Very Berry Spinach Salad

I'm in the process of trying to lose the baby weight I gained from my last pregnancy, so its always great to beef up on the greens and fruits. I love good salads and this recipe definetely doesn't disappoint! I also love a good home-made dressing and this one is so easy and good. Thanks to my friend Rachele L. for the recipe.



Very Berry Spinach Salad


Ingredients:
Spinach
Strawberries
Kiwis



Directions:
To make the dressing, mix ¼ cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar, and 2 tablespoons raspberry jam. Add to spinach, strawberries, and kiwis. Toss.

Photo Source: Hy Vee

Cream Fruit Dip

Not sure what is going on, but I crave fruit dip all the time these days. Nope, not pregnant-I just had a baby :)


Mix together until smooth:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
2 TBSP maple syrup


*I used 1/2 c brown sugar instead of 1/4 c brown sugar and 1/4 c granulated sugar, just because I felt like it :)

Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

This recipe is sort of a family secret. I hope my mom doesn't get mad at me for posting this, but I had to. Its just too good to not share it. Cream cheese + Lemon = amazingness :)

By My Mama :) I don't know where she got the recipe from.

1 Duncan Hines pudding recipe yellow cake mix

8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1/3 C sugar

1 tsp lemon juice (I up it to 1 TBS real lemon juice)

2 eggs, divided

1/3 C oil

1. Mix dry cake mix, 1 egg and oil until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup. Pat remaining mixture lightly in an ungreased 13"x 9" x 2" pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and 1 egg until light and smooth. Spread over baked layer.

3. Sprinkly cream cheese layer with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool. Cut into bars. Good served warm or cool.

Photo Source: Fav Family Recipes

Breakfast Strudel

Breakfast for our family is the same old things-pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, oatmeal and the occasional cereal. Well, here is a new item to add to your breakfast file. It would also be great for a brunch or other get together. Thanks Erica for the recipe!

Breakfast Strudel
(1 recipe makes 2 strudels)

*1 box Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry

2 TBS butter

1 C hash browns

1 C red or green bell pepper, diced

1/2 C onion, diced

1 C diced/chopped ham or bacon

12 eggs + 1 for egg wash

2 TBS chives

4 oz cream cheese

2 TBS orange juice

Salt and pepper to taste
any other veggies you want

Thaw pastry for 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the fridge. Melt butter and saute hash browns. Add in pepper, onions and ham. In a bowl, whisk eggs and chives. Add eggs to saute pan, salt and pepper to taste, and cook until just set. Stir in cream cheese and orange juice. Put in fridge to cool. Roll out pastry sheet to 12" x 10" on parchment paper. Cut sides of pastry to braid and add 1/2 of the egg filling. Braid pastry over filling. Brush top with egg wash and sprinkle with either parmesan or cheddar cheese. Repeat with second pastry sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Tips: Erica said she had never done the egg wash on top and it still turned out just fine. I also didn't do the egg wash when I made it and thought it was fine. You can also add whatever vegetables to the eggs that you like. I added mushrooms and fresh basil and it was delish. Using precooked bacon thats already crumbled makes it really easy. After you get the strudels put together, transfer them to the pan on the parchment paper and bake. *The Puff Pastry is located in the freezer section of Super Walmart by the frozen pie crusts.



Photo Source: Cuisine At Home