Support Your Immune System with Grapes

Boosting immune function through a healthy diet has become an important new focus for many people these days. One key dietary recommendation is to eat more fruits and vegetables each day to improve immune function and prevent heart disease and diabetes. When looking to guide your family to healthier snacks and meals or simply trying to mix up your at-home menu, success can be as simple as rethinking the ingredients you choose to use, including your favorite produce, such as grapes.

Fresh California grapes, for example, make for an ideal snack because they are tasty, healthy, hydrating and refreshing, but grapes can also be used to make good-for-you dishes that are also satisfying and delicious. Grapes of all colors - red, green and black - are a natural source of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols. Plus, they are naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free and contain virtually no sodium.

Try recipes like Moroccan Grape and Grilled Chicken Bowls with Grape Vinaigrette, Spiced Chickpeas and Grapes with Yogurt, and Cauliflower Steaks with Grapes to pair heart-healthy grapes with other nutritious ingredients and add variety and fresh appeal in the kitchen. 

Visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com for more nutritious family recipes.

Moroccan Grape and Grilled Chicken Bowls with Grape Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Couscous:

• 1 cup Israeli couscous

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup carrots, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced

• 1/2 cup parsley, leaves only

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ras el hanout (Moroccan spice blend)

• 1 teaspoon salt

Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts (8 ounces each)

• 1 tablespoon harissa paste

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup green California grapes

• 1 lemon, juice only

• 1 preserved lemon, rind only

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

salt, to taste

ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 cup red California grapes, halved

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

1. To make couscous: Cook couscous in boiling salted water. Drain, rinse with cold water and combine with olive oil. Add carrots, tomatoes, parsley leaves, ras el hanout and salt. Mix well and set aside.

2. To make chicken: Heat grill to medium-high heat. 

3. Rub chicken breasts with harissa paste, olive oil and salt. Grill on both sides until just done. Set aside to cool. Slice into 1/4-inch slices.

4. To make vinaigrette: In blender, puree green grapes, lemon juice, lemon rind, olive oil and cilantro until smooth. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

5. Toss couscous mixture with vinaigrette and portion into four bowls. Top with sliced chicken, red grapes and almonds.

Spiced Chickpeas and Grapes with Yogurt

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry

• 1 cup California grapes

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil 

• 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided

• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

• 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

• 1/2 garlic clove, grated 

• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

Instructions

1. In large bowl, mix chickpeas and grapes.

2. In small skillet, warm oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mustard seeds and cover. Cook until seeds stop popping then add cumin and fennel seeds; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper flakes; pour over chickpeas and grapes. Mix well.

3. In separate bowl, stir yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic and remaining salt. Spread on serving platter and top with chickpea mixture, cilantro and scallions. 

Cauliflower Steaks with Grapes

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower, leaves trimmed off

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary

• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

• 1 cup halved California grapes

• 1/4 cup chopped Castelvetrano olives

• 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

• 2 tablespoons chopped, toasted pistachios

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 450 F. 

2. Cut stem off cauliflower and cut remaining head crosswise into four 1-inch-thick slices, keeping as intact as possible. Place on sheet pan and brush sides with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast until browned and tender, about 25 minutes.

3. Combine remaining olive oil, remaining pepper, grapes, olives, parsley and pistachios. When cauliflower is roasted, transfer to serving plates and top with grape mixture. 

Healthy Eating is Easy with Grapes

Grapes are prized for their taste and crisp, juicy texture, but fresh grapes are also a heart-healthy, hydrating snack choice. Grapes contain more than 1,600 natural plant compounds, including antioxidants and other polyphenols, which help protect the health and function of the body's cells. Grapes can be paired with other healthy foods to enhance flavor and nutrition, including dark leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, whole grains, legumes and lean proteins.