Avacado Basil Pasta

Serves: 4
Ingredients:

• 8  oz dried bow tie and/or wagon wheel pasta
• 2  md avocados; seeded, peeled, and coarsely chopped
• 6  slices bacon; cooked crisp, drained, and crumbled
• 2/3  c chopped fresh basil
• 2  Tbs lemon juice
• 1  Tbs olive oil
• 3  cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4  tsp ground black pepper
• 1/8  tsp salt
• 1/2  c finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine: avocado, bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, pepper and salt.
3. Add the hot pasta and toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese.

Banana Breakfast Split

Prep: 5 min Serves: 4-8 Cost per serving: $1.50

Ingredients:

• 4 sm bananas
• 2 c low-fat yogurt
• 1 c granola or flake cereal
• 2 c washed & sliced/chopped fresh fruit or berries, such as: apple, kiwi, orange, or strawberries

Optional Toppings:

• spices: cinnamon or nutmeg
• chopped nuts
  

Directions:

1. Cut bananas in half lengthwise & place in a shallow bowl.
2. Top with yogurt, cereal, fruit, & any optional toppings.
3. Serve.
   

Fruit Kabobs & Dip

Prep: 15 min Serves: 8

Kabob Ingredients:

• 2 c fresh fruit chunks, such as: Apple, Cantaloupe, Grapes, Honeydew, Kiwi, Pineapple, Strawberries, Watermelon, etc.

Dip Ingredients:

• 1/2 c berry applesauce
• 1/2 c low-fat vanilla yogurt

Directions:

1. Prepare dip: Blend applesauce & yogurt in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Prepare Kabobs: Divide fruit chunks evenly & place on skewers to form kabobs. Optional: lightly grilling fruit can heighten the flavor of some fruits.
3. Cover & chill until ready to serve.
   

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Prep: 30 minutes, Cook: 3-5 minutes, Serves: 10-15, Cost: under $15

Ingredients:

• 1, 20 oz, can pineapple chunks, in 100% pineapple juice
  
• 1, 15 oz, can mandarin oranges, in fruit juice
  
• 3 Tbs reserved, pineapple & orange juice
  
• 4 egg yolks
• 4 Tbs vinegar
• 3 Tbs sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 c heavy whipping cream
• 1 jar maraschino cherries, strained
  
• 2 c green grapes, stemmed & washed
  
• 1 large sweet apple
• 1 medium banana
  
• 1 medium, firm peach
• 1 large pear

Optional Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs vanilla flavoring
• 1 tsp cinnamon (&/or) 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 c miniature marshmallows
• 1 c shredded coconut
• 1/2 c chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Open the canned pineapples & mandarin oranges pouring the juice into a cup; reserve 3 Tbs juice.
2. In a small pot beat egg yolk, vinegar, juice & salt.
3. Heat egg mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick & foamy.
4. Remove from heat & allow to cool.
5. In a large bowl beat heavy whipping cream (vanilla & spices) until stiff peaks form, refrigerate.
   
6. Peel & cube: apple, banana, peach & pear.
7. Combine all fruit with whipped cream.
8. Gently fold in egg mixture and any other optional ingredients you desire.
9. Refrigerate a minimum of 1 hour before serving to allow fruit to chill.

Refrigerate leftovers & eat within 2 days.

Dirt Cake

Preheat: 350F Prep: Bake: 35-40 min

Chocolate Cake Ingredients:

1. 1 3/4 c flour
2. 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
3. 2 tsp baking powder
4. 3/4 tsp baking soda
5. 1/2 tsp salt
6. 3/4 c unsalted butter, softened
7. 1 1/4 c granulated sugar
8. 2 large eggs
9. 2 tsp vanilla extract
10. 3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
11. 1 3/4 c milk

Chocolate Whipper Cream Frosting Ingredients:

1. 1 c heavy whipping cream
2. 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3. 1 1/2 Tbs cocoa powder
4. 2 1/2 Tbs granulated white sugar
5. 1 1/3 cups ground Oreo cookies
   

Gummy-worms

Frosting Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients.
2. Cover & chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour so the cocoa powder has time to dissolve.
3. When chilled, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form.
   

Cake Directions:

1. Butter & flour 2-9" round cake pans, or grease using your preferred method.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder & soda.
   
3. In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter & sugar until creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Beat in eggs & vanilla until combined.
5. Beat in melted chocolate until combined.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low & beat in flour mixture, alternating with milk, until batter is well combined & smooth, ab 2-3 min.
7. Divide batter evenly into prepared cake pans.
8. Bake until well risen cake pulls away from edges & a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
9. Cool for 12 min before running a knife around outside edges & inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.

Assemblage Directions:

1. Spread a layer of frosting over one side of cake and top with 1/3 cup Oreo cookie crumbs.
2. Top with second cake layer.
3. Spread remaining frosting over cake.
4. Pack remaining cookie crumbs into sides & top of cake.
5. Decorate with gummy-worms.