In case you haven’t heard – fruit is the candy that Mother Nature’s selling, so why not take that candy for a joyride. Whether a dish is sweet or savory, fruits are your new best friends, – love your new friends, appreciate your new friends – and they’ll be more loyal than Hachiko – but don’t keep them waiting – fruits have a shelf life and need to get involved far beyond an apple in a lunchbox!
When it’s straight from the vine or off the tree, fruit is simple, light and innocent, when it hangs with heat, fruit is succulent, luscious and sinful. So introduce fruit to heat and stand back and enjoy the show – diner discretion is advised. Magic is happening right before your eyes, between your lips and under your nose – sugars caramelize, flavors intensify, flesh softens – give me a moment – ok I’m back … anything coming into contact with hot fruit will never be the same again (including you) – grilled, seared, poached or sautéed, fruits will bring it every single time!
The “extra” will attach to the “ordinary” when you realize that fruit and heat go together like Lucy & Ricky, Bogey & Bacall and Scarlett & Rhett – and as a result, will never let you down. And what a relief not to have to belt out in our kitchens, while staring at a nectarine, peach or pineapple … don’t let me down … I rest my case.
And just when you think you’ve heard it all, how about fruit breeders – we’re talking a pluerry, peacharine or a pluot. Does mankind really have nothing better to do? Personally, I’d be careful messin’ with mother nature – like she hasn’t done a bang up job!
fruit basics
Here you will find info about fruits that is pretty much common to all – why fruit got its’ own group, ways to do the obvious – from eating it as is, to pulverizing in a smoothie, freezing it for later and preserving it for much later to growing your own. Discover the world of fruit beyond the basics (apples, oranges, bananas & berries) – and depending on the climate, all cultures have their “apples, oranges, bananas and berries” – and because most fruits, regardless of origin, are very often available worldwide. Here in North America, exotic fruits are a common siting at the grocery store. So depending on where you live, take advantage of the imports at your local grocer or market and invite a few exotic bedfellows to your fruit bowl – the apples, oranges, bananas & berries will appreciate the company.
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- ultimate monthly seasonal vegetable guide
- why fruit?
- 5 ways to get your 5 a day
- fruits a-z
- add flavor with fruit
- grow your own fruits
- 10 reasons to eat more fruit
- fruit juices
- how to shop for fruits & vegetables
- fruit spreads 101
- freezing fruit basics
- why preserve your own food?
- canning 101
- canning fruit basics
- canning winter produce
- dehydrating fruit basics
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- how to make your own fruit wash
- how to make a fruit platter
- ways to use summer fruits
- how to shop at a farmers market
- organic fruit smoothies 101
- how to make a fruit smoothie
- how to make a fresh fruit milkshake
- grilling stone fruits
- how to make fruit popsicles
- how to grill summer fruits
- small-batch jam-making 101
- freezing fruit hints & tips
acai to berries
acai
Some things reach epic status as the next big thing – move over Justin, Selena and Taylor – acai berries are here, and they’re here to stay. The acai craze is really more about the juice than the fruit itself. Since the fruit has about 24 hours from harvest before it better leave the ball, and forget about going back for that glass slipper – which is why they most often show up as juice, pulp or supplements. Unless you live in the heart of the Amazon, acai berries will cross a few time zones to get to you after being flash frozen or freeze-dried before they make the long trek to a grocery store near you. With that said, the juice can be found bottled in many a grocery store, organic or not – and be forewarned, it will cost you. You need to be careful as many acai juices, powders & pulp are knock-offs parading around as the real deal but a quick read of the label will weed out any imposters. Add the juice and/or powder to your smoothies, shakes and cocktails – at least you can feel good about the health benefits – hiccup!
And when you do find them in the freezer section or freeze-dried on the shelf – grab them – they are great added to cereal, stirred into homemade granola, sprinkled over ice cream – anywhere you would use dried fruit.
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apples
Oh apples – where does one begin! Apples have been around well, I’m sure you’ve heard the story of that cheeky couple who chomped down on the forbidden fruit plunging them into a world of sin and damnation. I guess they were a little ahead of their time! If they’d only known how mainstream that forbidden fruit was to become, oh give or take 6000 years. Not to mention, a complete 180° on its reputation. How did the humble apple make its way from wicked and wild to innocent and pure, so much so, that your doctor would want you to be chomping down on one daily? Well, miracles never cease!
Of all the fruits, apples can get work practically anywhere – if you want sweet, they’ll bring it, and when you want not so sweet, they’ll bring it – from caramel apple pie to curried apple couscous and everywhere in between, suffice it to say – apples will bring it. There’s not much else to say really – who wouldn’t want to hang with a gainfully employed fruit – the two of you will make beautiful mouthfuls together, heck – entire meals.
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- apples on pinterest
- apples 101
- apples at a glance
- all about apples
- choosing the best apple
- why apples?
