Facebook Contest

From now until December 31st, anytime you tag Sage Fruit in your Facebook Status, you'll be entered into our drawing for a Sage hat! You must tag our name by using the @ symbol then selecting our name from your display list. Without a tag, your mention will not show up for us. You can receive up to 10 entries for this contest! Anytime you enjoy a Sage Fruit apple, play our trivia game, or simply think of Sage Fruit, mention us in your status and win!

Like us today! www.facebook.com/sagefruit

Sage Fruit Apple and Pear Basket Centerpiece






Materials:
1 medium basket
1 medium wreathe
2 large candy cane sticks
Various ornaments, bows, floral decorations, ribbon
1 battery operated lighting set
1 bag foil shreds confetti
Sage Fruit apple varieties, enough to fill the size of your basket
Sage Fruit pears

Directions:

1. Take your basket and fill the bottom with shiny foil shreds to add volume to the basket.

2. Start placing a variety of apples in the basket, arrange so a mixture of size and color is noticeable. Place enough in the basket to fill it up.

3. Take larger apples and place them on top of the other fruit so that your basket can display the fruit, creating a fuller look. Also, add some Sage Fruit pears!

4. Take your various decorations and start placing them in and on the basket. Take floral arrangements and place them in one corner of the basket. Add colorful ribbon to wrap the basket or any basket handles. You can also attach an ornament or bow to the front of the basket. Arrange to your liking.

5.Take the wreathe and wrap it with the lighting set much like what you would do with a Christmas tree. Place the batteries inside the lighting box and turn on. Your wreathe should now light up adding a nice glow to your centerpiece.

6. Attach any decorations to the wreathe.

7. Place the wreathe around the basket of apples so that it sits at the base of the basket.

8. Place the entire centerpiece on your holiday dinner table or anywhere you like for a simple holiday decoration.

Happy Holidays!

12 Days of Christmas!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sage Fruit! To celebrate, we are having a 12 Days of Christmas contest! Simply follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/sagefruit to participate in our daily Trivia and Win game! Each day up to Christmas Eve we will be giving away a prize! Items include Sage Fruit Gear and exclusive Kasey Kahne autographed items. All who participate will automatically be entered into our Grand Prize drawing! So follow us today!

Hint*** Make sure to check out our website - www.sagefruit.com - and our Facebook -www.facebook.com/sagefruit- too! Many of our trivia questions will come from information found there! Good Luck!

Sage Fruit Online Store

Just in time for the holidays, our Online Store officially launched today! There you can find exclusive Sage Fruit items including Kids in Force gear and Sage/Kasey Kahne Racing items. They make great gifts for you or a friend! Order soon for delivery before Christmas. Also, add us on Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter for special promotions and discounts. Check it out now....

Apple Turkey

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it's time to prepare dinner and decorations. Thanksgiving is a great time with family sharing moments and creating new memories. So when you get ready for the holidays, why not try making this edible Apple Turkey? It is a great activity for you and the kids to share!

1 apple
1/4 cup Fruit Loops cereal (if using Fruit Loops you will need a few raisins for the neck) or 1/4 cup raisins (if using Fruit Loops you will need a few raisins for the neck)
6 -7 mini marshmallows
7 -11 toothpicks
1 green olives
2 cloves


Directions: Prep Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins
To make the feathers: Take raisins or Fruit Loops and slide onto toothpicks about 3/4the way down. Place a mini-marshmallow on the end. You will need 6 or 7 "feathers" depending on the size of your apple.

Stick the "feathers" into the back of the apple.

To make the head: Slide raisins down toothpick and top with a green olive (head). Use cloves for eyes. If your olive has a pimiento you can pull it out the back of the olive and let it hang so that it looks like a turkey wattle.

Credit: Food.com

Sage Fruit October Contest!

Would you like Pit Pass vouchers to the World Finals? Here’s your chance to win 2 vouchers to Charlotte to support Kasey Kahne Racing and their drive for a championship in the World of Outlaws series!

Sage Fruit is giving you DOUBLE the chances to win in 2010! Join Sage Fruit on Twitter and Facebook today for your chance to win a set of 2 Pit Pass Vouchers! Two sets will be given away, one for a lucky fan on each our Twitter and Facebook profiles!

