Classic Home Style Macaroni Salad

I am all for trying new things. Whenever I go out to eat will look over the menu and decide on something new. Don't be afraid! But there are times when just a good ole classic dish is what me and my family are craving for. Here is a simple macaroni salad that I know your family will enjoy.

CLASSIC HOME STYLE MACARONI SALAD

2 cups of macaroni pasta
1 red bell pepper diced
2 stalks of celery diced
1/2 of a red onion diced
1/2 cup of mayo
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons of white vinegar
2 teaspoons of yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of black pepper

Cook your pasta according to the directions of the package. Drain and run under cold water. This stops it from cooking more and you do not want to mix mayo with hot pasta. Cold pasta makes the dressing stick better and it won't be absorbed into the pasta. In a large bowl stir the ingredients together and chill for a few hours. If the pasta seems a little dry then add a little bit of mayo. A spoonful at a time. This makes 8-12 servings. Enjoy!!

Key Lime Tarts

Spring is here! It's been nice enough to grill outside. A quick treat to make for desert is Key Lime Tarts. And being I had lived in Florida for several years this is a very, very yummy treat.

Ingredients:

24 Key Lime Cooler Cookies
8 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of lime key lime juice
1 teaspoon of lime zest
fresh sweetened whipped cream
mint or lime zest for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Fill 2 ( 12 muffin ) mini muffin tins with paper cups that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Place one cookie in the bottom of each paper cup with flat side down.
Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese, egg, sugar, lime juice and zest until well mixed. fill the cups with mixture to the top. Bake tarts for 10-12 mins. remove tarts to cool. When completely cooled top each tart with sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with mint leaf or lime zest.