Salsa

Combine:
2 Cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Cans Mexicorn or Fiesta Corn, drained
4 fresh tomatoes, diced
4 avocados, diced
6 green onions, chopped
½ red onion, chopped

Dressing:
2 pkgs. Italian Good Seasoning dry mix
½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar (I used half balsamic)
¾ Cup extra virgin olive oil

• Whisk dressing ingredients together and toss with vegetables.  
• Serve with tortilla chips.  

Best prepared in advance so flavors can mingle.  
Easy to cut in half for a smaller crowd.

Submitted by: Joni

Monster Smoothie

I try to go to exercise class every morning.....and when I come home I like to have something healthy, filling and low calorie.  I have been drinking this Monster Smoothie for a couple of years now.  I have refined it somewhat and I think it is really delicious.

I used to use my blender, but it is big and a pain to wash out every day.  My husband bought me a little machine that you insert these special cups into.  It is so much easier to use!  It comes with about four or five of these plastic cups that go in the dishwasher.

If you'd like to see a picture tutorial, please visit Cynthia's blog by clicking HERE.


One cup of milk, or a little less.  I like to use coconut milk, but didn't have any when I took these photos.  The coconut milk adds the perfect amount of sweetness.  I recommend trying it in the smoothie.

One banana, broken into pieces.

Two large tablespoons full of greek yogurt, about a l/4 of a cup.
Fage (pronounced fa - yeh) is my favorite because it is thick and creamy and has a great flavor.

One cup of frozen peaches.  The peaches add sweetness, and since they are frozen, they make the smoothie cold.  Don't use red or blue berries because your smoothie will be a nasty brown color.  I used to use fresh mangoes, but I prefer the frozen peaches.  Stuff the peaches down in the cup.

Now add a large handful (about one cup) of fresh baby spinach leaves.  It sounds gross to put spinach in a drink but you can't taste it. 

I squeeze the blade onto the cup and screw it on tightly. Then I blend the smoothie until it is all mixed up, about a minute.

Now I can enjoy my very healthy, creamy and delicious Monster Smoothie.  Two servings of dairy, two servings of fruit and one serving of vegetables.  *You can add some ground flax seed for extra benefits.  Try it and tell me what you think :)

Recipe submitted by: Cynthia 

Pork Souvlaki

For a beautiful photo tutorial, please visit Cynthia's Blog HERE.

• Whisk together 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 large clove garlic, minced, l/2 tsp. dried oregano, l/2 teaspoon salt, and l/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Trim and cut l.5 pounds pork tenderloin into 1 inch cubes.
• In large bowl, marinate pork in whisked mixture for 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
• Shred one cup of cucumber.
• Mix cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, let stand for 10 minutes.
• Squeeze out moisture.
• Mix cucumber, 1/4 cup balkan-style plain yogurt (Fage or Greek yogurt), 2 clover garlic, minced, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (I added dried dill weed to taste), and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.  This is called Tzatziki.
• Thread pork onto metal skewers, and brush with remaining marinade.  Place on greased grill over medium high heat.
• Close lid and grill, turning halfway through, until juices run clear when pork is pierced and just a hint of pink remains inside, about 12 minutes.  
• Remove from skewers.  Serve with 2 plum tomatoes, sliced (I used cherry tomatoes sliced in half because that is what I had on hand), sliced red onion, 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce and greek-style pocket-less pitas.

This meal was quick and easy and even my husband enjoyed it!

Submitted by: Cynthia 

Aunt Elinor's Lasagna

For a fantastic picture tutorial of how to make this lasagna, visit Cynthia's Blog by clicking HERE.

Meat Mixture:

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 T. granulated garlic

1 T. dry basil

l l/2 t. salt

2 cups canned tomatoes

6 oz. canned tomato paste

Cheese Mixture:

3 cups cottage cheese

l/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

2 T. dry parsley flakes

2 beaten eggs

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

Noodles and shredded mozzarella cheese

• Brown meat, pour off fat and add other ingredients.
• Cook noodles and drain.
• Place half cooked noodles in 9 X 13 pan
• Place half cheese mixture.
• Place half meat mixture.
• Noodles, cheese, meat and mozzarella on top.
• Cover with foil, and bake 30 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered in 375 degree oven.

Submitted by: Cynthia 

Roasted Cauliflower

I had to send in my favorite way to eat cauliflower - roast it.

• Cut up cauliflower into bite size pieces
• Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over it
• Sprinkle it with garlic powder
• Stir it up to make sure it is all lightly coated
• Bake it in the oven uncovered for about 15 minutes at 450 degrees or until it is to your liking.

I like mine with a little bit of crunch and that takes about 15 minutes. It is so good my whole family will eat cauliflower this way. Enjoy!

Submitted by Lori

Pina Colada Bread Pudding

Here's one that won us a trip to Hawaii

1 (16 oz.) round loaf King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread, cut into one-inch cubes
8 eggs
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (14 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup flaked coconut

• Place King's Hawaiian bread cubes in a greased casserole dish. In a large bowl, mix eggs until fluffy.
• Mix in coconut milk, butter, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
• Fold in pineapple and flaked coconut.
• Pour over bread cubes, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes: 10-12 servings

Submitted by Joni

Nutella Pie

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 ¼  cups heavy whipping cream
1 (13 oz.) jar Nutella
1 (9-inch) chocolate pie crust
Whipped cream for topping

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and cream until thickened.  
• Add Nutella, beating just until combined.  
• Spoon into crust and chill 3 hours.  
• Cover with whipped cream and serve.

Submitted by Joni