Lemonade With Strawberries And Milk

Cool summer desserts: Fast, easy and fun

Is there a better time for dessert than summer, when late sunsets encourage us to linger at the table for an extra course? My favorite warm weather desserts are fuss-free and made with seasonal ingredients. When choosing a recipe to end a weeknight supper, family barbecue or a casual beach picnic, I keep the following in mind:

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FRUIT

It’s easy to put together a great dessert when you start off with farm-fresh peaches, juicy plums, or strawberries. Recipes that require little or no cooking, like Watermelon and Blackberries in Ginger Syrup or Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone and Honey are my favorites at this time of year.

LOOK PAST ICE CREAM

A chilled dessert is always welcome in the summer. But instead of reaching for ice cream, why not try an equally refreshing alternative, like a cool parfait of coconut tapioca and mangoes or a zingy lemonade gelatin mixed with local strawberries?

BE WHIMSICAL

A barbecue is no occasion for a serious chocolate gteau or a fancy creme brlee. It is just the right time to pass around desserts like raspberry and marshmallow cream-filled whoopee pies or fresh strawberry hand pies.

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WATERMELON AND BLACKBERRIES WITH GINGER SYRUP

For the most refreshing result, make sure your syrup and fruit are well chilled.

½ cup sugar

1 cup water

One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled

3 cups ½-inch watermelon cubes, chilled

½ cup blackberries, chilled

1. Combine sugar, water and ginger in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl or glass measuring cup, let cool, discard ginger, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.

2. Spoon watermelon and blackberries into dessert goblets. Pour syrup over fruit and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

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GRILLED PEACHES WITH MASCARPONE

Mascarpone, or Italian-style cream cheese, is available at specialty foods stores and most supermarkets. You may substitute fresh ricotta cheese or creme frache.

4 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

½ cup mascarpone

¼ cup best-quality honey

1. Preheat gas grill to medium-high.

2. Brush cut sides of peaches with butter.

3. Grill, uncovered, until just softened and warmed through, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to dessert plates, spoon some mascarpone alongside peaches, drizzle with honey, and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Pink Lemonade & Strawberries = YUM | Redefining Perfect

Instructions Preheat oven to 350 Mix flour, salt, & baking powder (I always sift mine together into a separate bowl). In stand mixer beat shortening until it starts to fluff then very gradually add sugar, mixing well between additions. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add egg whites 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla. On low speed add in dry ingredients, lemonade and milk in alternating additions (about 1/3 or 1/4 at a time). Mix until just blended. Divide batter among baking cups, filling about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove and cool on cooling racks. Makes 24 cupcakes Hi! I'm Sarah Cass.
My hubby, Archie and I are the parents of 3 great kids.
Brandon (13) is part of the National Junior Honor Society, runs Cross Country & Track & Field, and has Cystic Fibrosis.
Riley (6) is mildly autistic and has Russel-Silver Syndrome.
Angel (5) has Cystic Fibrosis, severe truncal hypotonia, dysphagia, tibial torsion, sensory disorder, and anger issues.

Every day we redefine ourselves, our lives, and our definition of perfect. We hope we can redefine yours, too.

Here's to living life beyond our labels...and to redefining perfect for everyone.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. All of the knowledge dispensed on this site comes from personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. Do not use this site to diagnose your child or yourself. Get thee to a medically trained doctor. My only advice that I ask you to ever adhere to is to trust your gut and do what is right for your family.

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