Orange Pineapple Smoothies

I make a lot of smoothies especially because this is one way I can actually get my 6-year-old to eat fruit without complaining.  This recipe is based on a Taste of Home recipe, however, I made quite a few modifications to the original recipe.  The result was a refreshing smoothie that was given two thumbs up from the said picky 6-year-old.  I bet he didn't even realize that he'd just eaten pineapple!

ORANGE PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIES

2 c frozen tropical fruit blend (pineapple, strawberries, peaches, mangoes)
1 c orange juice
1 c mango nectar
1 c vanilla frozen yogurt
1 ½ T honey
1 t vanilla
½ envelope (.15 oz.) unsweetened orange soft drink mix

Place each ingredient in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately. Makes 3-4 servings.

Tooty Fruity Salad

This recipe originates from a story in a children's magazine that I read with my son. We decided to recreate the salad and this is what we came up with. Why is it called "tooty"? Because it's too good to turn down! 

TOOTY FRUITY SALAD

1 banana, sliced
½ c grapes, halved
1 can (11-oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
¾ c strawberries, hulled and halved
1 t lemon or lime juice
3 graham crackers, crushed

Combine all fruit in a large serving bowl. Add lemon juice and stir through fruit. Chill. Serve topped with graham crackers.

Berry Cream Smoothie

This is yet another version of my breakfast smoothie concoctions.  I love that this smoothie has a lot of protein and is packed with healthy fruit.  My son loved it despite his aversion to fruits and vegetables.  Score for mom who tries to sneak in fruits and veggies any way I can!

BERRY CREAM SMOOTHIES

1 c orange juice
1 c low-fat raspberry or strawberry-based yogurt
1 c vanilla frozen yogurt
1 banana
1 ½ c frozen mixed berries
1 t vanilla extract

In a blender or food processor, cover and process the ingredients in batches until blended. Stir if necessary. Pour into chilled glasses. For fun top the smoothie with granola or graham cracker crumbs!  Serve immediately. Makes 2-3 servings. 

Favorite Jello Fruit Salad

My mom always made this jello salad when I was growing up. When someone said jello salad I think that I automatically assumed it would be like this. Anyway now its a family favorite and it has legendary status because many family get-togethers include this dish.

FAVORITE JELLO FRUIT SALAD

1-6 oz. package orange gelatin

1-16 oz. container whipped topping, thawed
1 lb. cottage cheese
1-29 oz. can fruit cocktail, drained
2-11 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 c miniature marshmallows

Combine gelatin and whipped topping. Add cottage cheese. Stir in fruit and marshmallows. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving.

Blueberry Quick Bread

This is an easy quickbread that is perfect to share with neighbors and friends.  It's like a gigantic blueberry muffin!

1 egg
1 c milk
3 T vegetable oil
2 c flour
1 c sugar
2 ½ t baking powder
½ t salt
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries

In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg, milk and oil. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating just until combined. Fold in blueberries.


Pour the batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Citrus Smoothie

I make a lot of smoothies mostly as a way to underhandedly incorporate more fruit into my son's diet.  He claims that he hates eating fruit and vegetables but somehow he doesn't mind drinking them in a smoothie.  Here is my latest smoothie creation!

1 ½ c frozen fruit: pineapple, mangoes, peaches, strawberries
¾ c low-fat vanilla yogurt
½ c orange juice
½ c milk
1 T honey
½ t vanilla


Place fruit, yogurt, orange juice, milk, honey, and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth.

Blueberry Banana Smoothies

Blueberries are considered a "super food" because they're loaded with antioxidants.  I like blueberries, however, my husband and son aren't huge fans.  But I hit the jackpot with this recipe because this smoothie is full of blueberries, yet my husband said "I can hardly taste the blueberries".  My entire family loved this smoothie!

BLUEBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIES

1 medium ripe banana
1 c frozen unsweetened blueberries
1 c apple-cherry juice
6-oz. strawberry yogurt
½ c milk
¾ c vanilla frozen yogurt

In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Karie's Bow Tie Pasta Salad

My sister-in-law Karie served this pasta salad at a cookout last summer.  I thought the salad was delicious and I requested the recipe, which Karie graciously provided.  Since then, I've made this salad several times.  I've also tweaked the recipe just slightly by using miniature bow tie pasta.  I did this for two reasons - first: I thought the miniature pasta was cute (I know crazy!) - and second: I thought the fruit and nuts were "overwhelmed" by the pasta; my thought was that using the smaller pasta would allow the fruit to standout more and it did.  So here's my version of Karie's Bow Tie Pasta Salad which I served with Fantastic Fennel Chicken.

KARIE'S BOW TIE PASTA SALAD

~ ½ of a 1 lb. pkg. miniature bow tie pasta, cooked and drained

2-15 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
1-6 oz. pkg. dried cranberries
2-4 green onions, chopped
1 ½ c celery chopped
1 ½ c bunch red grapes, halved
1 c cashews, optional
8-12 oz. coleslaw salad dressing
1 c mayonnaise

Mix all together and refrigerate until served.

Honey Lime Fruit Toss

I found this recipe on a can of pineapple chunks. It's a healthy and delicious way to serve fresh fruit.  It's delicious and its just perfect side dish for a spring or summer dinner.  This is definitely one of our family favorites.

1 can (20-oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks
1 can (11-oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
2 c sliced fresh strawberries
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
2 kiwifruit, peeled, halved and sliced
2 T lime juice
1 T honey


Drain pineapple, reserving ¼ c juice; set juice aside. In a bowl, combine the pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries, bananas, and kiwi.


In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, honey, and reserved pineapple juice. Pour over fruit; gently toss to coat. Makes 6 servings.

Strawberry Banana Oreo Parfaits

I made this quick dessert for family night.  I saw a similar recipe in a Kraft Foods Magazine several years ago.  I created my own version tonight.  It's so simple that I'm not sure if it qualifies as cooking, but it's great if you're in a hurry and don't want to go to a great deal of work.  This is also a great recipe to use when the kids want to help in the kitchen!

1 banana sliced
8-10 strawberries, sliced
1 t lime juice
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) instant chocolate pudding
2 c skim milk
10-12 Oreo cookies, crushed
Whipped topping
Strawberry sauce, optional

Stir together banana, strawberries, and lime juice; set aside. Prepare chocolate pudding according to package directions; let sit in refrigerator for ~5 minutes. Layer in a clear glass or bowl: chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, fruit mixture, pudding, crushed Oreos. Top with whipped topping and strawberry sauce if desired. Makes 2 servings.