That’s right. Just in case you needed another reason to eat strawberries, May is the fruit’s official month. Here at Concord Foods we love strawberries, especially as the summer gets hot. Nothing tops of a picnic or a trip to the beach like some fresh berries and cream, but you already know that, of course. What you might not know, however, is how nutritious they are. So, this being said, we proudly present a (quick) guide to the health benefits of strawberries.

The health benefits of strawberries reflected in the fruit’s heart-shape and color.  Strawberries are exceptionally high in vitamin C, thus making it a great source of antioxidants. What exactly are antioxidants? The long and short of it is that antioxidants break down dangerous molecules (such as free radicals) inside the body, helping prevent things such as cancer, heart disease and improving immune system and brain functionality. Pretty good for something that tastes so delicious.

Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, a natural wrinkle fighting agent that makes the skin suppler. Strawberries also contain a fair amount of Ellagic acid which prevents the destruction of collagen. All in all, strawberries ain’t too bad for your skin. Finally, vitamin C has also been proven to help improve eyesight and prevent cataracts.  The health benefits of strawberries suggest if you keep eating strawberries you’ll be smarter, better looking, and see better.

The berries are high in manganese content, a naturally occurring element that also works as an antioxidant. This along with potassium and vitamin K help the fruit build stronger bones, making those runs on the beach not as tough as they used to be.

Lastly, strawberries are a “medium” source of potassium. Potassium helps improve bone strength, but that’s not all. Potassium also regulates blood pressure, prevents strokes, helps fight muscle disorders and cramps, regulates the metabolism, and has even shown to reduce stress levels. We think it’s hard to be stressed while eating strawberries in the first place, but that’s just us.

There are plenty of other great reasons to eat strawberries. We barely scratched the surface, so if you’re interested in reading more, check out our sources at the bottom. If you’re convinced, and ready to head out to your nearest grocer to pick up some strawberries, don’t forget to look for our Concord Foods Strawberry Smoothie Mix.  We work with grocers to display Concord Foods Smoothie Mixes near the fresh produce.  That’s because all of our smoothies are made with fresh fruit, so you’re sure to get the maximum health benefits of any of the fruit you use.  Concord Foods thanks you for trying our products. But when it comes to our Strawberry Smoothie mix, it’s more important that your entire body will thank you, especially your taste buds.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=32

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/healthy-eating/10-health-benefits-of-strawberries?slide=7

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/8-health-benefits-of-strawberries.html

Are you among the many that believe El Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May) is Mexico’s Independence Day?  If so, you’ll be surprised to learn that Mexico’s Independence Day is in September.  Professor David E. Hayes-Bautista educates readers in his authoritative book, El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition, that El Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s unlikely win over the French at the Battle of Puebla (a Mexican city) in 1862.  Historically, the day has been recognized and celebrated in the United States far more than it has been in Mexico.  

In 2013, the fifth of May falls out on a Sunday.  That’s perfect for an afternoon with friends and your favorite Mexican and Spanish American-inspired recipes.  For some, cooking with Spanish American flavors may be outside of their wheelhouse.  If that includes you, there’s no need to worry.  Concord Foods has a variety of seasoning mixes that will shorten your party preparation time and leave you plenty of time to celebrate.  

Salsa – Concord Foods Salsa Mix (available in Mild and Hot) lets you create your own fresh salsa with diced tomatoes, onions and a single pouch of mix.   Add seasonal fruits like mangos or papayas for your own unique Cinco de Mayo recipe. 

Guacamole – Make sure you pick up fresh avocados and Concord Foods Guacamole Mix early in May so you have plenty of Guacamole for dipping, dressing or adding flavor to any of your favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.  Our Concord Foods Guacamole Seasoning is so easy to use; we asked one of our youngest fans to demonstrate (watch video).   

Sangria – If you don’t already have a favorite Sangria recipe, try this one which enhances any Burgandy Wine with a variety of citrus flavors.

