Delish Desserts: Cherry Delight

Ingredients:

*2 cups GF pretzels, crushed

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*1/2 cup Crisco

*3 Tablespoons granulated sugar

*1 pack 8 oz cream cheese, softened

*1 pack 8 oz Cool Whip topping

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*2 cans 21 oz cherry pie filling

Directions for crust:

Melt butter and Crisco together in pan over med-high heat on stove. Add 3 T of sugar and stir until dissolved. Mix together with crushed pretzels until well coated. Press firm and flat into 9 x 13 glass pan. Refrigerate for one hour or until firm.

Directions for creamy topping:

Beat cream cheese and sugar until well mixed. Fold in the Cool Whip and mix until smooth. Spread evenly on top of crust. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or until topping sets. Top with cherry pie filling. May substitute cherry pie filling with any other pie filling flavor.

*This is a dessert that has been used for four generations in my family. Though it is delicious at any time of the year, I have made it a tradition to serve this on the 4th of July. By using a handful of fresh blueberries and halved cherries or strawberries in place of the 2 cans of pie filling, you can arrange the top to create a flag.

Tasty Tidbits: Finger-Lickin' BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:
*3 cups ketchup
*1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
*1/2 cup molasses
*1/4 cup mustard (French's yellow mustard or equivalent)
*2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
*2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins is GF)
*1 Tablespoon liquid spoke (increase by 1/2 t for smokier flavor)
*1/2 Tablespoon garlic salt
*1/4 teaspoon pepper
*ground red chili pepper, to taste (a pinch is sufficient)

Directions:
Combine all ingredient in a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until sauce thickens. Do not boil; gently simmer. For thicker BBQ sauce, add several minutes to cook time. Store in container and refrigerate.

*This recipe comes straight from my mom. She has been making this BBQ sauce since we discovered I am a Celiac. It. is. to. die. for. Seriously. I lick my plate anytime BBQ sauce remains on my plate. I am not ashamed. It is THAT good. :)

Monday Meals: Chicken Tomato Alfredo

Ingredients:

*1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1in pieces

*1 stick butter, softened

*1 pack 8 oz cream cheese, softened

*3/4 cup milk

*1-2 medium tomatoes (I prefer a lot), finely chopped

*Herbs and spices for seasoning

*1 pack Trader Joe's GF Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli

Directions:

In a larger skillet, cook chicken pieces. Once chicken is fully cooked, drain. Return skillet to heat and add softened butter cream cheese. When butter and cream cheese are melted, add milk, tomatoes, and seasonings of choice (basil, garlic salt, and black pepper are a good match). Stir, cover, and keep over low heat. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add pasta fusilli noodles. STIR CONTINUOUSLY.GF noodles WILL stick and glue together if not constantly moving. Cook time on package does not necessarily reflect real cook time (I find that noodles are perfect if cooked one to two minutes AFTER water has turned cloudy white AND a film appears along the sides of the pot above the water line). Taste test to know if right for you. Strain WELL; do not rinse (rinsing the noodles causes sauce not to adhere to noodles). Add to skillet and use pasta spoon to stir into sauce.

Serves: 4 - 6

*Season a couple pieces of your favorite GF bread with butter, garlic salt, and basil. Place in oven at 325 for 3-4 minutes for delicious garlic bread.

Pictured with broccoli in place of tomato, equally as scrumptious!