Orange Creamsicle Jello

2 small orange gelatin packages
1 c. boiling water
1 (6oz) frozen oj concentrate
1 c. cold water (OR the juices from the canned fruit)
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 small can crushed pineapples, drained

Topping:
1 small pkg. instant lemon pudding
2 c. cold milk
1 c. coolwhip

Boil 1 cup water and dissolve orange jellos until clear.  Add frozen oj and fruit.  Pour into 9x13" pan.  Let set in fridge until firm.

For topping, whip together pudding and milk.  Fold in coolwhip.  Pour pudding mixture over jello and keep in fridge until ready to serve.

Light Fruit Salad

1 can mandarin oranges, drained
2 cans pineapple chunks, drained
1 small package sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix
3 bananas, sliced
1 cup orange juice

Combined all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Chill until serving time.

Cranberry Bread

Regular

3 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1/3 cup + 3 T butter

1 cup + 2 T sugar

3 eggs

1 cup + 2 T orange juice

1 ½ Tablespoons grated orange peel

1 cup crasins chopped

¾ cup chopped pecans

Low Fat

3 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1/4 cup butter

¼ cup non fat vanilla yogurt

1 cup + 2 T sugar

1 whole egg + 4 egg whites

1 cup + 2 T orange juice

1 ½ Tablespoons grated orange peel

1 cup crasins chopped

¾ cup chopped pecans

1.         Preheat oven to 350

2.         Grease and flour loaf pans (1 large & 1 medium or 6 small)

3.         In a bowl mix flour, soda, salt and baking powder.  

4.         In a mixer cream butter (yogurt), and sugar.  Beat until creamy.  Add eggs, orange juice and zest.  Beat until well mixed.  Scrape the sides.

5.         Add the dry ingredients.  Mix only until incorporated.  DON’T OVER MIX!!! 

            If using the mixer low speed only, or stir by hand.  Stir in cranberries and nuts by hand.

6.         Pour in pans, bake 20-30 minutes.

Chicken Pasta Salad

1 box bowtie pasta
1 bag spiral pasta
4-5 c. cooked, cubed or shredded chicken
2 c. diced celery
4 green onion, sliced
2 c. grapes, halved
1 lg can mandarin oranges
1 sm can mandarin oranges
1 lg can pineapple tidbits
1 bag raisins or craisins
1 can water chestnuts (opt)
1 can cashews
1 bottle coleslaw dressing
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise

Cook 3/4 bag and box of pasta according to package directions.  Drain & rinse; set aside.  Mix all ingredients together, except mandarin oranges, coleslaw dressing and mayo, in large bowl.  Toss gently.

Combine coleslaw dressing and mayo together and pour over salad until all ingredients are coated.  Gently stir in oranges and chill.

*Can omit chicken for a salad only*

German Pancakes

6 eggs
1 c. milk
4T. butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. flour

Whip eggs until thick and lemon colored.  Add milk, flour and salt.  Heat butter in a 9x13 pan. (Or but smaller amounts of butter in 3-4 pie pans for individual pancakes).  Once butter is melted pour batter into pan.  Bake at 450*F for 15-20 mins.

Top with syrup or fresh fruit & whipping cream.

Strawberry Bread

3 cup strawberries, chopped or puréed
4 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
3 cup flour
1 cup walnuts (opt)

Mix eggs, oil and berries.  (I did a chunky purée.)  Stir in sugar, salt, soda and cinnamon.  Add flour and nuts.  Bake in grease loaf pans on 350* for 50-60 minutes (Test after 50 mins - may need to place a piece of foil lightly on top if browning too much on top.)  Makes 2 large or 4 small loafs.
**I made them into muffins.  Cook for half the time, testing afterwards to make sure they are done.**

Pudding Fruit Salad

1 lg. box instant pudding (vanilla or banana)
1/2 c. milk
1 can pineapple chunks
1 can mandrine oranges
3 bananas, sliced
1/2 c. coconut
8oz coolwhip
1 c. mini marshmellows
cherries (opt)

Mix pudding and coolwhip with milk. Mix until stiff. Add fruit and coconut. Top with cherries.

Apple Dip

(Tracy's Recipe - from the family party)

8oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. toffee bits

Mix everything together until creamy.