Margaritas  – In case your guests prefer margaritas to sangria, keep a decent bottle of tequila and a bottle of triple sec in your bar or pantry and a stash of Concord Foods Lime Juice in your refrigerator.  Having Concord Foods lime juice on hand makes it easy to be a margarita master on Cinco de Mayo.   

Chicken Tortilla Soup – If you want to warm your guests on Cinco de Mayo, try this recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.  The Southwestern style soup blends the flavors of chicken, corn, tomatoes and onions in a slightly spicy broth and will delight guests of all ages.   

Fiesta Shrimp and Rice Casserole – You’d be amazed how a single package of Concord Foods Guacamole Mix could turn three-quarters of a pound of frozen shrimp into a “delicioso” Cinco de Mayo fiesta all on its own.   If you prefer, this recipe has directions to use chicken as an alternative for the shrimp.  

Dulce de Leche Rice Pudding  – This easy recipe is great for Cinco de Mayo. The recipe puts to use Concord Foods’ Caramel Apple Wraps, putting a sweet spin on one of Americans’ favorite pudding.  

Frozen Margarita Pops – If your party is for an over-21 crowd, these frozen margarita pops will make any Cinco de Mayo party chill. 

Tener una gran fiesta (have a great party)!  And if you take pictures – share them with us and other Concord Foods fans on Facebook  or Pinterest. These are just some of our delicious and easy to follow recipes.  For a full list of our Cinco de Mayo recipes click here.  
 

We’ve all been there. It’s Wednesday night and you’ve just walked in the door after a long day. You want nothing else but to put on your slippers and watch Modern Family. But it’s dinnertime.  And you have mouths—plural—to feed. It’s hard to get creative in the kitchen in a minute’s notice, and the thought of combing through the cookbooks looking for a meal that can be prepared quickly is not exactly your idea of a good time. But there is an option.  Check out some of the countless video channels that are online today.   If your video preference is YouTube, just try a simple search on the site and, depending on the recipe, you’re likely to yield hundreds of online cooking instructions ranging from sandwiches to shrimp fondue.  Simply prop your laptop or mobile device on the counter and follow along.

At Concord Foods, we’ve just begun to develop our own YouTube video channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ConcordFoodsRecipes which we hope you check out, but we’ve been impressed by the videos on our 5 favorite Youtube cooking channels.         

1) Great Depression Cooking:

http://www.youtube.com/show/greatdepressioncooking

Clara is a 94-year-old woman that recounts heartwarming stories from her childhood growing up during the depression as she prepares simple, yet delicious meals. The videos include such staples as pizza, pasta with peas, and fried mushrooms. Clara is our go-to chef for a quick and easy meal with some entertainment on the side. For those interested she, she just came out with a DVD that can be bought online!

2) Nicko’s Kitchen:

http://www.youtube.com/user/robjnixon

This channel is all inclusive. The Australian cooking man posts multiple videos a week—so there’s no shortage of options here. In fact, every Wednesday he’ll post a video of a recipe sent in from a viewer. So if you have a meal on your mind but want some visual instructions first, Nicko is the guy for you.

3) The Cooking Jack Show

http://www.youtube.com/user/jakatak69?feature=watch

Jack dubs his channel as “A cooking show for the average Joe” and it’s just that. Jack has a next-door neighbor type personality and it shows through his programming. His features include a “Valentine’s Day Date” show and several “Lazy Man’s Recipes.” We like to use Jack’s recipes when we’re in an All American-type mood and we want burgers or barbeque. He’s probably not the best option for those seeking vegetables, but his veggie lasagna looked quite good if we don’t say so ourselves.

4) Sorted Food

http://www.youtube.com/user/sortedfood?feature=watch

The Sorted gang is four school friends from England who produce not only several videos a week but also a great food blog. The guys are pretty funny and have a vast collection of recipes and tips ranging from Cobb Salad to “Chocolate Cake in a Mug.” We choose Sorted when we want a creative meal and a laugh at the same time, although some of the dishes can get quite tricky.

