Fresh Fruit Salsa Dip

I've been meaning to get this recipe up while pomegranates are still in season.  This is a favorite around our house.  Perfect fresh fruit dip for family gatherings or a healthy snack after school.

Begin with a variety of fresh fruit.  Apples, pears, kiwi, pomegranates, strawberries, blackberries, etc. I tend to use whatever is in season.  I like to make sure to have apples or pears to add a solid texture to the salsa. Strawberries are a must as well.  Then I fill in with other fruits.

There is no right or wrong amount of fruit to use, but here is a basic recipe I follow:

2 - 3 apples

1 pound strawberries

1 pomegranate

3 kiwi

1 small package blackberries

Clean and prep fruit.

Chop all the fruit and mix together in a large bowl.

(obviously if you are using pomegranates you don't want to chop them)

Mix in:

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 Tablespoon white sugar

1-2 Tablespoons jam (any flavor)

Gently blend together.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 We serve this fresh fruit salsa with cinnamon chips or cinnamon graham crackers. Cinnamon tortilla chips used to be available most places, but now a days I can only find Cinnamon Popcorn Chips by Popcorn Indiana at Walmart.  If you are really ambitious you can make your own using soft tortillas..  Cinnamon pita chips are also an option, but we have found that pita chips are almost too thick and crunchy for this dip, but I suppose it is a matter of preference.  And per my son's advice - just eat it by the spoonful, no chips needed!

Grandma's Shortcake

This is one of my favorite summer recipes when fresh fruit is available.  This isn't your everyday store bought shortcake.  This is Grandma's homemade shortcake.....one of those recipes that has been passed down from generation to generation.  When I asked my mother-in-law for the recipe she had to kinda calculate ingredient measurements for me because it is one of those recipes that she would just throw together. 

You will love this shortcake - it is even good without berries!

Grandma's Shortcake

2 c. flour

2 tsp baking powder

2/3 c. sugar

2/3 stick softened butter or margarine 
(note: 2/3 stick, not cup)

2/3 c. milk

Mix all ingredients together. Spread in greased pie plate. Bake 350 for 1/2 hr or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Yummy!  We love this shortbread fresh out of the oven with fresh berries and vanilla bean ice cream - summer doesn't get any better than that!