Hello, Fruit Pizza!

 

This past weekend, we went to a cook-out where everyone brought a dish to share. One of my favorites was a kind of "strawberry pizza" with sliced strawberries and a strawberry glaze, on a sugar cookie crust (I had three pieces)! So, of course, as I am ALWAYS trying new recipes, I made my own version of "fruit pizza"! And, hello, how have I NOT made this before? Double yum! And soooooo pretty to look at, too!

Fruit Pizza (recipe derived from multiple Pinterest sources)

refrigerated sugar cookie dough
8 ounces Neufchatel cheese (cream cheese's skinny cousin), softened
1/4 cup sugar
lemon juice ( I think I used a tablespoon or so...)
fruit of your choosing (I used strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and Mandarin oranges)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spread cookie dough out onto an ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.  In a bowl, combine softened "cheese", sugar and lemon juice, whip with a mixer or use your own strength and a rubber spatula....spread over the baked dough "crust".  Top with fruit and refrigerate until ready to serve.

My crust was a little crispy when I removed it from the oven (I think I spread it out a little thin), but it softened overnight. I know this because I had fruit pizza for breakfast today; oh the decadence! I'd like to think it's healthy.....  I can't wait to make this again, and try a different combination of fruit toppings - yum!

Today's Brilliant Idea: S'mores Squares!

 

 

Warm weather, at my house, means filling the wading pool, drinking lots of lemonade and toasting marshmallows over our firepit for S'mores. I found a super simple recipe for a S'mores-like treat on Pinterest...oh my, it's C-r-a-z-y good!

S'mores Squares (thanks to http://cookiesandcups.com)

1/4 cup butter
one 10.5 ounce bag mini marshmallows, plus 2 cups
7 cups graham cracker-like cereal
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Butter a 9 x 9-inch pan or spray with cooking spray.  Melt butter over low heat. Stir in mini marshmallows and stir frequently until melted.  Remove from heat and stir in cereal.  Let sit for 2 minutes.  Pour in the extra 2 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until combined.  Add chocolate chips and stir until combined.  The mixture will be difficult to stir at this point, and the chips will melt slightly, but not completely.  Pour into prepared pan and press down evenly with buttered hands.  Let cool at least 15 minutes, and then dump out upside down (see above photo) before cutting; for pretty-looking squares.

Store in an airtight container - if you don't eat them all, that is!

Arugula!

 

Yesterday, I had my first "harvest" from my garden: Arugula! What do you do with Arugula, you say? Well, you can throw it into a mixed salad; it is a "mixed green" after all, use it in place of fresh baby spinach in your favorite spinach recipe (is there such a thing?) or make a super yummy side dish like chickpea salad....

I originally posted the recipe on 3/21/12, but just added newly updated photos, so check it out! Sooooo good!

Today's Brilliant Idea:

 graham cracker and frosting "sandwiches"

 

 

 

When I was growing up, in the nostalgic 1970s, my Mom used to make these quick and tasty concoctions as an afterschool snack, or as a cheap and quick way to utilize leftover frosting. I made these for my daughter for the first time this week, and she loved them!  Just slather a "square" of graham cracker with frosting and top with another "square".  I had some leftover canned pink lemonade frosting, but any flavor will work.  In a pinch, I remember making frosting by adding milk to powdered sugar and adding a few drops of food coloring. Store in an airtight container. Yum!

 



 

 



 

 

 

Easy Peasy Appetizer

 

Well hello! It's been a while since I've posted anything new; I've been sooooo busy, and I'm not even sure why! Life is like that. Anywhoo...I have lots of recipes and ideas to share, so here's the first installment: the most awesome, crazy-easy and delicious appetizer I've ever made (thanks once again, Pinterest!). It was inhaled with gusto in about the same amount of time it took to prepare it! My girlfriends gave it rave reviews as they ate every last bit!

5 Layer Greek Dip (special thanks to The Lovely Cupboard)

hummus (homemade or store bought)
red bell pepper
kalamata olives
cucumber
feta cheese
dill (fresh or dried)

Finely chop bell pepper, olives, cucumber and dill (if using fresh).  Spread hummus about 1-2 inches thick in the bottom of a wide serving dish.  Sprinkle the vegetables evenly over the hummus.  Crumble feta cheese on top.  Sprinkle bits of dill over the top.

Serve with warm pita slices. Enjoy!