Fruit Recipes

Toasted Coconut & Pecan Strawberry Shortcakes

Picture 8Helloooo Friends… how are YOU?

You know how sometimes life takes a turn and what you love to do has to take a backseat for a time so that you can step away and dive into something you never ever expected and you think,,,,

I’ll just take a little break over here and go over there for a bit… get all this new stuff figured out… then get right back to where I was.

Well, my get right back didn’t happen.

Obviously.

It’s been weeks since my last post.

In other words — I got a new job and huge learning curve with it. I’ve loved every minute of it but it certainly threw me off my game.

And then my sister called to tell me she ran into a friend who asked what happened to me… what happened to the blog?

Then that old stirring I remembered began to turn in my heart.

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So this little diddy…

I ran across it the other night while mindlessly perusing one of my favorite magazines.

Actually, after reading the recipe I couldn’t get the thought of toasted coconut and pecans loaded into a warm biscuit out of my head.

I mean have you ever heard of such a delicious thing?

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Amazing Cranberry Salad

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Did I mention how amazing this salad is?

I wish you could come over now and try a spoonful because I just made it for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

My husband gave it a taste test and he said it’s perfect! He’s the one I like to please the most since he raves… and I like when he does that.

Makes me happy… and thankful!  Continue reading

Salted Caramel Dipped Pears

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Did you know pears are a big deal this time of year?  

I’m not quite sure why this slipped my mind.

Maybe I never bothered to notice…

…or perhaps I have been consumed by fall’s superstar — The Apple.

My suspicion is that I have simply ignored this little gem.

How about you?

“Like a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…”

Granny Smith has always been the apple of my eye for autumn.

Until recently…

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When meandering through a glossy magazine this show stopper came on the scene.

And with a starring role to boot…

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Easy Black and Blue Fruit Jam

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There’s just something special about old-fashioned homemade fruit jam and this Black and Blue recipe is chocked full of fresh chunky berries. Lemon citrus cuts the sweetness and a smidgen of ginger offers a nice tang to each bite. It’s made in the same way my Strawberry-Orange and Continue reading

Sweet Watermelon & Feta

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The mix of sweet watermelon and savory feta make for a mouthwatering combination and craving satisfier.  By adding orzo pasta you can turn this recipe into the main entree, if you like.  The grocery stores in the small town we were vacationing in did not carry orzo when I made this dish (and took the photos), but I have included the petite pasta below because it’s so good as an option.

 

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Sweet Watermelon & Feta


Ingredients:
1 tsp honey or fruit preserves
1 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 Tbsp Greek or Italian dressing
Juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon or lime
1 cup cooked orzo, chilled (optional)
3 cups sweet watermelon, cubed
1 cup fresh baby spinach & arugula
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta

Mix first 4 ingredients in small bowl and taste for preference. In medium serving bowl combine chilled orzo, watermelon, spinach and arugula, and basil then lightly toss. Drizzle dressing and add feta over the top and serve.

This girl can eat the whole bowl. Enjoy!

Lisa

Brown-Sugar Balsamic Strawberry Sauce

 

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This sweet and tart strawberry sauce is amazing! The balsamic brings out the berries naturally tantalizing flavors and the brown sugar caramelizes the syrup as it reduces while cooking. But what’s truly amazing is how fresh the chunky sauce tastes even after simmering.

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We enjoyed the thick berries and warm syrup poured over vanilla bean ice cream. I paired my sundae with a scoop of frozen pineapple yogurt which knocked my socks off. It’s just the best homemade strawberry sauce ever! But this sauce has skills and would be just as divine over brownies a la mode, as a compote in fruit crepes, and drizzled over pancakes and waffles.  It’s saucy perfection!image

Brown-Sugar Balsamic Strawberry Sauce


2 pounds fresh, hulled strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp balsamic glaze (1 cup balsamic plus 1 tbsp white or brown sugar boiled and reduced by half. Makes 8 tbsp.)

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring strawberries and brown sugar to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and mash berries until broken up but still chunky. Let cool for 30 minutes. Then stir in 4 tablespoons of balsamic glaze. Serve sauce over ice cream.

So good! More please. 🙂

Lisa

Baked Raspberry Pecan Brie

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This recipe and photo is from my cousin Cyndi who lives in Florida. It looks so good — warm, melty, creamy — yummy! And I can’t wait to scoop up some of this gooey goodness for myself. She posted this photo on Facebook and I couldn’t private message her fast enough for the recipe, which she graciously shared. Several of her friends asked for it too, so I know many of you will be happy to have it.  I picked up all the ingredients to bake it this weekend when my sons get back from youth camp — if I can wait that long!  Thanks for the recipe Cyndi! xo

Baked Raspberry Pecan Brie


Cooking spray
4 sheets Fillo (Phyllo) dough
1 egg white, mixed
raspberry jam (not jelly)
1 – 8 oz. round of Brie cheese
1 cup of fresh raspberries
chopped pecans
fresh fruit of choice like strawberries, apples, etc.
wafer crackers of choice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray cookie sheet or baking dish with oil. Lay down 4 sheets of fillo dough in center of pan or dish. In the center of the dough spread raspberry jam to make a large circle. Cut Brie in half horizontally through the middle to make a top and bottom. Place and center bottom of Brie on top of jam circle and sprinkle with pecans and top with the other half of Brie. Snip the corners of the fillo to round the dough and avoid overlapping. Brush egg white along the round edge and fold over then brush the top to seal it closed and for nice browning. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and spread raspberry jam over the top. Cool 10 minutes to set. Serve with fresh raspberries and any fruit, favorite wafer crackers, or slices of thin French bread for scooping.

How do you like to bake your Brie? There are so many ways to indulge in this decadent treat.

Lisa

Fresh Homemade Blueberry Pie

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The ultimate fresh blueberry pie. I have been making this special fruit pie for my family for about 8 years now. It’s so easy to make. This recipe calls for 3 pints of fresh blueberries; half are cooked in a saucepan on the stovetop, for just a few minutes, and the rest of the whole berries Continue reading

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