Power Fruits - Part 2

The BLUEBERRY

Studies have shown that the antioxidants in blueberries make it a potent protector against heart, brain and age-related maladies. Blueberries are one of the most potent antidotes to oxidative stress, a process that ages you. Blueberries also help your brain produce dopamine, a chemical that enhances memory, coordination, and feelings of well-being.

Recipes: 

Blueberry Tart 

Blueberry Muffins 

Blueberry-Buttermilk Pancakes 

Cheesecake with Blueberry Topping 

The CHERRY 

Cherries are a top source of perillyl alcohol, which kills cancer cells but spares healthy cells. Cherries are also believed to reduce inflammation. Tart cherries (particularly Montmorency) contain significant amounts of melatonin, a hormone that helps normalize your sleep cycles. Melatonin also scavenges free radicals (molecules that attack healthy cells), and having low levels of this hormone has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Recipes:
Oregon-Chocolate Cherry Cookies 
Fresh Cherry Tart 
Tiny Cherry and Almond Tea Cakes 
Cranberry-Cherry Crumble

The STRAWBERRY ! (my favorite) 

Strawberries have many nutrients, such as: vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. They also have added benefits of fighting cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis -- and they keep you in optimum health for decades to come. 

Recipes: 

Strawberry Cream Cake 

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Strawberries

Power Fruits - Part 1

More than half of Americans don’t eat enough fruit. (As a fruit lover, I can say with certainty that I am not in the 60 percent). But many people do find it hard to have the recommended amount of two to three cups of fruit per day.

Eating fresh fruit will deliver the best nutritional value compared to many fruit products that claim “made with real fruit.” These so called fruit products such as: pop tarts, fruit juice, sorbet, fruit leather, chocolate-covered fruit, fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, and even dried fruit have added sugars and calories and can skimp on other nutritional values when compared to the fruit in its pure form. Fresh fruit, canned and frozen fruits that don’t have any added sugars or syrups offer the best nutrients. Keeping a variety of fruit is best since each kind offers different benefits.

See below for descriptions of the powerful benefits of fruit. For those of you who find it too hard to have a fresh piece of fruit, I have included some fun recipes that go along with each fruit.

The POMEGRANATE  

Pomegranates are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and have cancer-fighting antioxidants, specifically polyphenols. One glass of pomegranate juice has the same polyphenol content as two glasses of red wine, four glasses of cranberry juice, or 10 cups of green tea. 

Recipes:

Pumpkin-Orange Cake 

Antioxidant Smoothie 

Pomegranate Cheesecake with Clementine Gelato

Sweet Yogurt Sundae with Saffron & Pomegranate

The APPLE

Apples contain an ample dose of fiber (two-thirds of which is in the peel), some potassium, and a modest amount of vitamin C. Eating apples regularly reduces the risk of stroke and chances of dying from a heart attack. Studies have shown that apple’s antioxidant flavonoids and fiber can help lower cholesterol & that apples are the best fruit source of catechins (cancer preventive substances). An apple a day CAN keep the doctor away!

Recipes: 

Tarte Aux Pommes (Apple Tart) 

Granola-Ginger Baked Apples 

Double Apple Bran Muffins 

Emeril's Apple and Cranberry Crisp

The CRANBERRY  

Cranberries have moderate levels of vitamin C, dietary fiber as well as other micronutrients. Cranberries are also a good source of polyphenol antioxidants, which can help reduce cholesterol. Drinking 100% concentrate cranberry juice can help fight bladder infections by preventing harmful bacteria from growing. Cranberry juice can also prevent bacteria from adhering to teeth.   

Recipes: 

Cranberry Eggnog Tart 

Chocolate-Cranberry Parfaits

Cranberry-Poached Pears

Cranberry Crown Cheesecake

New Year's Resolution = Ice Cream Substitution

Who doesn't like ice cream?... and what better way to derail any diet than by indulging in this creamy dessert. Most New Year’s resolutions start with the desire to lose weight. I’m guessing it's on most of your lists. It definitely is on the top of my list since I need to get in wedding shape (which would mean that I actually need to use my gym membership!).

So then, why am I talking about ice cream? I want you to begin to think of yogurt as a new substitution for an ice cream sundae...think yogurt parfait. 

