Strawberry Truffles Recipe

Beat together the cream cheese, sugar and ginger root until smooth. Add the white chocolate and mix well. Chill at least 1 hour or until easy to handle. If necessary, place in freezer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

Using a very small melon baller, scoop out the center of each strawberry halfway down each fruit. Pat berry dry inside and out. Put a little crystalized ginger into each strawberry. Shape the creamy cheese mixture around each fruit. Coat one end in coconut and the other end in pistachio nuts. Place the truffles in candy cups. Chill until serving time.

Per truffle: 224 calories, 40 percent calories from fat, 3 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram total fiber, 10 grams total fat, 14 milligrams cholesterol, 39 milligrams sodium.

To toast coconut: Spread flaked coconut in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes or until golden.

Easy variation: An easy but less glamorous alternative is to layer halved berries and the cream-cheese mixture in a plastic wrap-lined loaf pan. Sprinkle top with coconut and chopped pistachios. Chill until firm. Remove "loaf" by grasping sides of plastic wrap. Remove wrap. Serve in thin slices topped with additional coconut and chopped pistachios.