It’s about that time again and most of us are in the same boat…
This winter no doubt challenged many Bostonian’s waistlines with the winter storms calling us to indulge in comfort foods of macaroni, cheesy casseroles and juicy oven roasts. Really, who could blame us for putting on a few pounds of insulation while blizzard after blizzard struck our city? Its all part of New England living but unfortunately so isn’t the ritual of an annual spring diet.
Now we don’t have to go nuts with Spartan dishes and cardboard tasting meals-that’s just not how Bostonians get the job done! Northeasterners understand that the proper way to lose a seasonal spare tire is too eat healthy portions infused with lots and lots of fresh produce. Our plates should gleam with bright colors customary to fruits such as berries, peaches, apples and other delicious goodies. One area of our menus that utilize this concept to the fullest is within our desserts! So what if we’ve been satisfying our “sweet tooth” with French vanilla ice cream smothered in caramel toppings or strawberry cheesecake dripping with cream and icing? Colder months of the year call for these decadent enticings but now it’s time to clean up after some of these excessive calories and revamp our dessert choices! These are a few of my favorites that promise to curb weight inducing cravings and ready you for those soon-to-be visits to the beach!
photo credit: marthastewart.com
Plum Kebabs
This is a wonderful recipe to try once you’ve salvaged your grill from the winter storage basement! All you need are a few wood skewers, red and purple plums and sugar to sprinkle on top. First, soak the skewers overnight in water to prevent burning during grilling. Take 4 to 5 plums of different varieties and colors and skew through the sticks. Try changing up the pattern to make a fun and interesting visual presentation if using this one for summer barbecues. Once the fruit has all been secured, dip the entire rod in a dish full of white sugar. Roll entirely in mixture until the fruit is completely covered. Heat up the grill and place the skewers on top, turning slowly until the sugar has caramelized and the plums begin to cook. Take the sticks off and either serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla yogurt. This tastes so good and you’ll be surprised how little calories you are consuming for such a yummy spring treat!
photo credit: dole.com
Banana Pudding Pops
I found this gem from “Eating Well” and have used this for my kids when in a pinch because they are easy to make and requires few ingredients for the recipe. First heat a skillet and add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Boil mixture until all of the ingredients have gelled well. Add 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the skillet. In a processor, blend the skillet preparations with 3 cups of chopped banana. When the mixture resembles pudding, then scoop into freezer-ready, popsicle molds and let them sit overnight until frozen through. Serve them immediately or store until the next hot day calls for them!
Suzie Canale
Westwood, MA