With summer comes the return of our local favourites in the produce department! While it's hard to beat eating perfectly in-season fruit on its own, there's always room for fun new ways to serve it up to the family. Here are six fresh fruit desserts to bring to the barbecue this year, from fruit-tray skewers to watermelon-slice ice pops to individual peach crisps with oats-and more.
Peaches
Individual Peach Crisp with Oats
This waffle-cup treat is the perfect summer dessert to show off ripe and juicy summer peaches. Lightly grilled peach halves meet an irresistible oat crumble on ice cream in a waffle cup. The best part? The only thing you'll have to clear are the spoons!
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir 2⁄3 cup (150 mL) large-flake oats, ½ cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour, ÂĽ cup (60 mL) packed light brown sugar, ÂĽ tsp (1 mL) each cinnamon and salt. Using fingers, rub in 5 tbsp (75 mL) cold cubed unsalted butter until crumbs form; spread on baking sheet.
- Bake in 180°C (350°F) oven until golden brown and crisp, 12 to 15 min. Makes 2 cups. Tip: You can make this ahead of time and store in an airtight container.
- Rub 2 halved peaches with 2 tsp (10 mL) packed light brown sugar; grill, cut side down, over medium-high heat, flipping once, until lightly caramelized, 1 to 2 min. per side. Serve with vanilla ice cream in a waffle cup with the crumble over top.
Strawberries
Red-hot Chili Strawberries
This fresh fruit dessert is sweet and spicy, making it a versatile topping that can be used beyond dessert! Here, we suggest serving it over vanilla ice cream or thick yogurt-but it can also be spooned over grilled chicken or pork chops, spread over cream cheese and a toasted bagel, or as a substitute topping for this warm grilled brie.
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, simmer 1 lb (454 g) quartered strawberries, â…” cup (150 mL) granulated sugar, 2 tbsp (30 mL) red wine vinegar, 1 small red finger chili, thinly sliced, and pinch salt until syrup is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool.
- Serve with Greek yogurt, more sliced strawberries and almonds (if desired).
Fresh berries
Berry Cheesecake Parfait
Serve up elegant cheesecake-style flavour in next to no time with this quick and clever fresh berry parfait recipe.
Instructions
- Mash ½ cup (125 mL) blackberries, 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice and 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar; stir in ½ cup (125 mL) more blackberries.
- In a separate bowl, stir Âľ cup (175 mL) graham cracker crumbs and 2 tbsp (30 mL) melted butter until mixture is moistened; divide among 4 glasses, pressing firmly.
- Whip 1 cup (250 mL) softened cream cheese, ½ cup (125 mL) sour cream, ¼ cup (60 mL) granulated sugar and 1 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice until very light. Spoon over graham bases. Top with blackberry mixture and 1 cup (250 mL) blueberries and cherries. Makes 4 servings.
Mixed fruit tray
Kabobs and Fresh Fruit Dip recipe
Thread our Kitchen Dept.'s Grab n Go Tray's pineapple, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, and strawberry pieces onto skewers. Grill lightly or serve fresh alongside this easy dip hack.
Instructions
Mix any two types of Compliments Green Yogurt Cups (strawberry, blueberry or raspberry) until smooth; transfer to a small bowl.
Watermelon, two ways
Watermelon Ice Pops
This first tip is all about the convenience of picking up precut watermelon quarters in-store and presenting it in a fun, easy to eat style.
Watermelon Ice Cubes
Cube your own melon or pick up a clamshell of precut cubes and freeze. Then, pop them into a glass of sparkling water, lemonade, or punch in place of ice cubes! You can take it one step further and throw them into the blender to make watermelon margaritas for a summery drink to go with dinner.
