Let’s talk for a moment about our favorite ways to say sayonara to the year that was and to welcome the New Year. Something bubbly is always a good idea and this year instead of focusing on a lavish sit-down dinner, we are all about delightful bites and planning out a charcuterie board menu, brimming with different cheeses too. A...

Bacon wrapped figs with cream cheese is the inspiration behind these tempting tartlets. The cream cheese is spiced, savory, and a little bit sweet. The bacon adds a salty bit of crunch as the mission figs really complete the hors d’ouevre.  Fig Appetizers with Bacon Our new favorite appetizer also happens to be one of those that’s ready in less...

Filled with Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Dried Figs, raisins, dates, almonds, honey or jam, orange or lemon peel, and scented with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, Cuccidati are traditional Italian fig cookies served at Christmas and especially favored by Italian-Americans around the holidays. It is not too farfetched to speculate that Arab influence in Southern Italy could be responsible for...

You know how often when it comes to dessert, people self-select into the chocolate camp or the fruit camp? We can’t decide and love both kinds of sweets! But, when the weather dips and we pull out thick sweaters, we want big mugs of tea and cozy desserts, like baked apple slices in brown butter. This recipe is weeknight-easy and...

This is the best Texas chili recipe — and a chili made with leftover turkey at Thanksgiving. We have substitutions too. Read on and then go simmer a pot of the stew. Thanksgiving Leftovers If you enjoyed your Thanksgiving menu there is probably going to be cranberry sauce for several days to come. When it comes to eating up leftovers...

It’s the Year of the Fig, so, we’ve packed out a Thanksgiving menu with recipes to cook with dried figs from Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs! If you’re a procrastinator (hey, we’re not judging!), you’ll especially like the fig feast we’ve got planned as it includes a shopping list you can print out and take to the store. Each...

Thanksgiving recipes typically center around the turkey, but the cranberries play an equally important role. You might have grown up using canned cranberries, but it’s a cinch to make homemade cranberry sauce! Sliced oranges and Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs add sweetness and texture for a twist on the classic sauce. We also like to add a bit of...

When the holidays (and holiday parties) are in sight, it’s a good idea to have an appetizer ace up your sleeve and this ricotta bake recipe is it. You could turn to cheese plates, but warm appetizers are a way to make family and friends cozy. This creamy spoonable cheese usually is associated with lasagna or even as a topping...

It’s American Cheese Month and you don’t have to tell us twice to pull out a platter. It’s no surprise that cheeseboards have been growing in popularity throughout the past few years. We’ve seen some pretty exquisite cheese platters, but if you’ve never made one before, you might be wondering how to set up a cheese board. Here are our...

If you’ve never made a galette before, this rustic butternut squash fig galette recipe has all the flavors of fall folded inside a flaky butter crust for a meatless dinner featuring Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs. Speaking of the all-butter galette dough, you can make it by hand or in a food processor (directions in parentheses). Roll the fig...

You can find many reasons to love this oven baked salmon especially if you’re looking for a weeknight dinner idea. It’s ready in 20 minutes and a mix of Asian ingredients that pair with autumn flavors of sweet potatoes or winter squash as well as a side of rice (or riced cauliflower if you’d prefer). The Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid...

Today we have a wonderful recipe for you, Instant Pot Rice Pudding with California Figs! Grandma-made fantastic rice pudding. Sweet and so thick and creamy, you had to use a fork to eat it. She put in all kinds of different dried fruits, depending on what she had on hand, but we loved figs best. California Figs add a beautiful...