How to Enter:

Simply become a fan of the Official Sage Fruit Twitter and Facebook profiles! It is as simple as following our Twitter account or liking our Facebook Page. These profiles can be found at:

www.twitter.com/sagefruit

www.facebook.com/sagefruit

The Pit Pass Vouchers are redeemable for a free pit pass to the World of Outlaws event by visiting the track ticketing offices the day of the event. One voucher equals one pit pass, for a total of two free pit passes for each winner.
You must be a fan of the Sage Fruit Social Media accounts at the time of the drawing to be eligible for the prize.
The contest will end on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern time. At that time, a lucky winner will be randomly selected from both our Twitter and Facebook profiles. They will be notified via Twitter and Facebook with details on how to redeem their prize.

The World Finals will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 4-6, 2010. Winners are responsible for all travel and accommodations to the event not mentioned above. The vouchers are good only for entrance into the pits. A separate ticket for the event will need to be purchased from the track ticketing office for grandstand admittance.

Sage Fruit Free Apple Contest!

Facebook Sage Fruit Photo Contest:



Sage Fruit fans must submit pictures (up to 5 submissions per household) that reference the Sage Fruit brand. Pictures must be originals and not someone else’s work, this includes copyrighted pictures taken from Google search, Print, or Website. The pictures must include the Sage Fruit name somewhere. Pictures will be taken of items displaying the Sage Fruit name or may be created artwork in jpeg format.



This can be pictures of but not limited to:

* Sage Fruit at the racetrack on the KKR cars or persons.

* Pictures of Sage Fruit in bags or individual products.

*Can be signs, T-Shirts, clothing made with the Sage Fruit name, logo displayed.



The more creativity you display, the better chance you have of winning! Photos will be judged by a selected panel of judges. Pictures will be judged based on creativity, originality and usage of the Sage Fruit brand. The Grand Prize winner will be selected to receive free apples for 6 months! A runner-up will also be selected to win a signed Kasey Kahne Sage Fruit Sprint Car diecast. All photos are subject to being displayed on Sage Fruit sponsored websites.





How to Enter:



The photos will be submitted on the “Just Others” wall section of the Sage Fruit Facebook page. By uploading pictures to this section, they will automatically display in the Sage Fruit Fan Album. All photos will be monitored and are subject to removal if deemed inappropriate. The use of profanity and nudity is prohibited. The contest will start September 1st, 2010 and end at 11:59 P.M. on September 30th, 2010. Maximum of 5 entries per household. Six month supply of apples will be in the form of a gift card broken down to monthly allotment of apple supply at a local grocery store near the selected winner.

Kasey Kahne Stand-Up

It's finally here! You can visit our Facebook Page under the files tab to download our Sage Fruit Kasey Kahne Stand-Up order form. Simply download the file, fill in the information, and mail it in!! This item and more will soon be available on our Sage Fruit Online Store at www.sagefruit.com! To get yours today though, mail in the form for quicker processing!! And check out the new Sage Fruit website!

Kasey Kahne Foundation's Sage Fruit Showdown!

For Immediate Release

KASEY KAHNE FOUNDATION’S SAGE FRUIT SHOWDOWN AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
Sage Fruit Company and Kasey Kahne will team up on August 27 for a sprint car race to benefit The Kasey Kahne Foundation

MOORESVILLE, NC (June 21, 2010) -- Kasey Kahne returns to his racing roots on Friday, August 27 to compete at Skagit Speedway. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star began racing at the local dirt track in Alger, Washington when he was 15 years old. This will be Kahne’s third charity event at his hometown track. “We are really excited to have Kasey coming home to Skagit Speedway. He is a class act, no matter how famous he gets he never forgets about where he came from,” says Skagit Speedway owner Steve Beitler.
Kasey Kahne Foundation’s Sage Fruit Showdown will feature a 360 sprint car race showcasing the area’s best 360 drivers. In addition to promoting the event, Kahne will also compete, driving his own #4 Kasey Kahne Racing entry.
“It’s always a neat opportunity when you can return to the track where you got your start in racing,” said Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “We’ve had a few foundation events at Skagit Speedway in the past and they’ve always produced some great racing and benefit a good cause.”
Aside from great racing, all of the proceeds will benefit the Kasey Kahne Foundation. The Kasey Kahne Foundation supports disadvantaged youth and chronically ill children and their families. "The Kasey Kahne Foundation is a great organization. Skagit Speedway and the fans in the Northwest have always supported it,” said Beitler.

Tickets go on sale beginning June 24th by calling the Skagit Speedway Office (360) 724-3567 during weekday business hours. They accept Visa and MasterCard. Tickets will be available at the racetrack the day of the race, if not sold out.

If you purchase your race ticket between June 24th and July 31st, you will be entered into a drawing where 75 lucky fans will win access to an autograph session with Kahne. Visit www.kaseykahnefoundation.org for more details.

