Strawberry Mousse

While looking for a new dessert to try for Easter a few years ago, I discovered this delicious and refreshing recipe in a magazine. It was such a hit that it has become a spring and summer time favorite in our family. 

Ingredients:

1 Egg White

1/2 C. Sugar

2 C. Fresh strawberries, washed and chopped (You could alternately use other fresh berries if preferred)

Handful of sliced strawberries,Whipped cream & Fresh Mint (opt) for garnish

Method:

Beat egg white in large bowl 2 minutes till light & foamy

Gradually add sugar and berries on medium speed. Increase to high-speed and beat for 15 minutes or till mixture fills the bowl.

Transfer to decorative bowl, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 4 hours

To Serve:

Pile into pretty clear glasses or bowls and garnish with whipped cream, then top with strawberries & fresh mint sprig

Makes 6-8 Servings

Printable Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1owk9occUYeb1qolRJ3cVA0CM69aKpdTSWURaK5s7GXA/edit?hl=en

For this Easter, we quadrupled the recipe.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a  favorite that I make often. It’s gluten free and satisfies that sweet tooth. And best of all, it’s super easy!!!

from Clean Eating Magazine March/April 2010

(Makes 24 Cookies – Not really, more like 12-16)

RECIPE

1 cup *unsalted almond butter, stirred well

3/4 cup Sucanat (or if you use organic sugar, you can cut it back to 1/2 C)

1 large egg

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp sea salt

3 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or greater), broken into small pieces (NOT choc chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl. stir together the first 5 ingredients until blended. Stir in chocolate. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 15 more minutes.

Nutrients per cookie: Calories: 110, Total Fat: 8g, Sat. Fat: 1.5g, Carbs: 10g, Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 3g, Protein: 2g, Sodium: 55mg, Cholesterol: 10mg Cleaning Eating Nutritional Bonus: “While dark chocolate contains potent antioxidants, think twice before enjoying it with milk. Researchers have found that the bittersweet treat’s free-radical fighters may bind with the protein in milk, interfering with antioxidant absorption and possibly negating any associated health benefits.”

*My Note about the Almond butter: Sometimes I make it fresh-it takes approx 2 C. raw almonds, ground in Food processor till smooth, takes 7-8 minutes, stopping at intervals to scrap bowl, it’s more work but worth it)

PRINTABLE RECIPE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dvwtoVLnuFXbxDPjB2sUxqRKONOxbfWKYa6NgUvgirI/edit?hl=en

Easy Cheeseball

This makes a great gift idea for the holidays for your neighbors or friends. I usually spend hours in the kitchen baking assorted cookies, pies etc. This past year I decided to simplify and do the Cheeseball instead. It was a hit!

Buy holiday plates to give them on, and include a bag of crackers. I buy the food safe clear bags for the crackers at Hobby Lobby, and tie with ribbon.  My husband and I give something homemade like this annually and our neighbors love it! We try to do it on the weekend so that we get a chance to visit and also so they can have it to take to a party or for family visits.

Cheeseball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix  (Hidden Valley Original recommended, not generic)
• 2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (Sharp or  extra sharp gives extra kick)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese. Mix dressing mix and Cheddar cheese into the cream cheese. Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve. Yum!

My Notes: I added into the cheese mix  1/2 package of LOW SODIUM Hickory Smoked bacon, cooked crispy and torn into small pieces.  Also, use lower sodium crackers, tastes great with Club multi-grain crackers. Otherwise it can be too salty.

Find this and more recipes at http://www.allrecipes.com