Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Back for part two...

Well I'm pleased to report that I think the treats were gone in record time today at Jeff's office. Yesterday I talked about part one, but had to wait until today for the other item because I had to assemble it at the last minute.

Fresh Fruit Pizza with Citrus Glaze was the first thing that went this morning. I have made this at least 3 other times for them in the past and this is what they requested for the "last" treat day from the co-workers that were leaving.

Sugar cookie dough is pressed in a round pizza pan and then baked off to create a large cookie base. Next, a silky mixture of softened cream cheese, vanilla and sugar is spread on top of the semi-crisp cookie. You can use whatever fresh fruit you like, but I decided to go with strawberries, bananas, kiwi fruit and blueberries. I bought a little too many strawberries, so I decided to do a double layer of them on the outside ring.

To add an additional layer of flavor, sweetness, and to help the fruit from turning colors, a citrus glaze is quickly made in a small saucepan. Orange and lemon juice are the primary flavors with some sugar for sweetness and cornstarch to thicken. As soon as this mixture thickens, you will want to remove it from the heat so it does not reduce down and get too thick. You want it thin enough to be easily spreadable. This can be drizzled all over the pizza if desired, but I like to just brush the fruit with it to keep the bright contrast in color between the white cream cheese and brilliant color from the fruit.

Dinner tonight was a light pasta salad, Farfalle with Zucchini and Prosciutto. Tender bowtie pasta is coated in a bright dressing flavored with a hint of fresh lemon. Matchstick zucchini is the main vegetable flavor here, but to stretch this dish I think you could easily add some broccoli or maybe some crisp sugar snap peas. Rich salty prosciutto brings a welcome contrast to the mellow pasta. I was tempted to crisp the prosciutto up a bit, but after taking a bite I liked the texture better this way. This is one I will have to remember to make for picnics in the spring and summer time. Light, refreshing and would be a great way to fill up after a hike.


16 comments:

  1. Your fruit pizza looks lovely. It's a favorite around here too - easy, pretty and delicious. What a nice treat in the middle of winter. :) I can't wait for berry season....

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  2. Okay, your fruit pizza is way prettier than mine. Looks great! And the glaze sounds really good. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. LOL, I knew it was a fruit pizza! Yours is prettier than mine also. I have always used a sugar-free Wicks strawberry pie glaze on mine but next time I want to try yours. Try some fresh pineapple on the pizza, it is really good.

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  4. Beautiful dessert, almost too pretty to eat :)

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  5. Yummers! That is so nice and colorful. And I bet it tastes every bit as good as it looks.

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  6. Very pretty pizza Joe! I love the shine the glaze gave to the fruits!
    Ana

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  7. The fruit pizza looks great. I have a question for you...I've been requested to make a birthday cake that involves dark chocolate and fruit, but I think your fruit pizza would be a cool sub for cake. I was just wondering how I would incorporate a really good bar of dark chocolate into you sugar cookie base? Thanks

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  8. Fruit pizza is definitely one of our (my!) favorite things.

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  9. This pizza looks spectacular. Truly yummy. No wonder that it is such a heat.

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  10. Oops, in my post I meant:'no wonder that it is such a hit'.

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  11. I've made a similar fruit pizza before and everyone has loved it. I use some lemon in the cream cheese part though and then skip the glaze.

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  12. Alysha - Yeah! Too bad all of the fruit went on sale the day after I made it!

    Erika - Thanks, I loved the glaze!

    Patti - Hee hee, no foolin' you! I have tried a version of that glaze before and it was pretty good! I love the sound of using pineapple so I will have to remember that!

    Michele - Thanks! No one wanted to be the first to cut into it, but once they did it was gone quick!

    Ed - I didn't get to taste it, but they said it was good!

    Ana - Thanks!

    ungouremtgal - Hmm, maybe add some melted chocolate to the cream cheese and reduce the sugar? You could maybe sub some cocoa powder for the flour in the cookie part.

    Kitchen queen - Thanks! Since I was already using orange juice, I knew the glaze would not be clear anyway. I didn't find it to be really cloudy though, but I will try out the arrowroot tip next time!

    Sweetnicks - Yeah! Next time, I'll have to grab a piece for me!

    Valentina - Thanks!

    From our kitchen - Lemon in the cream cheese part would be great! It was a nice change of pace from the more heavy desserts!

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  13. It's so beautiful ,just wanna keep staring at the presentation!

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  14. double layer? why not a triple layer?! mmm strawberries. looks incredible :D

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  15. Ok, the fruit pizza looks divine! But the pasta dish is going into my meal plan in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. That fruit pizza/tart is incredible. You're truly talented.

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