Stop The Junk Food » Desserts

Favorite Desserts

hanun — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:37:18 +0000

More often than not, after stuffing myself with my favorite main meal, the last thing on my mind is dessert. No meal is complete without desserts. A dessert is a type of food that gives the finishing touch to at the end of the meal to make it perfect. The origin of the term is really interesting. The term “desserts” has been derived from Old French term “desservir” which means cleaning the table. Normally the desserts are sweet food. Some desserts like types of cheese have different flavors. The trend to have desserts at the end of the meal is comparatively new in the western culture. If we look back in time, we can see there was always a custom to have nuts and fruits at the end of the meal. It gradually turned into desserts. But sweet dish was comparatively new addition in the list. Common types of deserts are custards, fruits, pudding, biscuits, cookies, cakes, pastries, ice creams, gelatin desserts, pies, sherbets, soufflés, meringues, petits fours and trifles and many more.

Before the development of the sugar industry in the 19th century, sweet used to be out of reach for the middle class. It was a rare holiday delicacy. A sweet dish in the meal was a note of aristocracy at that time. After the sugar industry was mechanized, sugar became cheaper. And, as a result, it gradually took a permanent place in the full course meal. In some cuisine, dessert is not used as a separate part at the end of the meal. In those cuisines, sweet dishes are eaten during the meal. In some cultures the dessert is not at all a part of the meal. They are especially reserved for some special occasions. Desserts are often eaten as separate meal sometime after the meal. But obviously it is done when the setting has a casual tone. In American concept, any sweet dish that follows a meal can be a dessert. Be it milkshake or other drinks, there are many restaurants that are specialized in the domain of desserts.

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Do You Really Have to Ban Dessert?

hanun — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:23:49 +0000

One of the first things that is always added to the “I can’t have” list when starting a diet is dessert. Such things as cheesecake, chocolate, ice cream, cupcakes and cookies have been forbidden. Of course, when you know you can’t have it, that’s when you want it the most!

So, when she does have a bite of that forbidden sweet, it usually becomes a binge eating session. On the other hand, if that food is allowed on her diet, it’s likely she won’t want is half as bad as if it is forbidden.

So instead of banning those precious desserts from your diet, determine which foods are particularly important to you. Work those foods into your diet and cut back on those that are not as important to you. If chocolate is your passion, pick a reasonable portion that you may have on certain days.

Having what you like most helps you to avoid binge eating. But eating small amounts of dessert on a regular basis can also cut down on unnecessary snacking. When you eat a dessert after your meal, your brain gets the signal that it needs to know that the meal is really over. Without that something sweet, you may not feel satisfied. And you’ll be searching through the refrigerator and pantry looking for something to snack on.

When you’re adding desserts into your fat fighting plan, you need to pay attention to the portion size and fat content. Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Ask yourself, “Do I have to have dessert every day? Does my body physically crave it? The answer is probably no. So, instead of having dessert every day, try to have it only four times a week. Then make your dessert days the same days that you exercise. You won’t feel as guilty about indulging.

2. Don’t eat fat you don’t need. Just because you want to eat something sweet, doesn’t mean it has to be the most fattening dessert available. Instead of eating cheesecake or chocolate chip cookies, have fig bars, sherbert, or ginger snaps.

3. Satisfy your craving for sweets with fruit. Make a dessert out of fruit by making a fruit shake. Add a puree of fruit to skim milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Blend it all in a blender until smooth. Sweet – but not fattening.

4. Take only three bites. On those days when you absolutely can’t do without the most fattening dessert on the planet, go ahead and indulge. But — only take three normal sized bites. Savor each bite. Chew it slowly and enjoy it. Sometimes that is all that is needed to take the edge off of your cravings.

So, you see, you can have dessert! Just be reasonable about it. Don’t totally bann those goodies from your diet. If you totally deprive yourself, you are more likely to go on a 2-gallon icecream binge later.

Get more out of your dessert mix

hanun — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:34:44 +0000

Dessert mix is a very versatile staple to have in your pantry for those times when you get unexpected visitors. Dessert mix not only saves you time but money as the desserts that you create will look and taste like you spent a lot of time and effort into making them. Some tricks to making them look like you made them from scratch is to buy pre-made tart or pie crusts. Fill them with a dessert mix that you have prepared according to the directions on the package. Add a couple of slices of fresh fruit on the top and bake for about ten minutes. Your family and guests will never know the difference!

Parfaits are another dessert that is simple yet elegant. Simply alternate layers of different types of dessert mix in a tall glass with whipped topping placed in between the layers of flavor. Once the glass in filled, top it with a cherry and voila, you have a scrumptious and elegant dessert. This dessert will surely please both children and adults.

Graham cracker crumbs lined in a buttered baking dish and topped with a layer of dessert mix add some whipped topping and fresh fruit. Add another layer of each, topped by whipped topping. Simply refrigerate for a couple of hours and you have a stunning dessert that will please both your family and friends.

Another great way to use dessert mix such as pudding is a relatively easy yet nourishing dessert that is made with a prepackaged mix with whole milk added. Simply top with whipped topping and you have a fast, inexpensive dessert that will tantalize the tastebuds of the whole family.