Sunday, December 12, 2010

Should have been…



This post is terribly late and should have been named “I pity the fool…” The giveaway ended Thursday and I said I'd post the winner Friday.  I swear I didn’t just keep it for myself and run.  We do have a winner.  We also have a very unwell husband. 

Remember last weekend when I said we had to take a trip to the ER?  Well…there have been almost daily doctor’s appointments since to try to determine why Andy’s eyes are swollen.  First it was around his eyes, and now it is his actual eyeballs.  Sounds gross?  Looks even worse.  I’ll spare you the photos that I’ve sent to family.  The good news is that doctors seem confused but not horribly concerned about it and are leaning towards allergic reaction.  It will be really fantastic when it’s over.

So do me a favor and imagine that you’re reading something witty and funny about the A-Team and Mr. T saying “I pity the fool” in all his gold-chain glory.  Then imagine that I effortlessly tied it in to the persimmon fool I made with the persimmons that I thought were destined for the garbage.  We’re talking sad, deflated, and mushy.  But I was determined to use them and here’s what came out of it:


Persimmon Fool

Makes 2-4 servings

1 1/2 persimmons, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon brandy
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoons allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar

gingersnap cookies, crumbled

Stir persimmons, brown sugar, brandy and spices together in a small saucepan.  Let simmer for a few minutes.  Puree roughly (either by hand or with an emersion blender.)  Refrigerate to cool.

Whip cream and sugar together in a mixer to form peaks.  Fold cooled puree into whipped cream.  Sprinkle top of fool with cookie crumbles.


It was only recently that I heard of a fool (puréed fruit mixed with whipped cream), but I loved it before even learning what it was.  The immature 10 year-old in me loves the name and giggles every time I say it.  The adult in me loves the simplicity of fruit mixed with cream. 

This is such a quick and easy dessert and is the perfect light finish to a meal. The persimmons mixed with baking spices and brandy made me think “holiday dessert.”  Throw in the whipped cream and gingersnap crumbles and this is definitely a winner.

Speaking of winners, Lea Ann at Mangos Chili and Z is the winner of my $35 CSN giveaway.  Congrats Lea Ann!

Another winner last week was me.  Becky at Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves bestowed The Versatile Blogger award upon me.  Thanks Becky…I appreciate it!

Fingers crossed for Andy and his quick recovery.

42 comments:

  1. I love the persimmon! The dessert looks delicious and quick to make...simply a foolproof recipe!

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  2. Love the orangy color of the exotic Persimmon fruit. Delicious dessert.

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  3. Oh Karen - I hope he's feeling much better very soon - nothing worse than a sick man in the house!

    The fool sounds delicious - I'm going to have to get my hands on some persimmons, they look fantastic.

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  4. This looks amazing! What a beautiful dessert!

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  5. I hope Andy feels better soon! I agree that it sounds like an allergic reaction (in all my doctorly wisdom of course :P). There aren't many other things (at least not that I've learned about) that makes your eye itself swell.

    This fool sounds wonderful! I adore persimmons and wish they were more abundant here in teh northeast!

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  6. What a beautiful looking dessert! Man I hope the Hub gets well soon. I've never heard of eyes themselves swelling...yikes. Thank you..thank you..thank you..for the wonderful give away! I appreciate it so much and can't wait to go shopping.

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  7. I pity me for not getting to eat that right now ... and I hope your husband gets to feeling better soon!

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  8. Beautiful! Love the colors in this dish!

    Hope he gets better soon -never a dull moment, right?!

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  9. The persimmon fool looks so light and fluffy. I'm dying to try it!

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  10. I hope your husband gets to feeling better soon. I love what you did with this dish. Sounds and looks so good! I have never had persimmons though but I'm guessing I would love them.

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  11. I hope your husband feels better soon! I've read about fools before, but have never had one. It looks pretty simple and very tasty!

