch. Bring to a boil and continue cooking to clear and thickened. Stir constantly. Spread topping on one cake. Freeze remaining cake for later. Finish with whipped topping.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 259, Fat 7g, Calories from Fat 24%, Cholesterol 1mg, Sodium 199mg, Protein 5g.

Fresh Raspberry ‘N’ Grapefruit Finale
Serves 6
One 5 A Day serving
Source: Produce for Better Health/Sunkist, Inc.

Ingredients

3 Ruby grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
1 basket (6 oz) raspberries
3 – 4 Tbsp raspberry-flavored vinegar
3 – 4 Tbsp light corn syrup
Fresh mint leaves (optional)

In a serving bowl, arrange layers of grapefruit sections and raspberries. Stir together vinegar and corn syrup; pour over fruit. Cover and chill briefly. Served in glass dishes and garnished with mint, makes for an elegant presentation.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 90, Fat 1g, Calories from Fat 3%, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 3g, Sodium 15mg.

Apple Raspberry Salad
Serves 8 (1/2 cup servings)
One 5 A Day serving
Source: Produce for Better Health/Michigan Apple Committee

Ingredients

1 pkg (3 oz) raspberry flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen raspberries or 1 cup fresh raspberries
1½ cup chopped, unpeeled apples (suggested: Empire, Ida Red, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Rome)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup broken pecan pieces
½ cup celery, sliced

In 2-quart mixing bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add frozen raspberries and stir gently until raspberries are thawed. Stir in apples, applesauce, pecans and celery. Pour into serving dish or mold. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until mixture is set. Serve as salad or as an accompaniment to beef, pork or chicken.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 99, Fat 3g, Calories from Fat 29%, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 2g, Sodium 13mg.

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Red Raspberries and Antioxidants

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure the antioxidant activity of foods. Specifically, ORAC measures the time it takes to prevent an oxidation reaction. Antioxidants inhibit oxidation which is known to have a damaging effect on tissues.

Health research indicates that people who consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with a high ORAC values may slow the aging process.

The ORACfl (umoleTE/g) analysis, which utilizes Fluorescein as the fluorescent probe, provides a measure of the scavenging capacity of antioxidants against the peroxyl radical, which is one of the most common reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in the body. Trolox, a water-soluable Vitamin E analog, is used as the calibration standard and the ORAC result is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent(TE) per gram.

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The pomegranate and healthy cholesterol levels and a healthy cardiovascular system

December 13, 2010 By 1 Comment

Preliminary research suggests that drinking concentrated pomegranate juice may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The pomegranate is the size of an orange and is round in shape. The tough, reddish-pink rind protects and holds hundreds of seeds.

These seeds are carefully suspended in the juicy, red pulp of the inner fruit. The pomegranate juice is extracted from these tiny seeds.

The pomegranate, like many fruits contain antioxidants, anthocyanins and polyphenols. However, the antioxidant levels in the pomegranate juice stands higher than other fruit juices. Antioxidants help the body to neutralize free-radicals.

With the unique make up of the pomegranate, Mother Nature has provided us with a simple fruit to support healthy cholesterol levels and promote heart health.

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Eat Fruit…Live Life..

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

We are only just beginning to discover the health secrets Mother Nature placed in simple everyday fruit. Due to advances in food technology we are now able to better understand how the naturally enriched compounds found in fruit help maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

The Orchard of Health is the Internet’s original fruit resource site. Our mission is to spread the word about the natural health benefits of fruit and to encourage people to eat more fruit on a daily basis. This exclusive information-only website is devoted to providing up-to-date research information on the health benefits of everyday fruit.

We are continuously updating the Orchard of Health with additional fruits, research articles and great-tasting fruit recipes.

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High Quantity of Melatonin Identified in Cherries

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The University of Texas Health Science Center recently began to quantify the availability and activity of the melatonin in cherry products. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant for which there is extensive evidence showing it to be significant in improving the body’s circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns.

In their preliminary work, Dr. Russel Reiter and Dr. Dun-xian Tan used radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) to identify substantial levels of melatonin in tart cherry juice concentrate. The amount of melatonin found, says Dr. Reiter, “is extremely significant.” Although melatonin is found in the body in extremely small quantities, slight increases in melatonin levels can produce very positive results.

