Mediterranean Dip

Mediterranean Dip

1 16 ounce container your favorite flavor hummus
1 4 ounce container crumbled feta cheese
1 can pitted black olives, drained and sliced
1 medium/large cucumber, diced and seeded
1 large tomato, diced and seeded
Sprinkle of diced green or red onions, optional
salt and pepper, if desired.

Spread hummus into serving plate.  Add a layer of black olives, then cucumber, tomato
and then onion if desired.  Top with feta cheese, salt and pepper and serve with pita chips, bagel chips, or crackers.

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

1 lb. Bowtie Pasta
1 large tomato, diced
1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
1 can black olives, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1 small red onion, diced
1 package crumbled feta cheese
1 1/2 cup Greek dressing
Freshly ground black pepper



Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add pasta and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain and rinse pasta.  Mix pasta with remaining ingredients except feta cheese.  Chill for several hours.  Serve with crumbled feta cheese.  Refrigerate leftovers. 

Tuscan bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup

1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta
1 can diced or crushed tomatoes
1 small onion, diced finely
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups water
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans chicken broth
1  jar spaghetti sauce
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
shredded parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper, salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in water, broth, spaghetti sauce and beans. Bring to a boil and reduce to low and simmer for a few minutes.  Stir in spinach, pasta and Italian seasoning.   Cook a few more minutes until pasta is tender. Serve with parmesan, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper if desired.

Blueberry Muffins

This recipe uses blueberry pancake mix. You can also try with chocolate chip pancake mix for chocolate chip muffins.

Blueberry Muffins

2 1/2 cups blueberry pancake mix
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix all ingredients except blueberries together. Gently fold in blueberries.  Add batter to greased muffin tin (about 2/3 full in each muffin cup).  Bake for 14-16 minutes.

Old Fashioned Fruit Tea

There are many variations on fruit tea you can try using different kinds of fruit juices. You can also use caffeine free tea.  If you do not want to make your own tea, you may substitute your favorite store bought ready made tea.

Old Fashioned Fruit Tea

1 12 ounce can Five Alive! frozen concentrate
1 cup pineapple juice
3 family sized tea bags
1 1/2 cup sugar

Steep tea bags in 1 quart boiling water for about 10 minutes.  Combine juices and tea in
a gallon sized pitcher.  Add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add water to make a gallon.  Serve over ice. You may add sliced oranges and lemons to the tea or garnish with them if you like.

Mama's Sand Tarts

Mama's Sand Tarts

1 cup butter at room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 cup nuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream butter and sugar. Mix in vanilla and flour and nuts. Roll into small balls. Place on baking sheet and bake for about 5-8 minutes. Place powdered sugar in large bowl and toss tarts until covered with powdered sugar.
Cool and store in airtight container.

Strawberry Frappe

Strawberry Frappe

1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp. Strawberry Syrup
1 large scoop vanilla ice cream
4-5 strawberries, stems removed
4 to 5 ice cubes
Reddi whip

Put all ingredients in blender and blend for a couple of minutes until
thoroughly blended. Top with Reddi whip and strawberries if desired.

Confetti Pasta Salad

Confetti Pasta Salad

16 oz. vermicelli pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
4 Tbsp salad oil
4 tbsp. lemon juice
4 Tbsp Accent or Seasoned salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced green onion
1/2 cup finely diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely diced black olives
1/2 cup finely diced green olives
Cook vermicelli 6 minutes and drain. Do not rinse. In a large bowl, mix together pasta, oil, lemon juice and accent.  Cover and marinate overnight in fridge.  The next day, add mayo, celery, onion, peppers and olives.
You do not have to use both types of peppers and olives, but it makes the dish colorful
and pretty!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, mix flour and baking soda.  In a separate bowl, mix  butter and sugars.  Beat until mixed well.  On low speed, add the salt, vanilla and eggs.  Mix well.  Add flour mixture.  Mix until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon onto baking sheet 2 inches apart.  Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.  Let cool. Store in Ziploc or airtight container.