However, if you want to try something a little different, why not try grilling fresh figs?

Tips on Grilling Figs

As mentioned in an earlier post, “How To Grill Fruit”, there are some basics you need no matter what sort of fruit you grill. Be sure the grill is absolutely clean, and stay close to the grill while the fruit is cooking. It doesn’t take very long!

You can use an outside grill or an inside grill like the George Foreman Grilleration. Of course, the flavor is a little different depending on which kind of grill you use. That holds true whether it’s an electric grill, gas grill, charcoal grilling or using wood chips.

Figs On The Grill

Follow these steps to grill fresh figs:

1. Ffirst cut them in half long-wise, or if you prefer, you can grill them whole.
2. Brush the figs with melted butter or an aromatic flavored oil.
3. Cook cut-side down on the grill until browned, about 2 or 3 minutes

You can serve the grilled figs as a dessert by themselves, or pair them with something like mascarpone cheese. They also can be used with dessert crepes, or paired with cake. Top them with whipped cream, or put them in a bowl with ice cream. Use your imagination!

However you choose to eat your grilled figs, they’re a healthy taste treat!

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Eating Figs Grilled

Here’s a sample:

The Ultimate Baked Apples

 Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons of packed muscovado or evaporated cane juice sugar*
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 8 apples, cored
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• Vanilla flavored yogurt of whipped cream, optional

*  Note: Molasses, light or dark brown sugar are acceptable substitutes.

 This recipe requires a large oval slow cooker that holds at least 5 quarts.

1.  In a bowl, combine walnuts, cranberries, sugar and orange zest.
2. To stuff the apples, hold your hand over the bottom of the apple and use your fingers to tightly pack the core space with the walnut mixture filling, then place in the slow cooker.
3. Drizzle cranberry juice evenly over top of the apples.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours, or High for 4 hours, until apples are tender.
5. Transfer to a servicing dish and spoon cooking juices over the apples.

Serve hot, with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream if desired.

There are several easy healthy desserts in this cookbook.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Easy Healthy Desserts From The Healthy Slow Cooker

The type of traditional foods varies from family to family, but most people have them. However, there are also food specific holidays.  Some are for only a day, some are for a week, and some last a whole month.

June Food Holidays

For instance, June is:

• National Dairy Month
• National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
• National Iced Tea Month
• National Papaya Month
• National Seafood Month
• National Papaya Month
• National Candy Month

Wow!  That’s a whole lot of celebrating food!

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

In honor of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, I think it’s worth mentioning it’s also time for those wonderful Farmer’s Markets!  They’re a great place to get some fresh fruit and vegetables!

CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) are also starting to produce.  It’s probably too late to join a local CSA, but some may still have openings.

If you’re interested in finding a CSA or Farmer’s Market, check out Local Harvest website.  It has a wealth of information, and will help you find the closest Farmer’s Market’s, CSA’s, family farms and organic food.

June 1st Is National Hazelnut Cake Day

Today’s specific holiday is National Hazelnut Cake Day.  There’s a recipe for Norwegian Hazelnut Cake over at All Recipes that’s got a lot of rave reviews.  Cake may not be what most people think of health food, but it sure makes a nice treat once in a while.

There’s also a recipe for a Hazelnut-Espresso Coffeecake in the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains cookbook.  If you’re interested in baking with whole grains, it’s a HUGE cookbook (over 600 pages!) with all kinds of goodies in there made with whole grain goodness.

Every day’s a good day to celebrate with whole grain foods!

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Food Holidays In June – National Hazelnut Cake Day