~ fruit recipes ~

Celebrate your day with fresh fruit!

2010-05-03T10:53:00.002+09:00

You can add some enjoyment in your day with a fruit break...

As we know.... fresh juice always tastes best!

more later...

Japanese traditional strawberry & cherry green tea treats

2009-05-10T14:57:00.000+09:00

Taking time for love

2008-04-27T11:47:00.001+09:00

"Getting things accomplished isn't nearly
as important as taking time for love."
~ Janette Oke

For those wondering why I think that this apple is so beautiful... it is because it has the paw-print of my friend's retriever on it. I think it is so beautiful. And, yes... it is a real apple.

Now, you're asking how they did this? Well, I live in Japan and this is the gift giving season. I really don't understand how they put their pup's print on the apple. However, I think it is one of the most adorable gifts I've received this season.

To answer a question that appears as the first comment, this apple was ripened in a special way. The paw-print appears on the apple naturally. It is not painted on the apple. Actually, first my girlfriend and her husband bought this apple tree. At the same time, my girlfriend drew the paw-print on a piece of paper. The apple grower takes care of the magic and it appears on the apples as they ripen. As a result, when they were delivered to her, her apples were personalized with her pup's paw-print.

And, I thought I would share it with my friends.

Baked Maple Apples

2008-01-13T11:15:00.000+09:00

from the kitchen of a friend

Peel and core apple (1 per person) - leave whole

Wrap individual apples in plastic wrap

Microwave until baked (keep checking, be careful not to over-bake)

Remove from plastic wrap and place in individual serving plate.

Top with maple syrup and serve.

serving: 1 apple per person

KIWI Pie

2007-06-02T18:00:00.000+09:00

from the kitchen of a friend

This is for a round 9-inch pie. Put the following mixture into a baked pastry shell - but no recipe for the pastry - maybe you could try it with the frozen pie sheets?

It also calls for a double boiler - maybe you could do something makeshift if you don't have one (i.e. stainless steel mixing bowl inside a pot...your mixture would be nearer the heat source than compared to a double-boiler, but if you stir constantly and consider the level of the heat source, maybe it'll work fine)

ingredients:
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1 envelope of plain gelatin (I don't know how many grams, but the packet says it's enough gelatin to gel two cups of liquid)
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup cold water
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 and 1/2 cups of kiwi fruit (peeled and cut into quarters)

first put the gelatin into the cold water, in the top of a double boiler, put aside to soften

in a separate, regular saucepan, put in the kiwi and mash it up - boil it in its own natural juice

mix the egg yolks, salt, and the 1/2 cup of sugar into the gelatin/water mixture

cook this gelatin/egg/salt/sugar mixture - stirring constantly - until it begins to thicken slightly

add the mashed/boiled kiwi into the gelatin mixture

add the lemon rind and juice

chill for about 45 minutes

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separate bowl - beat the egg whites until foamy

add the 2 tsbp sugar

beat until stiff peaks form

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separate bowl - whip the whipping cream

fold it into the stiff egg whites

then fold that mixture into the chilled kiwi mixture

then put it into the baked pie pastry (I think it should be cooled-off)

chill until firm

--------------

garnish with kiwi slices, and whip cream if desired

Friends comment...
Now, after typing all that, I think I'd just try the easy apple crisp recipe
with kiwi instead of apples!

Poached Pears

2006-12-27T11:58:00.000+09:00

From the kitchen of a friend

6 small fresh pears
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Grated, unsweetened chocolate (optional, garnish)

Peel pears, leaving stems intact. In a large saucepan, stir together pineapple juice and nutmeg. Arrange pears in pineapple juice. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender (approx 30 minutes), stirring occasionally.

Drain pears and reserve sauce. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Over medium heat, bring sauce to a boil and add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute.

Arrange pears in individual serving dishes and pour juice over pears.

Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate.

Makes 6 servings.

Sautéed Apples

2006-12-05T22:16:00.000+09:00

From the kitchen of a friend

1 tbsp oil
3 large red apples, cored and thinly sliced
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add apples and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with sugar, apple juice and cinnamon.

Cook 2-3 minutes longer, or until syrupy and apples are tender, stirring occasionally.

Note: this is a nice topping for any meal – from breakfast to dinner and of course, desserts!

Cranberry Chutney

2006-11-03T10:43:00.000+09:00

from the kitchen of MaryJo

1 3/4 lbs. tart apples, chopped
2 1/4 lbs. cranberries
2 cups each white and brown sugar
1 1/4 cups cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp.ground ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. pepper flakes
1/2 lbs. dark raisins

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook 25 to 30 min. This freezes well or can be canned as the recipe makes a lot. I sometimes add orange and lemon zest to the recipe.