Easy ways to grill up something surprisingly good

(Family Features) Bananas aren't just for breakfast or lunch anymore. By grilling this popular fruit, you can add a whole new flavor dimension to a dinnertime recipe and turn a basic dessert into something wow.

Adding bananas to your summer grilling routine is a fun way to eat fruit. You can grill them in their peels while the BBQ coals are still hot or add peeled slices to a tasty kabob - it's that simple. From kid-friendly desserts to grown-up dishes with a tropical twist, make it easy on yourself and go bananas on the grill.

For more Dole Banana recipes and serving suggestions, go to www.dole.com/en/products/bananas. To share banana recipes anytime, go to www.facebook.com/DOLEbananas.

Did You Know?

• With no fat, cholesterol or sodium, vitamin-packed bananas are a guilt-free summertime treat.
• Banana peels are great for polishing shoes. Use (the inside of) an empty peel on your leather shoes as you would shoe polish and then buff off with a soft cloth. The banana's oils soak into the leather and, like most commercial shoe polishes, contains potassium.
• As bananas ripen, the starch in the fruit turns to sugar. Therefore, the riper the banana, the sweeter it will taste.
• Ten or more bananas growing together are called "hands" and a single banana is called a "finger." Four to six bananas sold in the store are called a "cluster."

How to Store Bananas

• Remove bananas from plastic produce bag and store at room temperature. The warmer it is, the faster the bananas will ripen.
• To slow ripening, refrigerate (peel will turn black but the fruit inside will be fresh and ripe). Bananas can be frozen once the banana is peeled and stored in a freezer bag until ready to use (use a bit of fresh lemon juice to reduce browning).
• If bananas are too green, place them in a brown paper bag, in a warm dry area (but not in direct sunlight) for a day or two to encourage ripening. If there is still not enough yellow appearing on the peel, place a ripe apple in the bag with the bananas.

Island Kabobs with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Preparation : 10 minutes
Grill Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

• 2 ripe, firm Dole® Bananas, peeled, each cut into 6 pieces, plus 1 ripe Dole Banana, peeled and diced
• 12 chunks Dole Tropical Gold Pineapple
• 16 extra large or jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1 green or red bell pepper, cut into 8 pieces
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon chopped mint
• 1 Dole Green Onion, minced
• 2 to 3 teaspoons minced jalapeño pepper

1. Thread banana pieces, pineapple, shrimp and bell pepper pieces equally onto skewers.
2. Whisk together lime juice, oil and allspice in small bowl. Brush 2 tablespoons over kabobs.
3. Combine remaining marinade with diced banana, mango, mint, green onion and jalapeño pepper; place in a serving dish.
4. Grill kabobs over medium high heat 8 to 10 minutes, turning once or until the shrimp are opaque. Arrange the kabobs on top of the salsa.

Teriyaki Pork Chops with Grilled Bananas

Preparation : 20 minutes
Grill Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 3 to 4 servings

• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless pork chops (3 to 4)
• 2 large firm Dole Bananas, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups hot cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons sliced Dole Green Onion
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seed

1. Combine sherry, soy sauce, brown sugar and oil in small bowl. Remove 2 tablespoons sherry mixture and brush on pork chops and bananas.
2. Grill pork 8 to 10 minutes on each side until cooked through. Grill bananas 2 to 3 minutes on each side until heated through. Cut each into 1-inch pieces.
3. Combine remaining sherry mixture and cornstarch in small saucepan; cook, stirring until thickened.
4. Arrange pork and bananas over rice on serving plate; drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle with green onion and sesame seed.

Grilled Bananas

No prep needed.
Grill Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

• 4 Dole Bananas, unpeeled
• Assorted favorite dessert toppings

1. Place unpeeled bananas on grill over medium high heat.
2. Grill 4 to 5 minutes on each side until peels blacken and soften. Insides will be custard-like.
3. Serve warm or chilled with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, chopped nuts, miniature marshmallows, chocolate bits, caramel or frozen yogurt.