5) Epic Meal Time

http://www.youtube.com/user/EpicMealTime?feature=watch

Caution: please do not attempt to make any of the meals featured on Epic Meal Time. This channel is for entertainment purposes only. Epic Meal Time takes traditionally unhealthy meals to the next level. What does this mean? It means lasagnas with cheeseburgers instead of pasta strips. It means “Meat Cereal”. This channel is not for the faint of heart, but for those that enjoy this kind of thing—it’s quite funny.

If you don’t have time to browse through video channels, you can try a search on Google or your favorite search engine with the ingredients you do have.  As an example, let’s say you keep Concord Foods lemon juice as a staple in your refrigerator, and you have chicken available as your protein, just type “videos with lemon and chicken” and you’ll get cooking video results specific to the ingredients you have in your house.

Bye for now!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.   Commemorating the life of the great patron saint of Ireland, the day has become a cause for celebration for both Catholics and non-Catholics.  Since Concord Foods is a Boston-area based company, Saint Patrick’s Day has a special place in our hearts. Parades, green clothes, and Guinness—you just can’t beat in our minds. Even if you don’t live somewhere that holds a Saint Patrick’s Day parade, you can still join in the fun, and we’re here to help. Here’s our historic list of Irish favorites and recipes for your St. Paddy’s day celebration.

1)     Corned Beef – An Irish American Tradition

Although Corned Beef is thought to have originated in the Middle East, the dish is typically associated with Irish immigration to North America. The product was first mass-produced during the industrial revolution in Irish cities such as Cork, Dublinand Belfast. The term “corn” comes from Old English and refers to the original texture of the salt used to preserve the product. There actually isn’t any corn in it! Corned Beef goes excellent with a side of cabbage, in a sandwich, or just on its own. Here’s a good St. Patrick’s Day corned beef recipe that we like: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/corned-beef-recipe/index.html

2)      Irish Stew – A Great Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day and Year Round

Now here’s a hearty meal to follow a hard day’s work. The stew’s backbone is lamb or mutton (meat from an older sheep), potatoes, onions and parsley. There’s some debate as to whether it’s appropriate to add in extra vegetables such as carrots or parsnips. We don’t mind, but some stew historians say such extras are not traditional and in fact ruin the flavor. The stew was first made in Irelandas early as the 7^th century with the introduction of the cauldron to the island, but the stew as we know it today came to form in the 16^th century after the potato first landed from South America. Here’s a great recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/irish-stew/

3)      Barmbrack  - A Traditional Irish Bread Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day

For those of you not ready to commit to a full Irish meal, why not try tea time? Barmbrack is a traditional Irish bread sweetened with raisins and sultanas. The bread has its roots in an Irish Halloween tradition. According to Ireland-Information.com “Each member of the family gets a slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in each cake. If you get the rag then your financial future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting the ring is a sure sign of impending romance or continued happiness.” Interested in the fortune telling bread? Here’s a recipe: http://britishfood.about.com/od/cakesandbakin1/r/bambrack.htm

So that’s our St. Paddy’s day recipe list with a bit of added history. If you decide to try a recipe, send us a Facebook message and let us know how it turns out. Happy cooking!

There are three reasons to get hooked on Guacamole:

1)      The key ingredient, avocados, are delicious and incredibly nutritious.   Avocados contain an array of phytonutrients, carotenoids and important omega-3 fatty acids.  According to the experts at whfoods.com, they are a good source of bone supportive vitamin K as well as heart-healthy dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate. Avocados are also a good source of energy-producing vitamin B5 and muscle-healthy potassium; in fact, they are higher in potassium than a medium banana.  You can read more about the significant nutritional value of the avocado on the Worlds Healthiest Foods website.  

2)      Guacamole can be used as a dip, a garnish, spread into all sorts of shapes and made from the avocado fruit that is sometimes called an “Alligator Pear” because of the avodcado's shape and its unique skin. 

