Fruit In A Bowl!!!!!

This is a dessert that my Mother-In-Law taught me about many years ago. I have done so many variations. There is not a set "standard". This is one of those things that you can make it a different every time depending on what is in season or what mood you are in.


Fruit in a Bowl (Trifle)

2 banana's- sliced
1 pint of strawberries- sliced
1 container of blueberries
1 angel food cake
2 small packages of instant vanilla pudding- prepared
2 containers of Cool Whip- thawed

Cut angel food cake into thirds. Take one third and tear/cube into bit-size pieces. Take 1/3 of all the different fruits and sprinkle over the angel food cake. Take one container of Cool Whip and blend into the prepared pudding. Use 1/3 of the pudding/Cool Whip mix and spread over the cake and fruit. Repeat until all cake, pudding and fruit has been layered in. You may need to push down on the cake a little to get it all in the bowl. Once it is all layered, use the other container of Cool Whip as "icing". Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

You can substitute any fruit that you like. You can even use canned fruit if it is the dead of winter and there are no fresh fruits available as well as frozen. Hope you enjoy this as much as we do. This is a great dessert to take on picnic's, cookouts, or even covered dish events.
Oh, by the way, don't plan on bringing anything home. Your bowl will be CLEAN!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Kim's Almond Joy Cake

I HAVE FOUND A NEW FAVORITE RECIPE!!!!!
Kelly over at Kelly's Korner has this recipe posted. I saw it today and I was totally taken by it. The one that she has posted is for a Butterfingers's Cake. Well, one of GREAT friends has a birthday tomorrow. I was thinking at work and we came up with the idea of making it out of her favorite candy bar. Almond Joy!!!!! So, let the belt out. Put on the elastic waist and get ready!!!!!!!!!

Kim's Almond Joy Cake

1 box of white cake mix, prepared
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can of Hershey Syrup
3 Almond Joy Candy bars
1 container of Cool Whip
1 cup of coconut
1/2 c. chopped almonds

Prepare cake mix as directed. Once out of the oven, allow to sit and start cooling. Mix together milk and syrup. Poke holes in the cake and pour mixture over the cake and start soaking in. Take the candy bars and chop them up into small bits. This works great if you will place them in the freezer for a little bit. Sprinkle over the cake. Place in refrigerator to finish cooling. When ready to serve, cover with Cool Whip, sprinkle with coconut and almonds. YUMMMMY!!!!!! Thank you so much Kelly for sharing such an awesome recipe.

Other Ideas
Use Butterfingers, caramel topping and yellow cake
Use Heathbar, chocolate cake and Hershey Syrup

Hope you enjoy this one!!!!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Artichoke Dip

At one time in my life, I could not stand artichokes. I actually had no clue as to how to eat them and the artichoke heart to me just looked bazaar. Well, the 2 years that I went vegetarian, I learned to eat them and now just LOVE THEM!!!!!!!! I cheat because I always buy the canned ones. This is a recipe that my friend Michelle makes. IT IS KILLER!!!!! (My husband, the NON VEGTABLE EATING MAN, even likes this.

Disclaimer- *****If you make it as directed it is NOT figure friendly*******
However, you can make it with reduced fat or fat free mayo. That is what I typically do.

Hot Artichoke Dip

1 can of Artichoke Hears, chopped fine
1 cup of Mayonnaise
1 cup of Parmesan Cheese-finely grated fresh
Couple of dashes of hot sauce- if you like (my addition)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all 3 ingredients. Place in a very shallow oven-safe-serving dish. Place in oven for approx. 20 min. until hot, bubbly and slightly brown on top. Serve with water cracker or any other favorite thin cracker and enjoy!!!!!!!!

Add In's---
4 oz of lump crab meat
Substitute chopped frozen spinach-drained dry- and thawed for the artichokes
Small baby asparagus

Hope you enjoy this one!!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking with You,
Doula Mama Pam