Dirt Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 large bag chocolate sandwich cookies
• 1 pint strawberries
• 1 pint raspberries
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1 32-oz. container vanilla yogurt
• Gummy worms (to taste)

Directions:

1. Put cookies in a zip-lock bag and pound or jump on them until they are crumbled, set aside.
2. Wash and cut strawberries into small pieces. Set aside.
3. Rinse remaining berries and set aside.
4. Line a flowerpot with wax paper (a plastic cup can also be used – no need to line with wax paper).
5. In the flower pot, place a 1 inch layer of cookie crumbs.
6. Next, add a layer of yogurt on top of the cookie crumbs.
7. Add a layer of mixed berries.
8. Add a few gummy worms.
9. Continue to layer the cookie crumbs, yogurt, berries, and worms until you fill the flowerpot. Each layer may be as thick as you prefer. The top layer should be a cookie crumb layer (to look like dirt).
10. Place a few gummy worms sticking out of the top layer.
11. Add a plastic, silk, or construction paper flower to the top of the pot. Construction paper flowers can be attached to straws and then stuck into the “dirt.”
12. Serve with a small flower spade (or spoon).

Serves 4 to 6

Fruit Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 kiwi
• 1 peach (or 1 cup canned peaches)
• 1 mango
• *the above fruits may be substituted for other favorite fruits
• 1 package wonton wrappers
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 glass of water
• 1 can whipped cream

Directions:

1. Dice the fruit into small pieces and stir together in a bowl.
2. Carefully place wonton wrappers (they are very delicate) onto a piece of wax paper.
3. Put a teaspoon of applesauce into the center of each wonton wrapper.
4. Put a teaspoon of diced fruit on top of the applesauce.
5. fold the wonton wrappers in half and seal them by wetting a fingertip and rubbing it along the outer rim of the wonton wrapper.
6. Steam the dumplings in a steaming basket for 2 minutes (or until the wonton wrapper is cooked).  Do not over cook the dumplings or they will fall apart!
7. Place the dumplings into a bowl and cover with whipped cream.  Enjoy!

Makes 2½ dozen

Polka Dot Pudding

Strawberry Salsa

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 small tomatoes
• ½ pint strawberries
• 1 cucumber
• 1 red onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper
• 1 15.5-oz. can black beans
• 1 8-oz. can corn
• 2 limes
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• Olive oil (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Corn tortilla chips (baked chips for a healthier option)

Directions:

1. Dice the tomatoes, strawberries, cucumber, red onion, and peppers and place ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.
2. Add the beans, corn, and lime juice to the bowl and mix together.
3. Remove the cilantro leaves from the stems, and add the leaves to the bowl.
4. Dress the salsa with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.  Mix well and serve with chips.

Serves 12

Pattern Parfaits