3)      Guacamole is an easy to make nutritious treat for the whole family.  Our kid friendly recipe uses Concord Foods Guacamole mix and avocados.  No need to cut up onions, peppers or tomatoes so you child can participate in creating a fun to eat treat.  

To demonstrate how easy it is to make delicious guacamole with Concord Foods Guacamole Mix, we enlisted the help of a guacamole loving pre-teen who agreed to prepare and try Concord Foods’ Basic Guacamole (same recipe that is on the package) on camera.   

If you have really young kids, you may want to spark their interest in avocados with some fun online games, here are some links to other avocado and kid-friendly sites.  There's the:

• Dress an Avocado Game developed by Avocados from Mexico

• Veggie Games for Kids from the Produce for Better Health Foundation.

• For a fun experiment, try to grow an Avocado Tree with your left over avocado seed (pit).

• Try all “Twenty Ways to Use Avocado Seeds.”

Happy Potato Lovers Month, everyone! That’s right. February is a month dedicated just to the appreciation of spuds. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a good ol’ tater. Potatoes are great with just about any meal, and they can be prepared in an almost infinite number of ways. Mash ‘em, boil em, bake ‘em, fry ‘em…it’s up to you. The only tricky part can be deciding which variety of potato to use for a certain recipe. But never fear. The Concord Foods blog is back with our guide to potatoes and preparation.

Let’s start with the basics. There are over four thousand types of potatoes in the world but they can essentially all be broken down into three categories: waxy, starchy, and all purpose. The majority of potatoes fall within the two former categories. The health benefits of potatoes are pretty impressive. One cooked potato only has 26 calories, but that same potato is also packed with carbohydrates, allowing you to stay full longer and avoid snacking. One medium sized potato has nearly half your daily-recommended intake of vitamin c, which is a great immune system boosting nutrient, and potato skin has been found to contain high levels of photochemicals which are great at protecting you from cardiovascular disease. These are only a few of the many health benefits that come from eating the vegetable. Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

Remember to keep your potatoes in a dark, dry environment—a paper bag or a pantry usually works, otherwise you spuds will begin to spout!
Here is a handy potato variety guide for Concord Foods’ products:

That’s all from us for now! Happy potato eating!
 
Sources:
http://www.thekitchn.com/potato-varieties-64061
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/visual-guide-potatoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato
http://www.idahopotato.com/

So after a bit of a holiday season break, the Concord Foods Blog is back in action, and it couldn’t be at a better time. In just two weeks time, we’ll be settling into our lucky spots on the couch to watch the big game. Whether your team is playing or not, the championship game is the pinnacle of American sports, and we’re here to help you throw the pinnacle of parties. So here are five tips to make sure your evening goes down without a hitch.

1) Have two watching rooms

Some people go to a game watching party to watch the game. Others simply like the atmosphere and could care less about the score. Avoid any potential disagreements altogether by separating the two groups. Designate a TV for serious watchers, and another TV for casual attendees. This way those who plan to talk through a third down conversion can do so without (to use a light word) bothering the diehards.

2) Play commercial bingo

No matter how much you care about the game, everyone loves the commercials. Commercial bingo is a great way to keep your guests entertained throughout the game and during halftime. Make some 6x6 (or bigger if you’re feeling ambitious) bingo cards, but instead of using numbers, use things that one is likely to see in a commercial. Some good examples are: Danica Patrick, a lizard, a swimsuit model, a Ford truck, an explosion. The game plays just like bingo, and the prize is obviously at your discretion

 3) Finger Food!

Nobody wants to spend hours after their party washing pots and pans. Celebrate your team’s victory in style and forget having to clean up, just prepare some easy to make, easy to clean up after, and easier to eat finger food dishes. Concord Foods has you covered with a complete list of recipes on our website, but here are some ideas to get you started: Shrimp Bites, Super Guacamole, Loaded Nachos, Citrus Salsa and Red Pepper Hummus.

