Category Archives: Dessert Recipes

Craving Ice Cream but want something a little healthier? Try Simply Banana Ice

Posted on by

FrozenBanana

Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese.  They are also very low in saturated fat, cholesterol (0 mg) and sodium (2mg).  CLICK HERE for more nutrition facts.

Here’s a simply delicious dessert that will make you feel great about eating it!

Simply Banana Ice

Serves 4

Ingredients

5 large bananas, with skins off

1 c. coconut milk

Preparation

Place bananas in a food processor or juicer and blend with coconut milk.  The blend will smooth and  a little thick.

Take the blended mixture and put in a Tupperware container.  Place in the freezer overnight. NOTE:  The mixture will be frozen solid the next day, so take it out of the freezer and defrost it a bit so that you will be able to scoop out the banana ice.  (Let it defrost for approximately one hour before serving).

When ready to serve dessert, scoop out banana with an ice cream scooper into a dish or bowl.  Serve with shredded dark chocolate* (or a piece of dark chocolate – at least 70% or higher of cocoa) and/or slivered almonds on top.  A tablespoon of shredded sweet coconut is also delicious on top!

* Eating Dark Chocolate, 70% cocoa or higher (the higher the cocoa content, the better), contains a number of vitamins and minerals that experts say can support your health.  Some of the vitamins and minerals include Potassium, Copper, Magnesium and Iron.  The copper and potassium help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments.  The iron protects against iron deficiency anemia and the magnesium helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  The antioxidants found in dark chocolate contribute to freeing your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells.  Free radicals are also implicated in the aging process and can cause some kinds of cancer.

Limit yourself to less than 3 ounces (85 grams) a day – because of the calorie content.

Read this article on Dark Chocolate from the Mayo Clinic.

 

 

 

Share

Pineapple Fruit Salad

Posted on by

PineappleFruitCupWhile Hawaiian pineapples can be obtained year-round, their peak season is from March through June.  This delightful and refreshing pineapple fruit salad is a stunner when you’re having a small dinner party.  You can serve it as an appetizer or a dessert.

Pineapple Fruit Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 large pineapples
  • 1 bunch of seedless green grapes
  • 2 large Fuji (or other sweet apple), washed, cored and sliced (keeping skins on)
  • 2 large bananas, sliced
  • 2 c. strawberries, sliced in half
  • 1 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice

Recipe preparation:

Cut pineapples in half (slicing right down the center of the top).  With a knife, take one of the pineapple halves and cut around the edges with a knife (being careful to not damage the pineapple edge).  Take the knife and then cut the inside of the pineapple as if you were cutting vertically, then horizontally.  With a spoon (or fork), scoop out the inside of the pineapple.  Once the pineapple meat is out of the center, scrape the inside of the pineapple with a spoon, getting the edges as smooth as possible (see photograph below).

Cut the pineapple meat into small chucks.  In a large bowl, add in all the fruit.  Pour lemon juice over the mixture and gently toss.  Place a generous helping of fruit salad into the pineapple shell and serve immediately.

Below is a shot of a pineapple leaving most of the stem.  If you want your plate to look like this.   You’ll need 4 pineapples for 4 people.

coredoutpineapple1

Below, the pineapple is cut right down the center. Each side of the pineapple is sharing part of the stem.  For a plate like this, you’ll need 2 pineapples.

cutinhalf

©2013 — Maryann Ridini Spencer

Watch Simply Delicious Living with Maryann® on PBS Television in Southern California and in First Run Television Syndication. CLICK HERE: Market List Information.  Also visit:  SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV and RidiniEntertainment.com

Share

Simply Delicious Rice Pudding

Posted on by

towm-001

This dish is one of my favorite desserts! It’s creamy and sooo soothing.   I also love to serve it  topped with sliced bananas (or strawberries) and whip cream.  Yum!

