GUACAMOLE DIP

GUACAMOLE DIP

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

1 ripe avocado

1-teaspoon lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

optional:  add ¼-cup salsa or diced tomatoes, diced onions, and cilantro

Mash avocados with a fork.  Mix with lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.  

AVOCADO TIP

AVOCADO TIP

            Avocados are ripe when they are firm yet give when you push the skin.  Cut in half lengthwise.  It will separate and a big seed will be in one half.  With the sharp side o the knife smack the seed, and twist.  Remove the seed from the knife by whacking the seed on the side of the sink.  Push your finger between the skin and the flesh to remove the flesh.  Sprinkle with lemon to stop it from turning brown.  Place the seed in the bowl for decoration and to stop browning.  

DATE NUT PIECRUST

DATE NUT PIECRUST

Oil an 8 or 9-inch pie pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

1-cup dates, chopped

½ cup water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1-cup nuts, smashed (place in a plastic bag and hit with something heavy)

Soak the dates in the water and lemon juice.  Mix in the nuts (walnut, almond, or pecan) with the dates.  Pat the mixture in the bottom of a sprayed 8-inch or 9-inch pie pan.  The dough will be thicker in the smaller pan and thinner in the larger. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Fill with pie filling than bake for 30 more minutes until slightly browned.  If the filling is a non-cooked pie filling, bake the pie shell for 10 more minutes. 

FRESH PINEAPPLE PIE

FRESH PINEAPPLE PIE

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

2-tablespoon lemon juice

¼ cup agave nectar

2-cups fruit

½-cup water

1-tablespoon arrowroot

1 recipe date nut piecrust

4-cups fruit, sliced

Blenderize the fruit, lemon juice, and agave.  In a small saucepan whisk water and arrowroot until smooth.  Add the blended fruit mixture.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to whisk for a minute.  

Spread half the blended fruit mixture in the 8-inch or 9-inch baked piecrust.  Arrange slices in a pattern.  Spread the rest of the mixture over the top.  Refrigerate before serving. 

This is a fun creative recipe with many variations.  You can make up your own. When buying organic fruits, check the price in the frozen section.  Buy the frozen for the blended fruit if less expensive.