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San Diego Salsa
Chop up four large tomatoes
Add
1 small can of chopped jalapenos
1 small can of chopped black olives
4 chopped green onions
1 cup shredded cheddar (more or less)
Chopped cilantro to taste
Mix together
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
Pour over the tomato mixture and combine.

This is a pretty mild salsa but everyone really likes it. It's a good basic salsa - you can add to it to make it your own.
I may have posted it before - it's a favorite of mine!

My grandkids love this:

Pop 2 bags of Weight Watchers Blast of Butter popcorn ( ) and place in large mixing bowl.

In a medium mixing bowl add 1 cube of butter, 1 jar of marshmallow creme and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Microwave this mixture until butter melts and pour over popcorn and mix. This literally takes minutes to make. Then send it home with the grandkids!!!

Combine -
1 bag of frozen corn kernels
chopped cucumbers
sliced vidalia onions
chopped red bell pepper
Adjust the ratio of veggies/corn to your liking
Dress with olive oil/red wine vinegar dressing (I can's spell vinagrette today)
S&P to taste

This is nice to take on picnics since by the time you get there, the corn is thawed but the dish is still cold.

Oh yum...this was one of the best things I had to eat while in the UAE. The yogurt is wonderful to have along side the spicy curry dishes. It's just delicious!
Be sure to use real yogurt (greek is probably the best we can get in the US - and not Dannon!).

http://www.angelfire.com/country/fauzia ... raita.html

This is one I used to make to take to summer parties or just for family dinners. Lost the recipe but glad to have found it so I can make it again.
Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
2 cups crushed pretzels
3/4 cup butter melted
3 Tbsp. sugar
16 oz. cream cheese softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
16 oz. cool whip thawed to room temperature
1 (6 oz) box Strawberry Jello
2 cups boiling water
3 cups strawberries sliced

Instructions

Combine melted butter and sugar. Stir in the crushed pretzels. Press evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and cool whip. Beat until smooth. Spread over pretzel crust. Make sure to get the cream mixture tight against the edges of the pan to prevent the jello mixture from seeping through.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from stove and add jello. Stir until Jello is dissolved. Add sliced strawberries. Pour over cream layer and put in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

I made this tonight. Peach Crisp!

8 cups of chopped peaches
1/3 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

Place peaches on bottom of pan. Mix dry ingredients and butter. Pour on top of peaches. Bake 30 minutes at 350. Enjoy!

Share your great summer recipes here!

Recipes only, please.... no comments. Thank you.

I'll start us off...

Brushetta Skewers

small tomatoes (heirloom if you can find them, otherwise any small tomatoes will work)
small mozzarella balls - you want them large enough to skewer (I buy the marinated ones from Costco)
Kalamata olives (or regular black olives if you prefer)
fresh basil, cut into strips
olive oil

Alternate tomatoes and mozzarella balls on skewer, finishing with 2 olives at the end. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle basil strips over the top. Let sit for a few minutes to allow flavors to mingle, then serve.

This is an easy recipe that can be adjusted according to your preferences, but it's a good starting point for an easy fabulous snack/appetizer.

Not really a recipe -
Cook some whole wheat pasta.
Drizzle some olive oil in a pasta bowl. Mix in a bit of minced garlic.
Add a layer of chopped spinach and toss. Layer your pasta on top. Add some shaved parmesan or crumbled feta, salt & pepper to taste. Squeeze lemon juice over all and toss.
This is so good!