So here we are at the end of the meal. Say this with me please, “There’s always room for Jell-O”. Isn’t that what we were taught? Actually as Americans, the Constitution does not give us an inalienable right to dessert; but as a nation we certainly think we do have that right! It’s as American as apple pie! The apples we can keep – but we can do a little better with some of the other ingredients.
Some people would be surprised to find out that some cultures have no concept of our supersweet idea of dessert. What a shock! We, too, might do better to think of dessert as fruit, cheese, dark chocolate, or nuts combined with pudding, yogurt, ice cream, fruit ices, or other whole foods. Heavy sugar-laden desserts have their place, of course. What would birthdays and holidays be without our favorite sweets? However, it is best to think of dessert as a treat instead of a right at every meal.
Cheese for dessert?
The idea of a cheese paired with fruit and nuts at the end of a meal might be reminiscent of some of a meal eaten in Europe. A variety of cheeses like a mild cheese, an aged cheese, and a blue cheese might be combined, or a single one served. Cheeses can be paired with seasonal fruits or dried fruits. Smoked, spiced or glazed nuts can round out the experience. The great thing about this kind of finish to a meal is that the guests and host or hostess can linger over it and enjoy relaxed conversation – no rush.
Actually, most cheeses contain fewer calories and less fat than a slice of pie. And, as we have discussed, cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. Put it with fruit and nuts, and voila – a healthy dessert. This kind of course at the end of the meal is a way to encourage the emphasis on quality rather than quantity of food. A little bit goes a long way. This is also another way to get to know the small-production, handmade, artisan cheeses that may be in your area or state. For some ideas for dessert cheeses, read “The Return of the Cheese Course” by Carole Kotkin (available at: http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue81/81C-return.htm).
Always serve cheese at room temperature. Leave cheese wrapped while it’s warming up. Allow a 2-ounce serving portion of each cheese per person.
Fruit desserts
A variety of fruit breads or puddings may add a healthy end to any meal. One easy way to include fresh fruit as a dessert is by making a fruit bread or pudding in a slow cooker. This may be topped with other fruit, nuts, pudding, ice cream or whipped cream. Even simpler, just cut up whatever fruit that is on hand, toss with a little orange juice to keep it from oxidizing, add honey to taste, and dash of vanilla flavoring, cinnamon or nutmeg – that makes an instant, fresh, nutritious dessert with whole fresh fruit! To sauté or pan fry the fruit just choose a fresh fruit and cook with butter or add at the end. Top with homemade muesli or granola. Other ways to use fruit for dessert would be grilling, poaching or baking. Heating fruit brings out the natural sugars. Honey may be added after cooking for extra sweetness. Topping fruit desserts with cream, whipped cream, ice cream or yogurt just adds to its nutritional value and richness. For an opposite approach, dairy desserts may be topped with fresh or canned fruit.
Use honey, honey
Honey, a natural sweetener used for thousands of years, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The darker the honey, the more nutritional value it has. A few things should be kept in mind when using honey instead of sugar in cooking. Use about half as much honey as the sugar called for in the recipe. Also, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by 20% or one-fifth. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar, substitute 1 cup of honey. Reduce the liquid called for by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used. Add ½ teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used. Reduce the oven temperature by 25° F if honey is used in the recipe to prevent overbrowning.
As a helpful resource, I have lots of articles on healthy ingredients and recipes that you can implement into your daily life.
If you’d like to dig deeper into my journey of discovering God’s plan for health and wellness, check out my book, Made For Paradise: God’s Original Plan for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Rest.