 4) Get creative with your drinks

We all know that beer is the unofficial beverage of the party—at least for those of age. But make your party the one that stands out by offering some untraditional beverages. Margaritas and sangria are piece of cake with Concord Food’s own recipes, and they’re sure to loosen up some of that pre-game tension. For those who are driving or simply prefer something a little softer, try our delicious ginger lemonade.

 5) Enjoy Yourself

Throwing a great party does not mean you should spend your whole evening delivering finger food, making margaritas, and collecting bingo cards. Once the game comes on your job is done and, we don’t want to be rude here, but the guests can take care of themselves. This is simply one of those parties where hospitality should not be your biggest priority. Instead, you should be concerned with not missing that awesome blocked punt or the hilarious commercial everyone will be talking about the next day.

That’s all for now! Until next time!

Ah, the classic holiday party. A stomach full of eggnog and peppermint schnapps, an ear full of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, a belly full of honey ham or roast beef, and of course a houseful of guests. We get warm just thinking about it. But if you’re anything like us, you’re always looking for ways to take your holiday party to the next level, the one the neighbors will be talking about until next Christmas. Well, never fear, Concord Foods is here with our 5 tips to a successful holiday party.

1) Do a Yankee Swap

If you’re inviting guests that don’t already know each other, a quick game of Yankee swap is a great way to break the ice. Simply ask all your guests to bring a pre-wrapped gift worth no more than a certain amount ($20 is usually reasonable.) Play the game after a few introductory drinks are served so everyone is at least a little comfortable with each other. Then, see where the night heads from there. For the complete rules of Yankee swap go to http://www.yankeeswap.com/yankee-swap-rules.php for help.

2) Have a DIY Gingerbread house

That’s right. This is something that can be used to entertain the kids, however we’d be shocked if the adults didn’t join in too. Just set up a few large decoration less gingerbread houses on a table. Put some frosting, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and anything else your sweet tooth desires next to them with some plastic knives and see what happens. By the end of the night you’ll have a desert and a show!

3) Set the playlist beforehand

We already mentioned Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, but they’re just two of the holiday music greats. Others include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, The Chieftains, and so many more. By making the playlist before the guests get there you’ll ensure there’s never a dull moment at your party. The last thing you want to be doing as the guests walk in the door is scrambling to find an appropriate CD.  ♪ Santa Claus is Coming to Towwwn ♪

 4) Serve Finger Food

The best way to keep guests moving and meeting new people is to keep them heading back to the food. Don’t do a large dinner that forces your guests to sit next to the same two people for the entire night. Serve small finger food and place the trays at on different tables around your house. This will lead your friends and family to bump into each other (not literally, we hope) and strike up a conversation or two. Need some great suggestions on what to serve? Check out Concord Foods full holiday party meal suggestions here: http://www.concordfoods.com/holidayrecipes

5) Have Fun

This is your party remember. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’re guests will be just as thankful for inviting them regardless of how the lemon-lime mini tarts turn out—though trust us, they’ll be great if you follow our recipe. The holidays are a time to relax with friends and family not to stress over the minor details at your own party. So follow our suggestions, but the most important one is to enjoy yourself. The holidays only come once a year for a reason!

Do you have any tips to share with us? If so, please comment here.

Happy Holidays everyone!

The holiday season is upon us. While we all of course look forward to some hard earned time off to spend with our friends and family, the holidays can also be a bit stressful. Over here at Concord Foods we love the holidays, but we also have a bit of trouble finding interesting gifts for our food-lovin’ co-workers. Until now that is. Our social media team has done a bit of research on our (and your) behalf. And so without further delay we present: 5 great gifts for foodies.

1)     A Cool Spice Rack

Every foodie needs a spice rack. Some say the bigger the better, which in many cases     is true. But if you don’t want to break the bank, just make sure the rack has enough room for a few staples. Check out http://www.tubularspices.com/Spice_Racks.asp to get you started.

