Here's to a summer like Mexico.

One of the things I look forward to the most about summer is the yummy snacks! Of all the things to choose from, my favorite would be nachos loaded with cheese and green onion topped with salsa and guacamole! Another thing that comes with summer is lots of time... so why not make all the toppings yourself. The following are recipes that are thoroughly enjoyed by myself and those I share it with.

Salsa Fresca
If you are ever debating between fresh or a store bought brand full of preservatives, the choice should be obvious.

4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno (optional), minced
8 cilantro sprigs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of one lime
*This recipe also calls for 1/2 tsp. of salt but for me there is always enough in the chips themselves.

One all the ingredients are prepared, combine in your serving dish. It is also necessary to let it stand for 15 minutes before serving to allow all the flavors to mature.


Now which one looks better to you?







Best Guacamole
Full of antioxidants and anti-aging vitamins, it's no mystery that avocados are a super food!

2 avocados
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Cut the avocados into halves. Remove the seeds, and scoop out the pulp into a small bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado. Stir in lemon juice, onion, salt, and olive oil. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

What a healthy choice!

One of my favorite Oprah episodes is when she shows the audience all of her favorite things. Among this catalogue were these delicious looking Fudgesicles made by the brand Healthy Choice. Usually when I see a reduced calorie snack, I think of a reduced flavor as well. Boy was a surprised! These things even rival those similarly made by Haggen Daaz and make a refreshing as the summer months come.

CAUTION: The following product is very addictive

On a recent trip to Costco, my mom picked up something new. She came home with a delicious box of individually packaged cookie cracker things that taste like nothing else I have ever eaten. What they are are thinly cut cookies that are filled with almond and craisin slices with an added hint of vanilla. As a bonus, each package has only 100 calories! I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys food.

You'll get a great PUNCH out of this!

So for my sister's bachelorette party on Saturday, I have to make an ice ring for our punch. After scowering the internet for somethings that at least resembles something edible, I came across this recipe from tom.xanga.com:



PARTY PUNCH ICE RING:

2 1/2 cups cold Ginger Ale
1/2 cup Lemonade
Fresh slices of Lemon, Lime & Orange
10" Bundt Pan

Mix the ginger ale and lemonade together in a 1 quart measure. Pour 2 1/2 cups of the mixture into the bundt pan. Pop the pan into the freezer and let the ring set for 2 hours or until mostly solid and slightly slushy on top. Remove from freezer and arrange accoutrement in a decorative fashion over the slush on top of the ring. Carefully pour enough of the mixture to come up to the bottom of the accoutrement. Place back in the freezer and freeze until the fruit is encased in the top. Remove and add the rest of the mixture and freeze until solid. Before service, run cold water on the pan until the ring releases.

Im sure this will be delicious in any punch we decide on making!

STARBUCKS' Oat Fudge Brownies AT HOME!

I don't mean to go with a chocolate theme but, it seems to be on my mind. Now I have made this recipe several times and it really is a fun one to make:

1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons real vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

The directions are as follows:

1. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the butter. Beat the remaining butter with a mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another large bowl stir together flour and baking soda; stir in oats. Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan combine the 2 tablespoons butter, the sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate . Cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

3. Press two-thirds (about 3-1/3 cups) of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15×10x1-inch baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture. Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.

4. Bake in a 350°F oven about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate mixture will still look moist). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 2×2 inch inch bars.

ENJOY!