- apple preparation 101
- ways to cook apples
- prevent apples from turning brown
- ultimate sweet apple recipe guide
- ultimate savory apple recipe guide
- 9 creative ways with apples
- all about apples
- more about apples
- eating apples vs cooking apples
- which apples are best for cooking/baking?
- how to cook apples
- basic apple sauce
- more apple recipes
watch it – class is in session – videos await
- halve an apple with your bare hands
- how to make easy apple sauce
- how to slice apples like a pro
- apple prep
- how to freeze apples
- how to core an apple quickly
- apple peeling/slinky machine
- apple peeler
- how to make an apple into a swan
- carving fruits
- how to make apple butter
- how to make candied apples
- apples with candied bacon
- apple pie filling
- how to make pie dough
- how to make apple pie
- apple raisin bread pudding
bananas & plantains
On the very short list of nature’s most perfect foods – the banana is, well, quite possibly just that – the top banana! Forgive me, but when it just sitting there begging to be said, well, I’m more than happy to oblige. First, how can you not love a food with such a catchy jingle? No wonder it’s the first food a child can really relate to – and when they’re coming down the stairs – nuff said!
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bananas
banana cookbooks
- bananas on pinterest
- bananas vs plantains
- banana basics
- bananas 101
- all about bananas
- more about bananas
- banana snack ideas
- uses for overripe bananas
- ultimate banana facts
- why bananas?
- ultimate banana recipe guide
- banana recipes
- how to make bananas foster
plantains
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berries
In the world that is fruit – berries are an exclusive club – hey, we’re berries and you’re not! They’re sweet and juicy and remind us of summer, which, by the way, is really the only time we should be buying them. A berry that had to travel 1000’s of mile to get to you, is no berry worth your time – but a berry that lives in the freezer section of your grocery store most definitely is! Know this going in – berries (for the most part) are interchangeable and combine beautifully – so delve into this berry section, mix & match or fly solo – berries are your new best friend. What’s your excuse now?
blackberries
Think of blackberries as the dark-haired sister to the raspberry. They’re interchangeable in recipes and are very often used together – in jam, desserts & smoothies. If you are lucky enough (as I am) to live amongst the brambles or find them fresh at the market – give ’em a rinse, spread them on a baking tray and freeze them for whenever you’re in the mood for a little summertime. And to max out your berries – blackberry jam will be the first thing you tackle –’cause once you have the jam – you have so much more than jam: stir into yogurt, serve over ice cream, purée in a smoothie, spread on pancakes, fill a tart, layer a cake – and if that’s more than you’re willing to do – heck, make a piece of toast.
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blueberries
These should be in every pantry. When they’re in season – load up on fresh, and when they’re not – you’ll find them in the freezer section. Either way, they’re at their peak and FYI – fruit is always frozen at its freshest, so why on earth wouldn’t you take full advantage of that little discovery! Well of course you would – so go bag some blueberries and get ready to get busy.
First the obvious: blueberry pancakes, blueberry biscuits, blueberry pies & blueberry muffins – and the not so obvious: blueberry buckles, blueberry crisps & blueberry cobblers, how about a blueberry cake? And if baking’s not your thing – sprinkle ’em on salads, whizz ’em up in smoothies, simmer ’em to make blueberry jam – and by the way, pound for pound, blueberries are at the front of the fruit & vegetable pack in the antioxidant department – not to mention their liberal levels of lutein, so what are you waiting for? Become best buds with blueberries and maybe you’ll live a little longer in the process.
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cranberries
When cranberries show up in the produce section, grab every bag you can, run home and put them in the freezer – which means you will be enjoying cranberries long before and long after the turkey has flown the coup and that last spoonful of cranberry sauce has been devoured. Cranberries are sooooo beyond the “holidays” – how beyond? Well, how about this beyond – cranberry jam, cranberry muffins, cranberry upside-down cake, cranberry coffee cake, cranberry barbeque sauce, cranberry pork chops, cranberry chicken, cranberry ice cream, cranberry crisp, cranberry pancakes, cranberry smoothies, cranberry chutney, cranberry biscotti, cranberry fool, cranberry wild rice salad, cranberry beef stir-fry, cranberry drinks & cocktails – and if you’re compelled to serve these cranberry creations around the “holidays”, so be it. But do have an open mind and try a little cranberry ice cream in June or July – you’re allowed – the cranberry cops take the summers off! And because you were smart enough to stockpile a truckload of cranberries when they were half price the day after Thanksgiving – guess who’s crazy for cranberries? You are, silly.
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raspberries
Raspberries – the little rubies of the berry world – tiny and sweet – kinda like Betty Boop. Few things are longed for and anticipated – asparagus in the spring, apples in the fall, Santa on Christmas Eve and raspberries in the summer. And of course we live in a time where we can pretty much have what we want when we want it – so thanks to the freezer section of the grocery store, we can. Our sincere apologies to Mother Nature – but we’re the lucky ones – raspberry sorbet in January, what could be nicer? Well, maybe a raspberry tart alongside the sorbet?
