Now that berries and tropical fruits are back in season, how about trying some simple but tasty treats?

To lower the amount of sugar needed, you would find your dishes most satisfactory if fruits are fully ripened. Some recipes have replaced sugar with agave nectar, alternative sweetener for diabetics.

Strawberry Tart On Oat Crumble (Gluten Free)

1 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup margarine (Smart Balance Light or Earth Balance)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 lb strawberries

1 lb extra firm tofu

1/2 cup agave nectar or 1/2 cup unrefined sugar

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

2 Tbs pure vanilla extract

1 cup strawberries

1 Tbs agave nectar or 1 Tbs unrefined sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil spring form pan. Process oats and cinnamon in food processor until grains become a flour consistency. Then, add margarine and process until well mixed. Transfer mixture to pan and press firmly. Blend strawberries, tofu, agave and lemon juice and zest until smooth and creamy. Pour filling over crust and bake 45 minutes. Allow it to cool to room temperature. Mash or blend 1 cup of strawberries with 1 Tbs of agave nectar or sugar and spread sauce evenly on top of tart. Transfer to the refrigerator for 3 hours to overnight.

Orange/Mango Salad

1 mango diced

1 navel orange, shaved and sliced

3 huge handfuls of spinach

Mix ingredients

Dressing: Whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 tsp dried basil, and a pinch of salt.

Pina colada pops

1/2 pineapple

2 bananas

1/2 tsp coconut extract or 1 Tbs coconut extract

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour smoothie into ice trays and stick toothpicks in each tray. Free for four hours ’til overnight. The alternative to pops is to drink immediately by adding about 1/4 cup ice or peel and freeze the bananas. After the bananas are frozen, blend all ingredients and add water if necessary.

No Bake Blueberry Crumble

Crust:

1 cup almonds

1-2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 cardamom powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 cup dates (fresh not dried, if dried then hydrate by soaking in water for 30 minutes)

Directions for the crust: Process almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg to a fine flour. Add dates and process until it begins to stick together. Use 2/3 to press into the bottom of pan.

Filling:

1 lb blueberries

1/2 cup agave

Directions: Mix thoroughly and pour on top of crust. Add remainder of crust to the top.

Contact: itveganatgenesis@yahoo.com

Web site: www.veganatgenesis.com