College Cooking - How To Cut Fresh Fruit

Mornings are a drag, but the one thing that can get me out of bed is a big bowl of fresh cut fruit. You can eat the fruit straight up, pop it in a blender with some yogurt or freeze it for a healthy frozen treat. Fresh fruit will give you the boost of healthy sugar you need for a successful start to your day. The bright colors and flavors will get you pumped for whatever comes your way. Also, when you keep a cup of fresh cut fruit or whole fruit in your bag you are less likely to visit the candy machine and fast food spots or make poor food choice during out the day.

Check this vid out and learn how to cut whole fruits like pineapple, mango and kiwi, then pack it up for freshness.

Now Get Crackin' !!!

Chef Egg

This recipe for summer strawberry pie is really easy and great for picnics, lunches, brunches and parties on hot summer nights. You can use also add all types of summer fruits like blue/black or raspberries, peaches, plums and nectarines.

Summer Berry Pie

Cook the crust following the instructions for blind baking. Place 1/3 of the strawberries in a pan with the sugar, salt, lemon and cornstarch. Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat then smash the fruit until chunky. You can also place this into a blender and carefully blend until smooth. Let this mixture cool completly.

Place the rest of the berries into the pie shell, pour over the berry jam mixture and let chill in the fridge for 2 hours. You can top this with extra berries (blue, black or raspberry), whipped cream and ice cream for an extra awesome treat.

Roasted Carrots and Beets

Pre heat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Slice large carrots lengthwise into one inch pieces. This carrots can be kept whole. Slice the beets into 1/2 inch slices. Drizzle half of the oil onto the baking sheet, lay out the carrots and beets in a single layer and then drizzle with the rest of the oil. Season with salt, pepper and herbs then bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.

*Big Thanks to my buddy Hank Vorher, who took this awesome picture!

Carrot and Apple Slaw

Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and toss to combine. Keep in the fridge in an airtight container until service.

Watermelon Aqua Fresca

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Apple and cinnamon oatmeal was a childhood favorite of mine. But as I grew up, so did my taste for really good food. Instead of powdered oatmeal dregs and little dehydrated apples, this recipe calls for hearty oats and whole sautéed apples. If you want to get hard core you can add flax seeds, wheat berries and farrow. You can also with up the fruits to sautéed peaches or mangoes; dried fruits like raisons, crayons, apricots and figs, or throw in fresh berries and bananas.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Place a small skillet over medium/low heat, add the butter and apples to the pan and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the honey and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute until you can smell the cinnamon. Place a serving of the cooked oatmeal in a bowl, top with apples and garnish with some chopped nuts or seeds.

Made from chunks of fresh fruit, ice and sugar, aqua fresca is the most refreshing beverage to drink during the summer time. This "fresh water" is generally found in Central American/ Mexican markets, bodegas and taquerias and is blended fresh for each order. They come in various flavors like melon, watermelon, mango, strawberry, coconut, guava, passion fruit, kiwi and pineapple. If your are luck and ask really nicely they will mix up the flavors up for you.

Try this simple recipe below and stay refreshed through the hot summer months. You can also add any kind of fresh of frozen fruit to this mix and make it your own.

Now Get Crackin'! Chef Egg

Mango Aqua Fresca

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes or unit the ice has melted.

How to Skin a Mango

Mango is a tropical fruit loaded with vitamins (Vitamin C) , minerals, antioxidants and most important, flavor. They are used in cuisines around the world including Central and South America, Jamaica and the west Indies, African, Middle Eastern, European, Asian and Indian. It can be used in sweet desserts like ice cream, drinks, sorbet, cakes and flambés as well as savory dishes like spicy chutneys, salsas, dips and sauces.

You can find mangoes fresh, dried, canned as well as frozen. Fresh Mangoes are in season in the states and Mexico from May to September. They can be found year round in most markets and can come from as far as Thailand and India. Check out this video and learn how to slice a fresh mango to enjoy today. This method of slicing a mongo can also be used to skin lots of round fruits and veggies like pineapples, oranges, lemons, limes, melons, apples, pears, potatoes and squashes.

Now Get Crackin'!

Chef Egg

Kale, Blueberry and Wheatberry Salad

• 3 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tsp. Honey
• 1 tsp. Mustard
• 1 tsp. Dried Herbs

Place the first 4 ingredients into bowl. Place the next 5 ingredients into a bowl and whisk until smooth. Place 2 tablespoons of the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat.

Protein Pineapple Power Smoothie

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth