Strawberry Shortcake

I love strawberries! When I was a kid, we had a ton of strawberries in the garden. They were next to the mint. I think I hung out in the backyard a lot eating strawberries wrapped in mint. Not bad if I do say so myself :) I make this pretty much every 4th of July. Adding blueberries, it's the perfect red, white and blue dessert! I grew up with the biscuit style and never really fell in love with angel food cake. Maybe I haven't really had a good one. Although, I think my good friend Kori might have a good recipe she's going to try. Maybe she will share some with me ;)

This recipe isn't gourmet. It comes right off the Bisquick box, with a couple small changes. It's worth giving the angel food a break...

2 1/3 cups Bisquick mix
3 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/4 ~ 1/2 cup sugar to taste~ you could also use honey
whipped cream

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix in a bowl the Bisquick mix, 3 tablespoons of sugar, milk and butter. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. **The recipe calls for 6, I like to make them a little bit bigger. I make 4 or 5 per batch, depending on if they will be for adults or kids. I also like to sprinkle them with a little more sugar before they bake. They come out sparkling!

Bake 10-12 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown. Be careful not to over bake.

For the strawberries~ Some people like to mash them. Not me, they don't seem as fresh. I like the strawberries sliced and I make a quick puree to mix them in. I reserve a few of the strawberries to puree in the blender, add the sugar to taste. Add puree to the sliced strawberries. Keep strawberries refrigerated until ready to use.

Split the shortcakes, fill and top with strawberries and puree. Top with whipped cream.

Hot Ham & Cheese Dip

I got this recipe off a cracker box years ago and tweaked it a little. My friend Sandra used to ask me to make it whenever we got together. Now that we live in different states, I think fondly of her when I make it! You know those great friends you just miss being around?! It's really simple and quick, a great go to recipe when you kinda don't feel like making anything. I've added chopped red pepper, green chilies, green onion. Add what you love or leave as is.

1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
4 slices smoked ham, chopped (I get the ham from the deli and ask them to slice it in about 1/8 inch slices...you just don't want it too thin)

Mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper and ground mustard together. Add the ham and mix until just combined. You don't want to over~mix as the ham will break down.
*If you are going to add any vegetables, add them with the ham.

Transfer mixture to a shallow oven proof dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Serve warm as a spread with crackers.

Honey~Lime Glazed Grilled Pineapple

I grew up in Southern California, we grilled a lot. I love anything on the grill (even zucchini)! This would be great served with some vanilla bean ice cream. And, maybe drizzle some of the leftover marinade over it! Yum!


½ cup honey
zest of 1 lime
juice of 4 limes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pineapple cut into ½ inch rings, core removed

In a baking dish, mix together the honey, lime zest, lime juice, and cinnamon. Place the pineapple slices in the glaze and let marinate for 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Preheat grill at about medium heat.

Place the pineapple slices on the grill. Grill on both sides until the glaze caramelizes and grill marks form.

Fresh Lemonade

One of my summertime favorites! It's really easy~ I wonder why I sometimes bother with the powder mixes. My kids love to help make this. It's pretty with some lemon slices in the pitcher and each glass.

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice~ about 6 lemons
3/4 cup superfine sugar~ to taste use a little less or add a little more to your liking
4 cups cold water
1~2 cups ice

Mix all the ingredients in a pitcher. Serve and enjoy!
Or~
Mix all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve over ice.