Otter Orchard

In today's box: Pink Lady Apples, Fair Trade Bananas, Strawberries, Minneola Tangelos, Carrots, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Green Onions, Red Beets, and Spring Mix.

So the rain, is done now, right? Right? Right? I think it's time to break out the frozen peanut butter banana recipe.

Frozen Peanut Butter Bananas

2 Bananas
1/2 cup (or so) peanut butter
Cream or half and half
Chopped nuts (pecans are nice-they're not too crunchy) (optional)
4 Popsicle Sticks

Mix peanut butter with cream or half and half to an easily spreadable mixture. Cut bananas in half, insert popsicle sticks into bottom of bananas, spread peanut butter mixture all over banana, roll in nuts. Place on wax paper in freezer for at least a couple of hours before eating. This recipe is really nice for when you have bananas that are a bit past their prime, as well.

How about a raw strawberry pie? It could fit right in at Cafe Gratitude, perhaps.

Raw Strawberry Pie

1 to 2 lbs. fresh strawberries, tops removed, quartered
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 of a lemon)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups raw almonds
1 3/4 cups pitted dates

In a bowl, combine strawberries, lemon juice, vanilla and brown sugar. Mix well, and let sit while you make the crust. Place almonds in a blender or food processor and pulse on high until they resemble bread crumbs, about 1 minute. Empty into an oiled 9" pie plate. Put dates in blender with 1 tsp. of water and pulse on high until well chopped, about 30 seconds (it's okay if they're a little clumpy). Combine almonds and dates until they hold together, then press evenly onto bottom and sides of pie plate to form crust. Using your hands or a slotted spoon, pile berries into the crust, discarding any remaining liquid. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve.

Or something even more simple:

Fruit Dip

In a blender or food processor blend  1 lb. strawberries with 1 8 oz. container whipped cream cheese and 1 tsp. lemon juice.  Blend or process just until smooth. Serve with apple, pear, pineapple, etc. that have been cut into bite-size pieces for dipping.


These recipes remind me of those pre-school days when I scrutinized every single snack....and actually took the time to make each and every one super-healthy, fun, and interesting. What happened to those days? Even their lunches were more carefully planned back then. On that note, have you seen this Bento Box photostream dedicated to artful lunches? And finally, my new favorite youtube recipe channel, Cooking with Dog, did a Bento Box episode. You have to watch it - it is hilarious:

Happy Wednesday!