Caribbean Fruity Sasa

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced fresh mango
• 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup diced papaya
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

Directions

1. Toss together the mango, pineapple, papaya, jalapeno pepper, and red onion in a bowl. Pour in the lime juice and olive oil. Season to taste with salt, and stir to combine. Sprinkle with chopped mint leaves before serving.

Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter


Directions
1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Orzo pasta salad

Ingredients
2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper




Directions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Place basil leaves and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse 4 or 5 times until blended.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, basil-tomato mixture, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.

Carrot Cake Cookies

Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon softened butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon juice from canned pineapple




Directions
1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 4 cookie sheets.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a mixing bowl; set aside.
3. To make the cookie dough, beat 1/2 cup butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1 egg and allow to blend into the butter mixture before adding the second egg and the vanilla. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the crushed pineapple, carrot, raisins, and chopped walnuts, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Drop onto the prepared baking sheets by the heaping teaspoonful, allowing 2 inches of space between the cookies.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and pineapple juice. Beat until no lumps remain. Spread the frosting on the cooled cookies, and allow to dry completely before storing.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Ingredients
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered




Directions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Mint Cake

Ingredients
•1/2 cup butter, softened
•1-3/4 cups sugar
•3 eggs
•4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•3/4 cup 2% milk
•1/2 cup water
•1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
•3/4 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•FILLING:
•1 cup heavy whipping cream
•3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
•1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
•3 to 4 drops green food coloring, optional
•ICING:
•1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
•1/4 cup butter, cubed
•1/3 cup evaporated milk
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
•Line two greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Grease and flour the paper; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in chocolate and vanilla. Combine milk and water. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
• For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and extract; beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in food coloring if desired. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with filling. top with second layer.
• For icing, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chips and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Beat in evaporated milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost and decorate cake. Chill 2 hours before slicing. Yield: 12 servings.

Traditonal Mashed Potatoes

6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper




Directions
1. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil; cook for 20-25 minutes or until very tender. Drain well. Add milk, butter, salt and pepper; mash until light and fluffy.

Serves 6