Frosted strawberry Salad

Frosted Strawberry Salad

This is an absolutely delicious gelatin salad. It makes a great, cool summer salad and a perfect salad for the holidays. It’s made with strawberries, pineapple, bananas, and cream cheese. No wonder it’s good.

For the base layer:
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
2 cups apple juice
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries (about 1 1/2 pounds before trimming and slicing)
1 banana, sliced
3/4 cup pecan pieces
2 3-ounce packages strawberry flavored gelatin
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
2 cups whipped topping such as Dream Whip®

Drain the pineapple and reserve the juice. Set the drained pineapple aside. 
In a saucepan, bring the apple juice mixture to a boil. Pour the hot juice into a bowl and add the gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Refrigerate until partially set. 

Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise together until light and fluffy. Fold in the gelatin mixture. Fold in the whipped topping. 

Fold the pineapple, strawberries, sliced banana, and pecans into the remaining cream cheese mixture. Pour into an 8 x 13 pan. Chill until the top sets, about 20 minutes. 
For the top layer:

reserved pineapple juice plus water to make one cup
1 packet unflavored gelatin
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup whipped topping such as Dream Whip

Bring the juice and water mixture to a boil. Dissolve the unflavored gelatin in the boiling water. Turn the heat down, add the marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are dissolved. Set aside to cool until tepid but not set. 

Fold in the whipped topping. Spread the topping mixture over the fruit mixture. Chill for several hours before serving.

PASTA WITH EDAMAME & FRESH BASIL

PASTA  WITH EDAMAME & FRESH BASIL

INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces dry Barilla PLUS rotini
1 cup shelled edamame (SOY BEANS)
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons  olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
7 large leaves chopped fresh basil
2-3 ounces black or calamata  olives, sliced
1½ cups grape tomatoes, sliced in half
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese
COOKING DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta until al dente and drain.
Boil edamame  for 4 or 5 minutes and drain.
In the olive oil sauté garlic, edamame  and basil for a few minutes.
Mix with the drained pasta.
Add lemon juice, black olives, grape tomatoes and salt and pepper.
Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

(This can be eaten warm, or cold as a salad.)

Lamb and Berry Salad with Avocados

 Lamb and Berry Salad with  Avocados

1   pound  Lamb Shoulder, Boneless, trimmed of visible fat and cut into pieces of equal thickness
1   tablespoon olive oil
1   package (6 ounces) mixed salad greens
1   package (6 ounces) raspberries or blackberries
1/2   cup toasted pecans
1   large ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and cubed
1/3   cup salad dressing creamy feta cheese
16 slices of baguette for garnish

Makes: 8 servings Preparation time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour

1. In large skillet with cover, heat oil over high heat.  Brown lamb
on all sides. Add 2 cups water. Cover and braise over low heat for
1 hour.  Cool in liquid.  Remove from liquid.  Refrigerate or freeze remaining liquid for use in stock for soup.  Cut meat into 1-inch pieces, removing all fat.  Set aside.
2. In salad bowl, combine greens, berries, pecans and avocado; set aside. Mix lamb with salad dressing.  Toss with salad.
3. For garnish, spread feta cheese on slices of baguette and brown under broiler.
4. Serve salad on plates and garnish with two slices of baguette.