Orange Creamsicle Cake

Ingredients
To one box orange cake mix:
Substitute milk for water and add 2 tsp orange extract.

Bake in two 9 in round layer pans.
Slice each layer in half after cooled.

Frosting:
16 oz container cool whip defrosted
1/4 tsp orange extract
16 oz sour cream
2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:
Mix together. Frost between layers then all over cake. I put frosted layers in fridge for an hour before frosting the top and sides to help set it up. You can also refrigerate the frosting before putting it on the cake in hot weather. Keep refrigerated until serving.

Recipe from Cheri Dauphinee- another huge hit at parties!

Avocado Dip

Ingredients
2 avocados
1 pkg grape tomatoes
1 pkg crumbled feta cheese
1 large bunch of basil

Directions
dice avocados, slice tomatoes in 1/2 or 1/3s, chop basil. Mix ingredients together. Just before serving, mix together 1 T. olive oil and 1 T white or cider vinegar and pour over mixture. Mix together and enjoy.

Recipe from Cheri Dauphinee--- this one is great! Its a huge hit at parties. You can't go wrong. Seriously!

Rustico Tomato And Bread Salad

Ingredients

3 c. crusty whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 lbs ripe tomatoes, chopped into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet onion, sliced thin and halved

4 T. shredded basil (only use fresh)

4 T. balsamic vinegar

4 T. olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place the bread cubes in a preheated oven at 325° F. Toast 15 to 20 minutes until crisp and slightly browned, turning every so often. Put in a medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss gently. Taste for seasoning. Let flavors marinate for 15-20 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe from Mom

Got some tomatoes left over from a trip to the farm stand or your own garden? This rustic Italian recipe is perfect for the excess bounty. It is quick, easy, and mucho delicioso. Use any tomatoes that are at their peak. Your choices include regular reds, cherries, grapes, yellows, heirlooms, or a combination. You can add garlic for a pungent, heart-healthy effect or substitute shallots for the onions for a milder flavor. Feel free to add good calamata olives cut in half. DASH for Health always recommends you use whole grain or 100% wheat bread, but the recipe works for any rustic, crusty loaf.

Melon Splits

Ingredients
2 large bananas, halved crosswise
1 1/3 cups chopped watermelon
1 1/3 cups chopped honeydews
1 1/3 cups chopped cantaloupe
1 cup low calorie vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
1/4 cup fresh raspberry
2 tablespoons low-calorie frozen yogurt topping

Directions
1. Cut bananas halves lengthwise to make 8 pieces total. Place 2 on opposite sides of banana split dishes or a shallow bowl.
2. Drop spoonfuls of the 3 melons in seperate mounds between the bananas to resemble ice cream scoops.
3. Drizzle yogurt over melon.
4. Sprinkle next 3 ingredients over yogurt for garnishes.
5. Drizzle with frozen yogurt topping and serve.

Recipe from Mom

Cardamom-Spiced Fruit Salad

Ingredients
1 medium cantaloupe (2 lbs), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium seedless oranges or nectarines, peeled, sectioned and sections cut in half
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (Fuji apples work well)
1/2 cup seedless golden raisins
1/2 cup honey2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice or orange juice

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine honey, water, and cardamom and bring to a boil, stirring often. Simmer 2 minutes and remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and let cool completely.
2. When sauce has cooled, toss it with the fruit and refrigerate until dessert ready to be served.

Makes 6 servings

Recipe from Mom

Grilled Cantaloupe With Orange Drizzle

Ingredients:
1 small cantaloupe, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks

2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (Grand Marnier is one)

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Directions:
1. Prepare grill for a medium fire, using direct method.

2. If using wooden skewers, soak in water 30 minutes.

3. Spear cantaloupe chunks onto six skewers and place at edge of grill.

4. Grill 3-5 minutes, turning often, until warmed through. Do not char.

5. Remove cantaloupe from skewers and place in serving bowl.

6. In small bowl combine orange juice and liqueur; drizzle over hot cantaloupe and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe from Mom

Watermelon Popsicles

Ingredients
2 cups watermelon, cubed, with seeds removed
1 cup apple juice

Directions
1. Blend in blender until smooth.
2. Pour into Popsicle molds and freeze.

Makes 4 servings

Recipe from Mom