Lentil Soup

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 stocks of celery, sliced
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 to 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 8 ounces light sausage, cut into slices
• 1 bag (16-ounce) dried lentils (presoaked as instructed on bag), rinsed
• 7 cups (approximately) chicken broth

1. In a large saucepan, sauté onion, celery, carrots, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil until onions are tender.

2. Transfer everything to a large pot. Add the sausage and lentils and cover with chicken broth (about 7 cups).

3. Simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Strawberry Freeze

16 servings Takes several hours

12 cookies
1 pkg Cream Cheese
1/2 c sugar
1 can frozen juice concentrate
1 c crushed strawberries
1 c strawberries halved (opt)
1 16 oz tub Cool Whip

1. Place cookies on bottom of 9 in spring form pan. Soften cream cheese and thaw frozen juice.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium until well blended. Gradually add juice, beating well after each addition. Stir in strawberries. Add cool whip with wire whisk until well blended.
3. Pour over cookies in pan. Freeze for several hours (6) or until firm. Remove from freezer and let stand in fridge for 15 minutes
4. Serve with halved strawberries if desired.
***Variations include using your favorite frozen juice mix.***

Potato Salad

4-6 servings

1lb new potatoes
1/4 c mayo
2 tsp dried basil leaves
2 eggs
1 carrot
1 green pepper

1. Cut potatoes into cubes and cook in boiling water for 15 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Cool completely.
2. Hard boil the eggs while chopping pepper and shredding carrot.
3. Mix mayo and basil in large bowl until well blended.
4. Add potatoes, eggs, carrot and pepper. Mix lightly. Cover.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.