Bakersfield Life

Grapes go gourmet!

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      The Bakersfield summer season is upon us and with it, the opportunity to enjoy easy-to-prepare and hard-not-to-enjoy meals made with in-season produce grown right here in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.
      Grapes are the second highest contributor to Kern County’s agricultural value, and August is the prime time to support your local farmers – not to mention, add a sweet, unique touch to your summer meals.
      At only 90 calories per 1.5 cup serving, grapes are the perfect healthy snack, as well as a delectable addition to appetizers, salads and main dishes.
      Never thought of cooking with grapes before?
     Locally-based grape grower, Sun World International, is sharing with Bakersfield Life three quick, easy and delicious ways to incorporate grapes into mealtime.
APPETIZER: 
Proscuitto Wrapped MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® Grape Skewers with Baby Mozzarella and Basil
Serves 4
Ingredients
24 MIDNIGHT BEAUTY ® Grapes
12 oz sliced Proscuitto
16 baby mozzarella balls
16 basil leaves­
8 skewers 6 inch length
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Preparation
•Wrap Proscuitto around each MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® Grape but leave the top and bottom of each grape uncovered.

•Place a wrapped grape onto each skewer and move down to 1 inch from the bottom of the skewer.

•Follow with a baby mozzarella, a basil leaf, a wrapped grape, a baby mozzarella, a basil leaf and a wrapped grape for each skewer.

•Place 2 finished skewers on each plate and drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the oil and vinegar droplets.
SALAD:
SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® Brand Green Grape Salad with Bacon, Goat Cheese, Apple, and Honeyed White Wine Vinaigrette
Serves 4
Ingredients for Honeyed White Wine Vinaigrette -
3 TBS white wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
1 TBS honey
1 TSP salt
¼ TSP pepper

Ingredients for Mixed Green Salad -
8 pieces crispy bacon broken up into ½ inch pieces  
10 SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® brand green grapes halved lengthwise
1 Fuji apple cut into 12 slices without core and seeds
10 oz mixed baby greens
3 oz broken pieces of goat cheese

Preparation
•To prepare the Honeyed White Wine Vinaigrette, blend vinegar, oil, honey salt, and pepper in a blender.

•In a large bowl toss mixed greens with ¼ cup Honeyed White Wine Vinaigrette and goat cheese.

•Gently mold 4 mounds of salad in middle of 4 large plates. Place 3 apple slices around each salad. Place 5 each lengthwise halved grapes skin side up. Sprinkle bacon over each salad.
MAIN COURSE:
Pan Roasted Chicken Breasts with SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® Grapes and Tarragon
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts (boneless)
2 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
3 TBS olive oil
2 TBS chopped shallots
10 SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® Grapes halved lengthwise
¼ cup dry white wine
3 TBS chopped tarragon
1 ½ tsp chopped Italian parsley
½ cup whipping cream
½ TBS honey
1 tsp salt
 ¼ tsp pepper

Preparation
•Heat oven to 400 degrees.

•Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

•Get a sauté pan hot with medium-high fire and add oil. When oil starts to lightly smoke place chicken breasts skin side down.

•When skin is golden brown on edges gently turn each breast over and place pan in oven. Cook till firm about 8 to 10 minutes.

•With a glove, remove hot pan from oven and set aside chicken breasts on a plate. Place pan on the burner over medium heat and sauté shallots till golden and deglaze with wine for 1 minute.

•Add SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® Grapes, tarragon, parsley, cream, honey, salt and pepper. Reduce until slightly thick and remove from heat.

•Place chicken breast skin side up in the center of each plate. Spoon a little sauce and grapes over each piece of chicken.