NATURE’S CANDY

Over the holidays, we have splurged delightfully in all the scrumptious baked goods of the season.  Pies, cakes and, of course, Christmas cookies, were all giddily consumed.

But, even though there is still a chill in the air, the holidays are over.  And as we crawl a little closer to warmer weather, I find myself craving something a little lighter and fresher for dessert.

The sweet answer to this dilemma is an obvious one….fruit.  Yes, you could certainly add it to your pies and cakes but I find experimenting with different combinations make for refreshing, sweet treats.

The cold months bring us an abundance of choice. Apples, pears, bananas, oranges, kiwis, and pineapple are only some of the fresh fruit you can find .

What could be more soothing to the soul (and tastebuds) than an apple baked with cinnamon and honey till it is soft and oozing with warm sweetness.

Or, if you want to impress, try delicately poaching pears in red wine for a dessert that will get raves.

Of course there is the old faithful fruit salad.  But winter fruit salads are anything but ordinary.  Want something a little exotic – toss together sections of mandarin oranges with kiwi fruit, pineapple, dried cranberries and drizzle with honey and a splash of lime.  For even more adventure, mix together some pears, oranges, pineapple, pomegranates and bananas and cover in citrus dressing and poppy seeds.

Your favorite fruits not in season? Jarred, canned and frozen fruits are both convenient and delicious. Frozen cherries add a touch of zing to your favorite smoothies. Canned mandarin oranges are a surprising touch to an arugula salad.

And for something a little sweet and spicy, we love the tangy taste of sour cream or the creaminess of cottage cheese added to the sweet spiciness of Pickled Pink’s Perfectly Pickled Peaches. Or add them to your favorite fruit salad for a touch of WOW!

So, go on and dig in to nature’s dessert!