Grilled Caribbean Fruit Salsa

Preparation: 10 minutes
Grill Time: 8 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

• 1/2 fresh Dole Tropical Gold Pineapple, peeled and sliced vertically
• 1 large, ripe firm Dole Banana, slice in half vertically
• 1 mango, skinned, peeled and sliced in half vertically
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup red onion, minced
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 kiwi, diced

1. Combine pineapple, banana and mango slices with the olive oil and lime juice.
2. Brush to coat the fruit. Place fruit on grill.
3. Grill fruit 4 to 5 minutes each side, remove and cool slightly.
4. Roughly chop the grilled fruit, reserving juices.
5. Combine fruit and reserved juices with the red onion, red pepper flakes and kiwi.
6. Serve warm or room temperature. Great with grilled chicken or fish.

Source: Dole

(Family Features) If you manage to avoid hosting duties this holiday season, you may be dodging some of the hardest work, but remember that being a good guest goes beyond arriving on time and taking your shoes off at the door. This holiday season, ensure your host gets to enjoy the festivities by putting these ideas to practice – it may earn you an invitation for years to come.

Make a holiday playlist.  Offer to put together a holiday playlist for the host who will undoubtedly have his or her hands full prepping for the holiday celebration. Try to choose songs specific to the guests, host and overall theme. A good playlist can be a conversation starter for everyone at the party.

Don't arrive empty-handed. Even if your host shrugs off an offer for help, a gesture of appreciation is always appropriate. It may be a bottle of wine, a seasonal flower arrangement or, better yet, an appetizer or dessert to share, such as this mouthwatering Slow Cooker Banana Cake. This crowd-pleasing cake is made using a Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry Slow Cooker, which has a locking lid and travel clips to help you get to your holiday celebration without making a mess. The 6-quart, removable pot can be used as a serving dish, and is dishwasher safe to make clean-up a breeze.

Stay off your phone. It may seem obvious, but these days, looking at your phone is almost as habitual as breathing, and chances are you don’t mean to appear standoffish or rude by sneaking a quick peek. However, playing with your phone can detract from time you get to spend with family and friends, many of whom you probably don’t get to see often. Tuck away your phone for the party and live in the moment.

Pitch in to help clean. No host likes to be stuck in the kitchen while the rest of the party carries on. After the meal, offer your help to clear the table, put away perishable items and get the kitchen back in order so your host can join the merry-making. If you’ll be opening gifts, grab a garbage bag and collect debris to help keep the mess under control.

Find more holiday recipes and tips at Crock-Pot.com.

Slow Cooker Banana Cake

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours
Servings: 12

• Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry Slow Cooker
• nonstick cooking spray
• 3          cups flour
• 1 1/2    teaspoons baking soda 
• pinch of salt
• 3-4       ripe bananas
• 2          lemon wedges, juice only
• 3/4       cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2    cups honey or 2 cups white sugar
• 3          eggs
• 1          teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2    cups almond milk
• cream cheese frosting

1. Grease slow cooker with nonstick spray.
2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In small bowl, mash bananas and lemon juice together; set aside.
4. In large bowl, use mixer to cream butter and honey. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in vanilla then milk. Gradually add flour mixture. Once combined, stir in mashed bananas.
5. Pour into slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours, or until center of cake no longer looks gooey.
6. Uncover and let cake cool. Once completely cooled, frost cake and, if desired, top with sliced bananas and walnuts.

Notes: If adding bananas, do so just before serving or they will brown. If using a non-oval slow cooker, cook 1 hour less on high heat or 2 hours less on low heat.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Source: Crock-Pot

(Family Features) With school back in full swing, the days will be full, packed with classes, homework and after-school sports, music and other extracurricular activities. To make the most of all these endeavors, it’s important to eat well to sustain the critical energy and focus required throughout the day.

Smart fueling includes keeping nourishing snacks such as heart-healthy grapes on-hand – whether at home, in the car or coming off the field. Fresh California grapes – simple, convenient and nutritious – can make for a delicious snack on their own.

Available in three appealing colors – red, green and black – crisp, juicy grapes can add a tasty touch when hunger calls for an afternoon energy boost. Grapes also pair well with crackers, cheese and nuts for other snack combos.