Simply Delicious Rice Pudding

  • 1 c. uncooked basmati rice
  • 6 c. water
  • 1 ½ tsp. salt
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/2 c. coconut oil and 2 T. (2 T. will be used to grease the baking dish)*
  • 2 c. coconut milk
  • 1 c. sugar (or 1/2 c. honey – see note below)**
  • 2 T. vanilla extract
  • 1 T. lemon extract
  • 1.5-2 T. cinnamon
  • ½ c. shredded sweet coconut
  • Coconut Oil or Canola spray

 Recipe Preparation:

In a large boiling pot (5 quart) on the stovetop, boil rice, water and salt for 20 minutes uncovered. After rice cooks for 20 minutes, add in coconut oil, coconut milk, sugar and vanilla.  Stir well.  Beat egg whites in a bowl with an electric mixer until foamy (They will become like white clouds).  Fold egg whites into the rice mixture in the pot on the stove.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Grease a 13x9x2 inch-baking dish with coconut oil.  Pour in rice mixture into the baking dish. (Note:  The dish will be very watery and a little lumpy. Not to worry, once the dish cooks and then is put in the frig overnight, the texture changes).  Sprinkle the top evenly with 2 T. cinnamon and shredded sweet coconut.  Spray top of dish lightly with canola spray. Bake dish in the oven at 350 °F for one hour.

Cool dish for approximately 20 minutes.  When dish is cool, cover with saran wrap or tin foil and refrigerate overnight. (Keeping the dish in the frig overnight will give it a different texture and flavor).

The next day, take the rice pudding out of the frig.  You can keep in the baking dish to store.  However, what I like to do is scoop all the rice pudding into a large tupperware container and mix it all together.  When I serve it, I put about 1 T. of heavy cream (or coconut milk) mixed into each serving.  I then slice bananas (or strawberries for a topping — sometimes even adding a dollop of whip cream).  Adding in 1-2 T. of coconut milk or cream makes the dish very moist and delicious. RicePwithBananasCOOKING TIPS:

*If you prefer, instead of using coconut oil you can use 1 stick of butter.  However, coconut oil is much healthier for you.  You won’t even know the difference tastewise.

**Honey is also a much healthier substitute for white sugar.  However, it does give the dish a slightly different taste (it will taste quite a bit sweeter), and the dish will also be a slight golden color.  My family enjoys the pudding both ways.

©2013 – Maryann Ridini Spencer, SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

Here’s what Dr. Christopher Scott Spencer has to say about some of the ingredients found in this dessert:  

This recipe is made with some great ingredients that are not only delicious, but healthy for you.  Here’s a breakdown of some of the recipe’s key ingredients and their healing benefits.

Basmati rice

Basmatic rice comes in brown  (unprocessed) and white (processed) varieties and is a popular cooking grain in Indian cooking, naturally low in fat  (containing less than 1 g per serving).  Each ¾ of a cup serving contains 3g protein. It’s also a good source of thiamine and niacin. The fiber content of the brown basmati is higher than the white variety and both versions contain little or no sugar.  Additionally, each serving of basmati rice contains a small amount of iron (6 percent of daily value).

Coconut oil

Coconut supports immune system functioning and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-viral properties.  Coconut oil has been used in treating and/or preventing such conditions as:  eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, Candida, blemishes and reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and other degenerative conditions.

Coconut Milk

A creamy liquid made from the meat of mature coconuts, coconut milk is popular in the Philippines and the tropics where coconut trees are abundant.  It’s easy to digest, lactose-free and contains a host of nutrients including immune boosting vitamins C, E and many B vitamins.  It’s also rich in magnesium (which regulates the heart’s rhythm and supporting function of nerve cells and maintains heart, kidney, brain and muscle tissue).  The Phosphorus found in the milk keeps teeth and bones strong and the iron in coconut milk creates red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.  Rich in antioxidants preventing free radical damage associated with a number of diseases and conditions such as: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer and cardiovascular disease.  The Lauric Acid (found naturally in Mother’s milk) is also found in coconut milk.  As a result, this Lauric acid may also provide many germ-fighting, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that are excellent in freeing the body of a number of viruses and bacteria.

Honey

Honey is known as a natural source of carbohydrates that provide strength and works as a natural energy and immune system booster. It’s also known as a powerful antioxidant and for its anti-bacterial properties. In ancient times, honey, an antiseptic, was used to treat infected wounds and to promote healing.

