In this month’s installment of Cooking for your Health, it’s time to get serious: Let’s talk bikinis. Summer is nearly here in the northern hemisphere, and while the weather may not yet be blinding hot, it will be soon enough, which means that it’s time to haul out the swimsuits. Don’t panic. Getting in shape for our bikinis and trunks should not sacrifice good nutrition, flavor or enjoyment. That’s where this smoothie comes in as the perfect liquid meal and refreshment for when the days grow warm.
Smoothies are a blend of fruit and/or vegetables, blitzed with ice, juice or yogurt. They may be sweet, savory or a blend of both, such as in this Mango Smoothie. It’s a tropical mix of mango and pineapple balanced with citrus, the prickle of ginger and a kick of heat from chile which lends a pleasant vegetal note. It’s a refreshing, nourishing and low caloric snack in a glass. You might be parked on a chaise lounge under an umbrella, but your tastebuds will be dancing. Continue reading Mango Smoothie with Chili and Lime
Reprinted from the TasteFood archives, because it’s on the menu this week.
Expecting guests for dinner this weekend? In the mood for something fruity and stacked? Napoleons are fun to make and impressive to serve. They are also an elegant way to showcase the season’s fresh fruit. Don’t let the presentation intimidate you. With some planning Napoleons are also easy to prepare, since the components may be prepared in advance. All that’s required is some last minute assembly, which is fun to watch or, better yet, get your guests involved.
Caramelized Pineapple and Mango Napoleons
Makes 10
For the phyllo layers:
1 package frozen phyllo sheets, defrosted overnight in refrigerator
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the filling:
2 mangoes, skin and pit removed, cut in 1/4″ dice
Juice of one lime, about 2 tablespoons
1 fresh pineapple, ends trimmed, rind removed, cut in quarters lengthwise and cored
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Shredded coconut
Runny honey for garnish
Prepare the phyllo dough: Preheat oven to 350 F. (180 C.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unroll phyllo dough. Place one sheet on work surface. (Cover remaining dough with plastic wrap and damp kitchen towel to prevent drying.)
Lightly brush phyllo sheet with butter. Sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. Place second phyllo sheet on buttered phyllo dough. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Repeat with 2 more sheets.
With a sharp chef’s knife cut stacked phyllo sheets in half lengthwise. Cut each half into 5 equal width rectangles. (5 across the sheets’ long side x 2 across the short side). With a spatula, transfer the squares to prepared baking sheets. Bake in oven until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely on racks.
Repeat this process 2 more times, so you will have a total of 30 rectangles. (Phyllo squares may be prepared one day in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate layers of phyllo dough with parchment paper.)
Prepare the filling:
Toss the diced mango with the lime juice in a bowl and set aside.
Cut each pineapple quarter in slices 1/4″ thick. Arrange slices in one layer in 2 skillets. Sprinkle brown sugar over pineapple. Cook over medium heat, turning pineapple, until caramelized. Transfer pineapple to a plate to cool completely.
Beat cream in bowl of electric mixer until traces from the whisk are visible in the cream. Add confectioners sugar and vanilla. Continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Assemble the napoleons:
Arrange 12 phyllo sheets on individual dessert plates or platter. Spread each sheet with one tablespoon whipped cream. Gently press diced mango into whipped cream in one layer. Top with a little more whipped cream (this will help the phyllo layers to stay put) and sprinkle with coconut. Top cream and mango with a second phyllo layer and repeat process with mango, whipped cream and coconut. Top with a third phyllo sheet. Spoon cream over the top. Gently lay 1-2 pineapple slices on the cream. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with coconut. Serve immediately.
Expecting guests for dinner this weekend? In the mood for something fruity and stacked? Napoleons are fun to make and impressive to serve. They are also an elegant way to showcase the season’s fresh fruit. Don’t let the presentation intimidate you. With some planning Napoleons are also easy to prepare, since the components may be prepared in advance. All that’s required is some last minute assembly, which is fun to watch or, better yet, get your guests involved.
Caramelized Pineapple and Mango Napoleons
Makes 10
For the phyllo layers:
1 package frozen phyllo sheets, defrosted overnight in refrigerator
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the filling:
2 mangoes, skin and pit removed, cut in 1/4″ dice
Juice of one lime, about 2 tablespoons
1 fresh pineapple, ends trimmed, rind removed, cut in quarters lengthwise and cored
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Shredded coconut
Runny honey for garnish
Prepare the phyllo dough: Preheat oven to 350 F. (180 C.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unroll phyllo dough. Place one sheet on work surface. (Cover remaining dough with plastic wrap and damp kitchen towel to prevent drying.)
Lightly brush phyllo sheet with butter. Sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. Place second phyllo sheet on buttered phyllo dough. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Repeat with 2 more sheets.
With a sharp chef’s knife cut stacked phyllo sheets in half lengthwise. Cut each half into 5 equal width rectangles. (5 across the sheets’ long side x 2 across the short side). With a spatula, transfer the squares to prepared baking sheets. Bake in oven until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely on racks.
Repeat this process 2 more times, so you will have a total of 30 rectangles. (Phyllo squares may be prepared one day in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate layers of phyllo dough with parchment paper.)
Prepare the filling:
Toss the diced mango with the lime juice in a bowl and set aside.
Cut each pineapple quarter in slices 1/4″ thick. Arrange slices in one layer in 2 skillets. Sprinkle brown sugar over pineapple. Cook over medium heat, turning pineapple, until caramelized. Transfer pineapple to a plate to cool completely.
Beat cream in bowl of electric mixer until traces from the whisk are visible in the cream. Add confectioners sugar and vanilla. Continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Assemble the napoleons: Arrange 12 phyllo sheets on individual dessert plates or platter. Spread each sheet with one tablespoon whipped cream. Gently press diced mango into whipped cream in one layer. Top with a little more whipped cream (this will help the phyllo layers to stay put) and sprinkle with coconut. Top cream and mango with a second phyllo layer and repeat process with mango, whipped cream and coconut. Top with a third phyllo sheet. Spoon cream over the top. Gently lay 1-2 pineapple slices on the cream. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with coconut. Serve immediately.
Mango Smoothie with Chili, Lime and Ginger
