Strawberry Mango Salsa

Mangos and strawberries are rich in a variety of phytochemicals and nutrients. The fruit pulp is high in prebiotic dietary fiber, vitamin C, diverse polyphenols and provitamin A carotenoids.


3/4 cup strawberries, finely diced
3/4 cup mangos, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
6 basil leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbs. fresh lemon Juice
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper


Combine all ingredients and allow to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours, covered.
Serve with cinnamon-sugar pita chips.  Enjoy!!

5 Ingredient Healthy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

4 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons sesame or chia seeds 
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
3/4 cup natural peanut butter, melted
1/2 cup brown rice syrup or honey

(other ingredients you can add in:)
chocolate chips
wheat germ
flaxseed
dried fruit 
other nuts
seeds
coconut

Directions:

Preheat over to 350.

In a large bowl, combine oats, seeds and peanuts. Add brown rice syrup (or honey) and mix to combine. Add melted peanut butter and mix until moistened. This works as a perfect, simple granola bar, but you can also throw in any add-ins at this time. Fold them into the dough. You may need to get in there with your hands and work the granola dough! If dough is still too dry (this can depend on your ingredients) add more peanut butter or syrup (or honey) 1 tablespoon at a time until moistened.

Press dough in a greased (non-stick spray) 9" x 13" baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.

Greek Pasta Salad

        

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE DRESSING

1 cup olive oil
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons basil dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

FOR THE SALAD

1 pound rotini pasta cooked according to package directions
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (you can also sub in grape tomatoes)
1 large cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup Kalamata olives
1-1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1/2 lb. salami or pepperoni -  sliced
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a a large Mason jar or other sealable container, combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, basil, oregano, black pepper, and sugar. Shake well to combine.

2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, green onions, olives, feta cheese and salami or pepperoni.

3. Separate and reserve ½ cup of dressing in the refrigerator.

4. Toss the pasta salad with the rest of the dressing until evenly coated. Cover, and chill overnight.

5. Right before serving, freshen the salad with the reserved dressing, tossing to coat.  Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves, sprinkled on top.

Cake and Berry Campfire Cobbler Recipe!

Planning a Summer Campout?  This is a great recipe that kids love to make!  

Only 5 Ingredients, and no Eggs!

Ingredients

• 2 cans (21 ounces each) raspberry pie filling
• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

• Prepare grill or campfire for low heat, using 16-20 charcoal briquettes or large wood chips.
• Line a Dutch oven with heavy-duty aluminum foil; add pie filling. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water and oil. Spread over pie filling.
• Cover Dutch oven. When briquettes or wood chips are covered with white ash, place Dutch oven directly on top of 8-10 of them. Using long-handled tongs, place remaining briquettes on pan cover.
• Cook for 30-40 minutes or until filling is bubbly and a toothpick inserted in the topping comes out clean. To check for doneness, use the tongs to carefully lift the cover. Serve with ice cream if desired. Yield: 12 servings.

Cinnamon & Sugar Ricotta Fritters!

Great for a weekend morning treat!  Yum!!!

Ingredients:

Fritters:
Vegetable Oil
3 large eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

Topping:
1/4 cup white granulated sugar
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1. In a large skillet (or saucepan), heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350˚F. Line a large baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels and set near the saucepan.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla; add the ricotta and beat until smooth. In another bowl, mix the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until just combined.

3. Add sugar and cinnamon to a plate and toss. Place near the stove, as you’re going to want to toss the hot doughnuts in the mixture.

4. Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 teaspoons, slide 8 walnut-size rounds of batter into the hot oil. Kids may need extra assistance from an adult to help with this step.  Fry over moderate heat until golden brown all over and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fritters to the paper towels to drain. Immediately roll them in to the cinnamon and sugar mixture and serve. Continue frying the remaining fritters in batches of 8.

Enjoy!!

Lemon Angel Hair Pasta Recipe

Made with lemon juice and zest, this pasta dish is light enough to complement just about any main dish. Or you can turn it into a complete meal by topping it with grilled or saute'd shrimp or chicken and a green vegetable.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces angel hair pasta
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• Juice of 1 to 2 lemons (1/4 cup or so)

• 1 tablespoon table salt
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and mint
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pine nuts, stirring often, until they are golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a bowl.
2. Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium and pour in the olive oil. Add the garlic and stir it often, until it softens and becomes fragrant, about 45 to 60 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the lemon zest and juice. Set the pan aside.
3. When the water boils, season it with 1 tablespoon of salt and bring it back to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook it al dente (for about 4 to 5 minutes or as the package instructs).
4. Spoon 2 tablespoons of water from the cooking pot into a small bowl and set it aside. Then drain the pasta well. Return the pasta to the pot. Pour the reserved cooking water and the lemon juice mixture over the pasta and toss it well. Add the tomatoes, herbs, and pine nuts.
5. Season the mixture with the salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 6 servings.

S'mores Dip

My kids LOVE Smore's and they always get super messy making them which is probably half the fun. This is a great alternative to make at home when you don't have a traditional campfire.  Now with this yummy recipe we can have it at home for dessert after a barbecue or anytime we want!

S’mores Dip

11.5 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
7 oz. of marshmallow fluff
graham cracker sticks, for dipping

Combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a heatproof bowl, and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir until melted and smooth.  If needed, microwave for 10 additional second increments until chocolate has completely melted.  Dot the surface of the chocolate mixture with spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff.  Stir marshmallow into chocolate to create a marbled effect.  Serve with graham cracker sticks.