Simple Salsa Fresca (mild)

So, back when I was visiting my old college roomie, Ardis, during Spring Break we ate and ate and ate and ate! Did I mention that we ate? Tee hee...


Anyway, she is one FABULOUS cook! And one night we had these DIVINE Creamy Chicken Tacos and she whipped up some of this HOMEMADE Salsa Fresca as well. I could not eat enough! That visit was about a month ago, and I've made this recipe at least 4 times since. It tastes great, and I think it tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to "share" a little bit with each other. Here is Ardis's recipe for fresh salsa, or what I am calling Simple Salsa Fresca! Enjoy!




6-8 roma tomatoes (or garden tomatoes)
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 bunch green onions
3-4 garlic cloves, more or less
1 jalepeno pepper, seeded
juice from 1/2 lime (optional)
salt, to taste


Coursely chop veggies and place in blender. Pulsate until well blended. Add salt to taste. Chill until ready to serve. Best if eaten within 5 days of making. Keep refrigerated in airtight container.



For medium or hot salsa you can experiment by adding a few of the jalepeno seeds or by using other peppers, such as a habenero.

Key Lime Berry Salad

This recipe yields about 8-10 servings or more, depending on the size of the fruit in season. The measurements below are approximate, as I usually tend to "eye-ball" it. Add as much or as little as the fresh fruit you like, according to your own taste.



1 Fresh pineapple, cored and chunked
2 C sliced strawberries
1 C blackberries
1 C raspberries
1 C blueberries
1 C seedless grapes

Dressing:
2 containers Yoplait Key Lime Yogurt
2 Tbsp Orange Juice (fresh or from concentrate okay)

Combine yogurt and juice in small bowl and gently whisk until combined well. Pour over salad. Cover and chill until ready to serve.


**Best if served the same day. May toss well to coat if desired, or serve dressing on the side.

Cheesecake for a Crowd

Ever since I was a small girl I loved my Aunt Fern's cheesecake. In fact, I never even knew it was cheesecake she had been bringing to our monthly Amish family gatherings until I was an adult! I was probably distracted by the whipped topping! hahaha!

The best part about Aunt Fern's cheesecake is that she makes it "Family Size", in a 9x13 pan, which is perfect for church dinners, family parties, or anywhere else you need something to serve to a crowd. It's simple and easy to make and tastes de-lish!

2 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 1/4 C sugar, divided
1/2 Stick butter (1/4 C), melted
2 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 can fruit pie filling**
whipped topping

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 C of sugar and melted butter. Press into 9x13 pan to form crust. In mixing bowl combine remaining sugar, cream cheese, eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour over prepared crust. Bake @ 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until set. Let cool completely. Top with pie filling and whipped topping. Chill until ready to serve.

**Aunt Fern typically uses Blueberry or Cherry pie filling, but I also love it with homemade Blackberry or mulberry (as shown) pie filling as well.

Candy Bar Cookie Squares

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C butter, melted
3 candy bars, chopped (snickers, milky way, mars, etc.)

Preheat oven to 350. In large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for the candy bars. Beat on LOW 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Fold in chopped candy. Spread into ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Depression Cake

This is a family favorite that has been passed down for generations. "Depression" cake, because it does not require fresh eggs or milk. My great-great grandmother, great-grandmother, grandmother and mother all made this recipe a lot growing up. I like it because it is so extremely moist, you don't need frosting if you so desire. (Of course, since I was taking this to a church dinner, not only did I use frosting, but I sprinkled powdered sugar over my Pampered Chef stencils.)


2 C sugar
2 3/4 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
6 tbsp cocoa powder
2 C hot water
10 tbsp cooking oil
2 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients in mixing bowl; set aside. In separate mixing bowl, add remaining ingredients and stir gently to mix. Pour into dry ingredients. Beat on MED until well mixed. Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake @ 350, 30-35 min or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Banana Cake

Whaddya do with those brown-spotted bananas, beside make banana bread? Make banana cake, of course.

1 box white or yellow cake mix
1 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
1 c. mashed VERY RIPE bananas (about 3 med bananas)
1 c. sour cream

Add baking soda to mix and stir with fork. Add remaining ingredients. Mix on LOW until combined and then on HIGH until most of the banana lumps are smooth. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 12 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

*For cupcakes or mini-bundts, reduce baking time to about 15-20 min, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

If desired, frost cooled cake with {Cream Cheese Frosting}

Hint: To drizzle cream cheese frosting over cakes as pictured above, heating frosting in microwave for 20 seconds, stir well with knife and heat another 20 seconds if needed. Should make a glaze and then you can use the knife to drizzle over tops of cakes.



Variations:
Can also dust with powdered sugar.
Drizzle with warmed chocolate frosting for a "banana-chocolate pop" flavor.
Try adding 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Could also add 1/2 C chopped nuts if desired.

Best Ever Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 C powdered sugar
1 stick (1/2 C) butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all together and beat on HIGH until smooth and creamy.