Posts Tagged ‘fruit’

• Cool Cubes

  Date: 2010.08.22 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  My girlfriend Robin got me a fabulous book a few years ago called Highballs High Heels.  It says it’s a girls guide to the art of cocktails.  It has plenty of recipes that I will share with you here.  Today I am going to share a great idea for your next cocktail party–make creative and sassy ice cubes.  The book lists several variations on cubes that you pick according to what cocktails you are serving.  I love these suggestions and best of all, I can make them days in advance so I have one less thing to do the day of the big event!

  Ingredients:

  quality water
  your choice of the ingredient to float in the center (see below)

  Fill each cubicle of the tray half full of water.  Place in freezer until partially frozen, about 1 1/2 hours.  Remove from freezer and place chosen ingredient in the center of each cube.  Cover the cubes with enough water to fill the tray.  Freeze for at least 7 hours or overnight.

  Options:

  Berry–blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries are delicious in daiquiris, lemonade or iced tea.
  Cherry–pit cherries before using.  If they are enormous, half.
  Chili Pepper–dried red or green pepper add a kick to coke based drinks.
  Citrus–a slice of lemon, orange, lime peel is perfect for any citrus, soda or tonic drink.
  Coffee–substitute coffee for water in the cube preparation.  Add a chocolate covered espresso bean in the center.
  Cucumber–a quarter slice of cucumber inside the cube is perfect for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

  Use your imagination when makiing your ice.  And let me know what you create!

  xo–me

• Blueberry Peach Crumble

  Date: 2010.08.20 | Category: Baking | Response: 0

  I am noticing fewer and fewer peaches at the market.  Soon we will have no more and it will be apple time!  I realized this morning I have not made a crumble yet this season so today’s recipe is a crumble.  Like most of the recipes I share, it’s very simple to create and is a delicious ending to any meal.  Sometimes it is the meal!

  Ingredients:

  1/3 c. sugar
  2 1/2 Tbsp. flour
  1 lb. peaches
  2 1/3 c. berries
  1 c. whole wheat flour
  1/2 c. oatmeal
  1/3 c. brown sugar
  2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

  Preheat oven to 325.  Spray bottom of 8 x 8 pan.  Combine first four ingredients and spread on bottom of the pan.  Toss remaining ingredients in a bowl and sprinkle over fruit.  Bake for 50 minutes.  Once slightly cooled, eat immediately with the largest spoon you can find.

  This is also heavenly with a giant scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Frozen Berry Salad

  Date: 2010.08.09 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  I am trying to incorporate the final berries of the season into just about every meal I make.  I made raspberry chicken last week and of course the simplest recipe of fruit salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  This recipe is a classic.  I am certain many of you have had it at your mother’s or grandmother’s home.  The recipe I have calls for cranberries but I make it with blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.  Why not combine some of the berries as well?

  Ingredients:

  1 3/4 c. whole cranberries
  1 3/4 c. crushed pineapple
  1 can sweetened condensed milk
  1/4 c. lemon juice
  1-8 oz. container cool whip

  Combine ingredients and freeze until you are ready to serve.

  Blueberry and blackberry combined is my favorite.  I also like to swap out the citrus ingredient as well.  Try tangelos, oranges, or grapefruit.  Finally many put this in a jello-o mold to create a lovely presentation.  I prefer to spoon it out into a pretty single serving as seen in the photo.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Chocolate Fruit Tarts

  Date: 2010.08.07 | Category: Baking | Response: 0

  Ahh chocolate–my favorite food group. I would enjoy chocolate at each meal if my waistline would allow it. I love the recipe I am sharing today because it allows you to feast on a small chocolate treat if you choose to make these tarts in a smaller size. I usually make tartlets instead of tarts so I can watch my calories. I make these for my girl parties, luncheons and tea parties. They are an excellent ending to your meal.

  Ingredients:

  1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  1/2 c. light brown sugar
  1 tsp. baking powder
  1/2 c. salted butter
  1 egg yolk
  2 tsp. vanilla
  5 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
  1/2 c. whipping cream
  fresh blueberries and raspberries (or the fruit of your choice)

  Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat. Mix together flour, sugar and baking powder until mixed. Add butter, egg yolk and vanilla, until dough it smooth and begins to form a ball. Scoop dough with 1/4 c measure and place on prepared baking sheet. Flatten dough into 4-inch (I sometimes do 2-inch as mentioned above) circles, crimping edges so you have a lip around the circumference (this is how the chocolate ganache will remain inside the tart). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and just firm to the touch.