2)     A Coffee Membership

For the coffee lover in your life! Coffee memberships are popping up everywhere, both from artisanal one-off stores and from major corporations. The idea, however, is mainly the same. Once a month you get a personally selected roast of coffee beans sent right to your door. Check out Craft Coffee for one of the more popular options.

3)     A Great Skillet

Chances are most foodies already have a skillet, but when it comes to items like this: quality matters. The relationship between a passionate cook and their pan of choice is a strange one. So if you have a friend or family member with a hole in their skillet-world, be the one to help fill it. You will forever be loved.

4)     Olive Oil

Some people are wine people, some are beer people, some are chocolate connoisseurs, and for others, it’s olive oil. There are so many different types and uses we could write a blog dedicated just to the stuff (not a bad idea actually.) Olive oil can be used to start the cooking process off in the pan or as a finishing garnish on a salad. The possibilities are endless. Like the idea but not sure where to start? The good folks at http://www.theoliveoilshops.com/ have you covered.

5)     A Cool Cookbook

Everybody, even the world’s best chefs need a little creative inspiration sometimes. And to help with this, we’d recommend a cookbook. Cookbooks come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and can be completely general (How to Cook Everything) to extremely specific  (The Art of the Cookie.) A good cookbook will get a lot of use and will always keep you in the recipients mind, we hope. Here’s a cool link to help you on your search: http://www.thegoodcook.com/bestselling-books.html. 

So that’s all from us. Good luck, happy shopping, and of course, happy holidays!

Our favorite holiday (well, one of them) is just around the corner: Thanksgiving! Can you smell it? The roast turkey, the candied yams and sweet potatoes, the gravy, the pumpkin pie? Can you see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade lining the streets of New York City? Can you see your entire extended family sitting around a cluttered dining room table, reliving Thanksgivings past? We can. Thanksgiving reminds of all these things plus one more: Stress. That’s right. Entertaining and feeding an entire family can be quite a daunting task, but never fear, Concord Foods is here to help with our “Five Tools to a Successful Thanksgiving Special.”

1)       The Roasting Pan

The roasting pan is a Thanksgiving staple, a building block. And for that reason it’s the one tool you can’t afford to skimp on. It’s here that the turkey sits for hours on end marinating in its own juices. A good roasting pan is the key to perfectly browned skin, flawless vegetables, and flavorful gravy. Don’t leave the pride and joy of the meal up to chance!

2)       The Carving Set

Nothing’s worse than spending all day tending to a perfectly cooked bird only to find that you don’t have the right tools to cut it up. A good carving set can make a true turkey sculptor out of a butterfingered novice. Everyone has an uncle that likes his turkey slices cut exactly ¾ of an inch wide, but don’t let his crazy requests get in the way of enjoying your meal.

3)       The Turkey Baster

Remember when we said the roasting pan was the key to a perfectly browned turkey skin? Well, we lied. Kinda. The roasting pan is only half the equation. A good turkey baster will ensure the skin is not only beautiful to look at, but also full of flavor. And why not take it to the next level and get a stainless steel baster? That way you can make sure none of the juices leak out and ruin your Thanksgiving day outfit.

4)       The Table Centerpiece

Not every Thanksgiving staple has to do with food. In fact, many think the key to hosting a successful dinner party is in the décor. Centerpieces don’t have to be elaborate. In fact, there’ll probably be so much food on your table you won’t have space for a big piece. Get creative. Fall colors, mini pumpkins, candles, and corn are all great places to start. Plus, if that crazy uncle starts to act up again you can always block him out of your line of vision with a nice pine cone and pear arrangement.

5)       The Friends and Family

All right this one goes without saying, but we figured it’s important not to lose track of what exactly Thanksgiving is all about. No matter how the turkey turns out, how well carved the bird is, whether the potatoes are candied or out of a package, whether there’s a beautiful bouquet in the center of the table or you eat on the floor, Thanksgiving is about spending time with the people you love. It only comes once a year so make the most out of it!