There will be a Question & Answer session with Kahne during the race. Ticket holders are encouraged to submit questions to info@kaseykahnefoundation.org. Winning questions will be chose on August 10 and winners will receive an autographed photo from Kahne.

Stay tuned…more details about this exciting event will be available soon. Visit www.skagitspeedway.com or www.kaseykahnefoundation.org for more information.

What: Kasey Kahne Foundation’s Sage Fruit Showdown, An Exceptional Racing Experience

When: Friday, August 27, 6:30pm
Where: Skagit Speedway 4796 Old Highway 99 North Burlington, WA 98233
www.skagitspeedway.com
Tickets: Advance tickets on sale June 24
Day of event tickets and pit passes available at Skagit Speedway ticket booths
$25 Adult General Admission / $15 Child General Admission (ages 12 and under)

Schedule: Event and race schedule to be posted at www.kaseykahnefoundation.org

About Kasey Kahne Foundation
The Kasey Kahne Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3, was created by NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations that care for chronically ill children and their families. The Foundation is dedicated to positive cultural changes by giving underprivileged boys and girls ample opportunities for success. www.kaseykahnefoundation.org

About Sage Fruit Company
Our goal at Sage is to provide "An Exceptional Eating Experience" by forming mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Sage is owned by growers who grow Apples, Pears, Cherries, and various soft fruit in the heart of apple country in the Pacific Northwest. www.sagefruit.com
# # #

PRESS CONTACTS
Skagit Speedway:
Office: (360)724-3567
www.skagitspeedway.com

Here's some nutritional information about those delicious Sage Fruit Cherries coming in June and July!!


Potassium

Sweet cherries are considered a good source of dietary potassium, with approximately 260 mg of potassium for every cup of fresh cherries consumed (USDA MyPyramid nutrient data analysis program). In the past ten years there has been increasing evidence of the importance of adequate potassium intake in reducing the risk for hypertension and stroke (He, 2003). More than half of all American adults have high blood pressure. A diet high in potassium and calcium, and low in sodium and alcohol, is a reasonable and safe approach to promote healthy blood pressure.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that in addition to antioxidant activity also plays a role in promoting healthy circadian rhythm and thus promoting healthy sleep patterns. Cherries are one plant food source of melatonin. In one study, melatonin supplementation appeared to be effective in reducing jet lag (Herxheimer, 2002; Suhner, 2001). In combination with other behavioral approaches to promote sleep or reduce jet lag, sweet cherry intake in usual amounts could prove to be useful.


For more info on our delicious cherries, please visit www.nwcherries.com!

Summer Vacation Tips from the Trainer

Cool Ocean breeze, sands in between your toes, delicious treats being sipped through a straw in a coconut...This is you on your Summer Vacation, one you greatly deserve! The reason there's no guilt in indulging in your favorite vacation spot is because...In April you decided to make healthy food choices and turned up your gym workouts so that you could expose plenty of skin for a nice beach tan. Maybe you haven't started yet? No problem! Here's a few tips and exercises to get you started and on your way to that dream vacation!



Start little by little. Even going to gym 2-3 days a week will start a healthy habit and have you craving more. 3-5 days of exercise will have you feeling and looking your best in no time!Exercise not only does wonders on your body shape, it helps improve mood and lessens your risk for health related diseases like Heart Disease.

For starters try this:

Find an activity you enjoy. Walking, running, elliptical machine. Try for 30 minutes of cardio 2 or 3 nights this week. They don't have to be back to back. Maybe take a nice walk after dinner with a special someone or roommate. On days you are not doing cardio, try 1 or 2 days of weight training. If you are starting out, do 2 sets of 10 reps of an exercise.

For those arms: Do each for count of 10 (reps) two times (set)
Bicep Curls
Tricep French Press
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
To really burn calories and save time, combine these exercise with squats and lunges at the same time.

The general idea is to get moving. Once you start to feel the benefits you'll want to keep it up. Even a few push-ups, squats, and lunges here and there can help motivate you to keep moving! And they don't require any equipment at all!

Now don't waste those burned calories on chocolate cake right after, you'll be defeating yourself. Apples are great with fiber, Cherries can help with post-workout soreness, and Pears are simply delicious! Sage Fruit offers recipes on their Facebook and Myspace if you are lost on dinner ideas.

Work Hard, Play Hard!

From the Trainer

It's almost swimsuit season! Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner. That means days by the pool and time out on the lake or beach for Memorial Day or the 4th of July. Luckily, there's still time to get in shape for your favorite Summer activities.

