Fruit Tarts

These are such an easy little dessert to make and are always impressive at a summer dinner party. They are oh so tasty too! I like to make individual tarts but 1 big tart is beautiful also. You do have to get a little down and dirty with the crust but it's worth it!

Fruit tarts

Preheat oven to 350

For the crust-

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

1 1/2 cubes butter, softened and sliced

In a large bowl mix the flour and sugar together. Make a well in the center and add the butter. Using your hands mix in the butter into the flour mixture until incorporated. The dough will be loose but when you squeeze it in your hand it should stick together.

Press the dough into your tart pans making sure to reach into the grooves in the edges. The crust should be about 1/2 inch thick.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is lightly browned.

For the filling-

1 80z package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients together with a wish or electric mixture until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled crusts.

For the fruit-

Use whatever fruit you like and that is in season. Slice and lay in a pattern on top of the tart filling.

For the glaze-
1/2 cup Fruit preserves

Use whatever fruit preserves you like. In this case I used blueberry. Heat the preserves in the microwave for about 30 seconds until they are warm and spreadable. Brush the top of the fruit with the preserves.

Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy!

Polenta Bites

I've made these a few times as a quick and tasty appetizer. They are very tasty little things and they are very versatile because you can add any topping on them you like. Last night I topped them with goat cheese and olive tapenade but they would be great with feta and tomatoes or mozzarella and pesto, the possibilities are endless!

Polenta Bites

1 tube polenta, cut into 1/4 inch think rounds

1 T olive oil

1 4 oz log of goat cheese

1 jar of olive tapenade- or whatever suits your fancy

Preheat oven to 400. Cover a baking sheet with foil.

In a large skillet heat the olive oil over med. heat. Add the polenta rounds and fry until they are slightly crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and place on foiled baking sheet.

Top the polenta rounds with the goat cheese and then the tapanede. Heat in oven until cheese is melted, about 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Fake OUT...

This is a variation of the old classic Beef & Broccoli. It came from Rachel Ray. I really liked it, we hardly ever eat beef in our house so it was a nice little change although it would be good with chicken too. I served this over brown rice.


Orange Beef & Broccoli

1 bunch broccoli- cut into florets
11/4 cups beef broth
2 T hoisin sauce
2 T soy sauce
2 T plum sauce
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 orange, peel grated and juice of 1/2
1 3/4 pound boneless sirloin steak- sliced into 1/4 inch think pieces
1/4 canola oil
1 jalapeno chile, thinly sliced

In a large skilled bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and boil until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain the broccoli and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together the broth, hoisin, soy sauce, plum sauce and 1 T cornstarch. Stir in the orange peel.

Toss the steak with the remaining corn starch. In a large skillet heat the oil over med-high heat. Add the steak and jalapeno and cook turning until the meat is barely pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer the meat to a paper towel lined plate, discard the excess oil. Add the broth mixture to the skilled and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the meat, broccoli and orange juice and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve with orange wedges over rice.

It's what's for breakfast

We drink these smoothies several times a week for breakfast. They are easy, tasty, healthy and refreshing. I usually use frozen blueberries and strawberries (organic from TJ's) but any kind of fruit would do. If you don't have apple juice it's also good with soy milk or regular milk. I buy the yogurt in larger tubs so I always have it on hand. This recipe makes 2 servings.

1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

1 cup frozen strawberries

1`banana

1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt (or any flavor you like)

1 cup apple juice

3 T flax oil

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid if desired. Enjoy!