Linda's Clam Dip Spread

So easy and so delicious!

2 pkg cream cheese softened (use regular, low fat, or fat free)
1 6 oz. can diced clams
dash of tabasco sauce (optional)


With electic mixer, beat cream cheese until it forms peaks.
Drain clam juice into a container and put to the side for now
Add clams to the cream cheese along with a dash of tabasco
Start to add the clam juice until you get the desired consistency

Use more clam juice for dip. Great with regular chips or flavored chips
Use less for spread. Serve with crackers for a great appetizer

Sure to be a bit hit.

Pudding and Cream Frosting

Canned frosting is just way too sweet for me. Actually even homemade frosting that contains confectionary sugar is way too sweet. Here is my favorite frosting, not too sweet, but tastes amazing. Best part, it is easy

Beat a small container of heavy cream until soft peaks are formed

Prepare one package of instant pudding, any flavor, using 1 1/2 c. milk. Prepare according to package

Fold the pudding into whipped cream and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Decorate cake

If you want to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor, use fat free cool whip in place of whipped cream, and prepare pudding with 1% or 2% milk.

My Mom's Olive Macaroni Salad

Labor day may have come & gone, and I am no longer wearing white shoes, but I refuse to give up BBQs until at least the first foot of snow. Here is my Mom's macaroni salad recipe

Package of elbow macaroni
1 green pepper
4 stalks of celery
1 jar of olives, the size depends on your taste. However to save money, buy salad olives

Cook macaroni according to package directions
Cut pepper and celery into small chunks
Drain macaroni and allow to cool. Place chopped veggies on top of macaroni in a collander.
Drain olive juice over veggies and macaroni. The slice up olives and to mixture and add mayo to taste.

The secret here is to drain the olive juice over the veggies and macaroni. They absorb the flavor and gives the salad a wonderful, different flavor.

Even folks that pick out the olives love the salad, so give it a try.

Ryan's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Keeping with the picnic theme, I wanted to share a pie recipe that is sinfully delicious, without the guilt

Pie Crust
1 3/4 C. Chocolate Graham Crackers, crushed
6 Tbsp Melted Butter or Margarine
3 Tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
Pinch of Salt

Mix all ingredients and place in 9" pie pan. Be sure to cover bottom and sides. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 - 10 minutes

Filling
1 Pkg Fat Free Cream Cheese Softened
3/4 C. Confectioners Sugar
1 1/4 C. Low Fat Peanut Butter
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
2 1/3 C. Fat Free Cool Whip

Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar until Fluffy. Add Peanut Butter, Vanilla Extract and Salt and Beat Until Blended.

Gently Fold in the Cool Whip and Pour Mixture into Cooled Pie Crust.

Freeze for 3 - 4 Hours

Garnish with Shaved Chocolate, Graham Cracker Crumbs or Cool Whip.

It is a crowd pleaser!

P.S. Named for my Daughter's friend Ryan who loves this pie!

My Mother-in-law's Macaroni ( Pasta ) Salad w/ Catalina Dressing

I had totally forgotten about this recipe until someone asked me to make it for a labor day picnic.

Ingredients

• 1 package / box elbow macaroni
• 1 - 2 cucumbers
• 1 green pepper
• Radishes
• Catalina Dressing
• Mayonaise

Cook macaroni according to package

While cooking, cut cucumbers, pepper, radishes. How many and what size should they be cut? Whatever you like. I cut the cucumbers and radishes into cubes, not slices. We like lots of veggies, so I use a lot.

Cool macaroni and combine, in a bowl, with veggies

Coat with Catalina dressing and marinate for 1 hour. Just coat, do not use too much

Combine with mayo to taste, and add salt and pepper

Now, I am forever dieting, so I use fat free or low fat mayo along with low fat Catalina. I do not notice the difference, but you may want to try with the "regular" stuff first.

Enjoy!