As a certified personal trainer and competitor at heart, I know it takes more than just exercise to achieve your desired fitness goals. Yes, it's that nasty word, DIET. But we aren't really talking about a diet here, more of a lifestyle that will give you the most energy and have you feeling your best each and every day. One way to do that is make sure you get plenty of vegetables, lean protein, fruits, and WATER into your eating plan. Here's today's tip:

Tired after a long day at work or the kids have you running in circles? Before hitting the gym refuel yourself with a snack. Try an energy enhancing snack like this Cherry Trail Mix.




Adding fruit and nuts like Almonds into a pre-workout snack will help give you that energy for the treadmill or any other activity. Also, consuming cherries may help muscle pain. Researchers believe cherries’ post-exercise benefits are likely because of the fruit’s natural anti-inflammation properties – attributed to antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, which also give cherries their bright red color.

So next time you go to pump some iron, try a handful of Cherry Trail Mix! Sage Fruit fresh Bing & other variety Cherries will be available in June and July! Perfect for keeping you in swimsuit shape!

And don't forget to hydrate yourself with lots of Water!

Apple: The New Superfruit!

Health & Wellness
Apples: The Next Superfruit www.supermarketguru.com

After today, America will no longer connect apples primarily with wholesome activities like picking bushels amid a spectrum of leaves in the fall, warming up with cider on a wintry day, or crunching a candied variety at Halloween.

People will think of apples as the next superfruit, an accessible, value-priced, nutritional energy source on par with blueberries and pomegranates. That’s the logical outcome of a new national survey of 1,021 chief household shoppers across the nation conducted for the U.S. Apple Association by SupermarketGuru.com, in which:
• 96% called apples an ‘anytime’ food for both adults and children
• 90% said they would consider apples and apple products (slices, cider, not pastries) a regular part of their healthier diet in 2010
• 64% rated apples a one, two or three on a ‘most healthful’ scale of ten, with one being the highest rating

Moreover, when asked about the health attributes of apples and apples products, similarly high proportions of respondents were aware of the truth behind these scientifically supported statements:
• Apples and apple products, especially those with the peel left intact, are rich in plant compounds called polyphenols and antioxidants, both known to promote health (92%).
• Apples and apple products may help to boost weight loss efforts (89%).
• Daily consumption of apples and apple products can help reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease (85%).

One result of this understanding: vast majorities said they will serve apples to their families and house guests more often. “The magnitude of their response reflects their desire to eat healthfully—and the ability of apples to help them do that because of their nutritional makeup, portability, affordability ad accessibility,” said The Lempert Report’s own Phil Lempert, a food, consumer and marketing trends analyst.

He considered the comparably high nutrition ratings of apples in the survey to be notable, since blueberries and pomegranates are higher-priced food options. Consumers were asked between December 2009 and February 2010 about the nutrition, health, merchandising influences, eating habits and more surrounding apples..

It became clear to Lempert, after evaluating the survey findings, that “apples are a year-round fruit, and consumer willingness to buy, eat and serve more apples is a vast opportunity for retailers. Merchants already display apples prominently as a stage-setter, but now they need to think further about how to tap into this mindset that apples are a ‘superfruit’ and great for a person’s health and overall wellness.”

Cherry Season and Cherry Health!

Health and Nutrition
Cherries.
The New Antioxidant "Super Fruit"

Cherries are not only good for you, but they’re also on trend as a homegrown “Super Fruit.”
According to recent data, more than 9 out of 10 Americans want to know where their food comes from, nearly 80 percent say they’re purchasing “locally produced” products, and the majority is defining “local” as grown in America. And cherries deliver.

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.

A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease. As nearly two out of three Americans are overweight, emerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may play in disease management and prevention.

While there’s no established guideline yet on how many cherries it takes to reap the benefits, experts suggest that 1-2 servings of cherries daily can help provide some of the health benefits identified in the research. Single serving size examples include:
• 1/2 cup dried
• 1 cup frozen
• 1 cup juice
• 1 ounce (or 2 Tbsp) juice concentrate

For additional information on serving sizes and tips to meet daily requirements for fruits and vegetables, visit FruitsAndVeggiesMatter.gov.

www.choosecherries.com

Sage rolls out the Sonya Apple at Southern Exposure 2010. : Shop Talk

Sage rolls out the Sonya Apple at Southern Exposure 2010. : Shop Talk

Posted using ShareThis

Sage’s Sophisticated Pear & Salmon Lettuce Wrap Appetizers

Sage’s Sophisticated Pear & Salmon Lettuce Wrap
Appetizers

This is a standout appetizer that works for any holiday event. We recommend you use the Comice pear, which is one of the juiciest and most flavorful pears available. This pear originated in France and adds the “sophistication” to these outstanding wraps!


