Stawberry-Lemon Swirl Pie

2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Several drops red food coloring (optional)
2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups light cream or milk
1 4-serving-size package instant lemon pudding mix
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
Sliced strawberries
Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

In a large bowl mash the 2 cups strawberries. In a small saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the water and mashed strawberries. Cook and stir till mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Stir in the lemon juice, butter or margarine, and the food coloring. Cover surface with clear plastic wrap. Cool, and then chill.

In a small mixer bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer till fluffy. Beat in cream till well blended. Add pudding mix; beat on low speed for 1 minute. Spoon half of the pudding mixture into the prepared crust. Top with half the strawberry mixture. Repeat layers. Using a spatula, gently swirl top two layers to marble. Cover; chill to store. Garnish with strawberry slices and mint. Makes about 8 servings.  

My family and I enjoyed this recipe. I didn't really make any changes because I thought it was a good recipe to begin with. I did use the red food coloring and some mint for the top of the pie. If you wanted to you could buy a pie shell, instead of making your own with the graham cracker crust. I hope you enjoy this recipe too.

Dilled Macaroni and Cheese

1 16-ounce package rotelle, larger shells, ziti, or elbow macaroni
1 1/2 pounds sharp cheddar cheese
1 bunch radishes
2 medium-sized green peppers
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Prepare macaroni; drain. Meanwhile, with a sharp knife, cut cheese into 1/2-inch cubes; cut radishes into slices; cut green peppers into 1/4-inch-wide strips.

2. In large bowl with spoon and whisk, mix well mayonnaise, milk, dill, salt, and cracked pepper. Gently stir in macaroni, cheese, radishes, and green peppers until well coated. Makes 8 main-dish servings.

My family and I enjoyed this recipe. I made some changes to this recipe though. I used dried dill instead of fresh chopped dill. Instead of useing cheese cut into cubes I used shreaded cheese. The salt, black pepper, radishes, and green pepper I added to taste. This is also a cold salad so you need to cool the noodles. I hope you like this recipe too.

Spaghetti "Aio E Oio" With Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

1 pound spaghetti
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup extra virgin plive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
finely chopped red chili pepper, to taste
1/4 to 1/2 pound very fresh plum tomatoes
small handful fresh sweet basil leaves

1. Cook pasta in salted water. Core and skin tomatoes. Cut tomatoes in half and seed and juice them, cut in small dice.

2. Put olive oil, salt, tomatoes, hot pepper (if using it), and garlic into a large bowl. Drain pasta and add to bowl. Add basil, torn in smaller pieces if leaves are big. Toss pasta well, adding more salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve immediatly.

My family and I enjoyed this recipe. I did make some changes to the recipe though. I used garlic powder to taste instead of chopped garlic. I desided not to use any chili pepper in this recipe. I also used dried basil leaves instead of fresh basil leaves. It tasted good but I wanted to add cheese to it to which also tasted good. I hope you enjoy this recipe too.