Serving up summer eats
Serve some dairy today. These recipes from the Dairy Farmers of Canada were part of a promotion that celebrated June as dairy month.
Grilled fruit kabobs with tangy lemon yogurt sauce
12 chunks each: 12
peeled papaya,
banana, mango,
pineapple and
kiwifruit
12 strawberries 12
1Ú4 cup butter, 50 mL
melted
1Ú4 cup honey tangy 50 mL
lemon yogurt sauce
Thread fruit chunks and strawberries onto 12 skewers. If wooden skewers are used, soak in cold water for 30 minutes.
Read Also
Worrisome drop in grain prices
Prices had been softening for most of the previous month, but heading into the Labour Day long weekend, the price drops were startling.
Combine butter and honey and brush it over the kabobs. Barbecue about four minutes per side or until hot and glazed, brushing occasionally with honey butter. Serve immediately with tangy lemon yogurt sauce.
Yield: six servings
For the sauce: Combine one container (500 g) vanilla yogurt, 1Ú3 cup (75 mL) honey, 11Ú2 teaspoons (7 mL) grated lemon rind and two tablespoons (30 mL) lemon juice. Chill one hour to blend flavors. Makes 21Ú2 cups (625 mL).
Luscious whipped creams are perfect as dips for ripe strawberries, or for toppings on a summer fruit cocktail.
Pink lemonade cream
1Ú2 cup frozen 125 mL
pink lemonade
concentrate, thawed
11Ú2 teaspoons 7 mL
cornstarch
1Ú2 cup whipping 125 mL
cream
Combine lemonade concentrate and cornstarch. Stir over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Cool. Whip cream until thick. Fold lemonade mixture into whipped cream.
Yield: 11Ú2 cups (375 mL)
Sassy daiquiri cream
1 egg, beaten 1
1Ú3 cup sugar 75 mL
1Ú2 teaspoon grated 2 mL
lime rind
1Ú4 cup lime juice 50 mL
2 tablespoons 30 mL
butter
1Ú2 cup whipping 125 mL
cream
Combine egg, sugar, lime rind, lime juice and butter. Stir over low heat until smoothly thickened. Cool. Whip cream until thick. Fold in lime mixture. Tint a pale green, if desired.
Yield: 12Ú3 cups (400 mL).
Tips for whipping cream
- Keep it cold by storing in the refrigerator right up until whipping time.
- Chill the beaters and bowl before using.
- Choose an appropriate sized bowl. Cream doubles in volume when whipped, so be sure to start with a big enough bowl.
- Do not overbeat as the cream will separate. Whip only until soft peaks form.
- For best results, add flavorings such as sugar or vanilla to whipped cream just as it thickens.
Frulatte cooler
3Ú4 cup milk 175 mL
3Ú4 cup fresh 175 mL
fruit such as
strawberries, raspberries
or bananas
1Ú4 cup vanilla 50 mL
ice cream
1 ice cube, 1
optional
Combine milk and remaining ingredients in blender. Cover and blend at high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.
Yield: one serving.
Preparation time: two minutes.
Mochaccino cooler
2 teaspoons 10 mL
instant coffee
2 teaspoons hot 10 mL
water
3Ú4 cup milk 175 mL
1Ú2 cup vanilla 125 mL
ice cream
2 tablespoons 30 mL
chocolate sauce
Dissolve instant coffee in hot water. Combine milk, coffee and remaining ingredients in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Yield: one serving.
Drive safe this summer
If you and your family are planning to be out on the highways this summer, the Saskatchewan Safety Council has some tips to help you reach destinations safely.
- Do a pre-trip check of the tires (including the spare), steering system, brakes, hoses and belts, exhaust system, windshield wipers and washers, all lights, fluid levels and front-end alignment. Keep the lights and turn signals clean.
- Fatigue and driving are deadly. Always be sure that the driver is well rested, and if not, stop at the first safe place and take a break.
- Avoid driving at dusk or dawn if possible. These are both difficult times of the day to see.
- Avoid distractions when the car is in motion. Eating and driving, settling children’s quarrels, or combing your hair do not allow the safest driving conditions.
- Buckle up and be sure that any small children are properly restrained in a seat that meets Canadian vehicle safety standards. Contact your local safety council or organization for information.
- Towing requires special care. Remember that your vehicle/trailer combination needs more room and time to manoeuvre.
- Scan well ahead of the immediate road scene to watch for potential trouble such as wildlife.
Bug off
“Mom, the mosquitoes are getting me!”
Do not let those pesky bugs keep you from enjoying the outdoors.
To avoid exposure to insects, many of us use products that contain DEET (N.N.-diethyl-m-tolumide). It has proven its effectiveness at repelling insects, but it can be hazardous if absorbed through the skin.
The higher the concentration, the higher the risk of reaction. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents using insect repellents use products containing only six to 10 percent DEET and that they only apply it on children over two years of age.
So what is the safest way for Canadians to protect themselves and their children?
- Choose products with the lowest possible concentration of DEET to be effective, or try alternative products such as oil of citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint or lavender and Avon’s Skin So Soft. Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin, although lavender is the exception.
Always dilute the essences in a carrier oil such as almond, olive or grapeseed oil.
- Skip the perfume, scented deodorants and other scented personal products. These products send a sweet and strong odor that attracts insects.
- Apply the repellent to clothing (natural, light-colored fibres are best) first by spraying it on outdoors, letting the repellent dry on the fabric and then putting them on. Cover the skin by choosing long pants, socks and shoes and long sleeved shirts when possible. You can also consider a bug suit or jacket.
- Do not apply repellent to skin of children under two years of age. For infants use mosquito netting.
- Do not use an aerosol product on small children, as lotions and creams give more accurate coverage, and there is a hazard when the product is inhaled. And do not apply repellent to skin that is going to be under clothing.
- Do not apply on wounds, irritated skin, sunburns or scratches. Avoid the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hands for safety reasons.
- Children should not be allowed to apply the products by themselves, and the repellents should be kept out of reach of children as ingestion can be toxic.
- Over-saturation and overuse do not make the repellent more effective.
- Cleanse the skin after returning indoors.
Source: Health Naturally Magazine and Midwest Community Health Services.
