Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Pizza

If you know anything about me and Tom, you know that we love making pizzas. I can confidently say that it's one of our top 5 past-times. This is the newest addition to our pizza family and we welcome it with open mouths. Though it's probably most delightful in the summer or spring time, we tried it first in the cold winter and not only enjoyed it, but it brought us nostalgia and hopes of warmer, brighter days. Definitely not your typical pizza but absolutely worth going against the grain for.

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza crust, prepared (use your own favorite recipe. I have yet to be solely converted on one particular dough recipe so I don't feel right recommending one as of now. Suggestions welcome.)
• corn meal, for the pan
• 1 T balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
• shredded parmesan + black pepper, for topping

Directions:

1. Toss the basil and mozzarella together, set aside.
2. Sprinkle pizza pan with corn meal and place dough/crust on it. Brush with balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with mozzarella and basil mixture. Scatter strawberry slices over the cheese. Crumble goat cheese over the berries.
3. Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees or so. Remove from the oven and slide onto a cutting board. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with parmesan cheese and black pepper. Enjoy!

Source: Take a Megabite

Triple Cheese Fruit Dip

Such a good summer memory. This is the best fruit dip ever. Not exactly best fruit dip FOR you ever, but what it lacks in nutrition, it makes up for in flavor. Tastes like heaven. 

• 8 oz. cream cheese 
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 T. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1/2 cup grated chocolate

1. When cream cheese reaches room temperature blend with sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.
2. Whip heavy cream. Slowly fold into other cheese mixture. 
3. Stir in grated chocolate.
4. Chill.
5. Serve with fruit. Especially good with strawberries.

Source: my momma

Frozen Banana Bites

Again, another pinterest find. Simple. Simple. Simple. Great little treat to bring to a potluck or enjoy on a hot night. So refreshing. It makes me feel like I'm at a county fair. 

• 2 large bananas
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• coconut flakes

1. Set out a large plate or bowl with a piece of parchment or wax paper on it.
2. Cut up the bananas into good-sized chunks. Each banana should give you around 5 to 6 pieces.
3. Heat the peanut butter and chocolate chips in the microwave on high for about a minute (or on the stove until melted). Then stir until smooth.
4. Dip the banana pieces in the chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Lay them out leaving some space between them on the parchment/wax paper. Then when you've "covered" them all, use the remaining mixture to spoon over the tops.
5. Then sprinkle the unsweetened coconut flakes on top. Transfer to the freezer for about an hour until hardened.
6. You can enjoy them like this (but they really aren't frozen yet -- and when they're frozen, the banana tastes like vanilla ice cream) . . . I suggest then covering with some plastic wrap (or really you can do all of this in some kind of Rubbermaid container) and let freeze overnight.

Source: adapted from recipe by (never home)maker