The power of yogurt may actually surprise you. Having a daily dose of yogurt has many health benefits. These benefits include: a ton of vitamins, probiotics, high protein, bone-building calcium, the ability to prevent high blood pressure, and healthy bacteria that can help ward off the common cold. It is recommended to choose plain or Greek yogurt, as they are more nutritious than flavored varieties. You may be thinking that plain yogurt is flavorless (I don't blame you, I once had the same view) but a little honey, cinnamon, and/or frozen fruit can go a long way. Parfaits are a creative and fun way to get both yogurt & fruit into your diet. A delicious way to enjoy a daily dessert completely guilt-free.

Recipes:

Lemon-blackberry parfait

Creamy apricot-ginger parfait

Yogurt parfait with granola, raspberries, and candied ginger

Strawberry parfaits

Papaya-berry yogurt parfait

Mango parfait

For those of you on the go, make a healthier choice at fast food restaurants (should they even be called a restaurant?) and get a small parfait (without the granola) at McDonald's for 130 calories. 

PS – If your dog gets an upset stomach, add some plain yogurt to their food… this has been tried and tested many times in my house with very good results. My dogs absolutely love yogurt probably because they know it has such wonderful health benefits =) 

S'mores Desserts

Since there is a looming snow storm today in NYC, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about comforting desserts. I may have mentioned this before when I covered hot chocolate desserts but when I think of warmth, I think of sitting in front of a roaring fire. These S’mores desserts will go perfectly with hot chocolate in front of a fire!   

Sources & Recipes:

Magic S'mores Bars

S'mores Brownies 

S'mores Cupcakes 

S'mores Pops 

S'mores Macarons 

Three Kings Day

Traditions are often the glue that hold families together, and I am all about family and traditions. My family has celebrated the feast of the Epiphany since I was a baby. On this day, the twelfth day of Christmas, when the 3 kings brought gifts to baby Jesus, my family celebrates with a picnic dinner around the tree. We are always sad to see the end of the season, when all the decorations are carted away, and so we enjoy this moment, as we all sit on a blanket spread on the floor like a large skirt around the tree. The glow from the Christmas lights and the sound of Christmas music playing for the last time fill the house with warmth, as we toast the end of the season and the good times and memories shared by all. Oh yes, did I forget to mention that we do exchange three more gifts....small, often funny gifts though, not gold, frankincense and myrrh.

A traditional dessert of this day is called “Roscon de Reyes” (translation: king’s cake) which is served the night before or the morning of January 6^th. Click here to read more about this tradition and to find the recipe for Roscon de Reyes. 

 image source: flickr

Pound Cake

Every family has different traditions and food preferences. These preferences may have become standard fare at your family gatherings around the holidays. When I asked my fiancé what dessert made him think of the holidays, his immediate response was "Pound cake." This was a surprise to me since I have never seen pound cake during one of my family’s parties. This made me realize how different celebrations and food choices can be. So, here it is… pound cake!   

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake 

Vanilla Pound Cake

Chocolate-Swirled Pound Cake 

Blueberry-Sour Cream Pound Cake 

Lemon-Cornmeal Pound Cake with Berries and Cream
Pound Cake with Maple Glaze
Cinnamon-Raisin Pound Cake with Basic Glaze
Pumpkin Pound Cake

Cheesecake

Dense, creamy and dreamy, cheesecakes are always a hit. These cheesecakes will have you craving more because they are just that good.

For the no-fuss cheesecake lovers: 

Choose your poison: Classic Cheesecake vs. New York-Style Cheesecake

For the chocolate cheesecake lovers:

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake 

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake

"Almond Joy" Cheesecake

For the strawberry cheesecake lovers: 

Irish Strawberry-and-Cream Cheesecake 

Strawberry-Glazed Cheesecake

Strawberries-and-Cream Cheesecake

For the adventurous cheesecake lovers: 

Pumpkin Cheesecake 

Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

Gingerbread Cheesecake

Thin French Apple Tart

This tart is a dramatic 12 inches! It will definitely impress your guests. For best results, make sure to cut the apples very thin.

Thin French Apple Tart Recipe (adapted from myrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1/2  (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
• 1/4  cup  sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 2  pounds  Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 1/2  tablespoons  honey
• 1/2  teaspoon  vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface; roll into a 12-inch circle. Place on a 12-inch pizza pan. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of sugar mixture over dough (just enough to lightly coat dough). Arrange apple slices spokelike on top of dough, working from outside edge of dough to the center. Sprinkle apple slices with remaining sugar mixture. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes.

Combine honey and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high 40 seconds. Brush honey mixture over warm tart.

This tart is best served warm, enjoy!