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strawberries
What else says summer like strawberries? Well maybe if Gidget, Moondoggie and the Beach Boys got together to pick a few – now we’re talkin’ summer! Of all the fruits, strawberries are the ones that have reached celebrity status – a strawberry festival is not a hard thing to find come strawberry season – like awards season, you know the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes – and speaking of globes – don’t you just love strawberries?
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
- why strawberries?
- how to select strawberries
- how to store fresh strawberries
- how to keep strawberries fresher longer
- how to freeze strawberries
- how to hull a strawberry with a straw
- how to hull a strawberry with a knife
- how to wash fresh berries
- how to clean strawberries in a salad spinner
- how to fan strawberries
- how to sweeten strawberries
- how to grow your own strawberries
citrus to figs
citrus
Citrus brings the pucker to the party. It’s subtle, you don’t need much and you’d sure miss it if it wasn’t there – when we say something’s missing, it’s very often citrus (or salt).
citrus basics
Citrus, like berries, melons and stone fruits – is a group. And as it is with most groups – one can stand-in for the other – pinch-hitting taken to the next level.
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blood oranges
My take on blood oranges coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- blood oranges on pinterest
- blood oranges 101
- about blood oranges
- why blood oranges?
- ultimate blood orange recipe guide
- blood orange basics & recipes
- more blood orange recipes
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clementines
My take on clementines coming soon … in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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grapefruit
In the citrus world, grapefruits are sadly overlooked and I’m here to change all that. Yes, oranges have had their day, lemons are on the short list of have-to-haves of every chef the world over, limes are the up-and-comers and grapefruits have been left out in the cold. If lemons can overcome their sour reputation then, by george, so can grapefruits. So think of grapefruit in place of lemons and add a whole new flavour profile to chicken, seafood, fish, salads, vinaigrettes – anywhere you’d add a touch of tang.
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kumquats
My take on kumquats coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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lemons
My take on lemons coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- lemons on pinterest
- lemons 101
- lemon basics & recipes
- ultimate lemon recipe guide
- lemon dessert recipes galore
- why lemons?
- get the most juice from a lemon
- ways to cook with lemons
- how to juice a lemon with no seeds
- 7 ways to use up lemons
- how to juice citrus
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limes
My take on limes coming soon … in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- lime recipes on pinterest
- limes 101
- all about limes
- lime basics & recipes
- ultimate lime recipe guide
- why limes?
- lime dessert recipes galore
- 8 great ways to use a lime
- 10 best lime recipes
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oranges
My take on oranges coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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satsumas
My take on satsumas coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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tangerines
My take on tangerines coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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coconuts
My take on coconuts coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- coconuts on pinterest
- all about coconuts
- coconuts 101
- is coconut a fruit, a nut or a seed?
- how to open a coconut
- coconut products & cooking tips
- ultimate coconut recipe guide
- ultimate coconut dessert recipe guide
- ultimate coconut curry recipe guide
- ultimate coconut soup recipe guide
- why coconuts?
- coconut recipes
- date coconut balls
- the coconut oil miracle
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dates
My take on dates coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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dragon fruit
My take on dragon fruit coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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figs
My take on figs coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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grapes to melons
grapes
My take on grapes coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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guava
My take on guava coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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kiwi
My take on kiwi coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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lychee
My take on lychee coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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mango
My take on mango coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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mangosteen
My take on mangosteen coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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melons
My take on melons coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
melon basics
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cantaloupe
My take on cantaloupe coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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honeydew
My take on honeydews coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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watermelon
My take on watermelons coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
- why watermelon?
- how to peel a watermelon
- how to peel, slice & dice watermelon
- easiest way to cut up watermelon
- how to cube watermelon
- how to make a watermelon basket
- ways to enjoy watermelon
- watermelon salads & sandwiches
- watermelon beverage
- watermelon sorbet
- watermelon salad
- watermelon mint mojito
- watermelon, feta salad
papaya to pomegranate
papaya
My take on papaya coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
watch it – class is in session – videos await
passionfruit
My take on passionfruit coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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pears
My take on pears coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
persimmon
My take on persimmon coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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pineapple
My take on pineapple coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
watch it – class is in session – videos await
pomegranate
My take on pomegranate coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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quince to stone fruits
quince
My take on quince coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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rambutan
My take on rambutan coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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rhubarb
My take on rhubarb coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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star fruit
My take on star fruit coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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stone fruits
My take on stone fruits coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
stone fruit basics
My take on stone fruit basics coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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apricots
My take on apricots coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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cherries
My take on cherries coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
nectarines
My take on nectarines coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
watch it – class is in session – videos await
peaches
My take on peaches coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
watch it – class is in session – videos await
plums
My take on plums coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
chocolate almond bacon bark
cake with olive oil, almonds & citrus
roasted red pepper purée
baked beans with mesquite
red lentil carrot coconut soup
