Layered Dip

Seven, six, five...layers! I usually call this seven-layer dip out of habit, but after I make it and tally the layers it can be another number. It is delicious and a crowd pleaser:

In a glass baking dish (8x8, 9x9, 9x13...)

Layer 1: one can of refried beans
Layer 2: salsa (I use Pace Mild Salsa or the sauce packets from those taco dinner kits)
Layer 3: guacamole (3 avocados, juice from half a lemon or lime, garlic salt to taste, mash and stir in a bowl before layering)
Layer 4: sour cream
Layer 5: grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Layer 6: thinly sliced scallions
Layer 7: sliced olives

Serve with tortilla chips. Tostitos scoop chips or Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Tortilla Chips are excellent!

Strawberry Tart

I saw this in a cooking magazine, but never wrote down the recipe. It looked easy and beautiful, so I thought I would make it as an impromptu dessert. I mixed my strawberries with some sugar, corn starch and lemon zest. It balanced really well with some vanilla whipped cream I made. I would definitely make this again because it is so pretty and also because it tasted great!