Berry Lemonade Cake

1 cup very hot water
1 box (4-serving size) raspberry-flavored gelatin
1 box white cake mix
1/2 cup frozen (thawed) lemonade concentrate
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 egg whites

1 container (12 oz) whipped vanilla frosting

1 cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, if desired

Lemon peel strips, if desired

(For Orange Flavor use Orange gelatin and orange juice concentrate)

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In small bowl, mix hot water and gelatin until gelatin is completely dissolved; cool slightly.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1/4 cup of the gelatin mixture, 1/4 cup of the lemonade concentrate, the water, oil, and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Reserve remaining gelatin mixture and lemonade concentrate.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Poke warm cake every inch with fork tines. Remove 1 tablespoon of the reserved gelatin mixture to microwavable custard cup or small bowl. In another small bowl, mix remaining gelatin mixture and remaining 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate; pour slowly over cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, fold together frosting and whipped topping; frost cake. Microwave 1 tablespoon gelatin mixture uncovered on High 10 seconds to liquefy. Using 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, place small drops of gelatin mixture over frosting; with spoon or toothpick, swirl gelatin into frosting. Garnish each piece with raspberries and lemon peel strips. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings

Pesto Dip

2 blocks cream cheese - softened
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
salt & pepper

Mix all ingredients together well.

In a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap, layer the cream cheese mixture and pesto (see pesto recipe ) in several layers.

Or you can mix pesto directly into the cream cheese mixture and form into a ball wrapped in plastic

wrap. Refigerate till firm.

Serve with your favorite crusty breads or crackers.

Pesto

1/3 cup Olive Oil
2 cups firmly pcked basil leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
1/4tsp salt

Blend in blender or food processor till narly smooth, adding enoug additional live oil (up to 2 T) to reach desired consistancy.

Makes 3/4 cup Pesto. Store in tightly covered jar in refrigerator.

Mai Tai Frozen Pops - Alcoholic

Coconut Colada Layer

1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free piña colada or Key lime pie yogurt

1/4 cup canned coconut milk, well stirred (not cream of coconut)
1 teaspoon dark rum

Mango Mai Tai Layer

1 fresh mango, peeled, pitted and cubed (about 1 cup)

3 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup mango nectar, chilled
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons light rum
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon orange liqueur
1 teaspoon amaretto liqueur

In small bowl, beat coconut layer ingredients with whisk until smooth. Divide mixture among six 5-oz paper cups. Cover with foil; insert craft stick (flat wooden stick with round ends) through foil into center of pop. Freeze 2 to 3 hours or until frozen.

Meanwhile, in blender, place mango mai tai layer ingredients. Cover; blend on medium speed about 45 seconds, stopping frequently to scrape sides, until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while waiting for first layer to freeze.

When first layer is frozen, remove foil from pops. Pour mango mixture over frozen layer. Return foil to pops to help support sticks. Freeze about 8 hours or until frozen before serving. Store remaining pops covered in freezer.

Makes 6 pops

 

Strawberries and Cream Tart

Crust
1 box refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box

Filling

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
¼  to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Topping

4 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, halved
½  cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Heat oven to 450°F. Bake pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell, using 10-inch tart pan or 9-inch glass pie plate. Cool on cooling rack 15 minutes.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and almond extract; beat well. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into crust.

Arrange strawberry halves over filling. Refrigerate while making drizzle. In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Drizzle over strawberries and filling. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate any remaining tart.

Patriotic Cookie Pizza

Thanks to Pillsbury.com here's a great 4th of July recipe for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 cups fresh raspberries

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

1/4 cup apple jelly, melted

 

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Cut cookie dough into 1/4-inch slices; place in pan. With floured fingers, press evenly over bottom to form crust.

 

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool completely, about 25 minutes.

 

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon peel until fluffy. Spread over baked crust. Arrange raspberries in large star shape in center. Arrange blueberries around raspberries. Drizzle or brush with melted jelly. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator.

Paula Deen's Fruit Pizza

Yumm....fresh fruit pizza on a hot day!!

Fruit Pizza on the Food Network

 

 

Pork Chops In Beer

4 large pork chops
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (12-ounce) can beer
½ cup sliced onions

Season both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chops and brown on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes total.

Add beer and onions and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until chops are no longer pink and sauce is reduced, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve.

 

 

Spicy Pecan Salad

1 heart of romaine lettuce

red onion

1/8 cup crumbles blue cheese

2 oz. spicy pepper pecans (chopped)

4 teaspoons raspberry vinaigrette (per serving)

Toss romaine lettuce with raspberry vinaigrette and divide evenly on salad plates. Slice red onion paper−thin and layer to taste on top of the greens. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and spicy pepper pecans to taste.

Spicy Pepper Pecans:

2 oz. or 1/2 cup of chopped pecans

3 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Rinse pecan pieces to dampen. Combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Mix in damp pecan pieces and toss until thoroughly coated. Spread evenly on cookie sheet then place in preheated 400F oven and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until brown sugar is thoroughly melted on pecans. Remove and let cool.

Strawberry Daiquiri Cake

Cake

1 package Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs (including yolks)  

1 box (4-serving size) strawberry-flavored gelatin

1 tablespoon grated lime peel

1 to 2 teaspoons rum extract

Lime Frosting

1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting

2 teaspoons grated lime peel

Garnish with 8 fresh whole strawberries

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs, gelatin, 1 tablespoon lime peel and the rum extract with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Stir 2 teaspoons lime peel into frosting. Spread frosting evenly over cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Just before serving, cut each whole strawberry in half, leaving leaves on. Garnish cake with strawberry halves

Makes 15 servings

Betty Crocker Mojito Bars

3 tablespoons light rum or 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract plus 3 tablespoons water                                

16  fresh mint leaves, chopped

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons grated lime peel

2/3 cup fresh lime juice (from 6 limes)

2 to 3 drops green food color, if desired

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

 

In small bowl, combine rum and chopped mint. Set aside.

Heat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar together with electric mixer on medium speed. Mix in 1 3/4 cup of the flour on low speed, just until well combined. Press in pan. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until set and lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix eggs and sugar, with whisk. Add remaining 1/4 cup flour and salt, mix with whisk until blended. Mix in lime peel, lime juice, food color and milk.

Place strainer over medium bowl; pour rum mixture into strainer. Press mixture with back of spoon through strainer to drain liquid from leaves; discard leaves. Mix strained liquid into egg mixture, with whisk until well combined. Pour over partially baked crust. Bake 25 to 27 minutes longer or until center is set.

Cool completely, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store bars, tightly covered, in the refrigerate

Makes 24 bars

Copy Cat Recipe - Olive Garden Eggplant Parmigiana

Olive Garden Eggplant Parmigian

2 Eggplants; peel; slice 1/4" circles

Flour
Oil
Seasoned salt

1 lb. jar meat−flavored Prego

1/4 cup grape jelly
14 oz. can sliced−style stewed tomatoes
1/2 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Moisten eggplant (milk) and coat lightly in flour. Quickly brown slices in hot oil, dusting each side generously with seasoned salt.

When fork tender and golden brown transfer to a 9 X 13 X 2 pan.

Cover loosely with foil and bake at 375 F. about 20 to 25 minutes or until tender.

SAUCE−Combine sauce, jelly and tomatoes that have been broken up with a fork. Heat on medium until hot, but do not boil.

Spread mozzarella cheese over eggplant, then add sauce. Top with parmesan cheese and return to oven for 5−10 minutes to melt mozzarella. Serve immediately.