Beech Tree News Network

As pandemic guidelines have relaxed a bit regarding gatherings, family members have come the past two Sundays to eat lunch with me. A blessing! We scattered throughout my house and yard, giving one another a bit of space. Hopefully, the following recipes will provide options as you plan your meals during this warm-weather season.

Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 c. milk

½ tsp. vanilla

2 bananas

¼ c. sugar

2 c. ice

Directions:

Place all ingredients (milk, vanilla, bananas, sugar and ice) in the blender and blend for a couple of minutes until smooth. If bananas are ripe, less sugar may be needed; if you like a sweet smoothie, you may increase the sugar. Serve immediately.

Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 12-ounce box/package of noodles

1 16-ounce bottle of Italian dressing

1-2 diced tomatoes

1 chopped bell pepper, optional

1 c. chopped cucumber, optional

Directions:

Cook noodles according to directions on box/package. Drain the noodles. Add other ingredients to noodles and stir. Chill for several hours before serving.

Baked Beans

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

½ onion, chopped

½ c. ketchup

1 T. mustard

1 c. brown sugar

2 large cans pork & beans (Showboat or Van Camps)

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onions; then drain. Stir all ingredients together. Pour into a 9x13-inch dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes.

Shannon’s Fresh Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 8-ounce container sour cream

¼ c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Milk (to get the desired consistency)

Fresh fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, seedless grapes, and pineapple

Directions:

Mix chosen fruits together. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar and vanilla together and pour over the fruit. Refrigerate to chill before serving.

Sharon’s Skillet Apple Pie

Ingredients:

1 stick plus 2 T. salted butter (or margarine)

1 c. brown sugar, packed

1 package of 2 Pillsbury refrigerated, rolled pie crusts

2 cans apple pie filling

Cinnamon sugar

Directions:

In a 10 ½-inch iron skillet on medium heat, melt 1 stick butter and add brown sugar. Boil on medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and put one pie crust on top of the brown sugar mixture. Add apples on top of the pie crust. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Add second pie crust on top. Brush the top pie crust with 2 T. melted butter. Then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes, until brown on top and bubbly.

Note: To make cinnamon sugar, mix ½ c. sugar and 2 T. ground cinnamon. Store in a jar with a sprinkle lid.

Gwyneth Paltrow said, “I really like cooking according to the season. I like to get creative with what’s fresh” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/cooking-quotes_6). Paltrow made a good point. And hopefully, these recipes will help you with your warm-weather cooking.