Party Potatoes

They're rich and smooth and...who doesn't like mashed potatoes!

8-10 medium potatoes
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 small carton sour cream
1 T. butter
Paprika to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese to taste

Boil peeled potatoes until tender. Beat cream cheese and sour cream together. Add hot potatoes (drained) and beat until smooth. Add butter, salt and pepper. Pour into a well-greased 2 quart casserole dish. Dot with butter and sprinkle paprika on top. Cover that with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 8-10

Raisin Zucchini Bread

2 medium zucchini
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs, beaten
1 T. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 T. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup raisins

Finely shred zucchini to measure 2 cups; set aside. Cream sugar and oil. Add eggs, zucchini, and vanilla; mix well.
Combine flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder- mix well. Add raisins to dry ingredients. Combine with zucchini mixture. Mix well.
Pour into 2 greased 9x5 in. loaf pans. Bake @ 350 for 1 hour or until tests done. Let stand 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack to cool.

Icy Fruit Cups

We all love these refreshing fruit cups. I like to make a batch to keep in the freezer, so I can grab one as a quick and healthy snack or for breakfast. They are surprisingly filling! We have used them at parties, wedding receptions!

1 can frozen orange/pineapple juice concentrate
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. lemon juice
3 medium, firm bananas, sliced
1 16oz pkg. frozen strawberries (or use fresh and slice)
2 15 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
1 large can (about 24oz) crushed pineapple

In large bowl, prepare juice according to package. Add water and sugar- stir until sugar is dissolved. Add other ingredients. Fill plastic cups 3/4 full. Cover and freeze. Take out of freezer about 15-20 minutes before serving, so they can become "slushy"
Makes approx. 12 9oz. cups.

Cheerios Treats

A fun snack to make with your kids!

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 (10-oz. pkg.) miniature marshmallows
1/2 c. peanut butter
5 c. Cheerios
1 c. M&Ms

Grease 9x13" pan. Melt butter in 3-quart saucepan on low heat. Add marshmallows and peanut butter; stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Combine Cheerios and M&Ms; immediately add to peanut butter mixture. Mix lightly until well coated. Press mixture into prepared pan. Cool. Cut into squares. YIELD: 24 bars.
~Kate Boyer Brown