Jill Seader asked:


In our effort to get healthier, eat better, and watch our waistline, we often take drastic measures like cutting all sweets out of our diet. And those diets rarely last because we feel deprived. So rather than going completely drastic, here is a question I ask you to consider: Why not try small changes that you can live with? So instead of cutting all sweets out of your diet, why not replace the typical sweets you eat with a dessert that is healthier and that you can feel good about? And what tastier way to help you get that daily intake of veggies than through dessert? Here are a couple of recipes to help you in your urge to get healthy but not feel deprived.

Zucchini Crisp

5 cups sliced zucchini, peeled and seeded

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup water

Combine all of the above ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook the mixture until it starts to boil. Then boil the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the mixture in an 8- or 9-inch square pan.

Topping:

6 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, brown sugar, and baking powder. Mix well. Cut the flour into the mixture and combine until it is crumbly. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the zucchini mixture. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

Avocado Pie

1 (3-ounce) package lime or lemon-lime jello

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 can (8-ounce) crushed pineapple

1 medium avocado

1 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 package (3-ounce) cream cheese

1 cup whipped cream

9-inch graham cracker pie crust

In a large bowl, put the jello, salt, and boiling water. Stir the mixture until the jello is dissolved. Drain the pineapple juice into a measuring cup. Add the lime juice to it. Add enough cold water to make the mixture equal 3/4 cup. Add this mixture to the jello mixture. Put the jello mixture in the refrigerator until it is very thick. While that is cooling, peel and half the avocado. Cut up half of the avocado into small pieces. In a small bowl, mash the other half of the avocado until it is smooth. Add the cream cheese to the mashed avocado and mix until well blended. Add the cream cheese mixture, avocado pieces, pineapple, and whipped cream to the jello mixture. Mix well and put into the pie crust. Refrigerate until the mixture is firm.

Arianna Peace asked:


What could be better for the soul than chocolate? Eating chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make us feel good.

No matter what the occasion, we all love chocolate. From warm and decadent chocolate chip cookies to thick and creamy chocolate mousse, these chocolate recipes are the perfect treat for your next party or family get-together.

Surprise your family and friends with a scrumptious chocolate dessert.



EASY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Ingredients

2 Squares (1 oz. each) semisweet chocolate, chopped coarsely

1 Square (1 oz) unsweetened chocolate, chopped coarsely

3 Tbs. Brandy, dark rum or strong coffee

2 Eggs

1/3 c. Sugar

1/8 Tsp. Salt

2/3 c. Heavy cream

Directions

A light mousse; the blender method (recipe follows) makes a darker, denser mousse. As with many other dessert recipes, whipped cream works well for garnish (optional). In small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolates with the brandy. Stir until smooth; set aside. In a small bowl, beat eggs, sugar and salt until fluffy. Add cream; beat until mixture mounds slightly. Beat in chocolate mixture until well blended. Spoon into serving bowl, 4 glasses or dessert dishes. Chill. Garnish with whipped cream. Blender method: In blender whirl eggs, sugar and salt 45 seconds or until frothy. Add cream; blend 10 seconds. Add chocolate mixture; blend until smooth. Proceed as above.

LARGE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

Ingredients

1 Box yellow cake mix

1/2 c. Oil

2 Tbs. Water

2 Eggs, beaten

1 c. Chocolate chips

Directions

Combine ingredients and stir until moistened. Place on a lightly greased pizza pan. Bake 350 degree for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown.

EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients

2 2/3 cup flour

2 Tsp. baking soda

2/3 cup cocoa powder

2 cup white sugar

1 Tsp. salt

2 cup water

2 Tsp. vanilla

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 Tsp. white vinegar

Directions for chocolate recipe: Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Add liquid. Mix well. Transfer to 13×9x2 inch pan. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.

Claudia Palombo asked:


Dessert is a part of any special meal.

Whether you are having a light lunch or a big dinner with friends and family over, having a dessert to top it all off is the key to a stunning evening.

There are many different Italian desserts that one may like to try out, but you should choose one that suits the occasion. It is also nice to take a dessert along to a dinner party.

You know it won’t go to waste because everyone loves dessert and many people find it difficult to refuse something sweet. Even if you don’t eat dessert or sweet things very often, your sweet tooth is sure to come out once in a while.

One great recipe is the Italian Dessert Crepes. These are easy to make and suit any occasion. What you need in order to make this delicious dessert is:

1 x small packet of cream cheese mixed with cottage cheese 1 x teaspoon of vanilla 1/4 cup of sugar 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of grated lemon peel 1 cup whipped cream 1/4 cup of raisins and chopped citron 12 crepes 1/4 cup finely chopped chocolate

Melt together sugar, butter and preserves of apricot, strawberry or raspberry. Then combine chocolate, cheese, vanilla, whipped cream, lemon peel, salt, citron and raisins. When you have mixed it well fill each one of the crepes with approximately one tablespoon of the mixture. Place them on a baking pan that is lightly buttered. Put in oven to keep warm. Sprinkle with sugar when done and brush lightly with melted butter. Serve immediately.

