Is marscapone cheese super fattening? Help me with this rec

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Jellyphant
Jellyphant Posts: 1,400 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just in case the subject was too long:

Is marscapone cheese super fattening? Help me with this recipe! (If so, does a lighter/fat free version exist?)
(I realize I can use cream cheese, but the picky husband won't eat it. He's curious to try marscapone, tho.)

I've never used it, nor seen it in my local grocery store like HEB, Walmart or Super Target, but I may have just not been looking hard enough, but I'm looking for an easy-to-transport and light dessert to take on a picnic this weekend!

Here's the recipe I'm currently eyeing, and trying to make it as light as it can go:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/strawberry-mascarpone-dessert-pizza-536600/

(Feel free to help me out with choosing alternatives for some of the ingredients! - i.e. whipped cream.. D:!!!!)

Also, if you have any awesome desserts for strawberries and blueberries, post away!! :D

Replies

  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
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    Mascarpone...bad?

    Depends on who you're asking :)

    It's essentially triple cream cheese - a creme fraiche, not a traditional cheese with about 60-70% milkfat.

    If you have a grocery that specializes in Italian goods you should be able to find some. It's also a key ingredient in tiramisu.
  • abolen
    abolen Posts: 2 Member
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    It is actually like any cheese. I found this online
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/342147-mascarpone-cheese-nutrition/
    You can find it at Trader Joes, Safeway, Whole Foods, Frys or Fred Meyers.
  • Bakins929
    Bakins929 Posts: 895 Member
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    Looks pretty fattening. 120 cals in 1 tbsp.
    http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-belgioioso-cheese-mascarpone-i108147

    Maybe try greek yogurt? Or 75% greek yogurt mixed with 25% cream cheese?
  • Jellyphant
    Jellyphant Posts: 1,400 Member
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    It's looking like I'm going to have to continue my recipe search.
  • Hotlanta123
    Hotlanta123 Posts: 12
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    A lower cal and lower fat alternative to cheesecake crusts (and the like) is to make one from figs. I use about 20 dried figs with a cup of graham cracker crumbs and just pulse them together in a food processor. A blender would probably work as well. You might want to add a little brown sugar to cut down on the figgy taste if you don't like figs. I don't do that and it turns out fine. You could also use a fiber cereal instead of the graham crackers. I would think that the figs and strawberries would go together nicely.

    I've never done any actual calorie or fat comparison, but this has got to better than a flour/sugar/butter heavy crust.

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