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This Is Not Your Neighbor's Fruitcake

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:24:27 PST

Yes, I know how terrible it can be to receive the dreaded brick of a fruitcake from your neighbor down the street. With indistinguishable fruit and boozy odor, the fruitcake has earned the reputation of being the worst confection to receive during Christmas . . . until now! This particular recipe is filled with dried fruit favorites like mango, apricots, cranberries, and cherries. Butter, rum, and sugar melt together to create a dense, moist cake with a crispy top.

But wait, there's more. In England and around Europe, fruitcake is traditionally served with a blue cheese like Stilton. The creamy, salty, and sharp flavor of blue cheese slathered on top balances perfectly with the sweet, sticky, and spicy flavors of the fruitcake. Serve them on a cutting board together at a holiday party or as an after-dinner dessert or cheese course. Are you prepared to change your mind about this dreaded holiday dessert?

See recipe and more pictures.

Healthy and Hearty Meatless Monday Recipes

Angelica Marden — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:14:32 PDT

The Meatless Monday Campaign, which is a national health effort aimed at preventing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, has become increasingly popular over the last few years. The vegetarian initiative highlights the fact that the body can't store excess protein, and if you consume more protein than you need, you'll just eliminate it through your urine and put an extra strain on your kidneys to metabolize it. Atkins-smackins, right?

Ready to say sayonara to that steak for the day (or celebrate your everyday vegetarianism) and find out why thousands of civilians and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Alicia Silverstone support the meat-free holiday weekly? Here are some healthy and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes to inspire you and remind you that you won't miss meat.

10 Versatile Greek Yogurt Recipes

Leta Shy — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:17:16 PDT

It's no secret that we love Greek yogurt around here, and there's good reason why. It's a perfect way to get more protein and calcium in your diet, and the probiotics are nothing but good news for your insides. But there are more than a few ways to eat it. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, here are 10 Greek yogurt recipes!

Travel to the Tropics With These Recipes

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:57:06 PDT

It's summertime, and that means it's vacation time! Maybe you're lucky enough to jet set to some exotic spot, or maybe you're trying to take it easy in your town. Regardless, if you're looking to bring the tropics to your kitchen, these 10 recipes are sure to inspire the creative Caribbean chef in you.

A Reader Recipe: Almond Butter VOO

Fit Community — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:26:30 PDT

So what is VOO exactly? VOO stands for Vegan Overnight Oats. This recipe was submitted by FitSugar reader prepel in the Healthy Recipe group, and she combines cinnamon, apricot, and almond butter to make a sugar-free Summer breakfast.

Creamy and delicious, this breakfast tastes just like dessert. The best part - you can whip it up in one minute, leave it refrigerated overnight, and tah-dah, breakfast is served in the morning. It can easily be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.

Keep reading to learn how to make Almond Butter VOO.

A Reader Recipe: Frothy Protein Milk Shake

Fit Community — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:46:06 PDT

A protein shake that tastes like a milk shake? Sounds too good to be true, but the proof is in the picture. This frothy concoction is from FitSugar reader dashingdish, who shared it in our Healthy Recipe group.

Protein shakes are an easy healthy breakfast that’s ready in five minutes. They are delicious and I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like the creamy “milkshake-like” texture of my protein shakes.

The ingredients store well and you can “shake” up the flavor anytime by using sugar free/fat free pudding mixes, fruit, coco powder, and flavored extracts. It’s also a great way to get your protein while satisfying your craving for a dessert. You stay full for hours, too!

Can't wait to try out this delicious-looking "milk shake"? Check out a few of dashingdish's protein shake recipes on her blog. And don't forget to share your own healthy recipes in our Healthy Recipe group in our Fit Community!

A Reader Recipe: Peach Cucumber Gazpacho

Fit Community — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:26:57 PDT

Take advantage of Summer peaches with this recipe for peach cucumber gazpacho posted in our Healthy Recipe group by FitSugar reader Sprint2theTable.

This chilled soup is a great light, summery starter or side dish. The serrano adds an unexpected bit of heat on the end of each crisp, sweet bite.

Learn how to make this recipe after the break!

Fresh For the Picking: 12 Healthy Berry Recipes

Michele Foley — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:33:03 PDT

An unending supply of fresh berries is definitely one of the highlights of Summer. It's fun to eat them fresh, but the amount of recipes you can make with them is staggering. For a home cook this is pretty close to paradise. From muffins to cocktails - and even pizza! - here are 12 healthy berry recipes that we've got in heavy rotation this season.

A Reader Recipe: Kale Slaw With Thai Peanut Dressing

Fit Community — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:06:40 PDT

This kale slaw will make a healthy alternative to traditional mayo-filled coleslaw at your next Summer barbecue. FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted it in our Healthy Recipe group.

This healthy and filling kale slaw is a fabulous alternative to traditional coleslaw. Vitamin-packed kale combined with red cabbage and carrots makes a fantastic side dish for your next cookout. The Thai peanut dressing is a flavorful, rich way to add some Asian flair to these healthy veggies.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!

Wow Your Crowd With Homemade Fourth of July Push-Up Pops

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:59:19 PDT

Get ready to push! Cake pops may have held bakers' attention for the past few years, but with Summer in full swing, a pop's in town, and it's one that many mamas are familiar with from their own childhoods. The ole push-pop is back and it's looking better than ever. Not just filled with orange sherbet now, today's push-pops are of the gourmet variety - pushing everything from ice cream, cupcakes, and combinations of the two. With Independence Day upon us and a desire to serve up something different than years past, I bought a handful of push-pop containers and got to work on three (easy!) all-American holiday desserts. See what I created.