Not-so-sinful summer indulgences

Heavenly Yam Delight combines vitamin-rich yams with rich-tasting cream cheese and pecans

By Holly B. Clegg
Los Angeles Times Syndicate

(Los Angeles Times Syndicate) -- Summer is the time of year for casual entertaining, and there always seems to be a crowd gathering in the kitchen, wanting to be fed good and fast. Although it's hot outside and even hotter in the kitchen, there is still no better finale to a summer meal than the indulgence of dessert.

If the family cook wants to quickly pull together a simple dessert, he or she can use fruits, vegetables and grains to create tasty recipes with added nutritional value. Seasonal fruits provide the perfect opportunity to boost the nutritional content of a dessert while still providing a palate-pleasing experience.

The following health-conscious desserts are easy to prepare and will not distract the summertime chef from other summer activities. Of course, a bowl of fresh berries alone is hard to beat as a summer dessert, but berries turn into an even more decadent delight with Easy Strawberry Custard Cake.

Berries are currently in season and are packed full of vitamins, antioxidants and sweetness. By using a commercially prepared, reduced-fat pound cake combined with raspberry jam, strawberries, custard, orange juice and sliced almonds, this delicious creation can be whipped up quickly and stored in the refrigerator for whenever needed.

The Fruit Crumble is the ideal summer cobbler crisp recipe and can include a range of fruit, from berries to peaches. The recipe is enhanced and fortified with grains in the topping, including oats and natural wheat and barley cereal. If desired, serve hot with nonfat frozen vanilla yogurt and, presto, you have a not-so-sinful summer delight.

When you are looking for a perfectly refreshing summer dessert, the Heavenly Yam Delight will be high on your list. Yams are a great source of beta carotene and vitamin C, and have been named the most nutritious vegetable by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The natural sweetness of yams layered with a pecan crust, cream cheese and whipped topping make this the ideal combination of flavors.

These ingredients can also usually be found in the pantry, saving the cook valuable shopping time. Believe it or not, these three mouthwatering desserts are nutritious. Try them for yourself and you will find that they are also, most importantly, delicious.