Makes 12 Pear Wraps

Ingredients:

1 unpeeled Comice Pear (sliced into 12 slices)
12 Butter lettuce leaves
4 ounces smoked salmon (cut into 12 equal pieces)
1-cup herb flavored soft cheese spread


Directions:

Place one spoonful of soft cheese spread down the center of each lettuce leaf.
Place one slice of pear on top of cheese and top pear with smoked salmon slice.
Fold lettuce leaf up (like a taco) and place each leaf close together on a serving plate.
You may make these two hours ahead of time and cover wraps with plastic wraps until ready to serve.

Pear Ricotta Pancakes

Pear Ricotta Pancakes
With Cinnamon Maple Syrup

These pancakes are perfect to serve for any Holiday breakfast or brunch. The Ricotta Cheese makes these pancakes light and flavorful and go so well with the pears!


Dry Ingredients:

1 Cup All Purpose flour
1 ¼ tsp Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

2 Bosc Pears (peeled, cored and diced)
1 ¼ Cup Ricotta Cheese
4 teaspoons sugar
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
Juice from 1 lemon


Directions:

Makes 15-16 pancakes

Place diced pears in a microwavable container with lid. Microwave pears for 2 minutes or until tender. Remove lid and let cool.

In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and set aside. Combine wet side ingredients (not pears) in bowl of electric mixer. With mixing spoon, stir in ½ of the pears (save other half for pancake garnish) and dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix.

Heat non-stick skillet to about 350 degrees on top of stove. Ladle batter onto hot skillet. Cook pancakes until bubbles form on top, then flip and continue cooking until golden brown.

Plate warm pancakes and top each stack with a spoonful of remaining microwaved diced pears and chopped pecans (optional).

Serve with warm Cinnamon Maple Syrup-

Mix together; ¾ cup maple syrup and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Warm in microwave for just a few seconds and serve with pancakes.

Sage Pear & Pine Nut Cake

Sage Pear & Pine Nut Cake

This recipe is right from a small village in Tuscany. In the Fall the women would pick the pears and make this not- to- sweet cake for afternoon coffee.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

4 Bosc Pears, peeled, cored and cut into small cubes
Juice from one lemon
1 Cup golden raisins
1 Cup pine nuts
3 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 ½ Cups flour
1 Cup melted butter
¼ Cup room temperature butter
2 Tablespoons baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour 10 or 12 inch round cake pan with two-inch sides. Set aside.

Peel the pears and cut into small cubes. Put into bowl and squeeze lemon juice on pears and toss to coat pears.
In bowl of electric mixer on low speed combine; eggs, sugar, flour and melted butter until well mixed.
With spoon fold in pears, raisins, pine nuts, room temperature butter and baking powder.
Spoon pear batter into prepared pan and bake in the center of the hot even for 40 minutes.
Cool cake for 10 minutes and turn out onto cake plate. Dust with powdered sugar and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts.

Sage Holiday Pear Slaw

Sage Holiday Pear Slaw

We added fresh pears, cranberries and nuts to traditional coleslaw for a wonderful make ahead salad!

Serves 10-12

Ingredients:

2 Concorde pears (chopped with peel on)
1 Cup light mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
¼ Cup buttermilk
¼ Cup sugar
1 large head green cabbage (finely chopped)
1 large carrot (grated)
½ cup chopped nuts (toasted walnuts or toasted pecans are good to use)

Instructions:

In small bowl mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar and buttermilk with wire whisk until well blended. Set aside.

In large salad bowl combine pears, chopped cabbage, carrots and nuts. Add dressing and mix to combine. Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. This slaw will keep in the refrigerator for days!

Sage Fresh Pear and Baby Green Salad

Sage Fresh Pear and Baby Green Salad
With Maple Vinaigrette

All the flavors of Winter in a delicious salad!

Serves 6

Salad Ingredients:

1 5-ounce bag of baby greens
1 Red D’anjou Pear (cubed, do not peel and toss with a little lemon juice)
1 Cup seedless red grapes (cut in half)
1 ounce crumbled blue cheese
3 ounces glazed walnuts
3 ounces of dried cranberries

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

½ Cup apple cider vinegar
2-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup


Directions:

In small bowl whisk all the salad dressing ingredients together, cover and refrigerate.

In large salad bowl combine baby greens, pears and grapes. Garnish salad with blue cheese, walnuts and cranberries. When ready to serve toss salad with dressing and enjoy!

