Fruit Salsa

Now, I'll be honest. This recipe has just about made me famous. Any time I am invited to an event at Jonathan's office, it is just basically underSTOOD that this fruit salsa accompanies me. I don't know why. All of the sweet ladies in the office have the recipe now, so they know how to make it. It's not hard. But, alas, this has become my new identity. Fruit Salsa girl.

Here is a recipe that I am sure you will love! I sort of hate to give it away because it is my go-to recipe for Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, Cookouts....but, MAN! It is SOOOO good and I know you will love it and want to share it with friends and family. This is such a yummy and refreshing appetizer or dessert. So here it goes:

1 carton of fresh strawberries
2 Granny Smith apples
2 kiwi
2 tablespoons of apple jelly
2 tablespoons of brown sugar

Puree cleaned and trimmed strawberries, apples (leave the skin on for the pretty green color), and kiwi in a food processor (or, if you don't have one, chop the fruit into tiny pieces). Combine the fruit and add the jelly and sugar. If time allows, refrigerate the salsa for a while and the consistency will thicken up nicely.

Serve with cinnamon-raisin bagel or pita chips. Or,if you're interested, you can make homemade cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips. (A messy, but yummy, project!)

This recipe is doubled very easily and keeps great in the refrigerator for a few days. It is so refreshing! Also, feel free to substitute or add other fruits to the concoction. My friend Amy couldn't use the kiwi because her niece is deathly allergic, so she substituted pineapple and said it was delicious. I think I might add that to mine next time I make it.

I hope you and yours enjoy. Let me know if you come up with any killer fruit combinations.

Pumpkin Spice Cake

I just love the Fall and all the yummy and smelly-good things that go along with it! I am a big fan of all of the pumpkin-flavored things that come out this time of year: pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice chai, pumpkin bread, and have you ever tried Pecan Pumpkin Butter from Williams Sonoma? That stuff is incredible.

I have tried making pumpkin soup.

Night.mare.

I'll have to share that story another time. But, all I am seeing are visions of orange mush. Spilled all over my mother's minivan. It was tragic.

However, here is a delicious and simple recipe I tried last night involving pumpkin that is fool-proof, easy, delicious, and low in fat. I

I made this pumpkin-spice cake yesterday, and it is delicious! Try it sometime. Seriously, it couldn't be simpler.

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Ingredients:

1 box of spice cake mix
1 can of pumpkin
1/2 can of water

Directions:

Combine all three ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth. Pour into your favorite cake pan. (I used a bundt!) Bake cake according to the directions on the box, let cool, and serve. For a beautiful display, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

This cake is so good, so moist, and just perfect for Fall. It's a great breakfast or dessert or mid-day snack! Oh, I love pumpkin!

P.S. Have I mentioned that when I was growing up, my family got on a kick where we named all of our pets after food? My first dog, a Sheltie, was named Pumpkin. It's true.