ULTIMATE Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Be prepared to be in love!  This is perhaps the BEST recipe I will put on this blog.

Okay, so I know a lot of people might have had strawberry pretzel salad at a church potluck or maybe a baby shower, but I'll bet (unless you've been to one of ours) you've never tasted one as good as this one.  Traditionally, strawberry pretzel salad is made with a jello topping and frozen strawberries, well my mom made it even better changing it to her strawberry pie filling and fresh strawberries instead, and not the kind you buy in a plastic bag at the grocery store, but one that is homemade and MUCH better.  Our family has decided that if we ever had the ability to chose our last meal it would be a 9x13 pan of strawberry pretzel salad.  It's that good!!


P.S.  We have not really tried to lighten this recipe up, but if you find out a way please let me know!

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 C & 6 T sugar                 2 C water                             6 heaping T corn starch
4 T strawberry jello                  2 C broken pretzels              2 pkgs Dream Whip
1/2 C margarine (melted)          1 pkg cream cheese              2 qts fresh strawberries (cut in 1/2 or 1/4)


PRETZEL LAYER
Add 6T sugar to margarine, mix with spoon.  Add pretzels and toss until coated.  Spread into 9 x 13 pan and bake for 10 mins @ 350º and let cool

FILLING
Prepare Dream Whip according to package, add 1/2 C sugar and cream cheese.  Beat well.  Spread over cooled crust and refrigerate to set (for best results let set for 4 hours before adding topping)

TOPPING

Mix 2 C sugar, 2 C water and 6 heaping T corn starch in microwave-safe bowl heating until thick, stirring between microwave intervals (usually we do 3 mins, 2 mins, 1 min, 40 sec & 20 sec).  Add 4 T strawberry jello and mix well.  Add strawberries to mixture and stir until all coated, pour on top of refrigerated filling & crust and return to refrigerator to set (usually 4 hours will do it).

Spicy Crab Dip

So this can be done regular or low-fat/calorie. I've put down the low fat/calorie recipe below, but just sub in regular mayo and cream cheese. It really doesn't taste much different, so why add the calories! I will say the regular is a bit greasy, I am not a fan of grease, so I actually prefer the lighter version. But anyway, enjoy!

Recipe:

•10 oz shredded imitation crab (fresh would probably be even better, but I'm on a budget ;-)
•8 oz fat free cream cheese (as in my previous recipe, I recommend Philadelphia or Wal-Mart brand)
•15 oz low fat mayonnaise
•2 T sriracha sauce
•1/4 C low fat shredded cheddar cheese
•Salt & Pepper to taste
•Baked Tostitos

Mix cream cheese, mayo and hot sauce with mixer, then add crab and cheese. Mix well and pour into square baking dish. Bake @ 350 for about 45 mins (until brown around edges and bubbly). Serve with chips and enjoy!

Caramel Fruit Dip

This is a great recipe that can be done low-fat/low-calorie or regular.  Either way, this is a tasty fruit dip for what ever fruit is in season.

Regular:

8 oz cream cheese
1 C brown sugar
1 t vanilla

Mix with hand mixer until smooth and creamy.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Lighter version:

8 oz fat free cream cheese*
1/2 C Spenda brown sugar
1 t vanilla

Mix with hand mixer until smooth and creamy.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*recommend using only Philadelphia or Great Value (Walmart brand) fat free cream cheese for the closest texture and taste to the original recipe.

Welcome!

My mom and I love to cook, she's really the baker and I'm more of the cook. I've had a lot of friends ask me for different recipes that we do, so I figured this would be the best way to share them. A lot of times I take normal recipes that we love, and tweak them to have less calories or fat while still tasting good. What I hope to do is share both of the ways you can make the recipe; however, there are some I only have in low-calorie or there are some that just aren't able to be "lightened." And in an effort to share as much as I can, there will be some that aren't as "healthy," but I will put a warning on those ;o) Just be assured that it is going to be a tasty dish!

Please contact me if you have any adjustments that you have found to "lighten" up one of my recipes or share others you have found too. My hope is to help the cook that wants to stay healthy, but still wants to eat good food!!!

Enjoy!