Popsicles

Tropical Popsicles
1 cup pineapple juice
1 banana
1/4 cup coconut
paper cups
popsicle sticks
Combine juice, banana and coconut in blender. Fill paper cups. Freeze until mostly solid and add popsicle sticks. The kids love them!

This popsicle is to die for. IF you love oreos and IF you love ice cream - this is for you. I dare you to eat just one. Your hips will love you for it. I promise.

Oreo Popsicles
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
20 oreo cookies

In a mixing bowl - combine cream cheese and powdered sugar on medium speed until smooth. Reduce to low speed and slowly pour cream into bowl with cream cheese. Set aside. Roughly chop oreos. Divide between 16 small dixie cups. Pour cream mixture into cups. Add popsicle sticks. Freeze until firm. To get the popsicles out - I hold the cup under warm running water for a tiny bit until I can pull out the popsicle.

The Tastiest Pizza Ever!

There are actually two recipes I came across this month that make this the tastiest pizza ever! The first is the crust. It comes from UnknownChef86 in the USA at recipezaar.com. The second is the sauce. I have lately been buying the Contadina pizza sauce as I like the flavor and thickness. This pizza sauce recipe tops that. It was so easy and it's my new favorite. It comes from Annie H in the USA again - at recipezaar.com. On both - I altered a couple things to make it work for us. But these two cooks get the credit.

Pizza Sauce - this is what I did

1 pint homecanned tomatoes

12 oz can tomato paste

4 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

4 tsp garlic salt

4 tsp minced onion

1 TBSP parsley

Fold everything together in a bowl. Make this up before you start your pizza dough and let the sauce sit in the fridge. By the time your pizza is ready to be topped, the flavors will have blended. Freezes well.

Thin Crust Pizza Dough - Russell's new favorite

2 1/2 tsp yeast

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp sugar

**I also had some oregano and basil as well**

1 cup warm water

1 TBSP olive oil or vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups flour

Mix yeast, garlic salt, sugar, herbs if desired and water. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add oil and flour. Knead until you have a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Lightly grease 2 pizza pans. Place dough on pans and top with favorite toppings. Bake at 425 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Makes 2 12-inch pizzas OR 4 individual pizzas

Delice Lorraine

We had the most amazing dinner last night. I am participating in the Aussie/ NZ June recipe swap on recipezaar.com. I make recipes from the different people on my team and they make some of mine. This recipe comes from Jen T in New Zealand.

Delice Lorraine (Crepes with cheese & ham filling)

Serves 4-6 so increase as needed

4-6 crepes (made from your favorite recipe)

4-6 slices ham (I used the deli lunch ham)

12-16 TBSP medium cheddar cheese

12-16 TBSP additional grated cheese

4-6 TBSP heavy cream (I used whipping cream - I didn't want it too heavy)

Parsley to garnish

Lay crepes out flat and top with sliced ham. I used two slices ham per crepe as they were very thin. Top with 3-4 TBSP grated cheese. Roll up each crepe so that they resemble a big fat cigar. Place in a baking dish that will hold them in one layer. I spray my pan with veggie spray. Top each crepe with another 3-4 TBSP grated cheese. Finally, pour a TBSP of cream over each crepe. This can all be done in advance. Just place in refrigerator. I baked mine in a 425-450 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Not very long. Just long enough for the cheese on top to melt and start to brown.

**Note - I added asparagus as you can see in the picture. You could experiment with different meat/veggie combinations. Go ahead. Be creative. That's what cooking is all about.

Lime and Lemonade

If you ever - and I mean ever - want a really good refreshing summertime drink - this is it!
Lime and Lemonade
1 cup lime juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 cups cold water
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced

Combine all ingredients in large pitcher. Mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

**Side note** If you run out of lime juice - just sub lemon juice for everything. It is also a very tasty drink. I know because I didn't have any lime juice and I wanted this drink for dinner really, really bad. :)