Easy Cookin'

Sometimes there is nothing better than something that tastes good, is good for you, and is easy to put together. Here are a few of my own inventions, which are mostly my home versions of things I have had elsewhere. Please note that I do not give measurements. You'll have to adjust to your own family size.

Taco Salad

Large head of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and torn up
Red and Green peppers, diced
Black olives, whole or sliced
Canned black beans, rinsed and drained
Red Onion, diced
Shredded medium cheddar cheese
Cucumber, peeled, and diced
Fresh tomatoes, diced
Cold steamed corn
Broiled and seasoned chicken breasts, cubed (figure on one breast per person)
Make a dressing by combining mayonnaise with fresh salsa and mix together thoroughly

Toss all of the above together and serve over a heap of lightly salted corn chips with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream on the side and serve immediately so the chips don't become soggy from the dressing.

Cheryl's Trifle

This may be lower in calories than the traditional version. It is definitely lower in sugar and alcohol!

Pound cake (I like using the chocolate marbelized kind), cut in chunks
1 or 2 large containers of French Vanilla yogurt (depending on how much you are making)
Strawberry syrup made from real strawberries
Fresh or frozen strawberries (not in syrup), sliced
Fresh bananas, sliced
Unsweetened whipping cream, whipped to medium stiffness

To assemble:

Place chunks of cake in the bottom of a large, pretty glass bowl
Drizzle strawberry syrup over the cake chunks
Cover with a layer of French Vanilla yogurt
Layer strawberries and bananas over yogurt
Cover with a layer of whipped cream

Repeat layers and cover and let sit overnight in the fridge. Serve the next day and try not to make yourself sick by eating too much.