Fresh fruit desserts in 15 minutes
My poor husband. He grew up in a family full of sweet tooths, a family who always ate dessert after dinner. I, on the other hand, was raised by a mother who always had a bag of Cheetos stashed in the corner cupboard and a father who is psyched when he can get a cheese plate for dessert when we go out to dinner.
So when we first moved in together I was just plain confused when I'd watch him root around the cabinets looking for something sweet after dinner. Dessert? Every night? Really?
I could only take his pitiful pillaging for so long. I decided it was time to whip up some healthy fruit desserts. Not only does he get a serving of fruit from his dessert, but they're all ready in 15 minutes or less, so I don't spend too much extra time in the kitchen. And I like them, too, so we both win! Here are some of his favorites:
1. Citrus-Infused Strawberries (see recipe below): A touch of lemon juice and Grand Marnier add zippy citrus notes to fresh strawberries. Serve with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.
2. Caramelized Bananas: Rum, cinnamon and brown sugar make a luscious sauce for bananas. The bananas have to get in and out of the pan in 1 1/2 minutes, no longer, so they stay firm in the center.
3. Instant Peach Frozen Yogurt: Frozen peaches turn into nearly instant frozen yogurt in this quick and easy recipe.
4. Mixed Berry Sundaes: A melding of your favorite summer berries top scoops of sorbet in the perfect summer dessert.
5. Rhubarb-Vanilla Compote: Vanilla and cinnamon add subtle flavor to this quick rhubarb compote. I can serve warm or cold, and it's delicious wrapped in storebought crepes, stirred into Greek yogurt or over low-fat ice cream.
Citrus-Infused Strawberries
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Combine strawberries, sugar, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur) and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let stand, stirring once or twice, until the strawberries release their juice, about 10 minutes.
Makes 4 servings, 3/4 cup each.
Per serving: 73 calories; 0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 1 mg sodium; 178 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (112% daily value).
By Carolyn Malcoun
When associate editor Carolyn Malcoun came to Vermont to attend New England Culinary Institute, she knew she didn't want to work in a restaurant but knew that she wanted to do something in the food industry. Luckily she discovered EatingWell, where she's able to combine her love of food and writing.
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