  Meanwhile, melt chocolate and cream over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thick and smooth. Spread filling over individual crusts, leaving a small border without chocolate filling. Arrange fruit over melted chocolate in a pattern of beauty. Place crusts on clean lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

  These are lovely arranged on a pretty dish. I usually put them on a cake stand if I am entertaining. The colors alone are enticing. Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Peach Preserves

  Date: 2010.08.06 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  I am loving the peaches this season.  They are juicy and sweeter than I remember them but that could be because I am eating them from a different region of our great country.  I am realizing the season is winding down (is winding down my bummer theme of the week or what?) and I will soon no longer savor the aroma when I walk past the farmer’s market.  That fear sparked my need to figure out how to make preserves for the first time and I must admit, it was a lot simpler than I had ever imagined.  Now canning peaches may be next!

  Ingredients:

  12 firm, large peaches (about 6 lbs)
  5 c. sugar
  1/2 c. lemon juice
  2 tsp. salt
  8-1/2 pint canning jars

  Peel and pit the peaches.  Cut into thin slices.  Place all ingredients in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Stir frequently.  Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer, uncovered, for about an hour or until fruit is translucent.  Make sure you stir the fruit mixture frequently during that hour.  Pour into cans and seal.

  Now, your 10-year-old could make this, right?  Savor the flavors of summer for those bone chilling mornings ahead by making some preserves this weekend.

  xo–me

• Watermelon Refresher

  Date: 2010.07.11 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  I am melting.  It has been so warm outside for so many days, I don’t seem to recall any other way to live but with this sweat on my brow and flowing down my back.  I moved this last week and I could not have picked for worse weather!  We are slowly settling in, box by box, but each day I am making lemonade, iced tea and just about anything I can get my hands on that may refresh us while we work through this sea of boxes.

  This recipe hits the spot and is an instant thirst quencher.  I found it in a cookbook of alcoholic beverages.  Fortunately for me, there is a chapter of non-alcoholic drinks that I can make during this heat!  This one is simple and really could have a splash of vodka in it at the end of the day.

  Ingredients:

  Healthy watermelon wedge (about 1 lb.)
  ice cubes
  watermelon slices with which to decorate

  Chop the watermelon into chunks, discarding seeds.  Put the chunks into a food processor and zap until smooth.  Pour over ice cubes in a tall cool glass and serve with garnish.

  I occasionally add a sprig of mint under the ice cubes and smash a bit with my straw.  This recipe produces two healthy servings for yourself or if you are feeling generous, you and a friend.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Toffee Fruit Kabobs

  Date: 2010.06.23 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  I am excited for the BBQ season.  There is not much you can’t make on a grill and I enjoying trying new dishes.  I made this last summer for a last minute gathering.  It is super sweet and a perfect ending to an outdoor meal.  Kids love it because they can use their fingers to eat.  Adults love it because they think it’s healthy!  I kid, I kid.

  Ingredients:

  2 apples, cored and wedged
  2 firm pears, cored and wedged
  juice of 1/2 lemon
  2 Tbsp + 1/2 c. brown sugar
  2 Tbsp. ground allspice
  1/2 c. + 1 c. butter (1/2 c. melted)
  6 Tbsp. heavy cream
  

  Toss the apples and pears in the lemon juice.  Mix 2 Tbsp. sugar and allspice together and sprinkle over fruit.  Thread fruit onto presoaked wooden skewers.  Set aside.  Make the toffee sauce by placing the 1 c. butter and 1/2 c. brown sugar in a pan and stirring gently until butter has melted and sugar dissolved.  Add cream and bring to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes the let cool slightly.

  Meanwhile, place the kabobs over hot coals and cook for 5 minutes, turning and basting constantly with the melted 1/2 c. butter, until fruit is tender.  Remove to serving dish and drizzle toffee over kabobs.

  I don’t drizzle, I dump it.  Nothing is better than the oozing, gooey-ness of warm toffee.  Don’t be cautious, let it flow!

  xo–me