Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

I just made the best smoothie and I have to write down what I put in it before I forget. Give it a try!

(all of the measurements are very approximate...)

8 ice cubes
1 Yoplait lemon burst yogurt
4-5 large frozen Costco strawberries
1/8 cup Country Time pink lemonade mix
1 cup water

Blend and enjoy. Mmmm.

Tomato and Spinach Pasta Toss

from Kraft Foods

This was really good and easy so I had to share! To make it a little healthier I used whole wheat pasta, and instead of italian sausage I used those Jimmy Deans turkey sausage links that are pre-cooked. I just heated them up on the skillet then chopped them up in little pieces.

2 cups rotini or penne pasta, uncooked
1/2 lb. hot or mild Italian sausage, casing removed
1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves (7 cups)
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, crumble meat into large deep skillet. Cook on medium-high heat 10 to 12 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally; drain. Add spinach and tomatoes; cook 2 min. or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.

DRAIN pasta. Add to skillet along with the cheeses; toss lightly.

Caramel-Filled Chocolate Cookies

This was my grandmother's recipe and the cookies are a huge hit in my family. For more of a turtle cookie, add some chopped pecans to the dough batter. Yummy!

CARAMEL-FILLED CHOCOLATE COOKIES
1 c. sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. butter
2 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 t. baking soda
48 Rolos
1 T. sugar

Combine 1 c. sugar, brown sugar and butter. Add vanilla and eggs, mix well. Combine in small bowl, flour, cocoa and baking soda, mix well. Add to sugar mixture, mix well. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375. With floured hands shape 1 T. of dough around 1 Rolo candy, covering the candy completely. Roll in sugar. Bake 7-10 minutes or until slightly cracked.

Cafe Rio Lime Rice

I found this online. I tried it. I was taken back to Provo.

Seriously almost an exact recipe, and SO yummy and easy!

4 T butter

2 1/2 C rice

4 1/2 C chicken broth

1 1/2 tsp salt

juice from for limes or 4 T lime juice

4 T chopped cilantro

1/2 tsp cumin

Dump in rice cooker until done.

Petite Watermelons

Petite Watermelons

2 limes

1 small box of red Jello

mini chocolate chips

Cut both limes in half lengthwise. Scoop out all the fruit with a spoon. Place the limes in a muffin tin to keep them from tipping over. Make the box of Jello according to the Jiggler directions. Carefully spoon Jello into the limes halves. Chill until almost firm. Using a skewer push the mini chocolate chips into the Jello for "watermelon seeds." Chill until until firm, then cut into slices.
(Got this cute idea from: Chocolate on My Cranium)

Fast Easy Artichoke Dip

Artichoke Dip

by Monette Magleby

1/2 cup Mayo

1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese

1 can chopped green chillies (4 oz.)

1 can artichoke hearts (not marinated) quartered, drained

Mix, cook for 20 minutes at 350 deg. I double this recipe.

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Artichoke Dip

by Mimi Chipman

2 (8oz.) pkgs. cream cheese

1/2 cup mayo

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 T. garlic powder

1 T. white pepper or pinch of black

1 T. dill weed

salt to taste

2 cans artichoke hearts, quartered, drained

Let cream cheese come to room temperature. Combine all ingredients. Bake in shallow dish @400 deg. until golden brown on top.

~serve with pita chips or tortilla chips, both are good, just depends on what mood your in!

bread tips

Click on Pictures to Enlarge - These are from 'The America's Test Kitchen' cook book also

hmm, that was too easy. maybe i will just start scanning in my recipe's, then it wont take as long and there will be better pictures