Sage Easy Pear & Cheddar Cheese Cornbread

Sage Easy Pear & Cheddar Cheese Cornbread

The very best cornbread you will ever taste and so easy, too!
Perfect with a pot of soup or stew.

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups cornbread mix
1/2 box yellow cake mix
1 ¼ cups water
1/3-cup oil
2 eggs
1 ripe Concorde or Bartlet pear (peeled, cored and diced).
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large mixing bowl of electric mixer combine cornbread mix, yellow cake mix, water, oil, eggs at medium speed for two minutes. By hand fold in pears and cheddar cheese. Pour batter into a greased 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet pan or baking pan.

Bake approximately 35-40 minutes, or until done.

Serve with honey whipped butter.
(With electric mixer beat together 1/2 cup softened butter and ¼ cup honey). Beat until well combined).

Sage Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding

Sage Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding

This bread pudding is so good you can serve it for even the most important dinner parties and be confident that your guests will all just love it. I like to serve vanilla ice cream on top, but whipped cream is good, too!


Serves- 20
Ingredients:

1 2lb loaf of Panettone Bread (cubed in 1 ½ inch cubes)
6 D’Anjou Pears, peeled, cored and sliced
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup sugar
1 Cube butter
1 1/2 Cups raisins
2-Cups whole milk
1-Quart heavy cream
12 Eggs


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter over medium heat in large sauté pan. Add sliced pears and sauté for 2 minutes.
Add brown sugar to pears, stirring to dissolve sugar and add raisins to sauté pan.
Continue to cook pears until fork tender (5-7 minutes).
Place Panettone cubes in large bowl, set aside.
Mix milk, cream, sugar and eggs in a large double boiler (large stainless steel bowl over pot of boiling water). Over medium-high heat, mix milk-egg mixture with wire whip until hot and well combined, about 10 minutes, (mixture will be hot and thick like eggnog). Add pear caramel mixture to hot cream mixture and continue to mix with wire whip leaving custard chunky. Pour pear custard over bread cubes. Let mixture sit in bowl for 10 minutes. Grease a large two-inch deep baking dish and pour pear, custard, and bread mixture into large baking dish (17x13 inch). Cover baking dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, uncover and bake until center is set and top is Golden brown (about ½ hour). Serve warm with ice cream. Great cold, too!

Upside Down Breakfast Apple Breads

Upside Down Breakfast Apple Breads
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

This recipe makes four 9inch Square or round breakfast breads. These breads are a real time saver since you make breads to eat now and freeze for later! These apple breads also make great gifts from the kitchen!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients for Breakfast Bread Batter:
8 cups sifted all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons baking powder
1-tablespoon salt
2 cups sugar
3 cups milk
4 eggs
2 cups melted butter

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir into flour mixture 3 cups of milk and 4 eggs, batter will be lumpy. Stir in 2 cups melted butter. Set aside while preparing apple layer.

Ingredients for Upside Down Apple Layer:
8 cups peeled, cored and sliced Braeburn Apples
2 cups sugar
4 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Generously butter or grease four 9inch square baking pans. Sprinkle the bottom of each pan with: ½ cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Cover with: 2 cups peeled, cored and sliced Braeburn apples. Pour ¼ quarter of the breakfast batter over the apples in each pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until breads test done. Remove from pans to cool on racks. When cool, wrap and freeze. Reheat in a moderate 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Torta Di Mele – Tuscan Apple Cake

Torta Di Mele – Tuscan Apple Cake
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

This is an authentic recipe from Tuscany! This dessert is more like a bread pudding than a cake. A true comfort food!

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

5 Braeburn Apples
The juice from one lemon
½ cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup softened butter
1-cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Peel, core and slice apples into thin slices and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle the slices with the juice of one lemon and toss gently to prevent the slices from turning brown.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, butter and milk, blending well. Fold apple slices into batter.
Pour batter into a buttered 10inch-baking pan. Bake in 350-degree oven for 60 minutes. Check doneness with toothpick. Dust top of cooled cake with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh sliced apples and a sprig of rosemary. Serve warm with heavy whipping cream.

Smoked Turkey, Fresh Apple & Bacon Sandwich

Smoked Turkey, Fresh Apple & Bacon Sandwich
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

Sliced Gala Apples adds flavor and crunch to any sandwich!

Makes 4 half sandwiches

1 Gala Apple (cored & sliced very thin)
4 slices of deli style smoked turkey
4 slices Swiss cheese
6 slices of bacon (cooked)
4 slices sourdough sliced bread
Cooking spray



Heat cast iron grill or skillet over medium high heat. On two slices of bread place; 2 slices of turkey on each slice of bread, 2 slices of Swiss cheese, 3 slices of cooked bacon, and slices of thin Gala apple. Cover sandwich with second piece of bread. Spray heated grill with cooking spray. Place sandwiches on grill and grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until bread has grill marks and cheese is melted. Cut sandwiches in half and enjoy. Try thin slices of Gala apple in Tuna sandwiches…delicious!

