Berry Cream

This cream mixture is very versatile. I've poured it into a graham crust and made a frozen pie. Can also be used as the cream mixture for trifle, or put into waffle bowls, or frozen in muffin liners for mini desserts. I bet it would be really good without the crushed cookies as a layered cup with whole nilla wafers, then cream, then berries, etc. I also like to eat it alone as a great pudding.

Makes approx 2 cups mixture

1 pkg cream cheese
1 cup cold milk
1 3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 c. thawed whipped topping
20 nilla wafers (or I use lorna doone shortbread cookies), coarsely broken
1 cup sliced strawberries, whole raspberries, or whole blueberries (or can use a berry mix)

Beat cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix. Beat 2 minutes. Stir in whipped topping, cookies, and berries.

Italian Cheese & Pesto Sandwiches

Sliced Italian bread or a sturdy french bread
brush outsides with butter (no substitutes!)
spread prepared pesto on one side of bread
place shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top of pesto

Bake sandwiches on crinkled tinfoil on a baking sheet for 30-40 min at 300 degrees, flipping once. Or can toast on griddle.

Homemade Tomato Soup

I serve these with Italian Cheese & Pesto Sandwiches - which are also listed on this site.

Preheat oven to 450
Toss together and roast in shallow pan for 40 minutes:
8-10 Fresh tomatos on the vine (garaden fresh or Hot house), quartered
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 c. olive oil
salt and black pepper

Saute in 2 T olive oil about 5-7 minutes
1 large chopped white onion
then stir in:
2 c. water
2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. red pepper flakes
roasted tomato mixture
Bring all to a boil then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Puree soup in blender until smooth, or chunky as you like.

Garnish with:
1/2 c. cream, milk, or half&half
fresh basil

Sloppy Joes

I hate buying canned sauces, never knowing what's REALLY in them. Here is a simple, quick recipe that tastes GREAT!

1 lb hamburger
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Brown meat. Add onion, mustard, worcestershire, sugar, vinegar, ketchup, salt, green pepper, garlic powder and celery. Reduce heat to low, cook approx. 40 minutes with lid on, stirring occasionally.