It's gathering and picnic season amongst my friends, and I thought I'd share a few of my favorite quick-n-easy treats (and invite others to do the same).
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Spinach Rolls
2 boxes frozen spinach
8 oz. bacon pieces
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup ranch dressing
1 package 8-inch flour tortillas
Cook spinach and squeeze out as much water as possible. Mix spinach with mayo, ranch, and bacon. Spread on flour tortillas and roll up, sushi-style. Chill at least 2 hours before slicing into 1-inch segments. YUM! These ALWAYS disappear. Even people who don't like spinach will eat them.
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Pickle Rolls
Sliced deli ham (skip the cheap stuff)
Cream cheese
Dill spears or sweet gerkhins (I like dill better)
Spread cream cheese on a ham slice and roll a pickle up in it. Secure with toothpick if desired.
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Lemon Bars
Crust: 2 cups flour
2 sticks butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Filling: 4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
4 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
5 Tbsp. lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Crust: Mix and press mixture into a 9X13 inch pain. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.
Filling: Mix all ingredients and pour over hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees for another 20 minutes.
Optional: Sift powdered sugar over top when cool.
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Banana Bread (good way to use up bananas that are turning black)
1 stick butter
1/2 cup applesauce (may use vegetable oil instead)
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups flour (whole wheat is as tasty as white in this recipe)
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups mashed banana
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
Cream together the butter, sugar, and applesauce (or oil). Add remaining ingredients and mix. Grease and flour one 9X13 pan or two loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.