I don’t know about you but during the summer I often find that I would rather snack on something light than eating a big meal. Not to mention, who really wants to be cooking during the summer? Here’s a dip to be served with fresh fruits.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

3 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1-1/2 cups whole milk
6 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 tablespoon finely chopped candied ginger
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Preparation:

Combine pudding mix, milk and orange juice concentrate in a small bowl and mix well with wire whisk or eggbeater for 1 minute. Stir in sour cream and both kinds of ginger.

In another small bowl, combine cream with powdered sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into ginger mixture. Pour into serving bowl.

Cover and chill several hours before serving. Serve with fresh fruit for dipping. I especially like mandarin orange segments, pear slices, strawberries, grapes, and kiwi fruit. Pirouette or sugar cookies are also good dippers.

Recipe Source: About.com

These mischievous mice will have your kids happily nibbling on a healthy snack in no time.

Fresh strawberries
Mini chocolate chips
Black decorators’ icing
Almond slivers
Toothpick
Red lace licorice
Wedge of Cheese (Your choice)

1. For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.

2. Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.

3. Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.

4. For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole. Serve these berry cute treats with small triangles of cheese.

Recipe Source: FamilyFun.com

Yum, this looks good!  I grabbed it off of this site:  http://www.school-lunch-ideas.com/

Doritos Taco Salad Recipe

1 lb. ground beef
1 head iceberg lettuce, cleaned and torn into bite site pieces
1 envelope of taco seasoning
1 medium sized tomato, diced
1 bag of nacho Doritos (plain or spicy)
1 bottle Thousand Island dressing
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef. Drain fat. Toss with dry taco seasoning. (Please note: this recipe does not call for water.) Set aside until cool. In a large bowl add lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and then mix in the seasoned ground beef. Portion out in individual containers and pack personal sized containers of dressing and a small sealer bag of Doritos.

 ENJOY!

Yum!  I made this the other day with the veggies from our Community Supported Agriculture program.   Even the kids liked it!

3 oz. Cream Cheese

2 T. Finely Minced Radishes

1 T. Minced Green Onion

1 T. MInced Fresh Parsley

1 t. Lemon Juice

Dash of Garlic Salt

Dash of Paprika

Blend together and serve with crackers or chips. 

Betty Crocker just sent me a link to this recipe, and it looks so good I just had to share!  ENJOY!

Straberries and Cream Dessert Squares

Are you doing Christmas Cookie Baking this year?  I probably won’t do much because since my husband is a pastor we end up getting lots for gifts.  However, I did want to share my very favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe with you in case you are baking up a storm.  These are quick, easy and DELICIOUS! 

Scandinavian Almond Bars
Makes 4 Dozen

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour
2 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt
1/2 C. Butter
1 C. Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 t. Almond Extract
Milk
1/2 C Sliced Almonds

Almond Icing:
Stir together 1 C. sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 t. almod extract and enough milk (3-4 t.) to make icing of drizzling consistency.

Stir together four, bakign powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat tll fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and beat well. Add flour mixure and beat till well mixed.

Divide dough into fourths. Form each into a 12″ roll. Place two rolls 4-5 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten till 3 inches wide. Repeat with remaining rolls.

Brush flattened rolls with milk and sprinkle with almonds. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 12-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. While cookies are still warm, cut them crosswise at a diagonal into 1″ strips. Cool. Drizzle with Almond Icing.

Please share your favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe in the comments area for other to enjoy!

Oh my goodness, how good does this look? Chocolate Pecan Peanut Butter Pie  ENJOY!