Rustic Apple Tart

Rustic Apple Tart
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

A cross between short bread and pie, this will be a recipe you will make over and over again!

Makes 8 servings

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Ingredients for shortbread pastry:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
4 ounces chilled butter, chopped
1 egg yolk

Sift flour and powdered sugar into a large bowl. Use two knives to cut butter into the flour/sugar mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water and mix with fingers until dough comes together. Turn onto a floured surface and gather into a ball (knead lightly if necessary). Flatten ball slightly and refrigerate in plastic wrap for 15 minutes. On a lightly floured board, roll the pastry out to a 14-inch circle. Line a greased 8-inch tart pan (removable bottom) with the rolled out dough, leaving the extra pastry to hang over the edge (don’t worry if the dough cracks or breaks, it’s ok to pinch it back together). Set pastry lined tart pan aside.


Ingredients for Apple Filling:
6 peeled, cored and sliced Granny Smith Apples
2 cups apple juice
1-teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1-cup sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ cup cold water

In large saucepan over medium high heat combine apples, apple juice, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Cook until mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with slotted spoon and set apples aside. In a small bowl, mix cold water and cornstarch together until cornstarch dissolves. Bring apple juice mixture back to a boil and add cornstarch mixture. Stir until apple juice mixture becomes thick and glossy. Add cooked apples back to thickened apple juice and toss apples until well combined. Set apple mixture aside to cool.

Fill tart crust with apple filling. Fold the overhanging pastry roughly over the fruit and sprinkle with two tablespoons of sugar. Bake tart for 40 minutes or until crust is golden. When cool remove sides of tart pan and dust with sifted powdered sugar. Serve warm or cold.

Minted Spring Mix, Dark Sweet Cherries & Cantaloupe Salad

Minted Spring Mix, Dark Sweet Cherries & Cantaloupe Salad
With Minted Dark Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

So refreshing with just a hint of mint!

Makes 4 servings

2 cups pitted and halved Dark Sweet Cherries
1 5oz bag of Spring Mix (mixed greens)
2 cups of cubed cantaloupe
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Evenly divide the Spring Mix between four salad plates. Top each salad with mint, Dark Sweat Cherries and cantaloupe. Drizzle each salad with Cherry, Mint Vinaigrette

Cherry Mint Vinaigrette

¼ cup Cran-Cherry juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon herbs de Provence
1-teaspoon fresh mint (minced)
4 Dark Sweet Cherries (pitted and cut in half)

Add all the above ingredients (not cherries) to a medium size bowl. Wisk all the ingredients until they are well combined. Add pitted and halved cherries to dressing to infuse dressing with flavor. Refrigerated any leftovers.

Harvest Cake with Skillet Apples

Harvest Cake with Skillet Apples
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

A perfect dessert for a holiday meal! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a real treat.

Makes 8 Servings

Ingredients for Harvest Cake:
1 cup all purpose flour
1-teaspoon baking powder
1-teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup canned pumpkin
2 eggs
¼ cup cooking oil
½ cup finely shredded carrot
1/3-cup buttermilk
¾ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour an 8x8x2 inch square pan or 9x1 ½ inch round cake pan.
In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large mixing bowl combine sugars, pumpkin, eggs, and oil. Stir in carrots and buttermilk. Gradually beat in flour mixture, stir in walnuts. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
Place cake on serving platter and dust with powdered sugar. Just before serving spoon on warm Skillet Apples. Top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired!

Ingredients for Skillet Fruit:
4 Granny Smith Apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ cup fresh cranberries or 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
In large skillet melt butter, stir in sugar. Add sliced apples and cranberries. Cook gently stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender (4 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.

Fresh Spinach, Avocado, Rainier Cherry and Feta Salad

Fresh Spinach, Avocado, Rainier Cherry and Feta Salad
With Cherry Dijonnaise Dressing
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

So easy, but special enough for a spectacular dinner party!

Makes 4 servings

2 cups pitted and halved Rainier Cherries
1 6oz bag of Baby Spinach
1 avocado cubed
½ cup of Feta Cheese (crumbled)

Evenly divide the baby spinach between four salad plates. Top each salad with cherries, avocado and Feta cheese. Drizzle Cherry Dijonnaise on each salad before serving.

