Fun and Easy Summer Desserts
It’s always a treat on a hot summer day to have something ice-cold to eat. Ice cream is a favorite, but hard to believe, it raises your body temperature and some people can feel even hotter. In me, it causes my hands to swell, which isn’t too attractive. I like to make frozen fruit desserts of some kind. They are quick and easy and as long you have a way to keep them frozen when you bring and store them on your boat, you’ll always have a goody to grab when you’re itchy for something icy and sweet.
Bananas, strawberries and watermelon are good choices to start. Adding additional flavors such as chocolate, nuts, lime juice and whatever else you can come up with are always a welcome taste. If using fresh fruit make sure that it is nice and ripe for the best results. You will need to keep these desserts refrigerated or frozen until serving. The following are recipes I have tried and really enjoyed.
Chocolate Covered Banana Pops
(I love these!!) (recipe is on foodnetwork.com)
4 medium ripe but firm bananas
8 wooden craft sticks
3 tablespoons finely chopped lightly salted peanuts
6 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped
Peel, then cut each banana in half crosswise and insert a craft stick into each half. Place on a tray, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer until frozen, about 3 hours.
Place the peanuts in a shallow dish or on a plate. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over slightly simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently. Make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the top pan. Pour the melted chocolate into a tall glass. Dip each frozen banana into the chocolate, turning it to coat, and immediately roll in the peanuts. Place on a tray covered in waxed paper. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or waxed paper and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
Watermelon Ice
(from Healthy Little Foodies.com)
1/2 watermelon flesh (chopped)
Juice of 1 lime
Lime zest
Place the watermelon, lime juice and zest into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.Transfer the mixture to a shallow, freezable container and place it in the freezer.
After about two hours, gently scrape the top layer with a spoon. Once you get to the unfrozen mixture pop it back in the freezer. Repeat after another 2 hours until frozen solid. This might take up to 6 hours depending on the surface area of your container. Serves 6.
Very Easy Fruit Ice Cream
(don’t you just love the Food Network?)
2 cups of frozen mango
2 cups of frozen strawberries
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1-1/2 tsp. of pure vanilla
3 oz. of dark chocolate, chopped, (plus and little more to shave on top when serving)
Place the frozen fruit in a food processor with the Greek yogurt, heavy cream and vanilla. Process until smooth. Add the chopped chocolate and pulse until the chocolate pieces have become small bits. Serve immediately in bowls and garnish with shaved dark chocolate over the top.
I hope everyone has been having a great summer!