Cinnamon

High in nutrients (manganese, fiber, iron and calcium), Studies have shown that just ½ tsp. of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol and that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.  In a study published by researchers at the US Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.  It also has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.  When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

Banana

This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6.  One serving contains half your daily requirement of vitamin C.

High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure, and protect against heart attack and stroke. Eating bananas also aid in digestion and are considered a natural antacid.

Enjoy!

##

Share

Applesauce Bars

Posted on by

applesaucebarsl

Applesauce Bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 c. & 2T flour
  • 1 c. sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 T. cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp. pumpkin spice
  • 2 c. applesauce (unsweetened)
  • 1 c. apples, peeled and diced
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp. lemon extract
  • ¾ c. coconut oil

Recipe preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Grease 9 x 13 pan with coconut oil.
  • Combine flour, sugar, salt, soda, powder, cinnamon and pumpkin spice.
  • Add in melted coconut oil, applesauce, eggs and lemon extract. Mix well.
  • Pour into baking pan.  Bake 25-30 minutes.  Let pan cool.  Cut cake into squares.

Serve with honey or a dollop of whip cream or vanilla bean ice cream. YUM! :)

©2013 – Maryann Ridini Spencer

Share

Simply Delicious Chocolate•Coconut Whoopie Pies – a great holiday treat!

Posted on by

SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV’s Whoopie Pie Recipe

Growing up, Whoopie Pies were always a favorite in my family’s dessert repertoire.  Here’s a great little twist – using healthy coconut oil instead of lard or butter! 

Simply Delicious Chocolate•Coconut Whoopie Pies

Makes 8 – 10  Whoopie Pies

Prep Time: 15 minutes approximately

Cook Time:  15-20 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

  • ½ c. soft coconut oil
  • 1 c. coconut milk
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 2 c. flour
  • 5 T. coca
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. coconut extract
  • shaved, sweet coconut (optional) – for whoopie pie topping if you desire*

Recipe Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Sift dry ingredients together.
  • Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth and well blended.
  • Drop by teaspoon on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes in 375 degree oven until set, but not crisp
  • When the cakes are cool, put together the whoopie pies adding in the sandwhich filling.

WHOOPIE PIE FILLING

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 c. confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. coconut extract
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ½ c. coconut oil

Recipe Directions:

Mix ingredients together until smooth. Add  whoopie pie filling between whoopie pie cake tops and bottoms to create a simply yummy treat!

*Note:  (Optional) You can sprinkle some shaved, sweet coconut on top of your Whoopie pies or enjoy them plain.

Enjoy!

©2012 – Maryann Ridini Spencer

“Simply Delicious Living with Maryann®” is a FUN and Enchanting journey serving up simply delicious recipes and dedicated to all things home, hearth and joyous living!

Watch the show in TV syndication.

To watch the show Online and PRINT OUT the RECIPES, visit our RECIPE & VIDEO blog at: http://www.SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

Read the SIMPLY DELICIOUS LIVING Monthly SYNDICATED COLUMN in Natural Awakenings Magazine and in the Ventura County Star, “VC Style” at http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/vcstyle

CLICK HERE to Listen to our SimplyDeliciousLiving Podcasts in iTunes!

 

Share

Cranblueberry Squares from SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

Posted on by

Cranblueberry1Cranblueberry Squares

Prep time:  10-15 minutes
Cook time:  30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 c. rolled oats (Quaker oats)
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 T. cinnamon
  • 1 T. lemon extract
  • 1 1/2 sticks margarine
  • 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce**
  • 1 3/4 c. fresh blueberries
  • 2 diluted egg yolks

Recipe Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl with the margarine.
  • Cut the dry ingredients and margarine with a knife until they form small lumps (mixture will be crumbly).
  • In a separate bowl, mix the cranberry sauce and blueberries lightly.
  • Line the bottom of a  9 x 13 inch non-stick pan  evenly with half of the mixture. (sometimes I even spread a little coconut oil over the pan). Pack the mixture down so it forms a firm crust.
  • Spread the cranblueberry mixture evenly over the crust.
  • Put the second 1/2 of the dry mixture over the top of the cranblueberry sauce.  Lightly sprinkle some additional cinnamon over the top.
  • With a pastry brush, spread diluted egg yolks over the top of the dry mixture topping. (Note: dilute the egg yolk with a few sprinkles of water and beat with a fork).
  • Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 35-45 minutes (top will be golden).
  • Cool cranblueberry squares in the pan on a baking rack until at room temperature.   Cut mixture into 2″ squares and place on a plate or in a tin.
  • Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Cranblueberry squares can be served  cold or warm.  Keep in refrigerator to keep fresh.  This recipe goes great with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whip cream!

