Easy and Delicious Fruit Salad

The other day I wanted a little sweetness but nothing heavy. Since the good "fruit" season will be ending soon, a fruit salad just seemed like the perfect dish.

And it was.

This recipe came from my cousin P. It was in the family cookbook. I have made it before but it has been a while.

Easy, quick, and good.

Ingredients:
Fruit (I used kiwi, apple, strawberries, grapes, and blueberries...you can use what you want. :)

1 box vanilla instant pudding

1 regular can of pineapple chunks

Directions:
Drain juice from pineapple chunks.

Mix desired fruits in a bowl.

Add in drained pineapples.

Mix the pineapple juice with the vanilla pudding.

Then pour over the fruit.

Enjoy,

I know, it is very simple.

And very good.

Nothing like a good fruit salad on a summer day!

Reba

Strawberry Smoothie

Recently a friend of mine posted about making smoothies with her daughter. She made strawberry banana smoothies, I believe. That got me to thinking...it sounded yummy. The only thing is I am not that crazy about bananas. (Don't tell my kids...they will eat them all day long!) So I set off on an Internet search for a strawberry smoothie...strawberry being the only fruit.

I finally found one on Allrecipes.

Here it is with a few minor adjustments.

Ingredients:
8 strawberries, hulled...I actually have a bag of frozen strawberries in my freezer. I am typically all about fresh if possible, but when I buy fresh strawberries, they typically get chomped up in no time by my young ones. So I bought frozen and just take the ones I need. Plus I like that they are frozen which goes with the whole smoothie image :)
1/2 cup milk (I just use 1 percent since that is what we have on hand typically)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tbsp sugar
6 cubes ice (I have just been using cubes, my blender is pretty tough :)

Place all ingredients in the blender. Blend on high until it is the texture you want.

Yum.

I have been having it as part of my meal. I just eat some pistachios on the side (or tonight I had avocado and light Tostitos). Figure I am getting my dairy and fruit. :)

I promise, the mint chocolate brownie recipe is coming...soon.

Reba

Peanut Butter Dip

I really want to give credit to whoever I got this recipe from but honestly, I cannot remember! I know I have had this dip at baby showers, but it has become such a favorite, I like to make it and just eat it for a meal sometimes (with apples). My favorite part? 4 ingredients, maybe five minutes to "assemble", and it is very yummy. I hate to say it, but I rarely eat apples without it anymore.

So, here is the big recipe.

Peanut Butter Dip

1 cup peanut butter (I usually use the low fat but today I used the natural which is not low fat but is very good)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup cream cheese (I usually use light; the whipped is easier but the regular cream cheese works too)
1/4 cup milk

*I often make just a portion of it because it does make quite a bit.

Mix all four ingredients together. I have used both spoon and mixer. I prefer the mixer, just because to me it blends better.

Refrigerate any leftovers.

It is a good source of protein, right? :)


I don't usually make it this pretty but I was in a silly mood tonight. :)

Enjoy!
Reba