Tag Archives: strawberries

Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

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dark chocolate dipped berry


We are in strawberry heaven right now.

strawberries


The berries are plentiful, flavorful, juicy – and a month early! I paid less than $1.00 per pound for these beauties. Strawberries have always been my hubby’s happy food. They seem to cheer him up no matter what’s going on. And a cheerful hubby is worth his weight in…strawberries. So last night I made a batch of his favorite strawberry-rhubarb jam and then I dipped a few in dark chocolate because they were too pretty not to dress up.
First, here’s a link to the jam recipe:

http://www.nanaclareskitchen.com/2011/11/09/strawberry-rhubarb-jam/

jars of jam


The only ingredients for the dipped berries were Ghiradelli dipping chocolate and berries.

a sweet treat


Directions:
Wash and dry a few berries.
Chop up a few bars of the chocolate so that it will melt quickly and evenly.
Put it into a microwave safe bowl or cup – something that is fairly deep.
Microwave in 30 second increments to melt.
Be sure there is no water in your bowl or the chocolate will seize.
Dip berries and place on wax paper to set up. Pop in fridge for a few minutes.
Eat and enjoy.
Store extras in fridge for a day or so.

chop chocolate


melt dipping chocolate


dip strawberries


let excess drip off


make a few at a time

Notes: I thought a bit of orange liqueur would really be special in the chocolate, but it caused it to “seize” up – getting immediately lumpy and hard. It was delicious as candy, but didn’t work for dipping.
Make only a few at a time as the strawberries will get soggy after a day or so in the fridge.

So that’s it. Find some quality strawberries. Melt a quality dark chocolate and dip away.

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Celebrate Fruit Compote

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fruit compote

serve in a pretty dish

canned pears


frozen strawberries


Fruit Compote has a day on the calendar to celebrate the rich tradition of blending different fruits together. The French would boil them in a syrup, but I have a much simpler version.
Note, compote is different from compost – the leftover garbage pile some folks have in their yards to shore up the garden soil. In compote, you want fruit that is succulent, not spoiled.

blueberries

craisins


It’s an appropriate dessert, especially during lent. It’s also a tradition for Jewish Passover, but then it’s made with all dried fruit.

coat with yogurt


I have a formula for making this that you might enjoy:
1 canned fruit
1 fresh fruit
1 dried fruit
1 frozen fruit
Topping of choice – usually low fat yogurt for me.

Tips:
Look for fruits with different colors and textures for the best result.
If you’re using fresh apples or bananas, make only enough for one meal, as the bananas will get mushy and the apples may turn brown.
Serve in a pretty dish, if you want to dress it up. This would be a fun dessert to put in a tall wine glass.

The possibilities are endless, but let me show you one example.
1 15 oz can pear slices – drained
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup dried craisins (You can use a full cup, if you like.)
1 6 oz cup of vanilla bean low fat yogurt. (Remember when yogurt was always 8 oz?)

Instead of yogurt, you may want to use pudding. For more topping ideas see this blog post:

http://www.nanaclareskitchen.com/2011/11/18/fruit-cup-dessert/

Play with your favorite fruits and combinations. Let me know what worked for you. There’s hardly any food more beautiful than fruit. Truly candy for the eyes and palate.
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Strawberry Protein Shake

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I like starting my day with a protein shake (sometimes called a smoothie) at least a few days each week. I’ve noticed that Dr. Oz has guests on his program on a regular basis who also recommend these easy breakfast shakes.
There are endless variations, but my favorite is strawberry. It’s also my husband’s “happy food” so we always have frozen strawberries at hand. I purchase them in large bags, already sliced. This way I can also use the berries in desserts or in jam. You probably have your own favorite combinations for a shake, and I’d love to hear about some of them.

This is part of my single serving series. I hope you try some of my other breakfast ideas like the wildly popular cinnamon muffin in a mug, or muggin.
Ingredients:
6 oz strawberry yogurt, low fat and low sugar (White chocolate strawberry is my current fav)
¼ cup orange juice
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
¾ cup frozen sliced strawberries
1 Tbs wheat germ

Directions: put in a blender and blend all but the berries. Add berries a few at a time until they are thick and lumpy. (I like finding pieces of strawberries in my shake, if you don’t blend longer.)

Tips:
1. Change out any yogurt and any frozen fruit. For example peach yogurt and frozen peaches, or blueberry yogurt and mixed berries.
2. I use vanilla whey protein powder most of the time.
3. The wheat germ is optional, but it adds fiber and vitamins.
4. You can always swap out the orange juice for milk.
5. For more protein, use Greek yogurt.

Strawberries provide lots of fiber and vitamins and whey protein will keep you full longer. Great start for your day.

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

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Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler

The combination of the sweet berries and the tart rhubarb will leave your taste buds dancing. This is a family favorite.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Use a two quart oven-proof baking dish/
1. Add:
2 cups strawberries, washed, stemmed, and sliced
2 cups rhubarb washed and cut into 1 inch pieces.

2. Sprinkle with:
½ cup sugar
2 tsp tapioca pudding – dry and uncooked (Or corn starch)
3. Mix together.

4. Make topping – In a separate medium sized bowl. Combine:
1 cup old fashioned oats (or quick if you only have quick oats)
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup chopped pecans
1 TBS cinnamon

5. Mix the dry ingredients together.
6. Slice ½ cup butter (1 stick) into chunks and place on dry ingredients.

7. Microwave about 30 seconds – then blend all until crumbly.

Sprinkle topping over the fruit. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling up and the topping is golden brown.

Note: Cinnamon is optional. You may want to decrease the amount – or increase it. We love our cinnamon.

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