**Cranberries are in season September – December.  So if you’re making this dish during the cranberry season, you can use fresh cranberries.  To do so, instead of using the can of whole berry cranberry sauce, Substitute:  12 ounces of fresh cranberries and mix in 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1 tsp. of vanilla extract and 1 tsp. lemon extract. Then add this mix to the other ingredients following the recipe above.  Taste test the cranblueberry mixture when all the ingredients are mixed together and before you pour it onto the rolled oats.  If you find you’d like it a little sweeter, add in a little more brown sugar.

Cranblueberry2

Enjoy!

©2012 – Maryann Ridini Spencer

Share

Key Lime Coconut Goat Cheesecake

Posted on by
Keylimesmall1

Key Lime Coconut Goat Cheesecake from SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

Key Lime Coconut Goat Cheesecake

Serves 12

Prep time:  10 minutes

Cook time:  15 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces of Philadelphia Cream Cheese at room temperature
  • 5 ounces of Woolwich Chevrai Goat Cheese
  • 2/3 c. sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 c. Key Lime juice (or lime juice)
  • 1.5 tsp. of lime rind
  • 1 c. shredded sweet coconut
  • 1- Pre-made large (or a series of individual) Graham Cracker pie crusts (Arrowhead Mills, Keebler or other)

Recipe Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

  •  In a bowl, place cream and goat cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add in Key Lime rind, key lime juice and eggs.
  • Add in the sugar in thirds.
  • Beat after each addition of sugar until mixture is smooth.
  • Pour mixture almost to the top into the prepared graham cracker pie crust (s).
  • Bake until edges of cheesecake look set (the center will be soft and slightly jiggly). For the individual pie crusts, bake 15 minutes approximately.  If you use one large pie crust, additional baking time may be required.
  • Cool cheesecake completely, then cover and refrigerate for several hours.
  • Serve with whip cream and top with shredded sweet coconut.

Enjoy!

©2012 – Maryann Ridini Spencer, SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

Share

Sugar Free Chocolate Mousse

Posted on by

Chocolate never had so few calories!

On Simply Delicious Living with Maryann, host Maryann Ridini Spencer, shares a decadent dessert that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

GUILTLESS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Makes 8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: Refrigerate for one hour or more

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 boxes of JELL-O Sugar Free Fat Free Chocolate Pudding
  • 8 ounces of Cool Whip Whipped Topping
  • 1-3 T. of Reddi-Wip® Whipped Topping
  • 3 T. Kahlua coffee liqueur

RECIPE PREPARATION:

  • Prepare Chocolate Pudding as indicated on the package directions on the package.
  • Once the pudding has been refrigerated and chilled, fold in the Cool Whip.
  • Add in the Kalhua and mix well.
  • With a spoon, spoon the mixture into pretty dishes or champagne flutes. Chill in the refrigerator (and/or enjoy immediately).

Note: When serving, dessert can be topped with Reddi-Wip® Whipped Topping and/or strawberries.

Simply Delicious!

©2012 — Maryann Ridini Spencer

“Simply Delicious Living with Maryann®” is a FUN and Enchanting journey serving up simply delicious recipes and dedicated to all things home, hearth and joyous living!

Watch the show on Time Warner Cable ON DEMAND® throughout Southern California (approximately 1.8 million digital subscribers). With your remote, Go to ON DEMAND, FIND IT ON DEMAND, COOKING & DINING and scroll to the SIMPLY DELICIOUS tab. In Ventura, the show can also be seen on CAPS-TV, Mondays, 8:00pm with rebroadcasts weekly.

