Orange Cheesecake Dip

This was another one I had to try for my Stella and Dot Trunk Show. Light, summery, fruity, delicious!! It was better than I thought it would be. I served with some thin, lightly orange flavored Swedish cookies I found at the grocery store. They were great with it, but probably not in every grocery store in America. I also served with apple slices. I thought pretzels might work too. Any suggestions?

Orange Cheesecake Dip

1 pkg reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 tsp. vanilla
orange zest
mint leaves

Combine cheese, marmalade, and vanilla in small bowl and mix well. (I combined using my mini chopper.) Garnish with orange zest and mint leaves.

Serve with fruit dippers (apples, strawberries).

(Makes 12 servings)
(Source unknown)

Blueberry Salsa

I had a Stella & Dot trunk show one evening recently and tried some yummy new recipes on my girlfriends that came over. This one sounded so fresh, summery, and different that I had to try it. Would be GREAT for celebrating the 4th of July, too!


Blueberry Salsa


2 cups coarsely chopped fresh blueberries
1 cup whole fresh blueberries
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 T chopped fresh cilantro
2 seeded and minced jalapeno peppers
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper (I used yellow for the party, but definitely red for the 4th!)
1/2 tsp. kosher salt


Toss together all ingredients large bowl and serve immediately, or cover and chill. Serve with tortilla chips.

(Southern Living July 2010)

Coco Loco Brownies

Finally had a chance to make this recipe. For some reason I've had coconut on the brain this summer! My father-in-law hates it, so can't try these recipes when he's around. Couples Bunco on the lake was the perfect time. They were a hit--no coconut haters in that crowd, thank goodness! These were amazing. My favorite brownie!

Coco Loco Brownies

1 2/3 cups sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
3 large eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/2cups natural almonds, toasted and chopped
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking dish; line crosswise with parchment paper, allowing ends to hang over sides.

In a large saucepan, cook the sugar and butter over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until bubbling. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp. of the salt; let cool 10 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla, then the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Whisk in the flour, then stir in 1 cup almonds. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup almonds and chocolate chips.


In a medium bowl (I actually did this in the already dirty saucepan the batter was cooked in), combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt. Spoon coconut mixture in dollops over the surface of the batter. Bake until coconut is golden-brown and the brownie layer is just set in the center, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into 16 bars.




(Rachael Ray magazine)
(Makes 16)

PB&J Snack Mix

Found this in an old Rachel Ray magazine and we've been munching on it since. There's no chance it couldn't be a hit around here. Kace can only eat the cranberries, but he loves every one (and doesn't know what he's missing)!

PB&J Snack Mix

Captain Crunch cereal (the peanut butter ones)
Peanuts
Dried cranberries
Peanut butter chocolate chips

Choose your own amounts of each. I used the most cereal and the least peanut butter chips (and listed ingredients from most used to least used).

Family friendly and fun!

Grilled (Strawberry and Goat Cheese) Cheese Sandwich

This was inspired by a recipe I saw in Southern Living magazine and when I saw the photo, my first thought was, "Why on Earth didn't I think of this deliciousness?" You should definitely make this now. At least put these ingredients on your grocery list, okay? And for those of you (erinandtracey...ahem) who don't like goat cheese, I say try feta. It won't be near as delish though. Your loss.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

bread of your choice (make it a good one, please--sourdough for me)
goat cheese
strawberries
baby spinach leaves
dab of butter

First I grilled each slice of bread (with a little butter) in a saute pan. When it's toasty enough for you, slather on some goat cheese. Top with strawberry slices, then baby spinach, then top it with another slice of toasted bread slathered in goat cheese. Make 2...you'll want another one!