Fruit Stacked Sticks Recipes

FRUIT-STACKED STICKS

Steps:

• Cut pineapple half lengthwise. Cut the half into quarters lengthwise. Cut the quarters into 6 chunks, making 24 pieces. Trim the ends off the orange and remove the peel. Cut the orange into 6 wedges then cut wedges in half across. Stack 8 pieces of pineapple and 3 pieces of orange and 2 strawberries on each 4-inch skewer. Place skewered fruit on shallow dish.
• In a sauce pot combine sugar and water and place over high heat. Add the zests to the sugar. Bring sugar to a simmer, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• Remove the citrus infused sugar from heat and pour over the skewers. Let flavors infuse 10 to 15 minutes in the refrigerator.

PANINI-STACKED STICKS

Steps:

• In Italy, my favorite panini (sandwich) is made with ham (prosciutto di Parma) cheese (robiola) and arugula (rucola or rocket lettuce). You can eat it cold, or press it and grill it on a sandwich press or in a skillet. If you want to press it, put a heavy skillet on top of the sandwich as it cooks on a griddle or in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook just a minute or so on each side to crisp the roll and slightly warm the filling.
• To make the sandwich, split rolls and cover with provolone. Top with a few pieces of arugula and 2 or 3 thin slices of ham, set the top in place and press down. Cut sandwiches into 8 small cubes or grill to toast the roll, then cut. Stack 8 pieces or 1 panini on each stick, threading 2 hot peppers or 2 jumbo olives in among the panini pieces as you work. Repeat to make 4 (12-inch) panini-stacked sticks.

FRIED ELVIS BANANA ON A STICK

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches vegetable oil to 370 degrees F in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until the fat is rendered but the bacon is still pliable (don't get it too crisp), 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Let cool.
• Spread one side of each bacon slice with peanut butter. Wrap each slice around a banana piece, peanut butter-side facing the banana, pressing to adhere.
• Spread some cake flour in a shallow bowl for dredging. Whisk the cake flour, confectioners' sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the seltzer, taking care not to overmix (a few small lumps are fine).
• Dredge half of the bananas in the flour, then dip in the batter and carefully add to the hot oil. Fry in 2 batches until crisp and golden brown, flipping halfway through, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining bananas. Insert skewers into the bananas. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.

CRUNCHY MONKEY PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA STICKS

Steps:

• Heat the peanut butter in the microwave on high for 20 seconds to loosen it, then stir honey into it. Place the granola into a food processor and lightly process to crush up the granola, nuts, and raisins. Peel and cut each banana in half across the middle. Insert a popsicle or chop stick into the cut end of each half-banana. Spread 1 side of each banana stick with 1/4 of the peanut sauce then coat liberally with spoonfuls of granola, gently pressing it into the peanut butter. Eat the bananas right off the sticks, but serve on a plate to catch the crumbs.

SPANISH CHEESES, CELERY STICKS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Arrange crackers, cheeses, celery sticks and a dish of olives on a cutting board or large serving platter and set out for snacking as dinner cooks.

CHEESE & FRUIT STICKS

Steps:

• We sometimes forget how good the simple things are. This is an easy snack to rustle up and great for getting the kids to eat fruit. Just chop up your kids' favourite fruit and firm cheese and thread the pieces onto cocktail sticks or skewers. Tony's kids all like apples, pears and grapes and love cheddar, but feel free to try your own combinations.