Yet another way to enjoy fresh grapes is to blend them with other fruits and vegetables to create smoothie bowls, a nutritious option to help ensure that a variety of healthy ingredients are part of a balanced day.

Smoothie bowls work well as a snack or even a quick breakfast, and also provide a way for parents to introduce their kids to new, healthier bites.

This Grape Smoothie Bowl is fresh, flavorful and full of sweet grape taste for a quick fix that can leave bodies fueled and ready to take on the rest of the day.

Find more information and snack ideas at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Grape Smoothie Bowl

Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

• 1/2       avocado
• 2          medium bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1          cup packed baby spinach
• 2          cups green California grapes, divided
• 1          cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1          piece fresh ginger (1-inch length), peeled and sliced (optional)
• pinch of salt
• 1          tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 1/2    tablespoons toasted coconut chips

1. In blender, combine avocado, bananas, spinach, 1 cup grapes, almond milk, ginger and salt; blend until smooth. Pour into two bowls. Halve remaining grapes and place on top of smoothie bowls along with chia seeds and coconut chips.

Nutritional information per serving: 370 calories; 5 g protein; 66 g carbohydrates; 13 g fat (32% calories from fat); 3.5 g saturated fat (9% calories from saturated fat); 200 mg sodium; 10 g fiber.

Source: California Table Grape Commission

(Family Features) Eating for heart health is actually easier — and more delicious — than you might think. When you have a good plan and plenty of mouthwatering recipes, you’ll enjoy taking care of your heart.

According to the FDA, diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are some tips to help you make these kinds of heart-smart choices:

• Choose leaner cuts of meat. You can find plenty of delicious options such as skinless chicken, lean pork and beef. And you can make smart substitutions, too — use ground turkey instead of ground beef to make meatloaf or burgers even leaner.
• Add fruits and veggies to every meal. Strawberries in yogurt, blueberries on a salad, carrots and hummus as a snack, roasted sweet potatoes with dinner — it’s easier than you think to add nutrient-dense produce to your diet. Eat plenty of different colored produce for variety and a wider range of health benefits.
• Enjoy more whole grains. Whole grains add carbohydrates for energy, fiber to fill you up, and nutrients important for good health. And, according to a recent national survey, 4 out of 5 doctors recommend Post Shredded Wheat as part of a healthy, low-sodium diet, to maintain a healthy heart, reduce the risk of heart disease, and support healthy blood pressure levels.

These recipes are a great start to adding more whole grains — and they’re so good, you might forget they are heart smart. Get more tips and heart-smart recipes at www.PostShreddedWheat.com.

Apple Crisp

Total Time: 65 minutes
Makes: 6 servings

• 5 cups peeled apple slices
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon tapioca
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups Post Original Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Cereal, finely crushed
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix apples, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, tapioca and cinnamon in large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. To make topping: stir crushed cereal, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and margarine in medium bowl until well blended.
4. Spread apple mixture in ungreased 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cereal topping.
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until topping is browned and apples are tender when pierced with fork.

Savory Meatloaf

Total Time: 75 minutes
Makes: 12 servings

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 biscuits Post Original Shredded Wheat Cereal, crushed
• 1 can (8 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat eggs and milk in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.
3. Shape meat mixture into oval loaf in shallow baking pan.
4. Bake 1 hour or until cooked through (160°F).

Variation: Prepare as directed, using fat-free milk and substituting 1/2 cup cholesterol-free egg product for the eggs and 2 pounds thawed frozen ground turkey for the ground beef.

Grab ’n Go Peanut Butter Bars

Total Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 16 servings (1 bar per serving)

• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup reduced fat peanut butter
• 3 cups Post Original Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Cereal, coarsely crushed
• 3/4 cup raisins

1. Mix sugar, honey and peanut butter in large microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until bubbly at edge; stir until well blended.
2. Stir in cereal and raisins.
3. Press firmly into 8-inch square pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into bars.
4. Store in airtight container.

Take Along Tip: After completely cooled, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap. Leave in bowl on kitchen counter for a great grab-and-go snack.

