Serve up a great Father’s Day

Family Features

Moms and kids can make Father’s Day exciting this year by making Dad some great-tasting treats from the heart.

Not only will it keep spending in check, but the results will taste delicious and kids will have fun being part of the action.

Start by serving Dad breakfast in bed. Try a Kiwifruit Potassium Power Smoothie, an all-natural smoothie that is a meal in itself. Kids can personalize the breakfast by peeling and cutting kiwifruit into stars, hearts and other fun shapes to add to the smoothie. (Kiwifruit shapes can also top pancakes or cereal.)

Later in the day, older kids can be Dad’s helper at the grill. Try sweet and juicy fruit skewers along with Curried Turkey Sliders With Chutney — the tropical flavor of the kebabs and the tangy curry of the sliders make the perfect taste combination that will make Dad feel really special.

Fresh fruit also perks up cocktails and mocktails. A Green Kiwifruit Vesper cocktail or mocktail is just the thing to finish off an unforgettable Father’s Day.

More recipes and nutritional information are available at www.zesprikiwi.com.

Curried Turkey Sliders With Kiwifruit Chutney

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 6 minutes

6 servings

Chutney

2 green kiwifruit, peeled, finely diced

1 tablespoon golden raisins

2 teaspoons sugar

1‚Ñ8 teaspoon salt

Combine kiwifruit, raisins, sugar and salt in small bowl and mix. Make chutney just prior to serving.

Curried Turkey Sliders

1 pound lean ground turkey

1‚Ñ4 cup finely diced onion

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

11‚Ñ2 teaspoons curry powder

1‚Ñ2 teaspoon salt

1‚Ñ4 teaspoon ground black pepper

12 mini burger or small dinner rolls, split and toasted

Preheat grill to medium. Combine turkey, onions, cilantro, curry powder, salt and pepper in medium bowl. Shape into 12 2-inch mini burger patties. Grill patties for 2 to 3 min utes on each side, turning once, until cooked through. Place on buns; top with chutney.

Green Kiwifruit Vesper

Prep time: 3 minutes

2 cocktails

2 green kiwifruit, peeled, chopped

2 ounces vodka

2 ounces gin

2 ounces Lillet Blanc

1 cup ice

Muddle kiwifruit, vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake all ingredients and strain into two sugar-rimmed martini glasses. Garnish with unpeeled kiwifruit slice.

For a mocktail, substitute 6 ounces white grape juice and a dash of bitters for alcohol.

Kiwifruit Potassium Power Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes

2 servings

1 cup vanilla soymilk, fortified (or regular milk)

1 cup orange juice, calcium fortified

2 gold or green kiwifruit, washed, unpeeled, chopped

1 banana, sliced

1‚Ñ2 cup ice cubes

2 tablespoons soy protein powder

1 teaspoon honey

Blend all ingredients in blender on high for 20 to 30 seconds or until smooth. Serve immediately.

Summer Kebabs

Prep time: 15 minutes

Marinating time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

8 servings

2 green kiwifruit, peeled and cut into halves

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1‚Ñ2 cup honey

1 teaspoon ginger, fresh, grated

1‚Ñ2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

8 Zespri green kiwifruit, peeled and cut in half widthwise

2 peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces

1‚Ñ2 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

8 strawberries, hulled

2 bananas, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

8 wooden skewers

Pur e lemon juice, honey, ginger, cinnamon and 2 kiwi fruit in food processor until smooth to make kiwi fruit glaze. Do not crush kiwifruit seeds; set aside.

Place prepared fruit in large bowl. Pour pur ed kiwifruit glaze over fruit and gently toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. Arrange mixed fruits on skewers. Brush grill with oil. Preheat grill.

Grill fruit over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side, brushing with kiwifruit glaze until light brown. Serve immediately.

FUN FACTS ABOUT A FUZZY LITTLE FRUIT

U A two-piece serving of kiwifruit has twice the vitamin C of an orange, as much potassium as a banana and as much fiber as a serv ing of bran flakes — all for less than 100 calories and around $1.

U Green kiwifruit offers a tangy-sweet flavor, while gold is more tropical-sweet.

U No need to peel. It’s easy — just cut and scoop kiwifruit. Don’t let this fuzzy little fruit intimidate you. Kids find kiwifruit easier to eat than you might think.

U Zespri gold kiwifruit is in season through October. Zespri green kiwi fruit is in season through November.

QUICK TIPS ON COOKING WITH KIWIFRUIT

U Green kiwifruit is a natural meat tenderizer. Simply peel and mash a kiwifruit and spread it on a cut of meat. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes and then lightly scrape off the kiwifruit before cooking.

U Look for plump and smooth-skinned kiwifruit with no wrinkles, bruises or punctures. Ripe green and gold kiwifruit will keep at room temperature for a few days. Keep them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to store longer.

U To speed up the ripening process, put kiwifruit in a brown bag with an apple or banana and leave on your kitchen counter.