Blueberry Smoothie

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Nice day starter.

- 1 c Blueberries * ( frozen berries don't need to be thawed )
- 1 c Plain Yogurt
- 1 c Milk
- 1 Tbs Wheat Germ
- 1-2 tsp Honey ( or to taste )

1) Blend together all ingredients. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Note:
by D. Archer
I haven't tried this yet, but it sounded good and probably a nice way to start off your morning. Different types or combinations of berries would work great.

Honey Butter Variations

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Honey butter is so easy to make and dresses up all kinds of things!

Basic Honey
- ¾ c Butter, softened slightly ( room temp )
- ¼ c Honey

1) Mix together, whipping with a fork or whisk.
2) Chill slightly, may need to be mixed with a fork before using.

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Variation 1:
Cinnamon Honey Butter
- ½ c Butter
- ½ c Confectioners' Sugar ( to taste )
- ½ c Honey
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1) Mix together the butter, honey, cinnamon, adding the sugar to taste.
2) Chill slightly, may need to be mixed with a fork before using.

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Variation 2:
Brown Sugar Honey Butter
- ½ c Butter
- ½ c Honey
- ½ c Brown Sugar ( to taste )

1) Mix together the butter, honey, adding the sugar to taste.
2) Chill slightly, may need to be mixed with a fork before using.

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NOTE:
For further variations try a richer spread. Add 1/4 c Cream Cheese ( or low fat cream cheese ) blending into the honey butter.

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Testimonials:
by D. Archer
All of these are tasty, they go great on warm bread, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, etc. Worth a try.

Creamy Dill Dipping Sauce

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
So fresh, great for dipping veggies.

- ½ c Sour Cream
- ¼ c Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs Fresh Chopped Dill
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste


1) Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2) Chill in refrigerator, garnish with a sprig of dill if so desired.

Testimonials:
by D. Archer
This is a nice and easy dip to make, it also is great with the addition of some chopped fresh green onions. This is real nice with fresh veggies or pita bread or chips.

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Great for parties or sitting around on game day.

- 2 large Yellow Onions
- 4 Tbs Unsalted Butter
- ¼ c Vegetable Oil
- ¼ tsp Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- ½ c Sour Cream
- ½ c Mayonnaise

1) Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds (will result in about 3 cups of onions).
2) Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt and pepper and saute for 10 minutes.
3) Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.
4) Place the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Note:
by D. Archer
I found this recipe on a great foodie blog that I frequent: browneyedbaker
Recipe originated from: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Sinfully delicious!









- 2 Tbs Nutella
- 1/2 Tbs Butter ( I used Smart Balance )
- about 1/4 c Milk ( thin to desired consistency ) • ( Heavy Cream could be used )

1) In small sauce pan melt butter and Nutella, stirring frequently.
2) Once the butter and nutella have been blended together smoothly, add milk slowly stirring constantly.
3) Once the sauce has come together remove from heat, serve warm.

Testimonials:
by D. Archer
This dessert sauce is versatile and oh so good. It is for pure indulgence and decadence. We used it to top Vanilla Ice Cream. Could be used over a variety of things, pound cake, over an eclair, drizzled over fruit.

NOTES:
Don't know what Nutella is? It is quite similar to the very common peanut butter. However it is made with hazelnut and a touch of cocoa. A lovely, smooth, rich treat to spread over bread, english muffins, bagels, croissants, and the like.

Cake Truffles ( AKA Cake Balls )

Recipe & Photos sent in by:
D. Archer

So deelish! They look elegant and are surprisingly luscious.










- 1 box Cake Mix ( flavor of your choice )
- Eggs ( number according to the instructions on the box )
- Vegetable Oil ( according to the instructions on the box )
- Water ( according to the instructions on the box )
- 2 C Frosting ( flavor of your choice )
- 1 ( 3 ounce ) Bar Chocolate Confectioners Coating ( I melted chocolate chips )


1) Make cake according to box. When cake is done, and still warm, crumble into large bowl.
2) Stir in the frosting until well blended.
3) Melt chocolate in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring until melted and smooth.
4) Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the cake mixture.
5) Dip ( or drizzle ) the balls in the chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on wax paper to set.
* If desired, roll in nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, non-pareils ( sprinkles ), or drizzle white chocolate to decorate.

