Pick Your Grape
Trying to decide among the options for one of nature’s perfect snacks? Keep in mind that green table grapes are more delicate in flavor-sweet with a hint of tartness-while red are usually sweeter with spicy notes. Blue-black tend to have a deeper, richer taste.
Look for firm grapes that are plump and fragrant witn intense color; they do not ripen once picked. And refrigerate unwashed in a perforated plastic bag or box in the crisper of your refrigerator drawer for up to a week.
• Champagne: Tiny, seedless, with a mild flavor; used frewuently as a centerpiece or a garnish.
• Red Flame: Medium-sized, extremely juicy and crunchy; low acidity.
• Black Seedless: Generally plumper than green grapes, and extremely juicy.
• Thompson Seedless: The most popular of the bunch; light in color, mild flavor.
• Muscato: A cross between Thompson and muscat sweet wine grapes; large, crips and sweet, available in red or green.
**Farley, over at Coaching Cooking has some ideas for the spice in your life. Check out what the spicy story is here.**
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Earthly Eating Recipe:
Kelp Energy Bars
1 1/2 cups ground or finely chopped almonds
1 1/2 cup ground or finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup cashews ground or finely chopped
1/4 cup sesame or pumpkin seeds
1 1/2 cup dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, blueberries, chopped apricots, dates, dried coconut
3/4 cup honey, agave nectar, maple syrup or molasses
1 cup dried kelp, crumbled into small pieces
Spices such as cinnamon, cardamon, or nutmeg (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. The mixture will be somewhat sticky. Using wet fingers press it down into a 7×11 inch baking dish that has been oiled. Bake for 15-45 minutes depending on how crunchy and roasted you prefer. Cool and cut into individual pieces. You can also roll the mixture into balls with wet hands and enjoy them raw if you prefer.
Happy Eating!
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