If luscious, rich, heavy, and elaborate are what come to mind when you think of French desserts, you are in for a surprise.
Actually, there are French desserts that are truly simple in nature. And some are even inspired by fruit. Not only do they taste juicy and sun-ripened-sweet but are also quick to make and lighter on the waist. If what you crave is less-guilt-laden sweets that aren’t shy on flavor, texture, and color, you must give these fruity gems a go!
Fruit Platters with a Twist
Laura Calder, Canadian food writer and cooking-show host, shares easy and elegant ways of dressing up fruit platters. For instance, strew teaspoons of fragrant rose water over wedges of summer-ripe watermelon; or lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon and a bit of sugar over orange slices. The French got such inspirations from their spice-loving neighbors in Mideast and North Africa. Totally refreshing and ingenious, indeed!
Get the recipes here and here.
Strawberry & Champagne Terrine
A layer of strawberry-dotted Champagne jelly stacked against a second layer of vivid-red strawberry jelly. The good news? This showstopper is deceptively easy to make. And the flavor is pristine, cooling, and summery.
Get the recipe here.
Red-Wine-Poached Pears with Star Anise & Pistachios
Things won’t go wrong when your guests are served this crowd-pleaser. Ripe but firm pears bathe long and slow in a sweet, star-anise-scented red wine infusion until they turn tender, sticky, and dark red. The fragrant red wine bath is then reduced to a syrup to serve with the pears and chopped pistachios. A scoop of vanilla-bean ice cream or a dollop of crème fraiche doesn’t hurt, either.
Get the recipe here.
Chilled Summer Berry Bisque
Easy to prep, refreshing, low in fat and calories. Have a big saucepan, a blender, and the refrigerator ready, then whizz everything up, and you will be on your path to berry nirvana!
Get the recipe here.
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Image courtesy of Health.
Image courtesy of Fine Cooking.
Image courtesy of Fine Cooking.
Image courtesy of Reader’s Digest.