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Fruit Pizza

peggym — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:01:01 +0000

You have to try this Fruit Pizza! It really is one of the biggest recipe hits we have created for our Healthy and Homemade Calendar. It is quick, easy, and uses common ingredients including whole grains (oatmeal). Plus it tastes and looks fabulous.

Since we introduced this recipe it has turned up at birthday parties, coffee breaks, receptions, kids cooking lessons, and picnics. Each time the flavor is a little different depending on the fruit and yogurt chosen. In the winter, there were more mandarin oranges, bananas and apples on the pizzas, now I see peaches, berries, and melon which are plentiful and in season.

Sometimes it is served in wedges; other times the crust is divided into 8 individual cookies so that each person can “decorate” their cookie with the fruit of their choice. Kids can help make the cookie and they love to decorate with their favorite fruits.

Another idea is to use the shape of the cookie or the fruit colors to tie into the theme of a party. Last year I made a football shaped cookie for a Super Bowl Party. Berries could support a patriotic 4th of July fruit pizza.

Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast

peggym — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:13:40 +0000

Fruit smoothies and drinks have joined the menu at many coffee shops and quick serve restaurants. Manufacturers have also joined the bandwagon with many bottled or frozen mixes on grocery store shelves. It is no wonder they are so popular, they are a great way to get fruits into your and children’s diet.

When smoothies are made with dairy products and fruit like those at Panera, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc., they are a fabulous snack because they add calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, and fiber to your diet. However, be sure to read the nutrition information. The ‘Fruitista Freezes’ at Taco Bell are around 250 calories of sugar and flavorings.

Purchased smoothies often cost $2.00-$3.00 per serving. You can make your own for a fraction of the cost especially if you buy fruits in season. Our Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast is around $.75 per serving. It is made with strawberries, banana, and strawberry yogurt. Almost any combination of fruit and yogurt will work (eg. banana-peach, mango-berry).

Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast

Ingredients:
½ banana
½ cup frozen berries
1 (6-ounce) container strawberry yogurt

Directions:
Blend all ingredients well in blender.
Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!

TIP: Smoothies are a great way to use over-ripe fruit.

Waldorf Summer Salad

peggym — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:29:41 +0000

WOW, what an easy salad and one that kids love (it’s the marshmallows).

Because you can use almost any fruit, Waldorf Summer Salad is a great one to use with seasonal fruit. Right now, in Iowa, we have lots of luscious peaches, plums, cherries, berries and melons in the markets, so I probably wouldn’t make it with the apples and bananas shown in the picture.

Don’t make this salad too far ahead, but do let the kids help. If you need a few more servings, just add another fruit or two and a little more juice.

Waldorf Summer Salad

Ingredients

1 medium apple, diced*
1 banana, cut up
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup fruit juice (any kind)
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Optional: ¼ cup coarsely chopped walnuts or peanuts

Instructions

Place apple, banana, and raisins in a bowl. Pour juice over and stir to coat.
Stir in marshmallows and, if desired, chopped nuts. Serve.
*Invite your family to experiment with flavor combinations, such as pears, peaches, kiwi, canned pineapple, and other dried fruits.