Infuse Holiday Gatherings with Fresh Grape Flavor

Family Features
Photo Credit: Family Features

The elegance of the holidays starts at the table with meals, desserts and drinks shared among loved ones. This year, let grapes add easy elegance to seasonal recipes as a signature ingredient perfect for special occasions.

As a highly versatile addition to appetizers, snacks, main courses, sides and desserts, grapes are an essential ingredient to keep on hand. Thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture, Grapes from California can be the star at the center of the meal in unique and tasty Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes served with Spiked Grape Cider for a cozy adult beverage.

Finish the celebration by sharing Grape Basque-Style Cheesecake, where delicious, fresh grape juice is used in the cheesecake batter to lend natural sweetness and enhance flavor. Decorate the top with fresh, juicy grapes for a final festive touch.

Find more sweet ideas to celebrate the holidays at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

A Sweet Party Starter

Set the stage for a delicious get-together by serving an easy, attractive appetizer like this Grape Party Tray with fresh grapes, prosciutto, cheeses, pistachios and more holiday favorites. Grapes are easy to include as they offer variety – different colors, shapes, sizes and textures – which makes them an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in tasty recipes.

Braised Pork Chops with Spiced Honey and Grapes

Servings: 4

  • 4          thick pork chops (about 3 pounds)
  • 4          tablespoons flour
  • 2          tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
  • 1 1/2    cups whole red or black Grapes from California
  • 1/3       cup honey
  • 2          small cinnamon sticks, broken
  • 3-5       whole cloves
  • 1/2       teaspoon dried ground ginger
  • 1/2       teaspoon salt
  • 1/4       teaspoon black pepper
  • 1          tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Heat heavy, lidded saute pan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Dust pork chops with flour and brown slowly in melted butter. Do not let flour burn.

Remove pan from heat and add grapes, honey, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt and pepper. Cover and place in oven. Braise slowly 50-60 minutes, or until pork is tender. Remove pork from pan and keep warm. Skim pan sauce of excess fat. Arrange pork chops on serving platter, spoon with sauce and sprinkle with chopped mint, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 569 calories; 54 g protein; 41 g carbohydrates; 21 g fat (33% calories from fat); 9 g saturated fat (14% calories from saturated fat); 33% calories from fat; 165 mg cholesterol; 407 mg sodium; 1.6 g fiber.

Hot Spiked Grape Cider

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: about 1 hour

Servings: 4

  • 5          cups red Grapes from California, plus additional for garnish, divided
  • 3          cups water
  • 1          tablespoon honey
  • 1          cinnamon stick
  • 2          star anise (optional)
  • 1          large navel orange
  • 6          ounces amber rum

In large saucepan, combine 5 cups grapes with water, honey, cinnamon and star anise, if desired. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until grapes are tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.

Lay medium mesh strainer over bowl and pour grape mixture through. Gently press on solids to remove juice from fruit for about 2 cups grape cider.

With peeler, peel off large strip orange zest and add to warm juice. Let cool, cover and refrigerate.

When ready to serve, gently warm cider over medium heat. Pour 1/2 cup cider into each cup. Add 1 1/2 ounces rum and garnish with twist of orange and small skewer of grapes.

Nutritional information per serving: 170 calories; 0 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 5 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

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