Strawberrylicious

Strawberries are in season and here is a delicious recipe from Go to Gal Tracy! I have been lucky enough to be at two different occasions where Tracy brought these yummy treats! These look great and taste even better. Impress your friends at your next summer gathering. These are perfect for the 4th of July.

Here is how to make them:
Mix together 2 packages cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon real vanilla extract. Cross cut your strawberry and fill. Top with blackberry, blueberry, or nuts. Or as Tracy says, "Let you imagination go wild! "

Fancy Fruit Cups

Go to Gal Tracy brought these fruity beauties to a recent bridal shower and we knew this great idea needed to be shared! (Move over Martha!) Tracy's time saving tip is to go to your nearest Taqueria and order a fresh OJ and ask for the orange cups. If you do it yourself, just halve your oranges, juice them (with a traditional glass juicer), and scrape out the extra bits. Fill with colorful fruit--strawberries, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, etc. This lovely presentation is sure to impress!

Yummy Vegetarian Chili

I had my book club tonight and I was in charge of the entree.  I needed to fix something vegetarian, easy to transport (we were meeting at my friend's house) and easy to make--- enter vegetarian chili.  This by no means is a gourmet or secret recipe.  I basically thew it together in 20 minutes and it was tasty.  So if you are wanting a quick, easy to make, filling dinner, give this a try!  

1 can red kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 large can diced tomatoes

1 diced yellow bell pepper

1 diced orange bell pepper

1 large onion-diced

2 garlic cloves (or if you love garlic add more)

1 can diced green chili peppers

2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 package frozen corn

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Saute diced onions in olive oil and then get out your can opener and open and dump all canned goods in a large stock pot (draining the beans first).   Add chili powder, ground cumin, garlic, red pepper flakes,  corn and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the orange and yellow peppers during the last five minutes (so they stay a bit crispy).  Voila!  A meal in one pot.  Serve with blue corn chips and grated cheese. Yum!