On Friday, I bought tons and tons and TONS of fruit. This is just a snippet snapshot of the fruit covering the WHOLE center island in the kitchen. Thank goodness these guys are in season! Makes for a more nutritious and less expensive fruit party.
Lots of “research” and creative thinking had to go into the preparation of the FRUIT BBQ. I want to thank my popsters on my facebook fan page for helping me come up with some of the recipe ideas. After lots of back and forth discussion, we came up with the KEY PLAYERS in the FRUIT BBQ. These were fruits that were versatile enough to transform into all types of “meats” and “veggies”.
- cantaloupe = carrot sticks, lollipop shapes
- honeydew = celery, green pepper, lollipop shapes
- cherries = cherry tomatoes
- kiwi = relish, guacamole when mashed, snap peas, onion in sour cream ‘n onion
- lychee = scallop
- pink grapefruit = jumbo shrimp
- dried mangoes = cheddar cheese *WIN*
- bananas = hot dog, refried beans when mashed
- apples = potatoes
- strawberries = red pepper, salsa when diced
- blueberries = olives
- watermelon = lollipop shapes
And now, without further adieu, I present to you FRUIT BBQ - the photo story!
This was my #1 fave food substitution of the whole FRUIT BBQ. Whoever knew that sliced dried mangoes could look like real cheddar cheese!??
1. APPETIZER: 5 LAYER DIP (Parfait)
Banana mash refried beans, kiwi guacamole, chunky strawberry tomato salsa, lowfat vanilla yogurt sour cream, and blueberry olives topped with dried mango cheddar cheese.
This was soooooo good!!!! You don’t even need the granola!!!
2. SIDE DISH: Potato Salad
Apples and lowfat vanilla yogurt.
The apples stayed white because I let them sit in a bath of cold lemon water as I was chopping. This also kept them very crisp. I also left the skin on so that it would look like unskinned potatoes. Also, very very yummy!
3. NO PARTY’S COMPLETE WITHOUT: A Veggie Platter
Cantaloupe carrot sticks, kiwi snap peas, strawberry red pepper, honeydew celery sticks, and cherry cherry tomatoes <—that one was kind of obvious. The dip is made from lowfat vanilla yogurt mixed with mini kiwi chunks for a sour cream ‘n onion look.
4. MAIN COURSE OPTION #1: Banana Dogs
Banana hot dog, kiwi relish, lemon jam mustard, and strawberry jam ketchup. Sorry, I couldn’t find a decent sub for the bun. But the bun DID make downing a dog a lot easier.
I am still laughing from memories of that contest. I must look like such a freak randomly laughing in front of my computer every 10 minutes. Oh well, good ab workout! You know it’s true!
5. MAIN COURSE OPTION #2: Jumbo Shrimp & Scallop Kabobs
I was so excited that peeled pink grape fruit actually resembled shrimps! Then I went on a roll and was like let’s add lychees for scallop! Strawberry red pepper, honeydew green pepper, and cherry cherry tomato.
6. DESSERT: Fruit Lollipops
I literally have not played with a cookie cutter FOR YEARS! I just don’t eat cookies. But have you ever thought of cutting melons into cute fruit shapes like hearts, moons, stars, and teddy bears!!?? Well, I hadn’t though of it either but man, when you make fruits so pretty and easy to eat, they’re gone like THAT!
-http://www.blogilates.com/post/8331529673/foodbuzz-24x24-fruit-bbq-banana-dog-eating-contest
