Simple Summer Supper

This weekend I stumbled on two recipes that (much to my surprise) shot to the top of my "tried and true recipe" lineup. Quick. Tasty. Reasonably cheap. (On some days, I might settle for two out of three.)

After an afternoon of blueberry picking (our neighbors have fields of bushes, where we can pick a gallon bucket for $2), the kids started chanting "make a PIE, make a PIE!"

So ... I whipped up this little beauty.

Lemon-Berry Pie

1 box lemon cook-and-serve pudding mix

2/3 C sugar

3 eggs, separated

2-1/2 C water

2 C fresh blueberries (frozen works, too)

1 baked pie crust (or graham cracker crust)

pinch cream of tartar

pinch salt

3 Tbls sugar

In a 2 quart saucepan combine pudding mix, sugar, 3 egg yolks, and 1/2 C water, stirring well. Whisk in 2 C water, and cook over medium heat. Just before pudding is thick, drop in the berries and stir a minute or two, until the pudding turns reddish-pink. Pour into pie crust and allow to cool.

In small glass bowl whip egg whites and last three ingredients until stiff peaks form. Spoon over pie, sealing edges well. Bake in 400 degree oven 8-10 minutes, until brown. Chill an hour or so.

Okay ... now that you have the tough part done, time to whip up dinner....

Pasta Salmon Salad with Healthy Greens

1-lb box elbow macaroni (I like the Barilla yellow box)

1 small container Philadelphia salmon-flavor cream cheese

1 bottle zesty Italian salad dressing

1 bunch assorted leafy greens

2 cans tuna, drained and flaked

1 bunch basil or cilantro, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch green scallions, chopped

1 C frozen green peas, thawed

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. While pasta is still hot, cube and toss the cream cheese. Stir well to coat. Add vegetables and tuna, stir well to combine. Refrigerate.

Just prior to serving, place mound of greens on plate, top with generous scoop of tuna salad, drizzle with Italian dressing ... and serve. Tastes great with crusy bread or garlic bread. Even kids like this (if they're picky about certain vegetables, just switch out others that they will eat.)

Can be made the night before, if you need a ready-to-go dinner the next night!