Healthy Spring Time Goodies

Here are a few recipes that are healthy and refreshing for spring, enjoy!

Tropical Sangria

There’s nothing like a pitcher of fruity sangria to get the party started! I suggest using a nice, light merlot or a similar wine that you like. I use lemon-lime seltzer in this recipe, which cuts the calories while amplifying the drink’s fruity flavor. It’s a refreshing alternative to other festive cocktails, which can be extraordinarily caloric—a single frozen margarita, for instance, can run you more than 500 calories. Yikes!

Ingredients

1 (750-ml) bottle red wine

1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Triple Sec or Grand Marnier

1 orange (unpeeled), thinly sliced

1 lime (unpeeled), thinly sliced

1 (8- ounce) can pineapple chunks packed in 100% juice, with juice

2 cups naturally flavored lime or lemon-lime seltzer or club soda

Sliced citrus fruit, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine the wine, orange liqueur, orange and lime slices, and the entire can of pineapple, including the juice, in a large pitcher. Stir, and store in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (or overnight).

2. To serve, strain out the soaked fruit if desired. Pour the chilled seltzer into the pitcher, and stir to combine with the wine.

3. Serve over ice, and garnish with fresh sliced fruit.

Grapefruit-White Wine Sparkler

                   

This cocktail combines sweet-tart grapefruit juice and herbal gin with sparkling wine for an effervescent drink that's perfect for any season.

Ingredients

1 cup gin

• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 bottle dry sparkling white wine or Champagne
• Ice
• 6 thin lemon slices

Directions

1. In a punch bowl or large pitcher, combine gin and sugar.

2. Stir until sugar dissolves, 1 minute.

3. Add grapefruit juice and bottle of sparkling wine; stir to combine.

4. To serve, fill six glasses with ice and wine mixture, then garnish with thin lemon slices

Cinnamon Cheesecake Fondue

Unlike chocolate fondue, this recipe requires no cooking and is not served hot, which means you can whip it up in a flash. It’s a great way to satisfy a craving for New York–style cheesecake without excessive calories, fat, and sugar. A bowl of this fondue makes the perfect ending to an informal party—it’s pure fun!

Ingredients

4 ounces (1/2 cup) low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup nonfat sour cream

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cut fresh fruit (apples, pears, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, peaches, strawberries)

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients except the fruit in a medium bowl, mixing them vigorously with a whisk until completely smooth. For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

2. Serve with the cut fresh fruit for dipping.