Family Festivities for St. Patrick’s Day

(Family Features) This St. Patrick’s Day, entertain your little leprechauns with delicious treats and fun activities that will lead them to their pot of gold.

Every year in March, families celebrate the annual Irish tradition of St. Patrick’s Day with a variety of celebrations. Whether it’s attending a parade or preparing and enjoying an elaborate Irish meal, everyone has their own favorite ways to celebrate the holiday. Set your own unique traditions and rituals with some ideas below.

Pass Along the Luck
Have kids put together lucky treat bags to pass along to neighbors. These treat bags could include cut-out, decorated and customized four-leaf clovers, chocolate coins and other goodies. Then, on St. Patrick’s Day, walk around as a family and surprise neighbors with these bags.

Treasure Hunt
Set up a treasure hunt for family and friends by placing chocolate gold coins around the house. Give them a series of clues and riddles to help them figure out where to look for the coins. Equip each “hunter” with their own pot or basket for collecting the gold coins. At the end of the hunt, reward them for their hard work with some festive brownies. These delicious Chocolate Mint Brownies can be decorated with green gumdrops formed into shamrocks or other holiday candies. Use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to make these treats even more festive.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Start to Finish: 3 hours 25 minutes
Makes: 32 brownies

Brownie Base

• 1 box Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch) water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling

• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
• 4 drops green food color

Topping

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup butter (do not use margarine)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease only bottom of 13 x 9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make and bake brownie mix as directed on box for 13 x 9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
2. In large bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until set.
3. Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonstick saucepan, heat topping ingredients over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Cool about 10 minutes or until lukewarm.
4. Pour topping over filling; spread to cover. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours or until set. Before cutting into bars, let stand 10 minutes at room temperature. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. For easier cutting, cut brownies with a wet knife. Store covered in refrigerator.

For more delicious baking ideas, visit www.BettyCrocker.com.

Betty Crocker® is a registered trademark of General Mills.

Source: Betty Crocker

Spätzle Salad With Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Peaches and Lemon Loaf
Sauerkraut Turkey Burgers With Emmentaler and Mustard Sauce

(Family Features) - Hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages and mustard - it's easy to forget that these "all-American" barbecue staples we crave this time of year originally came from Germany.

These traditional foods are delectable. But why not try some über-tasty, new German barbecue recipes? Each recipe uses typical German ingredients that are readily available and each is healthier than you might think.

All of these recipes use heart-healthy canola oil, which has the lowest saturated fat of all popular vegetable oils, is high in vitamin E, and is a good plant source of omega-3 fatty acids. With its light flavor, canola oil allows the summer vegetables and juicy grilled peaches to shine.

Visit www.germanfoods.org to find a local or online retailer of authentic German foods and beverages for barbecues, such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, rolls, mustards, pickles, cheeses and mineral water. Visit www.canolainfo.org for more tips on healthy summer barbecuing.
Tips for Safe Grilling

Eighty-four percent of gas grill owners say it is important to follow basic safe grilling tips when using a gas grill, however, only about one in three (35 percent) say they know a great deal about gas grills, according to the Propane Education & Research Council. To help the 74 million barbecue households in the United States enjoy a safe and healthy summer season, the propane industry has developed its top 10 tips for grilling safely with propane gas:

1. When the cylinder is refilled, have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust or leaks.
2. After filling or exchanging the cylinder, take it home immediately. Keep the vehicle ventilated and the cylinder valve closed and capped.
3. Always use or store cylinders outdoors in an upright (vertical) position. Do not use, store or transport cylinders near high temperatures (this includes storing spare cylinders near the grill).
4. Never leave the grill unattended. Always follow grill manufacturer's instructions for lighting the grill and make sure the grill top is open when attempting to light the grill.
5. Before connecting the cylinder to a propane gas grill burner for the first time, use a leak-detection solution (a 50/50 mixture of water and liquid soap) to check connections for tightness. Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
6. If you suspect a gas leak and are able to safely turn off the gas supply valve, do so immediately and call the fire department.
7. Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.
8. Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.
9. Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill.
10. When not in use, turn off the grill's burner controls and close the cylinder valve.

For additional tips, visit www.usepropane.com.