This dessert can accompany you to any party or dinner; it suits any occasion, including a home party.

Another popular Italian dessert recipes is the Italian Biscotti’s. All you need to make this is:

2 x packets of ready made pudding of your choice 1 x packet of soft biscotti 1 x small container of Cool Whip

Cut the biscottis lengthways and put them in a big enough dish. Pour a layer of pudding onto that. Exchange layers of both biscottis and pudding until there is no more. Spread the Cool Whip over the top and refrigerate before serving.

Italian desserts are well known in more places than Italy. They are very popular in most restaurants and in homes. Moms love to make desserts for their families, and there is nothing better than a lovely Italian dish to go with a Sunday lunch or a great family dinner.

Other popular desserts include Italian cream cake, strawberry tiramisu, Italian love cake, Danish apple dessert, biscuit tortoni and more. Some recipes are easy and can be made in thirty minutes, while others take a few hours to prepare and then should be left for 24 hours before being served.

Desserts can be made using different ingredients, so make sure that it contains nothing people you are serving may be allergic to. That’s the perfect way to ruin a good evening filled with good food, so take precaution to avoid it!

Grandma Linda asked:


This dessert recipe will definitely impress your family, friends, co-workers, mother-in-law, etc.  They will think you really worked hard but you and I know differently and guess what–I’ll never tell!  And here is another secret just between us; you can make it diabetic friendly and most would never know the difference.  To make this dessert diabetic friendly here’s all you need to do.  1.) Use sugar-free vanilla wafers. 2.) Use sugar-free instant pudding mix.   3.)Replace the brown sugar with 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of Splenda’s Brown Sugar Blend.

PRALINE WAFER DESSERT

This recipe is cut from an old Keebler magazine advertisement.

45 Keebler Vanilla Wafers

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/3 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

3 tbsps butter or margarine

1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Arrange 21 whole Vanilla Wafers in the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Cut a slight portion off of each remaining Vanilla Wafer forming a straight edge. Place those wafers, cut side down, around the edge of the springform pan lapping them slightly in a clockwise fashion.

Combine the coconut, pecans, brown sugar, and butter or margarine in a skillet. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter or margarine is melted. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture brwons lightly (about 5 minutes). Pour mixture onto a baking sheet to cool. When cool, break the coconut into coarse crumbles. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumbles and set aside. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the Vanilla Wafer base.

Prepare pudding with milk as directed on the package. Fold in the whipped cream. Turn into the pan, spreading mixture gently to the edges of the standing wafers. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs over the top. Chill 4 hours or overnight. Cut into wedges to serve.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Note: This is a great “make ahead dessert” for a busy day since it needs to refrigerate as long as overnight anyway.

Enjoy!

Chef Shelley R. Pogue asked:


The prep time is very minimal for this fruit crumble dessert, and there will not be much effort spent on cleanup after you get it into the oven. And it is a very tasty dessert for almost any occasion.

Ingredients you will need:

4 Cups of Apples, I prefer Granny Smith, but use what you like

2 Cups of fresh cranberries

2 Cups of sugar

1/4 Cup of brown sugar

2-3 Ounces of a good Brandy, if you will drink it then it is okay to eat it. I prefer not to use any wine that I would not serve at my table.

1 1/2 Cup of rolled oats

3/4 Cup of butter

1/2 Cup of flour

1/2 cup of almonds

1/2 cup of walnuts

You will need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. If you are using a gas oven you may need to play with the temperature if you are prone to burn, or over cook things. At this time you will need to get your baking pan, and grease it well. The baking pan you will need to use should be a shallow one that will hold 2-3 quarts. At this time you will need to combine all of your apples, cranberries, and sugar, and brown sugar, into the greased pan. You will then drizzle the Brandy over the mixture. The alcohol will burn off, it is just to add extra flavor.

You will need to have a separate mixing bowl handy, so you can mix the other ingredients to incorporate a good coating of sugar. So, in this separate mixing bowl you will add your rolled oats, sugar, flour, almonds, and walnuts. You will give this a quick toss to get them evenly mixed together. You will sprinkle this mixture over the fruit and sugar mixture in the greased baking pan. While you are doing this make sure you are coating the fruit mixture evenly. This will help for a few reasons, it will keep it from burning, and it will help it cook evenly through the fruit crumble.

Once you get all of your fruit crumble mixture into the baking pan, there is one last step, you will add the butter. You will need to cut pats of butter, and place on top of your rolled oat crust. This will give it flavor, and help with the browning process. After 15 minutes in the oven you will need to turn 180 degrees. This will help during the cooking process, to make sure it cooks evenly, and to ensure even browning on the crust. You will cook approximately 30-45 minutes or until done. Enjoy.

The yield for this dish is 8 servings.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and Executive Research and Development Chef, for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue