Happy Holidays from Kens Kreations

Plum & Apple Compote with Vanilla Custard

Ingredients


Compote

12 prune plums, or 8 red or black plums, pitted and chopped

1/3 cup apple cider

1/4 cup sugar, or

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 large apples, such as Mutsu (Crispin), Fuji or Gala

Custard

1 1/2 cups 1% milk, divided

1/4 cup sugar, or

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Pinch of salt

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Preparation


1.To prepare compote: Combine plums, cider, 1/4 cup sugar (or Splenda) and cinnamon in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the plums are soft and falling apart, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Peel and grate apples. Stir the grated apples into the plums. Spoon the compote into a large bowl and chill in the refrigerator.

2.To prepare custard: Heat 1 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming; do not boil. Mix 1/4 cup sugar (or Splenda), cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup cold milk. Add the heated milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla. Transfer the custard to a clean bowl and let cool slightly or refrigerate until chilled.

3.To serve, spoon custard into dessert dishes and top each with compote.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate compote and custard in separate containers for up to 2 days.

Ingredient Note: In the EatingWell Test Kitchen, sucralose is the only alternative sweetener we test with when we feel the option is appropriate. For nonbaking recipes, we use Splenda Granular (boxed, not in a packet). For baking, we use Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking, a mix of sugar and sucralose. It can be substituted in recipes (1/2 cup of the blend for each 1 cup of sugar) to reduce sugar calories by half while maintaining some of the baking properties of sugar. If you make a similar blend with half sugar and half Splenda Granular, substitute this homemade mixture cup for cup.

When choosing any low- or no-calorie sweetener, be sure to check the label to make sure it is suitable for your intended use.

Nutrition

Per serving: 119 calories; 1 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 37 mg sodium; 210 mg potassium.

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 11/2 other carbohydrate

Blueberry Tart with Walnut Crust

For this tart a few tablespoons of maple syrup sweeten the blueberry topping and round out the flavor of the cream filling.



READER'S COMMENT:
"this is the only dessert my family wants me to make anymore! and I say no problem, because it is so super easy. I definitely suggest this if you find baking somewhat challenging like i do... it is always a hit! "

Ingredients


Crust

1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted (see Tip)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs, preferably whole-wheat (see Note)

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil

Pinch of salt

Filling

8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, preferably grade B, divided

2 cups fresh blueberries
 
Preparation


1.To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 325°F.

2.Coarsely chop walnuts in a food processor. Add graham cracker crumbs and process until the mixture looks like fine crumbs.

3.Whisk egg white in a medium bowl until frothy. Add the crumb mixture, butter, oil and salt; toss to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan. Set the pan on a baking sheet. Bake until dry and slightly darker around the edges, about 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

4.To prepare filling: Beat cream cheese, sour cream and 1/4 cup maple syrup in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. When the crust is cool, spread the filling evenly into it, being careful not to break up the delicate crust. Arrange blueberries on the filling, pressing lightly so they set in. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup over the berries. Chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate for up to 1 day.
Equipment: 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan

Tip: To toast walnuts, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes.

Note: To avoid trans fats, look for graham crackers without partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. To make crumbs, pulse graham crackers in a food processor or place in a large sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. (You'll need about 14 whole-wheat graham cracker squares to make 1 cup of crumbs.)

Nutrition

Per serving: 177 calories; 11 g fat (4 g sat, 3 g mono); 18 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 1 g fiber; 138 mg sodium; 103 mg potassium.


1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (other), 2 fat

Green Pizza

Why not use cooler-weather vegetables like broccoli and arugula as an unconventional pizza topping? The arugula adds a slightly bitter, peppery taste—for a milder flavor, use spinach instead. Serve with wedges of fresh tomato tossed with vinegar, olive oil, basil and freshly ground pepper.



READER'S COMMENT:

"I loved this recipe! I agree that the fresh dough makes the house smell fantastic! I made this recipe as written, and wow! I agree! One of the best pizzas I've ever had! And I made it!!! My husband who's a die-hard traditional pizza..

. Ingredients


1 pound prepared pizza dough, preferably whole-wheat

2 cups chopped broccoli florets

1/4 cup water

5 ounces arugula ,any tough stems removed, chopped (about 6 cups)

Pinch of salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup prepared pesto

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese


Preparation


1.Position oven rack in the lowest position; preheat to 450°F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

2.Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about the size of the baking sheet. Transfer to the baking sheet. Bake until puffed and lightly crisped on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, cook broccoli and water in a large skillet over medium heat, covered, until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in arugula and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

4.Spread pesto evenly over the crust, top with the broccoli mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until crispy and golden and the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 323 calories; 13 g fat (4 g sat, 7 g mono); 19 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrates; 15 g protein; 3 g fiber; 511 mg sodium; 241 mg potassium.



Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (45% daily value), Calcium (34% dv), Vitamin A (31% dv).



2 Carbohydrate Serving



Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium fat meat, 1 1/2 fat