Simple Desserts

My family simply must have dessert, even if it's nothing more than a bowl of fruit with whipped cream on top. I have noticed that some families don't have dessert. Actually, many families today don't even make time to sit down for dinner together. I just believe that eating together is important.

I'm as pressed for time as anyone else, so I've had to come up with some impromptu meals and very simple desserts over the years. But, I have always managed to pull something together.

For special occasions, I go all out and try to make an "impact" with the presentation. On ordinary days, we usually serve ourselves in the kitchen and then gather back around the table. Have you tried strawberries and cream?

You simply take fresh strawberries, sprinkle lightly with sugar and pore in a little cream or skim milk, if you prefer. That was one of my mother's favorites. She would sometimes have it as a midday snack.

No matter what the occasion, if you want to be a success and leave your family and friends filling satisfied, but not bloated, the end of the meal should complement the other dishes served, as well as the beverages. Remember, red wine and chocolate don't mix. You might end up with a sick guest or two, if you try that combination.

A sweet fruity wine is a nice accompaniment for chocolate slivers, but fruit and cheese are a better choice when alcohol is being served. Try slicing an Anjou pear; sprinkle the slices with grated sharp cheddar and some chocolate shavings. Bake just long enough for the cheese to melt slightly, not brown. Serve it up warm, along with your favorite glass of wine.

When the main dishes are heavy, serve simple desserts that are light and airy. Italian Ice, for example. To follow-up seafood and salad, you can serve a "heavier" chocolaty dish. Cheesecake follows most any meal nicely, but there are other choices that you can order on line. Try truffles as an ending sometime. They literally melt in your mouth.

You can try some of the simple desserts that I've mentioned here, but you might also want to check out the cheesecake-delivery option. The cakes available from CheesecakeDelivered.com stay fresh in the fridge for five days and can be stored in the freezer for four months, a handy thing for those unexpected visitors.

They offer next day delivery and they have something for everyone, whether you're a nut for nuts or a fan of fruit. Their samplers are great for those that are undecided, which often includes me. I've come up with a lot of ideas over the years, but for truly simple desserts, it's nice to let someone else do the work for a change.

This article was written by Ted Goldberg - Owner of CheesecakeDelivered.Com