Change of venue

So I got to thinking that I don't have alot of shade in my backyard and figured it would be better to meet at Harrisville Park at 11 a.m. instead.

I think I got a call out to all of you just in case you don't see this before then.

Thanks for understanding,
Karlie

July Recipe Group

Hello there ladies!

Feels like it's been forever since we've all gotten together, probably because only 3 of us came to the last meeting.  Summer can be busy for alot of us since it's vacation time, but I hope that we'll get to share some great recipes this month!!

Karalee had an awesome idea for the month and I think we'll run with it.  This month we will be serving up your favorite fruity recipes.  Dips, drinks, salads, desserts, salsas....... if it has fruit in the mix it qualifies!!!

So bring your favorite fruity concoction and head on over to my place (Karlie's house that is) on Thursday, July 21st at 11 a.m.

Hope to see you there!!

Summer Salad Recipes

E-mail me your recipes and I'll add them to this post.
-Miriam

Karlie Himle
SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PENNE SPINACH SALAD

*Serves 6-8

Parmesan Dressing:
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup white whine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
12 ounces penne pasta
3 cups packed baby spinach
12 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced
4-6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, diced

For the dressing, combine the Parmesan cheese, parsley, mayo, vinegar, garlic, cayenne and salt and pepper in a blender and process until the dressing is smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The dressing can be made up to two days ahead of time.

To prepare the salad, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just tender, al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander and run cold water over it and drain well. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spinach, roasted red peppers and smoked mozzarella. At this point, the salad and dressing can be refrigerated for a couple of hours separately before serving.

Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving.

Becky Sellers
CHICKEN & ARTICHOKE SALAD

1 box chicken rice-a-roni, cooked and cooled
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 can artichoke hearts
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 can black olives, sliced
2 cups chopped chicken, cooked and cooled
1 cup mayonnaise

Mix all ingredients together. Sprinkle with paprika. Serve cool.



Miriam Deru
CHICKEN PASTA SALAD (from here)

1 lb. cooked, shredded chicken, cooled
1 lb. cooked bow tie noodles, cooled
2 heads broccoli, finely chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/3 onion, chopped
1 can sliced olives
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
1/3 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing (I think this is optional, but you might say it "holds it all together")

Dressing:
2 envelopes dry Italian dressing mix
6 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
4-1/2 Tbs. water
3/4 cup oil (you can reduce this some)

Combine chicken, chopped vegetables, olives and pasta. Set aside. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over pasta mixture, stirring until combined. Add ranch dressing and cheese and fold together. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Serves 8 - 10.



Miriam Deru
CUCUMBER & TOMATO SALAD
(Only make this with garden tomatoes. Store-bought tomatoes would be lousy.)

3 cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, cut in wedges
1/3 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup green sweet pepper, coarsely chopped
Olive oil
Apple cider, balsamic, or other flavored vinegar
Salt and pepper

Mix vegetables together in a medium serving bowl. Carefully pour enough oil to lightly coat all vegetables (stir while pouring until all vegetables look a little shiny with oil). Splash vinegar over salad in small amounts until desired taste balance is reached. Sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Summer Salads

Hey everyone, it's Miriam. Word on the street is that we want to have Recipe Group this week even though many of us have sniffly-nosed kids from the cold that's been going around. Since I'm hostess, I suggest that we meet at a park instead of at my house. I think it would be better for all of us to be outside in the fresh air, but since I don't have a plethora of playing equipment for kids, I think they'd get bored pretty fast. Sorry to change things up, Karlie, but I'd be happy to be a real hostess again soon!

The theme is "Summer Salads." Bring any type of salad you love to make in summertime-- something that doesn't involve heating up your house (much). I'll bring the paper goods/utensils/drinking water so we'll be set there.

As for the location, let's meet at the park just northwest of Green Acres school. The most direct way to get there is to...

• Cross Washington Blvd. at 1900 N.
  
• Continue on 1900 N until 550 E-- turn left.
  
• Follow 550 E as it curves eastward, where you'll basically land in the parking lot. You'll see the playground and covered pavilion on your right.

So Thursday the 16th it is, at Green Acres Park, 11:00. Hope to see you there!

Hi, I took this to Karlie awhile ago and she liked it so you might too. Enjoy! Karalee

YUMMIE MINESTRONE SOUP
Brown 1 large onion, chopped
1/2 lb. sausage ( I just use the links)
Add 8 c. beef stock
2 c. cooked kidney beans
1 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 bay leaf
2 TB parsley flakes
Cover and bring to a boil, simmer 10 minutes.
Add 1 c. chopped zucchini, celery, carrots (I like all but you could do a combination of any)
1 1/2 c. noodles
(The recipe calls for 2 c. chopped spinach or swiss chard I haven't tried this yet)
Cook 10 minutes longer or just until veggies are cooked.
Serve hot. Sprinkle with grated cheese, if desired. Serves 8-10

Recipes from Stress Food Day :)

Hi Everyone!

Just a reminder to send me your recipes from our "stress food" day if you haven't done so already. Sorry I didn't send this reminder out sooner.

Snackage

May is a busy month for many of us.  We can feel summer upon us and the kids are going crazy as school is coming to a close. 

Because of all the craziness were going to simplify this month.  Hopefully Friday will be a nice day with no rain because we will meet at the Harrisville Park (that's the 20th) at 10:30 a.m.  Bring your favorite snack to share if you so choose and come let the kids get all that energy out!  We can post recipes for snacks later if you would like us to.

-Karlie