Mixed Berries with Mascarpone Limoncello Cream Monday, Jul 7 2008 

Desert and Fruit and Italian and Mediterranean , olga 9:54 pm

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
1/2 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons limoncello (lemon liqueur)

8 cups assorted fresh berries (such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and hulled sliced strawberries; about 2 pounds)
3/4 cup raspberry preserves
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

DIRECTIONS:

Combine whipping cream, mascarpone, 3 tablespoons sugar, and limoncello in large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.

Combine all berries, raspberry preserves, lemon peel, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in another large bowl; toss gently. Divide berry mixture among 8 coupes. Top with mascarpone cream.

 

Roasted Pears with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream Sunday, Jul 6 2008 

Desert and Fruit and Italian and Mediterranean , , , olga 1:09 pm

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup apple juice
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 firm Bosc pears, peeled, halved, cored (about 1 pound)
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Arrange the pears cut side up in an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Whisk the apple juice and sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the butter. Pour the sauce over the pears. Bake until the pears are crisp-tender and beginning to brown, basting occasionally with the juices, about 35 minutes.

Spoon the pears onto plates. Top with ice cream. Drizzle with any juices and serve.

The pears can also be served frozen. To do so, cool the pears, then place them in the freezer until frozen solid, about 8 hours.

 

Orange Segments with Berries and Balsamic Cream Sunday, Jul 6 2008 

Desert and Fruit and Italian and Mediterranean , , , , olga 1:06 pm

INGREDIENTS:

4 navel oranges
3/4 cup inexpensive balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup creme fraiche
1 teaspoon sugar
12 ounces fresh strawberries, quartered

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the peel and white pith from the oranges. Cut between the membranes to release the segments.

Whisk the vinegar, creme fraiche, and sugar in a heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat until it thickens and resembles a sauce, about 8 minutes.

Arrange the orange segments and strawberries decoratively on plates. Drizzle the warm balsamic sauce over the fruit and serve. Alternately, the balsamic sauce can be served at room temperature and spooned atop the fruit.

This is great served with frozen yogurt or ice cream.