Cranberry Sunset Salad

Jello & fruit...fantastic combo!  We can get the kids to eat just about anything if its submerged in the jello!  Fabulous dish to take along to carry ins, get togethers, picnics, cook outs, or just for the fun of it!

Serves 10

2 c boiling water
1 pkg (4 serving) Jello-any red flavor if you don't like cranberry
1 c cold water
1 can (8oz) sliced peaches, drained & chopped
1 pkg (4 serving) Jello-orange
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, drained

Stir 1 c boiling water into cranberry jello in med bowl 2 min or until completely dissolved.
Stir in 1/2 c cold water.  Refrigerate 45 min.
Stir in peaches...spoon into ring mold.  Refrigerate 20 minutes or until set but not firm
Meanwhile, stir remaining 1 c boiling water into the orange jello.  Once dissolved 1/2 c cold water.
Refrigerate till thickened (45 min) add pineapple.  Spoon over cranberry jello
Refrigerate 4 hours  Unmold, garnish as desired.

Sunny Fruit Fiesta

Fresh fruit...summer time...that combo says breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any time in between to our crew!

Serves 6

1 cantelope, halved & seeded
1/2 honeydew, seeded
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c fresh lime juice
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp grated lime peel
1 c sliced strawberries
1 c black or red seedless grapes

Using a melon baller, scoop flesh from cantelope & honeydew into balls; set aside.
In a lg glass or ceramic bowl, combine the sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, & lime peel.
Stir well to disolve sugar.
Add the cantelope & honeydew balls, strawberries & grapes.  Toss gently to combine.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap & refrigerate for at least 1 hour stirring once or twice.
Spoon the fruit into serving bowls or hollowed out melon halves, dividing evenly.
**can also use kiwi, pineapple, papaya, or mango.
**Add a touch of ginger & maybe coconut too

Be creative & have the kids help pick out fun combos of fruit!

Sweet & Sour Meatball Sauce

I posted another sweet & sour meatballs recipe that is for a crockpot...this is similar but meant to be made on the stove.  I have no reason to believe that you could not also mix this & pour into a crockpot with a bag of frozen meatballs & let it cook on low all day too.  Both can be served over rice for a dinner, or stand alone for an appetizer.

1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 can pineapple chunks w/syrup
1/3 c vinegar
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 sm green pepper, diced

Combine the ingredients in a sauce pan over med-low heat until well blended, pour over frozen meatballs in a 13x9 & bake 40-45 minutes.
Remember to heat water for rice when you have 30 min. left on the meatballs, as it will take the rice 20-25 minutes to cook the rice.

serve as a dinner option with a tossed salad, greenbeans, peas or your favorite veggies.

Sweet & Sour Crockpot Meatballs

This particular recipe came from the world's most awesome neighbor!!!  Kris was infamous for making some really fantastic food that Len & I were priviledged to enjoy...this is a fantastic way to have dinner ready when you get home after a long day, by serving it over rice...otherwise, its a great dish to take to get togethers or family dinners where there is sure to be a hungry crowd.  We love to pair this up with Len's mom's crock pot Mac & Cheese...mmmmm

2 12oz jars chilli sauce
3/4s of a 12oz jar of cheap grape jelly
lg bag of frozen Italian meatballs

Combine in a crockpot & cook on low all day!
If you feel really daring, you can add a can of diced pineapple chunks!!