G is for Grapefruit

Grapefruits grow on evergreen trees, reaching up to 50 ft. Grapefruit flesh can be pink, white or red.

Grapefruit & Orange Salad

1. Grate skin of one orange.
2. Peel skin from 3 - 4 grapefruits and oranges and separate pulp. Place it in a bowl with the grated skin.
3. Add sugar to taste and enjoy!

My mother frequently makes this salad in the winter and it is so refreshing!

F is for Fig

Figs have a green skin that turns purple when it ripens. Figs are high in calcium.

Stewed Figs

1. Wash figs, place in pot and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes.
3. Add 1 Tbsp. of sugar and 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice along with grated lemon rind and serve.

This can be eaten as a dessert or with breakfast, spread on toast or with yogurt.

E is for Eggplant

Eggplant is native to India, and it's actually a type of berry! Eggplants grow in different shapes, some are long and narrow, others round or oval, and colors ranging from white to yellow to shades of purple.

Roasted Eggplant

1. Cut eggplant into 1/4 " rounds
2. Place on an oiled sheet and sprinkle with salt, herbs and olive oil.
3. Roast at 425 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

Enjoy on toast or with rice or pasta!

D is for Dragonfruit

Dragonfruit grow on cacti. Dragonfruit are mainly found in Central & South America and in Southeast Asia. To eat a dragonfruit, cut the ripe fruit in half. Then, eat the flesh - the white part of the fruit with black seeds. It's similar to kiwi.

I simply love the bright pink color and fresh green shoots of this fruit! I've never eaten dragonfruit before, though, have you?

C is for Cherry

Cherries are stone fruits, meaning they have a pit inside. In the U.S., most cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon and Michigan. Cherries are in season for such a short time every summer. The best way to enjoy them is wash, place in a bowl and munch away!

B is for Banana

Bananas are a portable snack - just peel and munch! They're also an excellent source of potassium. The recipe may be a little hard to read, so I've typed it below.

Banana Bread

3 large ripe bananas
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Mash bananas in a bowl and add egg, oil, juice and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients, then add banana mixture and stir. Pour into greased 9 " x 5" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until cake tester inserts cleanly.

I baked this over the weekend and it's delicious!

A is for Apple

I am creating an alphabet of fruits for children. On the front of each piece I am creating a design of the fruit and the letter in upper and lower case. The back of each piece has a couple of fun facts about the fruit and a kid-friendly recipe. The purpose of this project is to introduce young children to the alphabet in a fun, visual way and to teach healthy eating habits and encourage an interest in cooking from an early age. Please share any feedback! Thanks!

Looking Forward to Spring II

Looking Forward to Spring

Rainy Sunday

Today it has been raining heavily. It was a perfect day to appreciate the warmth and coziness of your home and enjoy some hot tea and a book. Let's hope all this March rain brings lots of spring flowers!

Apple, Bananna, Orange: Inside Views

Apple, Bananna, Orange

This piece was fun to create. By outlining the fruits in white and setting them against a dark background, it creates strong contrast and an eye-popping effect. I'm working on a second piece with the same composition; however, it depicts the inside of the fruits.