Monday, June 30, 2008

Easy Peach Cobbler

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 to 2 cups milk
2 large cans sliced peaches
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Melt butter in a 9x13 casserole dish in 375 degree oven while combining flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add milk to the dry ingredients and stir until blended.

(Method 1): Pour the batter into the melted butter; dribble peach juice into the mixture and add peaches. Sprinkle top with cinnamon and sugar. Bake 30 to 40 min at 375 degrees

(Method 2): Arrange peaches and juice in melted butter. Stir cinnamon into pan. Drizzle batter back and forth over fruit. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake 30 to 45 minutes or until golden brown

I used method 2 and it turned out wonderfully.

Three-Cheese Pasta Salad with Olives

16 ounces medium-size Farfalle (bowtie) pasta (about 2 3/4 cups)
1 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1 cup chopped red bell pepper (I used red, yellow, and orange peppers to add color)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup diced sharp white cheddar cheese ( about 2 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Gouda cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)
6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup basil vinegar or red wine vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
Pinch of sugar

Cook pasta in pot of boiling water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well.

Mix pasta, olives, bell pepper, all cheeses and basil in large bowl to combine. Pour vinegar into small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Add sugar; season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Toss salad with enough dressing to coat ( I didn't use all the dressing). Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 24 hours ahead; keep refrigerated.)

Spinach Salad


This recipe is easy and delicious. I made this for my sister's wedding. It's more of a treat than a salad.

1 bag baby spinach
1 cup craisins
2 small cans mandarin oranges
1 bag chopped pecans (sugared)
Wishbone Bountifuls Berry Delight

Place bag of chopped pecans in frying pan. Add 1 cup of sugar and heat on medium. When the pecans start feeling warm, add 1 tablespoon of water so the sugar will stick. Add more sugar if necessary.

Put spinach in bowl, mix craisins, oranges, and pecans together. I serve the dressing on the side so the spinach leaves don't wilt.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

I made this recipe while Vi cooked and amazing meal using the fresh herbs from his garden. If you ever get the opportunity to try his food, DO IT!








3 pkg cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream (whipped to soft peak)
1 pkg strawberry glaze*
1 16oz pkg strawberries sliced**
2 pie crusts (cooked)

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spread cream cheese mixture into pie shells. Mix strawberry glaze and strawberries in separate bowl. Place mixture on top of cream cheese. Chill 4-24 hours. Best made the day before. Serve with whipped cream.

* I actually prefer using strawberry Danish Dessert instead of Strawberry Glaze because the store bought glaze has a tendency to taste like plastic, but I had a hard time finding in here in California. It was still a very good dessert.
**You can substitute raspberries and use raspberry Danish Dessert.