Almond Tart

1 and 2/3 cups flour
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2T almond extract
1/4t salt
2 1/2 oz. sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together flour, sugar, butter, eggs, almond extract, and salt. Spray two 9" pie pans with cooking spray, and divide batter evenly between the two pans. Sprinkle almonds over the top of each pan. Bake until edges are golden brown, or about 30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream and strawberries (as pictured above).

Coconut Lime Chicken Soup

I made this soup last night and it was SOOO good! I put my own spin on a combination of a recipe from my friend Diana and a recipe I found online, and I think it's definitely a keeper!

1 small deli-roasted chicken
14-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup lime juice (2 medium limes)
1 T soy sauce
carrots, chopped
ginger, minced
shitake mushrooms, chopped
green onions, chopped
fresh basil, shredded
cilantro

1. Remove and discard skin and bones from chicken. Shred chicken.
2. In a large saucepan, combine shredded chicken with coconut milk, chicken stock, lime juice, carrots, ginger, mushrooms, green onions, and soy sauce.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender.
4. To serve, ladle into bowls. Top with shredded basil and cilantro.

One recipe called for 2t Thai seasoning blend. I couldn't find this at the store last night, but think it would make an excellent addition if you have some.

Special K Bars

Lisa shared this recipe with us in college, and it immediately became one of my favorites. I always keep everything on hand to make this quick and easy recipe.

In a double boiler, melt:
1 cup sugar
1 cup karo syrup
add...
1 1/2 cups peanut butter

Heat until smooth. Pour over 6 cups Special K cereal. Press cereal mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. In a double boiler, melt 1 bag chocolate chips and 1 bag butterscotch chips. Spread over cereal. Put in fridge until set.

Tortellini Salad

A bright, colorful, yummy salad! This recipe makes a LOT of food, so it's great for company.

2 bags frozen tortellini, cooked
3 bunches broccoli, cut and separated
12 oz. marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
12 oz. black olives, sliced
16 oz. each garbanzo beans/kidney beans/lima beans, drained and rinsed
2 red onions, chopped
1 bottle creamy Italian dressing

Just before serving add:
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
2 avocados, chopped
40 grape tomatoes, sliced
1/2 lb salami, chopped
2 cucumbers, chopped