By Kelly Bogard

This week, I had the chance to attend the “Dinner Tonight” Healthy Cooking School, hosted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The event focused on healthy solutions to cooking for families—right up my alley. The Extension Service, along with DairyMAX, gave all of us cookbooks of 10 dinner menus, each with a main course, side and dessert. These menus give Texans healthy options to help cut back on calories and sodium and encourage more fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

I have to tell you, I was so inspired when I left that evening, I went straight to the grocery store to get everything I needed to make a full meal. On the menu: Slow-Cooked Sicilian Pot Roast, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Cocoa-Berry Tarts. Since next Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share the tart recipe. It would be the perfect end to a special dinner at home.

Cocoa Berry Tarts - IngredientsFor Cocoa-Berry Tarts, you will need…
1-1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
1-1/2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
6 graham cracker tart shells
3/4 cup strawberries, sliced (raspberries or blueberries also can be used)

This recipe takes five minutes to make and is guilt-free to eat. My daughter, who is two, really enjoyed helping me mix this up and serving as my official taster, of course. I was amazed to see these few ingredients come together to make something so yummy.

First, combine the yogurt, ricotta, sugar and cocoa with a whisk in a large mixing bowl.

Cocoa Berry Tarts - Mixing
Next, slice your strawberries to create a fan for the top of the tarts. I did this by cutting them from top to bottom while they were laying on their side. Just make sure to leave it attached at the top so it holds together.
Cocoa Berry Tarts - Cutting
Now take the cocoa yogurt mixture and spoon into six pre-made graham cracker tart shells.
Cocoa Berry Tarts - Filling
Top with the sliced strawberry and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cocoa Berry Tarts - with strawberries
Thanks again to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and DairyMAX for showing me how to make delicious meals that are good for my family. If you have the opportunity to attend one of these classes, I highly recommend it. You know I love getting recipes and trying new things, so if you have a healthy recipe you’d like to share, please send it in.

From all of us at Texas Table Top, happy Valentine’s Day and enjoy!

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Recipe: Cocoa-Berry Tarts

Summary: Sweet goodness that is good for you

Cocoa Berry Tarts - Final

      

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1-1/2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 6 graham cracker tart shells
  • 3/4 cup strawberries, sliced (raspberries or blueberries also can be used)

Instructions

  • Mix yogurt, ricotta, sugar and cocoa powder with a whisk until creamy.
  • Spoon 1/6 mixture into each tart shell and top with sliced straberries.
  • Refrigerate before serving.

    

Prep time (duration): 5 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 6

Calories: 251

Fat: 9 grams

Protein: 8 grams

Recipe courtesy of Dinner Tonight Cookbook, http://healthyliving.tamu.edu and http://www.dairymax.org.

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