For the most part, a grape is a grape is a grape. Sure, some are sweeter than others, but a grape is a grape. That is…..until you freeze it ! Then you get a taste treat unlike any other. It’s like eating a mini sorbet with each bite. The insides don’t quite freeze all the way, so the consistency is just right and each bite is refreshing and packed with flavor.
For a great fruity, frosty treat, why not whip up a frozen strawberry daiquiri? They are simple to do and kids just love them. For the grown ups, leave out the Equal and add an ounce of Rum (but, remember, this will raise the calorie count!)
2 servings
90 calories per serving
2 c fresh strawberries
¼ c frozen limeade concentrate
1 c crushed ice
2 packet Equal
2 t rum extract
Combine all in a blender and serve. Garnish glasses with strawberries.
So extremely yummy and so easy to put together – you buy a prepared angel food cake, mix up an orange juice syrup and add some fruit – feel free to mix it up and use whatever is the freshest at your market. This week I added fresh blackberries !
8 servings
205 calories per serving
1 small angel food cake
1 cup orange juice
1 orange, peeled and cut into slices and then cut in quarters (or one small can mandarin oranges, drained and rinsed lightly)
1/3 c Splenda
1 T plus 1 t cornstarch
1 large banana, sliced
2 kiwis, peeled and cut into pieces
Mix OJ, Splenda and cornstarch and blend to dissolve cornstarch. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and thicken the sauce cooking a few minutes. When done, stir in the bananas and kiwi and stir to coat. Add oranges and mix then serve the fruit mix over cake.
Add some Cool Whip Lite for a great indulgent dessert.
This is so completely and utterly delicious ! You won’t even miss the CREAM in this ice ‘cream’. The yogurt and sugar make a great, sweet and creamy base and then the minced up frozen strawberries just take over and you have an explosion of flavor with each bite. This is an award winner. And at 70 calories per serving – soooooooooooo guilt free !
4 servings
70 calories per serving
1 lb. frozen strawberries
1 c 2 % plain Greek yogurt
¼ c sugar
½ t vanilla extract
In food processor pulse 1 c frozen berries until finely chopped and then transfer to a metal bowl (a metal bowl will get colder quicker in the freezer). Process yogurt, sugar, vanilla and the rest of the berries – move to metal bowl and stir with the other strawberries. Cover and freeze 1 hour (do not let get too hard).
Fruit salad with a kiss of lime and honey. This is a great fruit combination – the sweet mango, crunchy jicama, tart pomegranate and citrus are a perfect taste treat. So very healthy, make a batch and eat off it for a few days !
8 serving
118 calories per serving
1/2 c pomegranate seeds (about 1 pomegranate)
1/2 c julienned jicama (if you do not have this substitute apple)
2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into thin slices
2 tangerines or clementines, peeled and sectioned
2 blood oranges, peeled and sectioned (sub red grapefruit or navel oranges if you cannot find blood oranges)
1 pear, thinly sliced
2 T fresh lime juice
2 T honey
1/4 t ground red pepper
1/8 t coarse sea salt
Mix the fruits and toss gently. Combine honey, lime, salt and pepper and pour over fruit. Serve room temperature or chilled.
These whip up in no time and are so versatile – you can use any flavor jello and any flavor fruit – – just make sure it’s frozen fruit. The frozen fruit is what makes the jello firm up in no time flat. I did this with raspberries and the dessert was just amazing tasting !
4 servings
85 calories per serving
3/4 c boiling water
1 c Cool Whip, thawed
.3 oz. package flavored sugar free jello, raspberry or strawberry flavor
2 c frozen raspberries or strawberries
Add water to jello and stir 2 minutes to dissolve then stir in 2 c frozen fruit until jello starts to thicken. Add ½ c of the mix to the Cool Whip and whisk to blend then spoon into dessert cups and cover with the rest of the jello mix. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
There are some sides that you just make over and over again. This is one of them. At only 50 calories per serving, this also makes a great snack. And it is soooo good for you !
8 servings
50 calories per 1/2 c serving
Forget Ocean Spray jellied cranberries around the holidays! Instead try this fresh salad that is simple to prepare and a great crowd pleaser.
1 bag cranberries
3/4 c Splenda
2 granny smith apples, cored and in quarters
1 seedless oranges (peel and all !), in quarters
Rinse the cranberries and pick out any bad ones. Place in a food processor and process until they are in small pieces. Remove to a bowl. Place apples in processor and blend until small pieces. Remove to bowl with cranberries. Place oranges in processor and process until all skin is in small pieces. Remove to bowl with cranberries and apples. Add Splenda and mix well. Refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors blend.
Try serving this with Cinnamon Tortilla Crisps. This has such a flavor explosion already then you add the kick from the jalapeno and this is a dessert or snack that is near perfection ! Be sure to chop everything very small and very uniform – that is part of what makes this as special as it is.
Makes 3 cups
1 T = 44 calories
1 c finely chopped strawberries
1 orange, peeled and finely chopped
3 small kiwi, peeled and finely chopped
8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
¼ c finely chopped yellow bell pepper
1 T lime juice
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
Combine all ingredients and cover and chill at least 6 hours.
Brie is just meant to go with fruit – the sweet fruit and the oaky brie just go so well together. This makes a great appetizer, breakfast, lunch or dessert. The melted brie is just divine !
6 servings
177 calories per serving
2 T honey
2 t lime juice
½ t grated lime rind
1 c peaches, peeled and sliced thinly
1 ½ Splenda brown sugar blend
3 oz. Brie, thinly sliced
6 6 inch fat free flour tortillas (80 calories each)
Pam
Stir together honey, juice and zest. Mix peaches and sugar and divide evenly into each tortilla. Add ½ oz. cheese to each. Fold over and place in a hot pan sprayed with Pam. Cook 2 minutes then flip over and cook another 2 minutes.
Sweet fruit with a spicy ginger and cardamom sauce. Serve with Cool Whip for a great dessert or serve with yogurt for a perfect breakfast treat.
8 servings
91 calories per serving
8 oz. pineapple chunks in juice, undrained
15 oz. can peach slices in juice, drained
2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
1 c strawberries, chopped
2 T brown sugar
¼ t cinnamon
¼ t ground cardamom
¼ t ground ginger
1 ½ c cool whip, thawed
Drain pineapple and keep the juice. Chop pineapple and peaches and mix with kiwi, strawberries, brown sugar, spices and juice. In parfait glasses, place half the fruit in the cup. Add a layer of Cool Whip. Add the next layer of fruit and top with a dollop of Cool Whip.