Tropic A Licious Fruity Blintzes Recipes

BLUEBERRY BLINTZES

Steps:

• Combine the milk, water, eggs, flour, salt and sugar in a blender. Blend on medium speed for 15 seconds, until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the blender and pour in 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Blend it again for a second just to incorporate. Refrigerate the batter for 1 hour to let it rest. If the crepes are made immediately, they have a tendency to be rubbery; when you let the batter rest, the crepes have a better texture and a softer bite.
• Put an 8-inch crepe pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat and brush with a little melted butter for added assurance. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the pan and swirl it around so it covers the bottom evenly; pour back any excess. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds, until the crepe batter sets. Lightly bang the edge of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen the crepe; then flip it and cook another 30 seconds. The art of flipping a crepe in the air takes practice, so make sure no one is looking when you get the first one going. If this intimidates you, use a heatproof rubber spatula to loosen and flip the crepe. The crepes should be pliable, not crisp, and lightly brown. Slide them onto a platter and continue making the crepes until all the batter is used. Cover the stack of crepes with a towel to keep them from drying out. This makes 10 crepes.
• Assembly: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Forming the blintzes is kind of like making burritos. Spoon 1/4 cup of the Cheese Filling along the lower third of the crepe. Fold the bottom edge away from you to just cover the filling; then fold the 2 sides in to the center. Roll the crepe away from you a couple of times to make a package, ending with the seam side down. Put an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Brush with melted butter. Pan-fry the blintzes for 2 minutes per side until crisp and golden.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 10 minutes so the egg in the filling cooks slightly and the cheese sets. Using a spatula, transfer the blintzes to serving plates. Spoon the Blueberry Sauce on top, dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve right away.
• Serve with chopped banana and remaining Blueberry Sauce. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.
• In a food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, and egg and blend until smooth. Chill the filling to firm it up a bit so it doesn't squirt out of the blintzes.
• Combine the butter, blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a small pot over medium-high heat. Bring up to a low boil and stir gently until the berries break down and release their natural juices. The consistency should remain a bit chunky. It will thicken up when it cools down slightly.

FRUIT-TOPPED BLINTZES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add flour, cornstarch and salt; stir until smooth. Stir in milk. , Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet; pour 1/3 cup batter into the center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Keep in a warm oven, covered with foil. Repeat with remaining batter. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Place about 2 tablespoons in the center of each blintz; overlap sides and ends on top of filling. Place folded side down. Serve with pureed berries; garnish with whipped cream and fresh berries if desired.

TROPIC-A-LICIOUS FRUITY BLINTZES

Steps:

• Combine strawberry preserves and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until warm, about 10 seconds. Stir in mango.
• Mix cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sugar together in a bowl until creamy and blended. Stir in pineapple and coconut.
• Tear crepe gently in half. Lay halves on a flat work surface with cut sides facing away from you. Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture into the center of each half; fold in sides, top, and bottom like an envelope. Place seam-side down on a plate.
• Microwave preserves mixture to reheat, about 20 seconds. Stir and spoon over filled crepes.

AUNT SHIRLEY'S "TROPIC-TANG" FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Mix together Pineapple Chunks (with juice), Tang, and Instant Vanilla Pudding until incorporated.
• Drain juice from canned Tropical Fruit and add fruit to Pineapple mixture.
• Cool mixture until ready to serve (juice will thicken.).
• Slice bananas (just before serving) and mix ingredients together.
• Serve from bowl or from individual champagne glasses with a sprig of mint for decoration.
• NOTE: Best when kept cool or served immediately.

TROPICAL FRUIT FANTASY

Steps:

• Combine gingersnap cookie crumbs, brown sugar, and ginger in large bowl. Stir in melted butter. Press over bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter spring form pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Spread mango sorbet in crust; freeze until firm, until 20 minutes. Spread lime sorbet over mango sorbet. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.(Can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)
• Mix fruit in medium bowl. Remove pan sides from dessert. Place dessert on platter. Spoon fruit atop lime sorbet. Sprinkle with coconut and serve.