Super Side of Jello

It definitely is the season for a B-B-Q! On Monday Super Side of Jello will be found on our table with the other salads and the condiments. This easy side dish is made the day before you plan on offering it to your guests. Without a doubt it is a family favorite for us! Enjoy!

Sherbet Punch

The season of graduations and outdoor celebrations is here. It requires a delicious assortment of finger foods, entrees, snacks and accompanying beverages. At our gatherings a family favorite for all ages has always been Sherbet Punch. Sherbet and 7-Up Diet soda are the two ingredients. Whenever we had a celebration this beverage was present. The children, who are now adults, would look forward to seeing our punch bowl filled with foaming, floating, softened orange sherbet. The disposable cups and punch bowl ladle were ready to be used.

The first time that my family enjoyed this beverage was when our oldest son graduated from the fourth grade and it was served in the cafeteria after the ceremony along with cookies. We enjoyed it so much that at our Holiday Buffet the following December our punch bowl was filled with Orange Sherbet Punch. To this day the young adults remember our large punch bowl filled with the orange frothy delicious mixture.

Ingredients:
(3) 1 Quart containers of Orange Sherbet (can be Raspberry)

(5-6) Bottles of Diet 7-Up/7- Up Soda (refrigerated)

Method:
In a large punch bowl place 1 Quart of Sherbet. Then pour (2) bottles of chilled 7-Up in the punch bowl, pouring some over the sherbet. Stir a little to mix the ingredients. It will result in a frothy top and softened sherbet. Ladle into cups adding some of the softened sherbet. Enjoy!!! Replenish the 7-Up and sherbet as needed.

Freezer Jam

There are only two containers of Freezer Jam remaining in our freezer – one container of Blueberry Jam and the other is Strawberry Jam. Every year during the month of May, I purchase the Certo and the 8 oz. Ziploc Containers for the preparation of the upcoming batches of jam. Making jam was always a summer activity when I was growing up. However, jam was only prepared by stirring the mixture over a hot stove in the heat of the summer. Years later, the process of making homemade jam became so much easier. The directions for Freezer Jam were included in the Certo box.

That first summer I gave it a try by following the directions exactly. Sugar was added to the washed crushed berries/fruit and stirred. The fruit mixture “sat” in a large bowl for 10 minutes and a combination of lemon juice and liquid Certo was added to the fruit mixture and then stirred for 3 minutes. Then the mixture was placed in the washed and dried Ziploc Containers and the lids were placed on the top. After adding the label, the prepared jam sat on my dining room table for 24 hours, just as the directions stated. Then, it was placed in our freezer to be stored and to be enjoyed at a later date.

Making that first batch of Freezer Jam proved to me that the much easier process was the method to use. When the strawberries ripen in our local area it will be time to make Strawberry Jam. Following that will be Blueberry Jam and then Peach Jam. This jam is absolutely delicious as a flavoring for Yummy Yogurt or on toast. Follow the directions exactly! It is scrumptious!!!

Special Mother’s Day Desserts!

Are you searching for a delicious, exceptional and easy to bake dessert for your mom for Mother’s Day? Surprise her with a dessert that you have baked in your oven rather than one purchased in a bakery. The dessert will be special, because you have spent the time deciding what to prepare and then followed through and baked it. I have many suggestions for you. Blueberry Delisimo is prepared with fresh or defrosted blueberries. Topped with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream it is absolutely delicious! Do not be fooled by its appearance before it is baked in your oven. Hermits are definitely a New England favorite. These molasses cookies are filled with raisins. Cranorange Coffee Cake is one of our family’s favorite desserts. Topped with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream Apple Crisp is served any time during the year. A combination of Granny Smith, Empire and/or Cortland apples results in a yummy dessert.

Any of these desserts will be appreciated. Each one is delicious. Enjoy baking your choice!

Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes

Awesome Oatmeal Pancakes are light, nutritious and delicious! These yummy pancakes are made in two easy steps. Last night, I prepared Step 1 in the process of making the AWESOME OATMEAL PANCAKES for our breakfast this morning. After completing Step 2 this morning, I poured the batter onto my griddle and added a few BLUEBERRIES on the top of each pancake. What a scrumptious addition! Served with a little maple syrup this is a wonderful breakfast.

I am continuing my quest to lower my cholesterol level even more and still eat a breakfast containing oats every other day, because it has worked for me. Rather than use whole eggs in this recipe, I also substituted Egg Whites. So … I used 4 Egg Whites, remembering that 1 Whole Egg equals 2 Egg Whites.

We did have extra pancakes - After the leftover pancakes cooled, each pancake was placed in a “sandwich bag” and then they were placed in a gallon sized “Ziploc Freezer Bag”. Our freezer contains another delicious breakfast of BLUEBERRY OATMEAL PANCAKES!