Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Fruit Pizza

This is a cool and refreshing dessert...
perfect for summer.

The Cookie Crust
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter, softened

Mix the dry ingredients together. Cut in butter with a pastry blender.
Press cookie crust into a round pizza pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool completely.

The Cream Cheese Layer
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp. pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple)

Beat together and spread on cooled crust.

Fruit Topping
Arrange any assortment of fruit on top.

I recommend:
Fresh Strawberries
Kiwi
Banana
Pineapple Tidbits
Mandarin Oranges
Blueberries
Maraschino Cherries

Use your imagination and creativity when arranging your fruit.
(On the fourth of July, I use strawberries, banana, and blueberries 
for a red, white and blue pizza.)

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Layered Taco Dip

Layered Taco Dip
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. taco seasoning
shredded cheddar
salsa
1 can refried beans or bean dip
lettuce
more shredded cheese
tomato
black olives
green onions


Mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, some shredded cheddar and salsa in your mixing bowl

Use your largest serving platter and spread refried beans for the bottom layer.

Spread the cream cheese mixture next.
Since everyone in my family is not a fan of beans,
I have beans on one half and the cream cheese on the other half of the platter...
or you can layer the cream cheese on top of the beans, if you wish.

I use lettuce and shredded cheese for the next two layers.

Add sliced black olives, diced tomato, and sliced green onions for the garnish.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

This is an Easy...Easy...No Bake Cheesecake...

Graham Cracker Crust
  • 1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted

Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter or margarine, until well blended .
 Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.
Chill for about an hour.

Cheesecake Filling
1/2 c. sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. Whipped Topping
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping.
Pour into graham cracker crust and spread until smooth.
Chill at least 2 hours.
Serve with fruit topping.

We served our cheesecake with cherry and blueberry toppings... 
on the side.

This is light and refreshing for a quick summer dessert.


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Chicken Noodle Soup

While Spring has Sprung...
we are still having some cool, rainy days...
Soup Days.

Homemade Chicken Stock
Wash and clean 4 to 5 chicken pieces.
We usually use the breast, wing, back, thigh and drumstick.

Place chicken pieces in your soup pot with 6 to 8 cups of water.
Put lid on pan and bring to a boil. Turn heat down so it can simmer.

While the water is heating, add:
1 carrot, cleaned and cut into slices
1 stalk celery and leaves, cleaned and chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 sprigs parsley
5 peppercorns
1/2 tsp salt
1 bayleaf

Simmer until chicken pieces are cooked...tender.


Refrigerate broth overnight.

On day two, remove the layer of fat that has solidified on the top.

Return broth to a low boil...
Discard the 5 peppercorns and bay leaf.
Cut chicken into bite size pieces and add to the broth.

Add  noodles, rice or dumplings...

Add a scoop of frozen peas, if you wish...

Cook 6 to 8 minutes,
or until the noodles are al dente.
(Check package directions for rice or dumplings.)


Comfort Food.