To watch the show Online and PRINT OUT the RECIPES, visit our RECIPE & VIDEO blog at: http://www.SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

Read the SIMPLY DELICIOUS LIVING Monthly SYNDICATED COLUMN in Natural Awakenings Magazine and in the Ventura County Star, “VC Style” at http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/vcstyle

Share

Yummy Chocolate Rollups!

Posted on by

ChocolateRollupsLarge

 

Yummy Chocolate Rollups from SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

When I was growing up, my Mom taught me how to bake a variety of delicious pies.  After baking, we’d always  have some leftover pastry dough.  My Mom would mix all the dough scraps together,  roll it out, and then spread butter over the top of the dough.  We’d then sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar generously over the top, roll the dough, and cut the long tube into 1″ circles.  We’d place the circles on a greased cookie sheet and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 5-10 minutes until lightly brown.  Once they cooled, we’d enjoy as is and/or with a dab of butter.  Simply Delicious!   Here’s a great variation on that recipe made with chocolate morsels, almonds, cinnamon and apples that you can enjoy for a breakfast pastry, snack or dessert!  - Maryann

Chocolate Rollups

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes approximately

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate Morsels
  • 1c diced or sliced apple (Note: depending upon how large the apples are you may want to use 1.5-2 cups).
  • 1/2 c. slivered almonds
  • 2 T. butter
  • 2 T. cinnamon
  • 1 pre-prepared pastry dough

Recipe Preparation:

  • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Spread out pastry dough on counter top
  • Spread softened butter over the dough
  • Put apples all over the top of the pastry dough
  • Shake cinnamon on top
  • Place slivered almonds all over the top of the apples
  • Slowly roll the dough over. Seal any tears, seal ends.
  • Cut filled dough into 1″ inch thick rounds.
  • Spray a cookie sheet with canola oil.
  • Place rounds on cookie sheet.
  • Spray top of rounds with another bit of canola oil spray.
  • Place in the oven at 400 degrees F (for approx. 10 minutes) until rounds are a light shade of golden brown.
  • Serve hot with topped with a little butter or honey!

©2011 — Maryann Ridini Spencer, SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

To watch the show Online and PRINT OUT the RECIPES, visit our RECIPE & VIDEO blog at: http://www.SimplyDeliciousLiving.tv

Read the SIMPLY DELICIOUS LIVING Monthly SYNDICATED COLUMN in Natural Awakenings Magazine and in the Ventura County Star, “VC Style” at http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/vcstyle

Share

Mom’s Cranberry Squares

Posted on by

Growing up, one of the most-loved family desserts and snacks around our house was Mom’s Cranberry Squares.  A great dessert or snack, they are simply delicious and so easy-to-make!

Mom’s Cranberry Squares*

*Note:  For Cranblueberry Squares, follow the recipe exactly substituting 1 can of fresh or frozen blueberries for 1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce.

Prep time:  10-15 minutes
Cook time:  30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 c. rolled oats (Quaker oats)
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 T. cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 sticks margarine
  • 2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 2 diluted egg yolks

 

Recipe Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl with the margarine.
  • Cut the dry ingredients and margarine with a knife until they form small lumps (mixture will be crumbly).  See image below.

  • Line the bottom of a  9 x 13 inch non-stick pan  evenly with half of the mixture. (sometimes I even spread a little margarine over the pan). Pack the mixture down so it forms a firm crust. See image below.

  • Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the crust.
  • Put the second 1/2 of the dry mixture over the top of the cranberry sauce.  Lightly sprinkle some additional cinnamon over the top.
  • With a pastry brush, spread diluted egg yolks over the top of the dry mixture topping. (Note: dilute the egg yolk with a few sprinkles of water and beat with a fork).  See image below.

  • Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 35-45 minutes (top will be golden).
  • Cool cranberry squares in the pan on a baking rack until at room temperature.   Cut mixture into 2″ squares and place on a plate or in a tin.
  • Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Cranberry squares can be served  cold or warm.  Keep in refrigerator to keep fresh.  This recipe goes great with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whip cream!

Share