Strawberry-Lime Creamy Cheese Pie

This recipe is a shout out to my friend Teri Miles, who made me my first creamy cheese pie. I have altered the recipe slightly...

Ingredients

1 9-in graham cracker crust
1 8oz block cream cheese (room temp.)
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c lime juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 quart strawberries, sliced
2 tbsp sugar

Instructions

1. Beat cream cheese with hand mixer for 3-5 minutes, until smooth.

2. Add condensed milk slowly, while mixing.

3. Mix in lime juice and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the strawberries and sugar together.

5. Pour the cream mixture into the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for at least two hours.

6. Top with strawberries and serve.

Eggplant with Mozzarella & Marinara

This was a winner at my house tonight...

Ingredients:

1 medium-sized eggplant

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

1/4 olive oil

1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used smoked mozza)

3 c wide egg noodles

for the sauce:

1/4 med-sized onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 c dry red wine (I used cabernet sauvignon)

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel eggplant and cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thickness strips. Lay on paper towels and salt both sides. (This will drain excess water from the eggplant and make it easier to fry.)

2. While eggplant is draining, saute onions and garlic in 1 tsp olive oil until onions are translucent. Add red wine and lemon juice; cook until wine has reduced by half. Add remainder of sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer until everything else is done cooking.

3. Cook noodles.

4. Heat oil in deep frying pan. Pat eggplant dry; dredge eggplant in egg first, then bread crumbs. Fry that eggplant! When removing eggplant from frying pan, sprinkle with cheese and put in the oven to keep warm. Feeds 4 (or 3 hungry people).

5. To serve: Layer noodles, cheese, eggplant, sauce and more cheese. Enjoy!

Deep-Fried Tofu Tacos

Just made this recipe tonight, and me and the husband love it.

Ingredients:

for the tofu:

1/2 block firm tofu

1 tsp taco seasoning

2 tbsp flour

1 tbsp corn starch

oil for frying

for the sauce:

1 tbsp adobo salsa

3 tbsp mayo

1 tsp taco seasoning

pinch of salt

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbsp honey

suggestions for the other taco ingredients:

lettuce, tomatoes, bell pepper, onions, cilantro, queso fresco or any other cheese

Steps:

1. Drain tofu (see video for details), and chop into 1/2 inch cubes.

2. Heat oil in a tall saucepan (enough oil to cover the tofu).

3. Mix corn starch, flour, and taco seasoning.

4. Dredge tofu in dry mixture and deep fry.

5. Stir together adobo salsa, mayo, taco seasoning, lime, and honey.

6. Chop other taco ingredients.

7. Assemble tacos and enjoy!