Cherry Dijjonaise Dressing

¼ cup Cran-Cherry juice
2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (mild)

Add all the above ingredients to a medium size bowl. Wisk all the ingredients until they are well combined. Refrigerated any leftovers.

Fresh Chocolate Covered Cherries

Fresh Chocolate Covered Cherries
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

Try dipping a variety of Cherries, for a beautiful presentation at your next event!

Makes one pound of chocolate covered cherries.

Ingredients:

1lb of assorted fresh cherries (Dark Sweet Cherries and Rainier Cherries)
(Cherries need to be rinsed and dried very well before dipping into chocolate)

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking bar

Waxed paper

Instructions:
Break chocolate baking bars into pieces and place in a microwavable glass bowl.
Cover bowl with paper towel and microwave on high for one minute. If chocolate is still very firm, microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir chocolate with spoon until chocolate is completely melted. Dip cherries into melted chocolate by holding onto cherry stem. Place dipped cherries on cookie sheet covered with waxed paper. Let sit at room temperature until chocolate hardens. You may also refrigerate dipped cherries on tray until chocolate hardens. Cherries should be consumed within a day and stored in the refrigerator.

Note: Do not add water to the chocolate when melting, this will cause chocolate to harden and or get very grainy.

Fresh Cherry Trifle

Fresh Cherry Trifle
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

This easy yet elegant trifle is made with one of the most beautiful fruits ever grown, Rainier Cherries! Not only are they pretty but naturally sweet, too!

Makes 8 -10 servings

1 1/2 pounds fresh Rainier Cherries (pitted and cut in half)
(Save 12 whole cherries with stems for the garnish)
1 10.75 oz prepared butter pound cake (sliced into 26 equal pieces)
½ cup cran-cherry juice
1 3.4 oz box of vanilla instant pudding
1 envelope dry whipped topping mix (Dream Whip)
1 cup of whole milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ cup toasted sliced almonds
4 cups prepared cool whip (thawed)


In large bowl of electric mixer combine box of vanilla pudding, dry whipped topping and milk. Beat with electric mixer for 4 minutes until pudding mixture becomes thick like custard. Add teaspoon of almond extract and continue beating until extract is well combined. Set aside.
In large glass bowl or trifle bowl, layer 13 of the pound cake slices in a single layer at the bottom of the bowl. Drizzle pound cake slices with ¼ cup cran-cherry juice. Spread ½ the pudding mixture on top of the pound cake and layer half of the cut cherries on top of the pudding mixture. Spread 2 cups of the cool whip on top of the cut cherries and repeat layers by layering the rest of the pound cake on top of the cool whip, sprinkling the pound cake with the rest of the cran-cherry juice and layer the rest of the pudding on top of the pound cake. Layer the rest of the halved cherries on top of the pudding layer and top with 2 cups of cool whip. Garnish the top of the trifle with fresh whole Rainier Cherries and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Braeburn Washington Apple Crisp

Washington Apple Crisp
Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

This recipe originated from a dear 86 year old woman from Spokane Washington!

Makes 10-12 servings

Ingredients:

8 cups of peeled, cored and sliced Braeburn apples
1-½ cups of sugar
¾ cup of flour
Ground cinnamon to your own liking
½ cube of butter, chopped (1/4 cup)
Topping:
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1 cube butter (1/2 cup)
½ cup flour
1-cup brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl toss sugar, flour and cinnamon with sliced apples. Place apples in prepared (spray with cooking spray) Pyrex casserole baking dish. Dot apples with ¼ cup of butter (chopped).

Prepare Topping:
In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together; rolled oats, ½ cup flour and brown sugar.
Cut in ½ cup of butter (one cube) until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples. Bake apple crisp uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples are tender when pierced with sharp knife. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Fresh Apple, Sweet Potato & Turkey Salad

Sage Fruit Company/Adrienne Meier

Give a lift to leftover holiday turkey and sweet potatoes by adding sweet and crunchy Gala Apples to this delicious salad!

Makes 4-6 servings

2 cups unpeeled Gala Apples (cored and cubed)

¼ cup light mayonnaise

2 cups cooked cooled and cubed sweet potatoes

2 cups cooked chopped turkey meat

3 tablespoons fresh sage (chopped)

The juice from ½ of a lemon

2 green onions chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

½ teaspoon garlic salt

½ cup of toasted chopped walnuts

Pepper to taste

In a large bowl add all the above ingredients and gently toss with spoon until well combined. Serve on a green cabbage leaf and garnish with walnuts and a sprig of fresh sage. Refrigerate any leftover salad.