FRESH FACTS

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 5, 2008

 

Mother’s come in all shapes and sizes, so why not customize your gift to Mom this Mother’s Day using fresh PRODUCE items paired with exciting new food products as the focal point for a creative gift basket she will love.

 

Fill a silver bowl with fresh stem-on California STRAWBERRIES and tickets to this year’s California STRAWBERRY festival (www.strawberry-fest.org). If mom is a chocoholic or fondue-lover, add a package of preservative –free dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips from award-winning Lake Champlain Chocolates (www.lakechamplainchocolates.com).

 

 Tea for two? Fill a basket with LEMONS, tea cups, an assortment of gourmet exotic Lupicia teas (www.lupicia.com) in assorted FRUIT flavors, along with a tin of new chocolate Jenny’s Macaroons (www.macaroonking.com) and a copy of “The Ultimate Tea Diet” book (www.teagarden.com)

 

 If Mom loves to linger over breakfast, treat her to a basket filled with a package of new Chia Goodness cereal made from hemp (www.ruthshempfoods.com),

 along with BANANAS, PEACHES or NECTARINES as the perfect FRUIT topping.

 

 Is Mom a late-night snacker?  Pair packages of new YoCrunch yogurt (www.youcrunch.com), or Special K Bliss Bars (www.kelloggcompany.com) with assorted GALA, DELICIOUS and GRANNY SMITH APPLES , D’ANJOU PEARS or easy to peel NAVEL ORANGES for healthy yet satisfying snacking.

 

 For Moms who are fitness fanatics, get a large wooden salad bowl or salad spinner and fill it with a Healthy Food Tee ( www.FoodTee.com), a guest pass for the local Curves Studio (www.curves.com)  an energizing can of Tahitian Noni Hiro (www.TahitianNoni.com), or new sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast (www.carnationinstantbreakfast.com)  and ingredients for a powerhouse Trail mix, including ALMONDS, DATES, RAISINS, DRIED CRANBERRIES, COCONUT, WALNUTS and MACADEMIA NUTS.

 

Although Mother’s Day is always a cooking-free zone, that doesn’t mean Mom won’t appreciate one of the latest cookbook releases tied up in a bow. Expectant mothers will enjoy “Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be” by Alyssa Gusenoff (www.quirkbooks.com). The Mother-Daughter Cookbook: Recipes to Nourish Relationships by Lynette Rohrer Shirk (www.orangeavenue.com) is great for in-laws. And for mothers who consider themselves experienced cooks, the new “Cooking Light” is a 4 lb. whopper of a cookbook offering 1200 healthful recipes and more than 600 photos (www.cookinglight.com).

 

This Week in FRUITS

 

There is good volume and excellent flavor in California STRAWBERRIES, with prices decreasing.  Delicious sliced over French Vanilla ice cream, used in parfaits and shortcake, or adding as a breakfast waffle topping with syrup and whipped cream.

 

HASS AVOCADOS are in plentiful supply, with large sizes the best value. Brush FRUIT with LEMON juice to prevent darkening when using AVOCADOS in recipes.

 

HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLE is holding steady at very reasonable prices. A perfect companion for STRAWBERRIES in FRUIT salad, PINEAPPLE is also a delicious garnish for ham or pork dishes.

 

As hotter weather approaches, SEEDLESS WATERMELON is the perfect anytime snack, with supplies plentiful and prices decreasing.

 

Good volume continues on CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW MELONS. Remember to keep all MELONS refrigerated once it’s been cut.

 

LEMONS are among this week’s best CITRUS FRUIT values and are a kitchen workhorse. Combine juice with salt to clean copper, throw peels down the garbage disposal as a natural freshening agent, or squeeze onto salad with chopped HERBS for a low-calorie dressing.

 

New crop California NAVEL ORANGES are decreasing in price as volume improves.  ORANGES make a great kid-friendly snack since they are easy to peel.

 

MANGOS are in plentiful supply at very economical prices.  Puree ripe MANGOS and blend with COCONUT milk and serve over crushed ice garnished with fresh MINT or toasted COCONUT. Or blend MANGO puree with ginger ale for a sparkling brunch beverage.

 

Vine-ripened TOMATOES are in steady supply at very reasonable prices, great for using in pasta sauces or to create fresh salsa dips. Miniature GRAPE TOMATOES, perfect for salads or snacking, are also in plentiful supply at moderate prices.

 

Crisp and tart FUJI APPLE prices continue to decrease in price and are a great snack for children and adults.

 

Check the specialty section for edible FLOWERS which are a perfect decorative topping for cupcakes and birthday cakes alike.

 

This Week in VEGETABLES

 

A favorite for salads and sandwiches ICEBERG LETTUCE is among the most economical VEGETABLES offered at the market this week.  ROMAINE LETTUCE is another very economical salad base offering this week and perfect for your next Caesar salad.

 

Salad toppings that remain in steady supply include RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, CARROTS, CUCUMBERS, CELERY, MUSHROOMS, SPROUTS and JICAMA.

 

New crop SWEET WHITE CORN means that summer barbecue season is heating up. Enjoy cobs steamed or grilled and served with butter seasoned with GARLIC, curry powder, diced CHILE PEPPERS or minced THYME.

 

BROCCOLI and GREEN BEANS are two high-fiber side dish choices that are excellent values this week.  Serve raw with dip or steamed and dressed with browned butter, roasted GARLIC and olive oil or a honey-mustard dressing.

 

ZUCCHINI SQUASH is a versatile favorite that’s in plentiful supply with prices decreasing. Add pureed SQUASH to muffin and cake batter or core and stuff with seasoned sausage and breadcrumbs and bake as a main course.

 

GARLIC is plentiful, with prices decreasing to economical levels.

 

SWEET BROWN ONIONS and ITALIAN RED ONIONS are two varieties in plentiful supply now at very reasonable prices.

 

ARTICHOKES and ASPARAGUS continue in steady supply at reasonable prices.

 

CILANTRO and CHILE PEPPERS are salsa staples in plentiful supply.

 

This Week in FLORAL

 

To create brilliant cut arrangements, colorful SUNFLOWERS, LILIES, IRIS, DAISIES, TULIPS, ROSES and CARNATIONS are all in plentiful supply. In blooming potted plants, look for good values on tropical ANTHURIUM, MINIATURE ROSES and TULIPS.