Researchers are now working to determine the amount of active melatonin available to the human body after the consumption of tart cherry juice or other cherry products. Once identified, researchers will be able to calculate the optimum level of cherries that should be consumed to achieve the greatest health benefit. Dr. Reiter points out, “as we age, the human body’s ability to produce melatonin decreases,” so it may be beneficial to find a way to increase melatonin levels, particularly for the elderly. Including cherries as part of a healthy diet could be a way to do this.

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UC-DAVIS: APPLES ARE HEART-HEALTHY

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Researchers at the University of California-Davis recently reported that apples and apple juice may assist with maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. 

In the first study conducted in humans, adults who added two apples, or 12 ounces of 100% apple juice, to their daily diet demonstrated how apples promote a healthy cardiovascular system.

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HEALTHY LUNGS

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Two recent British studies indicated that eating apples can help promote healthy lung function. A study of Welsh men indicated that people who ate at least five apples per week enjoyed healthy lung function. 

In the Netherlands at the University of Groningen, apples were singled out as a fruit that promoted healthy lung function. Scientists believe antioxidants found in apples counter free radicals – oxygen’s damaging effects on the body.

— American Thoracic Society Meeting (May, 2001)
—Thorax (January, 2000)

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Make Grapes Part of Your Daily Diet

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

dd grapes to any meal as a side dish. They’re an original fast food so pack them before you leave home in your lunch or as a snack. Freeze grapes, let thaw for 15 minutes, and enjoy this refreshing treat.

Quick ‘N Fresh Ideas 

No time to make a fancy dessert? Serve clusters of chilled grapes on a platter with several types of cheese. Let guests serve themselves. 

A breakfast that’s guaranteed to wake up slow starters…heap light green honeydew melon halves with luscious red grapes and top with yogurt. A toasted muffin topped with fresh fruit makes this quick meal a nutritious morning starter.

For a delicious one-course summer dinner, add chilled grapes to your favorite pasta, chicken or seafood salad. Serve with crusty bread or roll.

Grape Kabobs
Makes 4 servings.
Prep: 12 min. Cooking: 110 min. Cooling: 25 min.

Ingredients

1 cup purple grapes, seedless
1 cup chopped pineapple
¼ cup apple juice
2 kiwifruits, peeled and cut into ½-inch thick slices
¼ cup nonfat plain yogurt
2 small bananas, cut into ½-inch thick slices
1 Tbsp. orange juice
1 cup small strawberries, melon balls and blackberries

For the dip, in a small saucepan, bring the pineapple and apple juice to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let stand about 25 minutes or until cool.

Transfer the pineapple mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the yogurt and blend or process until smooth. If desired, cover and chill in the refrigerator before serving. Place the bananas in a small bowl. Drizzle with the orange juice, then gently toss until coated. Cut the kiwi slices into quarters.

For the kabobs, thread the grapes, bananas, kiwi, strawberries, melon balls and blackberries onto 4-inch bamboo skewers. Serve with the dip.

Nutrition facts per serving: Calories 123, Fat 0.8 g (8% of calories), Cholesterol 1 mg, Fiber 3.7 g, Sodium 15 mg

Chicken and Grape Pasta Pockets
Makes 4 servings.
Prep: No cooking

Ingredients

1½ cup Seedless grapes, halved
1 cup Diced cooked chicken
¼ cup Lowfat yogurt
1 Tbsp. Green onion, minced
1 tsp. Dijon-style mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
6–8 oz (16 to 18) jumbo shell macaroni cooked and drained
Lettuce leaves
Bottled low-calorie dressing

Combine grapes, chicken, yogurt, celery, green onion, mustard, salt and pepper; mix well. Stuff mixture into cooked shells. Serve on lettuce leaves with dressing.

Nutrition facts per serving: Calories 344, Fat 5 g (percent of calories from fat: 12%), Cholesterol 31 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 185 mg.

Pistachios, Fruits and Fun
Makes 8 (1 cup) servings.
Prep: No cooking

Ingredients

3 cups (1 basket) Fresh strawberries, hulled, halved
3½ cups Cantaloupe (medium), pared, seeded, and cut up
2½ cups Seedless green grapes
1/3 cup Shelled natural pistachios (raw)
1/3 cup Frozen lemonade concentrate
2 Tbsp. Sugar

Combine fruit and pistachios in bowl. Stir lemonade concentrate with sugar vigorously, pour over fruit; toss gently to coat well. Refrigerate until ready to serve, tossing now and then.

