Celebration gatherings are so much fun, but usually there are lots of sweet goodies full of carbohydrates calling our names. This can be very challenging for someone with diabetes trying to keep their carbohydrate intake in control. To combat this, I try to take along a simple and fresh fruit platter that helps fill me up and offers plenty of good nutrition while getting something very tasty and sweet.
1. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
You will need: Strawberries and chocolate.
Wash and dry strawberries. Use dark chocolate chips or bars. Try to find chocolate that is semi-sweet or has very low sugar per serving. Place the chocolate in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds. Take out the chocolate and stir. Microwave for 10 seconds and stir. Repeat until the chocolate is melted. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate, put on wax paper, and place in the refrigerator to harden. Arrange on a plate or platter when the strawberries and chocolate have set. Here are illustrated instructions for chocolate covered strawberries with the addition of some butter.
2. Apples and Peanut Butter
You will need: Apples and peanut butter. In addition, get lemons or soda such as 7-up or Sprite.
The challenge with serving apple slices is that they can turn brown pretty fast. There are a couple things you can do to try to prevent this. If you want to slice the apples well ahead of time, soak them in a mixture of four parts cold water to one part lemon juice and keep them chilled until it's time to serve. You could also try soaking them in lemon-lime soda such as 7-up or Sprite instead of the water mixture. If you slice the apples at your destination, you can toss them in lemon juice. Serve the peanut butter in a bowl or spread it on the apple slices for a very simple and fresh fruit platter.
3. Pico de Gallo Fruit Salad
You will need: Watermelon, jicama, orange, pineapple, and papaya or mango. You will also need lemon to squirt on top of the fruit and chili powder and salt for sprinkling on top. Instead of the dry seasonings, you can buy prepared Pico De Gallo seasoning.
Optional: Fresh coconut.
This is a Mexican dish but not the salsa many would expect. Pico de Gallo is also the name of a very simple fruit salad. You can try switching up the fruit with some of your favorites or omitting fruits you can't find. You could even get away with just one type of fruit. The fruit can be cut up and mixed like a fruit salad or cut into large spears or pieces and placed on a platter. Squeeze a bit of lemon on top and then sprinkle the seasonings on to taste. Try out this variation of a recipe for Pico de Gallo Fruit Salad.
4. Fresh Fruit Kabobs
You will need: Fresh fruit.
Optional: Marshmallows.
Thread cut fruit onto skewers and arrange on platter. Some fruit choices are: Strawberries, melons, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, bananas, apples, blackberries. You don't have to have a huge variety of fruit. Alternating melons and grapes or a couple different melons will work. If you are using fruit that oxidizes or browns easily such as apples and bananas, toss them with some lemon juice.
5. Grapes and Cheese
You will need: White or red grapes (or both) and cheese such as sharp cheddar, Colby jack, Monterey jack, pepper jack, feta, Swiss, brie, gouda, or muenster.
Rinse and dry the grapes. Cut the cheese into cubes. Arrange on a platter. It can be striking to have cheese in the center of the platter with a bunch of red grapes on one side and white grapes on the other. You could also thread grapes and cheese onto skewers or toothpicks and arrange on the fruit platter.
