Leave the deep fat fryer in the closet, ‘cause you’re about to enjoy this healthier dessert that’s long on sweetness and flakiness and short on the guilt. So pick your favorite varieties of sweet or tart Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Apples and fire up that oven! It’s delish time in your house! Yields: 12 hand pies Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including fridge time) Ingredients: 1 recipe hand pie crust (recipe below), or 1 store-bought pie crust2 cups chopped Bella Viva Orchards Dried Skinless Apples (see note)About 2 cups very hot water1 teaspoon vanilla extract1
Sweater weather is here and that means it’s time to fire up the oven and get baking, as if any of us need an excuse, right? Think about aromas of fruity and nutty-good baked treats wafting through the air from your kitchen. Getting hungry? We thought so! Whether you’re baking for the holidays or for everyday bliss, you’re in the right place to score from our great selection of diced fruits, nut pieces and plant-based flours and powders, all offering you convenience and good nutrition in every bite. Perfect for cookies, muffins and cakes, our diced fruits and nuts are winners! Think about mixing
As the leaves turn color and fall from the trees and the days grow cooler and shorter, it becomes the perfect time for apples. Dried Apples, that is! These chewy guys want to jump into your desk, your kids’ lunch bags and into your kitchen. And the doctor would approve! Naturally fat-free, gluten-free and GMO-free, Dried Apples are high in vitamin C and contain dietary fiber, vitamin B-6 and a bit of potassium and magnesium. Experts tell us that Apples can help promote weight management, bone health, digestive function and pulmonary function. The same sources state that Apples can help stave off asthma and
Brilliant red, sweet and tart. That’s the courageous Cranberry! These beautiful berries, sweetened just enough to round out that puckerfulness, are screaming to be part of your healthy diet. They want you to think of them when it’s time for breakfast, lunch, snacktime and dinner. They especially want you to think of them now that cooler weather and holidays are upon us. Dried Cranberries are a source of dietary fiber and some calcium, iron and potassium. They’re also GMO-free, fat free and sodium-free. Their claim to fame? Think about antioxidants and bioactive compounds rather than vitamins and minerals. These compounds help promote healthier metabolism,
Think of sweet summer days growing shorter as fall arrives. We hope when you do, thoughts of sweet and shapely Pears come to mind, ‘cause now’s the time to enjoy these golden fruits that we harvest at the end of summer. Pears can be simple or fancy, enjoyed as is or used in your favorite recipes. So tear open that bag of Bella Viva Orchards’ plump Pears and read on as you feed your palate and your body in a most wonderful way! Because Pears have a good amount of dietary fiber in each serving, they’re your friend when it comes to digestive health,
We can’t help but boast a bit: Our Prunes are spectacular. We grow, harvest and dry them ourselves right here at Bella Viva Orchards. Now, if your grandmother made you eat Prunes as a kid, maybe it’s time to rethink them. They are worthy, for sure! You can incorporate Prunes into your diet any time of the day, from fruity and sweet breakfasts to lunchbox companions to savory dinner entrees. And yes, they make a prime midday snack that’s filled with good nutrition and help keep you full ‘til dinnertime. Besides being great for intestinal health – thanks for making that clear, Grandmother –
In Central California, it’s Almond harvest time. All around us, branches on the trees are heavily weighed down in the best of ways. It means that goodness it on its way! And goodness in oh so many ways! Almonds offer a lot to snackmeisters and super-athletes alike. Beyond their irresistible fun crunchy noshability, they rock so many recipes and are as nutritious as all getout. A big plus: We shell all of our Almonds for your convenience! Almonds are packed with virtue! You know that, but let’s get more specific. They’re naturally gluten-free and cholesterol-free and are a very good source of fiber, vitamin
This flavor-packed dinner entrée features Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Prunes made savory with briny capers, green olives, fresh garden herbs and earthy bay leaves. Your family and friends will love this dish. We’re sure it’ll make them feel indulged. Yields: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutesMarinate Time: 8 to 24 hoursCook Time: about 30 minutesTotal Time: Marinate time plus 45 minutes (approximately) Marinade Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts6 plump garlic cloves, minced2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon¼ cup brandy (Optional but suggested)¼ cup good-quality red wine vinegar¼ cup olive oil½ teaspoon Kosher salt½ teaspoon freshly ground
Grab your ukulele, turn up the Don Ho music and transport yourself to the tropics with Bella Viva Orchards’ sweet Pineapple. These golden treats make a great anytime snack or a sunny addition to your breakfast, dessert and even dinner repertoire. Pineapple is a source of dietary fiber, potassium, iron and calcium. And as with all of our fruits and nuts, it’s GMO free. While it may taste like candy, Pineapple is linked to a number of health benefits, including the reduction of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, digestive problems, inflammation and the formation of free radicals, which is linked to cancer. Experts also
We love summertime here in the Central Valley! The long, warm days bring us sweet Peaches and Nectarines that are grown and harvested from our very own trees. We’re humbly proud of these beautiful bright gems that we dry in our own drying yard. These sweet and nutritious stone fruits are among our favorites and we’re sure you’ll love ‘em too! Beyond being delicious, fuzzy-skinned Peaches and their smooth-skinned Nectarine cousins can help fend off cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic conditions. Compounds found in these fruits may help promote healthier cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and obesity-related illnesses. They’re sources of vitamins C and A,
