May is National Osteoporosis Month, and the California Dried Plum Board and Recipe ReDux have some exciting news and facts to share with you about Osteoporosis and Bone Health.
No Bones About It Recipe Challenge
May kicks off National Osteoporosis Month and The California Dried Plum Board is challenging ReDuxers to share creative ways to use California dried plums in everyday cooking. Whether it’s as a flavor enhancer in a marinade, a boost of natural sweetness or a natural substitute for fats or sugar, share your favorite way to showcase California Dried Plums’ bone health benefits and culinary versatility in your original breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snack recipe(s).
Here are some exciting facts about California Dried Plums from the California Dried Plum Board:
• Plums Plums help support healthy bones. Emerging research shows that eating dried plums may have
positive effects on bone health. Previous studies discovered that eating 100 grams (two servings; about 8-
10 dried plums) of dried plums for one year was associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD)
and improved indices of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. At Experimental Biology, March 28-
April 1, 2015, a current study presented as a poster, examined whether 50 grams (one serving; about 4-5
dried plums) would be as effective as the larger dose. The results indicated that one serving of dried plums
may be as effective in preventing bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women.
Bone Health
• Dried plums can serve as a substitute for fats or sugars to reduce calories while boosting flavor.
• If your recipe calls for butter or oil as the fat source, you can reduce your fat by half and then add and replace what you have taken away with the same measurement of prune purée. Just remember to reduce your sugar by half in most recipes, since the prunes are naturally sweet.
• Toss or add chopped dried plums in your favorite salad or on Greek yogurt or oatmeal for an extra nutritional boost.
• Dried plums add moisture to meat entrées and baked goods and improve the texture and taste of stuffings, sauces, and marinades.
• There are natural elements in dried plums which help heighten the flavors of other ingredients in a recipe, so use them as a flavor enhancer, whether it’s a dessert or something savory.
• California Dried Plums are The Whole Package: a naturally sweet, convenient and nutrient-dense snack.
Emerging research suggests dried plums support healthy bones, and may support heart health, digestive health, immunity and healthy aging.
• One serving (4–5 dried plums) is less than 100 calories. Additionally, each serving provides 3 g of fiber
(and is considered a good source of fiber), 293 mg of potassium, 16 mg of magnesium and more vitamin K than any other fresh or dried fruit.
This challenge was an easy one because I adore dried plums! Dark, sweet snackable goodness that’s good for you. Win, win!
For my lunch recipe I chose to make a fruit dressing featuring delicious dried plums. In Chicken Wheatberry Salad, plums enhance moist, juicy chicken and chewy wheatberries. Plum puree replaces some of the oil in the dressing and acts as a binder.
Chicken Wheatberry Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup wheatberries
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth- low-sodium
- 1/4 chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/16 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 4 cups baby spinach
- extra California Dried Plums for garnish
- 3 ounces (10 to 12) California Dried Plums chopped
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Bring wheatberries and chicken broth to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until berries are softened but still chewy.
- Mix together chicken, wheatberries, sun-dried tomatoes. Add salt if desired.
- For the dressing, pulse dried plums, apple juice and lime juice in a blender until pureed. Slowly drizzle in oil though hole in lid while blender is running.
- Add dressing to chicken mixture. Serve on spinach bed. Garnish with dried plums.
Connect with the California Dried Plum Board through their social media sites:
Website: http://www.californiadriedplums.org/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cadriedplums
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cadriedplumbrd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDriedPlums
Spread the word about delicious California Dried Plums: http://www.eatdriedplums.com
Visit these great recipes made with and inspired by California Dried Plums!
“I received free samples of California Dried Plums mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Dried Plum Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”