Testimonials:
by D. Archer
I made these last night, I really thought they'd be "okay".. but.. they were SO good, people are requesting them for gifts for friends! Highly recommend trying these yourself! I used Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and coated with Semi-sweet Chocolate. Photos to follow!

As promised, here are some pictures. I took some step by step shots to make sure everything was as clear as could be. Enjoy!

Cake & frosting mixture

Uncoated cake balls

Melted chocolate over a pan of simmering water

Just dipped

Again, just dipped and not yet cooled

Finished! Ready to enjoy!

Cantaloupe-Strawberry Blended Juice or Slush

Recipe & Photos sent in by:
N. Marion

Healthy, refreshing, and super easy.






Preparation time: 5 minutes. Makes: 2-3 servings.
- 1 whole cantaloupe, pref. organic and local (for juicy freshness!)
- 2 cup strawberries, cleaned and hulled (freeze for a "frozen" drink!)

Do Ahead If you want a cold drink, have your cantaloupe in the fridge. I like to freeze the strawberries also.
1) Clean and cut the melon in half. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Using a big spoon, scoop out the flesh and put it into your high-speed blender. Be sure to catch all the juice that comes out when you're scooping and add that to the blender.
2) Place strawberries in next. Place lid on blender and blend on high for about 1 minute, or until the cantaloupe and strawberry have turned to juice.
Note:
If you have a dryer melon, you might need to add a little water to get it moving. ~Also~ If your blender is not super powered, you might have to add a little water to help get things moving.

Enjoy!

Feta & Fresh Vegetables

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Use as a salad or sandwich/wrap.

- 1/4 lb Feta cheese ( whatever type you prefer )
- Romaine Lettuce ( any lettuce can be used )
- A few Chives
- 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 or 2 small Tomatoes ( any type, if using pearl or cherry add to taste )
- Olive oil ( to taste, if using as a salad, about 1/8 cup )
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Optional pinch of Red Chile Flakes

As a salad:
1) To make the dressing mix olive oil, lemon juice & zest, red chile flakes, and salt & pepper.
2) Chop chives and mix into the dressing.
3) Wash the lettuce and dry leaves. Remove the bones and tear lettuce into bite sized pieces, place into a bowl.
4) Wash the tomatoes, slice into bite sized pieces and add to the lettuce.
5) Crumble feta cheese over the top, drizzle dressing over the salad.

As a wrap or sandwich:
1) In a bowl add the feta cheese ( crumbling as you do ) add the chopped chives, salt & pepper, smash together with a fork.
2) Add a tsp of lemon juice, then drizzle in olive oil, small amounts at a time, mixing everything together ( probably only 2 tsp ).
3) Put into a tortilla or pita bread, spreading in an even layer, lay the lettuce and tomato in. If making a wrap, fold part of the tortilla inward towards the center, then roll the side in until a roll is formed.

Note:
This would pair nicely with some roasted red peppers! Other herbs would lend themselves nicely also.

Super Fast & Easy Blueberries & Cream

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
Adapted from a recipe I found online.
- 2 c fresh blueberries ( 1 pint )
- 1/3 c sour cream ( regular or low-fat )
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tsp brown sugar

1) In 4 small bowls place 1/2 cup blueberries.
2) Mix the vanilla into the sour cream, then spoon in a heaping tablespoon onto the berries.
3) Top with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar.
4) Enjoy!

Notes: For a crunchy addition, crumble some granola over the top.

Cucumber Dill Salad

Photo by: N. Marion

Recipe sent in by: D. Archer
3:45 a.m. and couldn't sleep, I came up with 3 dishes, this is the second side. Great for a refreshing summertime snack.







- 2 Cucumbers
- 1 Lemon ( Zest & Juice )
- 1/4 c Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tbs Dried Dill
- Salt & Pepper to taste

1) Peel and slice cucumbers and put them in a bowl, set aside.
2) Zest and juice the lemon into the bowl.
3) Add the mayonnaise, dill and salt/pepper.
4) Mix everything together and put into the refrigerator until chilled.
5) Toss salad until coated and serve.

Testimonials:
by: N. Marion
My munchkin just asked for "the special cucumbers that we had for dinner" to have with her tomato grilled cheesie. She also said she wants them in her lunchbox! Thank you Dawn, I couldn't force her to eat them a week ago and now she's asking for them..."