Cherry Almond Gelatin Dessert

This is a lovely refreshing dessert that has the surprise of halved cherries! This is very easy to make but will require a trip to an Asian grocery store to buy the almond gelatin mix. Here is a link for the type I used in this dessert: http://www.onlinefoodgrocery.com/onlinefood/almond-flavor-agar-mix-hypen-6.2oz.html. There is always the option of using plain gelatin, almond extract and milk to make your own. Jello and gelatin lovers rejoice!

Recipe:

1 box of almond gelatin

2 cups fresh halved and pitted cherries

1. Following the instructions on the gelatin box, you add the mix to 4 1/2 cups of water in a medium sauce pot to boil. Be sure to use a big enough pot since there will be a volume increase.

2. Once the mix has boiled for about a minute, turn off heat and take pot off burner to cool.

3. Rinse and halve the cherries to get rid of pits. Place them in a large glass pan or in several decorative dessert dishes.

4. Pour cooked gelatin mixture into pan or dishes. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

5. Serve and garnish with whipped cream if desired!

Quick Vegetarian 3-Bean Soup

This is a great vegetarian soup that my mother in-law taught me. You can modify this soup to include whatever veggies you prefer, my standard is corn and celery. And if canned beans isn't your style, you can definitely use fresh beans. It will only add a considerable amount of cooking time but won't skimp on flavor.

Let's talk ingredients:

1 can organic red beans

1 can organic black beans

1 can organic pinto beans

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles

or 1 can organic tomato sauce and add 2 green chiles

3 cups of vegetable broth

4 stalks of celery, 1/2 in. chopped

1 cup frozen sweet corn

2 cups of organic brown rice

1. Do not drain the cans of beans since we will use all the fluid to bolster the flavor of this soup. Basically the first step is to pour the beans into a nice big soup pot and add your vegetable broth. Set the heat to medium high.

2. Then get started on your veggies while the beans and broth warm up. Rinse celery thoroughly and then chop to 1/2 in. to 1 in. diameter pieces. Add to the pot. You can add zucchini, carrots, more tomatoes into this dish if you'd like. Be creative!

3. Bring to a nice boil and lower to a simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Serve with corn tortilla chips and enjoy!