Strawberry Fruit Leather

I have always loved fruit leather. I never knew how to make it though. Homemade is So Yummy So easy and so Cheap (assuming the fruit is in season and cheap. Buy from the Farmer's Market if you can) 

You'll need:

2 cups strawberries (or fruit of your choice)

2 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Cut out the leafy part and cut up the strawberries. Blend them smooth in the blender. Add the honey and lemon juice and blend it some more. Then spread it out on plastic and dry. When they're done, roll them up and store. 

Sun Dry: Spread the mixture out on plastic wrap and place outside in the sun with a screen over it so the sun and air can get in, but the bugs can't. This takes about 24 hours (Longer for Strawberries)

Oven Dry: Place plastic wrap on cookie sheets. Spread the fruit mix on it and put it in the oven on the lowest temp. Place a hot pad or wadded up towel in the door so it satays open and the moisture can escape. This should take about 4-8 hours. Rotate the pans every hour.

{ I did it in the oven, but I wanted to make smaller rolls so I did 6 smaller sheets of plastic instead of 2 big ones. My oven's lowest temp was 170 instead of 140 so that and the fact that I spread them a little thin, made it so they only took 2 hours to dry. }

Are they Done? 

They are done when you touch them and they are still a little sticky, but you can peel the sides off easily. Don't be afraid to make the layer a little thick cause if it's too thin, it'll get crispy fast. 

Storage:

Room Temp = up to 30 weeks

Fridge = Months

Freezer = Years

Although really it won't last that long, it's too yummy.

I can't wait to try more fruit!

Lettuce/Spinach Salad with Strawberries

This is a salad I made for Brandi's Graduation BBQ a few weeks ago.
LETTUCE SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES

1 head romaine lettuce and/or spinach
1 Bermuda onion
1 pt. strawberries, sliced
1/2 c. mayonnaise, not lite
2 tbsp. cider vinegar
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. low-fat milk
2 tbsp. poppy seeds

Whisk last 5 ingredients together. Dressing makes enough for 2 salads.

Mix dressing as desired with lettuce, onion, and strawberries.

Sliced brie cheese and almonds is also a good addition.

Texas Sheet Cake

A few people were interested in this Texas Sheet Cake recipe so here it is.(sorry I didn't take a picture)

Texas Sheet Cake
Mix: 2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt


Boil: 1 cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup water
Pour over flour mixture
Add 1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
2 eggs
1 tsps. vanilla

Beat together and put in large pan. Bake 20 min. 400 degress

Frosting
1 cup butter
5 tbl. canned milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1 Tbl. vanilla

Bring to boil. Cool slightly and add 1 pkg. powdered sugar. Beat and spread on warm cake.

Mexican Lasagna

Here is one I needed documented online. It's fabulous and oh-so flexible. I originally found this recipe on the Pioneer Woman's website here.


Ingredients
2 c. unprepared rice
3-4 c. low sodium chicken broth
2-4 tomatoes
1-2 onions
4-5 large cloves of garlic
1 lb. ground beef
1- 16 oz. bag of mexican cheese blend
2 cans corn (drained)
1 can of black or pinto beans
1 jar of salsa verde
1-8 oz. jar of enchilada sauce
Taco seasonin (or Chili powder, paprika, and cumin) to taste
sour cream
cilantro
butter

Directions:
Prepare rice by boiling it in chicken broth. Once prepared, salt to taste. Chop up tomatoes, onions, and garlic as small as you prefer. Saute in a pan with a tablespoon or so of butter. Add approx. 2 Tbs. chili powder, and 1 Tbs. of both paprika and cumin (or your little taco seasoning packet). Stir until nicely combined. Feel free to add beans (don't drain). Mix cooked rice together with tomato/onion/garlic mixture. Brown the groud beef using about 2 Tbsp. chili powder, 2 Tbsp paprika and cumin and salt to taste. You may have to add water to create the taco beef.

Spread one container of salsa verde in the bottom of a casserole or baking dish. Layer on tortillas covering salsa verde. Some overlapping is exprected. Spread half of rice mixture over tortillas. Use half of the chese layered on top of the rice layer. Add another layer of tortillas on top of cheese. Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas and spread it out evenly. Add layer of browned groud beef. Add 2 cans of corn (drained) on top of beef layer. Then the remaining amount of rice mixture on top of corn layer followed by the remaining jar of salsa verde. Sprinkle top with the remaining cheese. Can also sprinkle top with some taco seasoning or cayenne pepper.

Bake at 375 for 25-35 minutes until cheese has melted and begins to brown a bit.

Decadent Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This is one of my favorite desserts. It is delicious, light, fluffy, and perfect for picnics and spring dinners. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

Crust

2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup melted butter

Filling
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Topping
1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin mix
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a medium bowl combine crushed pretzels, 3 tablespoons confectioner's (powdered) sugar and melted butter. Mix well and press into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Cool.

4. To make the filling, combine in a medium bowl the cream cheese and 1 cup confectioner's (powdered) sugar; beat until smooth. Stir in whipped topping; spread mixture in crust and refrigerate.

5. Meanwhile, combine gelatin mix and boiling water; add strawberries. Let gelatin mixture thicken slightly, and then pour over the crust and filling layers. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

My current favorite snack

I get on and check every now and then but I haven't been much of a cook since Ava was born (pretty pathetic about it really).  I thought I would share my new favorite snack anyway, even though it has nothing to do with cooking whatsoever.  Chocolate graham crackers.  Yummy.  Just dip in milk and there you are.  I feel like I'm eating cookies, but I'm not. . . so much better for you.  I can only find them in the Western Family version right now though.  Anyway. . . just thought I'd share :)