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  12. I have never tried persimmons but I am seeing them often on many blogs! This recipe looks amazing,and sounds so delish!Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Your poor husband. Bless your hearts. But "pity the fool" or not, this dessert looks so good! And I still giggle when I hear of a sweet fool.

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  14. Wow, I will be curious to hear what the final conclusion is with Andy. I do truly hope it is best case scenario and it is only an allergic reaction! I have never made anything with persimmons but this does sound delicious. And lovely presentation!

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  15. Your poor husband-sounds like he has a serious allergy reaction to some foods, or plants. Hope he will get through this soon.

    Congratulations to the winners!

    Persimmon is such a beautiful fruit-just never came up with an idea to make it with. The "fool"...wonder why they call it that? It looks so yummy, and refreshing!

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  16. Great recipe! We re cooking with persimmons too. Lots of them!
    LL

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  17. It does look fantastic. What a tremendously creative way to use fruit that's on the edge. I'd have thrown them away.

    I'm sorry about your husband and hope he's restored to full health soon! (And thanks for not posting the pictures!!)

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  18. i hope Andy gets better soon so you can get back to making magic in the kitchen!! I like the new random recipe on the sidebar. very cool

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  19. I am sorry about Andy I hope he will feel better! This dessert looks the perfect solace for all this misfortune.

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  20. Fool. *snicker*

    I sure hope Andy feels better soon. Swollen eyes don't sound like much fun at all.

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  21. Congrats to the winner! Hope Andy feels better. Allergies are really lousy!

    Great use of the persimmons, it looks amazing!

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  22. mmmm... been looking for persimmon recipes and this looks like a yummy one - pretty too!

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  23. Karen,
    I hope that your hubby is feeling better soon. I bought my first persimmon last week, and it was a crunchy one. I'll have to look for some softer one to make a "fool"

    You are quite welcome for the award. You totally deserve it. Thanks for the shout out!

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  24. Your fool looks delicious. Hope Andy is doing better soon.

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  25. looks very delicious.. is there a way u can replace the brandy?

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  26. What a great recipe for persimmon! It sounds delicious and rich :)

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  27. I often look at persimmon and am tempted to buy them; your dessert sounds like something I would try; looking good.

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  28. I hope Andy is doing better! Thanks for sparing us the photos! He He This dessert sounds wonderful. Have to add it to my must make list!
    -Gina-

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  29. What a beautiful (and delicious) looking dessert! Congrats on your award and to your winner Lea Ann!!

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  30. I hope Andy recovers soon! Poor thig...it must be really uncomfortable.

    Persimmon fool sounds like a good idea. I love persimmons but have never used it in my cooking. I see a lot of recipes using persimmons these days. I'll have to jump into the fray soon :)

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  31. Hope your hubby gets well soon! Your persimmon fool sounds yummy. Persimmons are one of my favourite fruits! Love this!

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  32. You should have named the post "I Pity the Fool"! Just because it's funny! I love that! This sounds delicious. I hope Andy feels better soon. Swollen eyes don't sound like fun at all.

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  33. I haven't used persimmons much in the past, but I love this recipe! I will have to give them a try!:)

    so sorry for your husband! hope he gets better soon!!

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  34. Lovely recipe and photos as always, but also I hope your hubbie recovers soon, poor bloke!

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  35. Those look completely lovely, and I am so sorry about your husband's allergies. Hope he is feeling much better!

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  36. Persimmon is such a wonderful fruit. I usually just eat it raw, like an apple. For some reason it never crossed my mind to do anything else with it !

    Thanks for posting and I hope your husband is on the mend

    Merry Christmas

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  37. Karen, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  38. Karen,
    I hope you had a Merry Christmas
    I wish you a great 2011
    Barbaraxx

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  39. I'm so sorry that things have been rough.... trips to the doc are never fun! I hope it's all cleared up soon & that you have an awesome start to the New Year!!!

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  40. This looks so delicious! I hope you're family is doing better!

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