Nutrition analysis per serving: Calories 157, Fat 3 g (percent of calories from fat 20%), Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sodium 14 mg. 

Grape and Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
Makes 4 servings.
Prep: Quick <20 min.

Ingredients

1 cup Onion, sliced vertically
1 Tbsp. Olive oil
4 cup Napa cabbage, cut into 1/2″ slices
2 cup Halved seedless grapes
4 Dried shitake mushrooms, rehydrated and cut into ½” slices
2 Tbsp. Basil (fresh), chopped (2 tsp. dried basil may be substituted)
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup Water
1 tsp. Cornstarch

Sauté onion in oil until tender. Add cabbage, grapes, mushrooms, basil, salt and pepper and stir-fry until cabbage is crisp-tender. Combine water and cornstarch; mix well and add to grape mixture. Stir-fry about 1 minute or until sauce thickens.

Nutrition facts per serving: Calories 127, Fat 4 g (percent of calories from fat: 27%), Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sodium 49 mg. 

Grape Volcano Smoothie
Makes 1 servings. (1 1/2 cups)
Prep: Quick

Ingredients

1/2 cup seedless green grapes
1/2 cup 1% Milk, (or skim)
1/2 cup Plain, low-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp. Brown sugar
1/8 tsp. Vanilla
2 Ice cubes, cracked

Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend at high speed for 15 seconds.

Nutrition facts per serving: Calories 237, Protein 11 g, Carbohydrates 42 g, Fat: 4 g (percent of calories from fat 14%), Cholesterol 12 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 153 mg.

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Two Recent Studies Point To “Heart-Healthy” Effects Of Drinking Purple Grape Juice

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Two Recent Studies Point To “Heart-Healthy” Effects Of Drinking Purple Grape Juice

Concord, MA – Two separate studies recently published in leading cardiovascular research journals-one looking at mechanism of action; the other looking at clinical outcomes-point to the “heart healthy” benefits of drinking purple grape juice. In the June 12th issue of Circulation, the official journal of the American Heart Association, researchers showed that drinking grape juice not only has a direct effect on important biological functions of the body but it also appears to increase the body’s levels of valuable antioxidants while reducing free radical production.

This study gives us new insight into how purple grape juice may support a healthy cardiovascular system. Jane E. Freedman, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pharmacology at Georgetown University and the lead author of the study, explains, “What we are seeing for the first time is that the flavonoids in purple grape juice work in two related ways: First, they have a protective effect on vitamin E and other antioxidants, allowing them to remain active longer, while at the same time lowering production of superoxide-a free radical. Second, they also seem to have a direct, positive effect on a number of biological functions of the body.”

“This study also supports our previous work published in the Journal of Nutrition, March, 2000,” adds John D. Folts, Ph.D., director of the Coronary Thrombosis Research and Prevention Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, and a co-author of the Circulation study. “…this study helps explain a mechanism behind the protective effects of purple grape juice.”

In the May, 2001 issue of Atherosclerosis, researchers compared the effects of drinking purple grape juice, red wine, and dealcoholized red wine in hamsters. They found that purple grape juice, when compared to red wine and dealcoholized red wine, was at least as effective at:

Supporting healthy cholesterol levels

Supporting a healthy cardiovascular system

“This study tells us some important things,” explains Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry at The University of Scranton, the study’s lead author. First, that purple grape juice offers significant cardio benefits in test animals. Second, it suggests that the role alcohol plays in maintaining cardiovascular function may not be as significant as previously thought.

Dr. Vinson’s study in Atherosclerosis suggests that purple grape juice performs as well as red wine in many important measurements including healthy cholesterol levels, adds Dr. Folts. “Certainly Dr. Vinson’s line of research needs to be repeated in human subjects, but one could easily envision a connection between what the mechanisms of action we identified in our study and the clinical outcomes that Dr. Vinson is seeing in his animal work.”

Dr. Freedman’s work was primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Heart. Lung and Blood Institute) and also by an unrestricted research grant from Welch Foods Inc. Dr. Vinson’s research was supported by The University of Scranton.

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Orchard of Health – Grape Library

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Recent research on phytochemicals has focused on flavonoids contained in Concord and other purple grape juice.

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