Pistachios

No-Bake Chocolate Pomegranate Fudge Tart

These no-bake decadent desserts are definitely the way to go.  I recall making a couple in the summer time when I didn’t have to turn the oven on at all, and what a treat they were.  Now ’tis the season, and everywhere you look, flashes of red and green adorn the landscape – from christmas trees with red and green baubles to tables, from christmas sweaters to baked goods.  Today, I’m presenting a no-bake fudge tart with stunning red arils from the pomegranate.  These ruby red fruit that appear around Thanksgiving/Christmas time pack a mighty punch and have anti-oxidant properties and are a good source of vitamin A, C and E.  You can even eat the seeds, they burst in your mouth!

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No-churn Mango ice cream with pistachios and a hint of cardamom

When life gives you mangoes, there’s just a whole range of ideas and recipes that sprout to mind.  Mango shakes, mango sorbet, mango yogurt bark, mango lassi (the famed Indian drink), mango popsicles, mango salsa, you get the idea.  There’s nothing quite like a juicy, sweet mango.  This exotic fruit is native to South East Asia where it has grown for many years.  Mangoes are now grown in many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world including Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of the USA.   It is by far my favorite fruit and come summer, the supply is endless.  I thought to try this simple, no-churn recipe that will have your taste buds begging for seconds.  No-churn ice creams are very popular now, gone are the days when you needed an ice cream maker to make these frozen treats.  The mangoes I used were from Mexico.

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Pistachio Cranberry Dark Chocolate Bark

Here’s a real quick idea for a wee holiday gift that you can make in about 20 minutes.  A few pieces wrapped in cellophane tied with  ribbon, would make for a nice thoughtful gift wouldn’t it?  I used to love baking cookies, cakes and other goodies to hand out as holiday gifts in Christmases past, but now I don’t seem to be as enthused about baking gifts.  Perhaps that’s because I don’t trust myself with anything sweet lying around the house?  Truth be told I’m a chocoholic, well who isn’t?  But I try not to tempt myself except on special occasions, and with Christmas around the corner, I believe that special occasion is here.  Don’t you agree?

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