Banana Bread

Total Time: 65 minutes
Makes: 16 servings (1 slice per serving)

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 cup Post Original Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Cereal, finely crushed
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cereal, spice, baking powder and baking soda in medium bowl; set aside.
2. Beat sugar and margarine in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Blend in bananas.
3. Pour into greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on wire rack; remove from pan.
4. Cool completely.

Special Extra: Toast the bread slices and top each with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate sorbet and a drizzle of strawberry sauce for a different kind of banana split.

Source: Post Foods, LLC

(Family Features) Ice cream is a classic summertime treat and a favorite indulgence for people of all ages. Now, this palate pleaser gets a modern makeover with recipes that cater to the most sophisticated tastes.

Give simple backyard cookouts and festive dinner parties alike an artful finale with creative desserts that make the most of Starbucks ice cream. They’re simple to make, easy on the wallet and a sure-fire way to impress your guests.

Super-premium ice cream, inspired by popular Starbucks beverages, turns floats, tiramisu and even hot chocolate into gourmet desserts that put a smile on everyone’s face.

Delight your friends and family all summer long with these delicious, unexpected flavors. For more information, visit starbucks.com.

Tips for Storing Ice Cream
From The International Ice Cream Association

• Don’t allow ice cream to repeatedly soften and re-freeze. When this occurs, ice cream’s small ice crystals can eventually turn into large, unpalatable lumps.
• Your freezer should be set at between -5°F and 0°F. Ice cream is easiest to scoop when stored between 6°F and 10°F, the ideal serving temperature range.
• Store ice cream in the main part of the freezer, not in the freezer door, where it’s subject to fluctuating temperatures.
• Keep the ice cream container lid tightly closed when storing in the freezer.
• Don’t store ice cream alongside uncovered foods; odors may penetrate ice cream and affect its flavor.

Mocha Cream Soda Floats

2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes

• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 1 can (12 ounces) chilled cream soda
• 1 cup Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino ice cream
• 2 dollops sweetened whipped cream

1. Evenly divide chocolate syrup into 2 tall glasses. Scoop 1/4 cup ice cream into each glass. Add soda, then top with remaining ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream.

Decadent Hot Chocolate Affogato

2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 cup half and half, heavy cream or milk
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt
• 1 cup Starbucks Coffee ice cream

1. Bring milk, half and half, chocolate, sugar and salt just to a boil in 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted.
2. Scoop ice cream into two large ice cream bowls. Pour hot chocolate around ice cream and garnish, if desired, with whipped cream.

Coffee Bananas Foster

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 2 medium bananas, sliced
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons dark or light rum
• 2 slices prepared pound cake (about 1/2 inch thick), toasted
• 1 cup Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream

1. Bring bananas, sugar, cream, butter and rum to a boil over medium heat in 10-inch nonstick skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
2. Arrange cake on 2 dessert dishes. Top with ice cream, then banana mixture.

Caramel Macchiato-Topped Waffles With Maple-Walnut Sauce

2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 1/2 cup pure maple or pancake syrup
• 2 tablespoons heavy or whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 2 prepared waffles, heated according to package directions
• 1 cup Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream

1. Bring syrup, cream and butter to a boil in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, then stir in walnuts.
   Arrange warm waffles on 2 dessert plates. Top with ice cream, then drizzle with maple-walnut sauce.

Tiramisu Ice Cream Parfaits

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes

• 1 cup sweetened whipped cream, plus extra for topping
• 1/2 cup mascarpone*
• 1/3 cup strong-brewed Starbucks coffee or espresso
• 1 cup chopped crunchy ladyfinger cookies
• 1 cup Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino ice cream

1. Fold 1/4 cup whipped cream into mascarpone in medium bowl. Fold in remaining whipped cream; set aside.
2. Spoon 1/2 of mascarpone mixture into 2 parfait dishes. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the cookies and 1/4 of the coffee mixture into each dish. Evenly scoop ice cream into dishes, then top with remaining ingredients. Garnish, if desired, with additional whipped cream, grated chocolate or chocolate covered espresso beans.

*Substitution: Use 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened, whisked with 2 tablespoons milk instead of mascarpone. Fold into whipped cream and continue as above.

Source: Starbucks