Spätzle Salad With Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients

• Canola oil for brushing grill
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon German mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 red pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1 green pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 2 zucchini, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1 eggplant, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1 pound spätzle
• Fresh basil to garnish

Preparation

1. Heat grill on medium heat. Brush grill with canola oil. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup canola oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Place cut-up vegetables in dressing. Toss to coat well. Grill vegetables on skewers or in basket until tender and lightly browned.
2. Cook spätzle according to directions on package. Place cooked spätzle in a large bowl and toss with grilled vegetables. If more moisture is desired, whisk together 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and canola oil. Toss, garnish with basil, and serve warm.

Serves

Serves 6 to 8

Grilled Peaches and Lemon Loaf

Ingredients

• Canola oil for brushing grill
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 fresh peaches, halved and pitted
• 1 lemon loaf cake sliced into 8 pieces*
• Dark German chocolate shavings
• Mint sprigs

Preparation

1. Heat grill on medium heat. Brush grill with canola oil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons canola oil, lime juice, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and cinnamon.
3. Grill peaches 3 to 4 minutes on each side; grill lemon loaf until grill marks appear. Remove peaches and lemon loaf from grill.
4. Place peaches on top of lemon loaf slices and drizzle with prepared dressing.
5. Garnish with German chocolate shavings and mint sprigs, and serve with ice cream.

Serves

Serves 8

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

*Find the recipe at www.canolainfo.org or buy German imported packaged cake.

Sauerkraut Turkey Burgers With Emmentaler and Mustard Sauce

Ingredients

• Canola oil for brushing grill
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 1/2 cups shredded German Emmentaler cheese, divided
• 1 cup German sauerkraut with wine, squeezed dry
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons Bavarian mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 pretzel rolls or other sandwich rolls, split horizontally and toasted

Mustard Sauce

• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup German mustard
• 2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons minced dried cranberries

Accompaniments

• German pickles, red onion rings, sliced tomatoes and lettuce leaves

Preparation

1. Combine turkey, 1 cup cheese, sauerkraut, breadcrumbs, egg white, mustard, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix together with hands. Shape into 4 patties.
2. Heat propane grill on medium-high. Brush grill with canola oil to prevent sticking. Cook burgers, turning once, 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Toast rolls on the grill, and sprinkle burgers evenly with remaining cheese during the last two minutes of cooking.
3. For mustard sauce, whisk together canola oil, German mustard, vinegar and cranberries.
4. Place burgers on rolls, spread with mustard sauce and top with accompaniments.

Serves

Serves 4

SOURCE: Canola Info
Propane Education Council
German Agricultural Marketing Board

Agua Fresca

(Family Features) Americans thirsting for more energy can refresh their hydration habits by thinking outside the water glass. Some foods - including flavorful, water-rich produce like watermelon - can help hydrate the body as well.

"Sliced, cubed or blended, or even simply juiced, watermelon is a delicious way to increase fluid intake and boost energy," said Elizabeth Somer, a registered dietician and author of several nutrition and wellness books. "Watermelon is 92 percent water, and the perfect ingredient for salads, salsas, smoothies and more."

With a distinctively sweet, refreshing taste, it may be hard to think of watermelon as a nutritious, low-calorie hydration boost. But actually, beyond its high water content, watermelon is loaded with vitamins A and C, potassium and magnesium, fiber and phytonutrients, such as lycopene.

Tips for picking the perfect watermelon

Choosing a good whole watermelon at the store may seem like a challenge, because the thick rind hides the vibrant fruit inside. But actually, making a good pick is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Look the watermelon over. You are looking for a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents.
2. Lift it up. The watermelon should be heavy for its size; most of the weight is water.
3. Turn it over. The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.

Once you've got your watermelon home, there are dozens of ways to enjoy it, including a wide range of cold, refreshing beverages. One easy way to up your water intake with watermelon is this simple one-ingredient recipe for watermelon juice:

Just cut a seedless watermelon into one-inch chunks with a sharp knife and place in blender. Blend watermelon well until juice is smooth. If you prefer, you can strain the juice to remove the pulp.

For a little extra flavor, try combining watermelon juice with other fruity flavors, as in this Agua Fresca, which blends that natural sweetness of watermelon with lime, a small amount of sugar and water.

Find more ideas to help you sip your way to hydration with mouthwatering inspiration at www.watermelon.org.

Agua Fresca

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely chopped watermelon
• 7 cups coarsely chopped watermelon
• 6 cups watermelon juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large lime, juiced
• 1 serving water (if needed)
• Watermelon wedges
• Mint leaves

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients, including slices of juiced lime, in large serving pitcher.
2. Garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.

Source

National Watermelon Promotion Board