Fresh Fruit Salad

The phone rings--it's 4:30. Frantic daughter is on the other end. "Mom,I need to take a salad to a church pot luck--tonight. Years ago you made a fruit salad--I think it has fruit juice and is thickened with cornstarch. I have looked all over and can't find the recipe."
I know exactly the recipe she is talking about. It takes me a bit of digging but I find it. I realized I have not blogged about it. Over 500 recipes and some how I missed it. This recipe was given to me by my sister-in-law Keri. It feeds a crowd, can be made any time of the year with most any fruit. And it is delicious!

Fresh Fruit Salad
Juice from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 orange or lime
Juice from a can of pineapple
Juice to equal about a cup.
2 tablespoon of cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
6-8 cups diced fruit--apples, oranges, pears, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, melon, bananas, pineapple, mandarin oranges, etc.
Mix fruit juices and cornstarch--heat to a boil. Stir until thickened. Add sugar and stir until it dissolves. Cool.
Pour cooled mixture over diced fruit, stir gently. Serve immediately.
What if I don't want a salad to feed 10?? Make sauce, store in the fridge, it will keep several days.. Dice about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of fruit per person. Spoon on enough sauce to just coat fruit.
Top with whipped cream for a delicious dessert.
Printable Recipe

Mini Puff Pancakes

EJ is not a difficult child to please. She is happy and generally excited about all we do. But...if I really want to make her day I whip up a quick batch of Mini Puff Pancakes.
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or a Snack--this will certainly please. There is something wonderful  about anything in miniature. These little gems are no exception.
Toppings? Fruit, powdered sugar, syrup, Nutella and of course a bit of whipped cream. Let your child choose their favorite. EJ loves raspberries and whipped cream, great choice.
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Mini Puff Pancakes
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons melted butter
Place a mini muffin pan in the oven and heat to 400 degrees. While oven is heating mix together flour, milk, eggs and salt. I use my Immersion Blender, blend till smooth. Remove hot pan and quickly brush each well with melted butter. Fill each well 3/4 full. I used a mini muffin scoop. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes till puffed and golden. Serve immediately with your favorite topping.
Makes 24 Puff Pancakes
Printable Recipe

Taco Seasoning and Taco Chicken Tenders

I needed some Taco Seasoning for a recipe and was out of my favorite Penzy blend. No fear, within seconds I had more Taco Seasoning recipes than one could ever need. I wondered how there could be so many different recipes for the same thing??? I chose one that I had all the ingredients for, because I did need it immediately. It was very tasty; I saved the recipe and knew I had to blog about it quickly as I have a very short memory.
So, throw out your prepackaged Taco Seasoning--it has too much sugar and salt (read the label) and other stuff. This was delicious!

Taco Seasoning
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix together, use in any recipe calling for Taco Seasoning.
Printable Recipe

Slightly altered from Allrecipes

Taco Chicken Tenders
Use about 1 tablespoon per pound on chicken tenders. Fry chicken in a tablespoon of oil about 4 minutes per side. The chicken has a beautiful color and is so tasty. Serve with roasted veggies and fresh fruit. Easily a 30 minute meal.