Macaroni Salad

     Mother's Day will soon be here and it will be a chance to honor those women in our lives who do so much for us.  However, it doesn't mean you have to slave over a hot stove all day.  You can make a nice lunch without all the fuss.  

                                                        Macaroni Salad

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tsp. margarine
1/4 cup mayonaisse
1/4 cup soy sour cream
2 tblsp. sweet pickle relish
2 tblsp. grated carrots
1 tblsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. garlic salt

     Cook the macaroni according to package directions in water with the margarine.  After it is cooked and drained, set aside and let it cool to room temperature.
     Mix the remaining ingredients together and when the macaroni is at room temperature mix with the macaroni and refrigerate until ready to serve.  This salad can be made a day or two ahead of when you want to serve it.  The flavor will only improve.

 

Elegant Tuna Sandwich

     Mother's Day will soon be here and it will be a chance to honor those women in our lives who do so much for us.  While my own mother and mother-in-law are now gone I have two daughters, one who is celebrating her first Mother's Day and I want it to be special for both of them.

                                                    Elegant Tuna Sandwich

Sandwich mixture:
1 5 oz. can tuna, drained
2 tblsp. mayonnaise
1 tblsp. sweet pickle relish

Per sandwich:
2 slices of preferred bread
2 tblsp. tuna mixture
6 red grapes sliced in half
1 tblsp. chopped pecans

     The sandwich mixture may hold together better for you if you mix it together then spread it on the bread.
     You can make substitutions to suit your own tastes: canned chicken or salmon for the tuna, apples for the grapes, walnuts or almonds for the pecans.
     My favorite bread to make this sandwich with is rosemary olive oil sourdough, but you are free to use your favorite.  The sandwich will hold together with a heavier bread.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

     I know spring is trying to display itself in all its many colors and the temperatures are trying to warm up, but a cup of hot chocolate in the morning or evening still tastes good and is comforting.  In a month or two it will be too warm for this, but meanwhile, I'm going to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

                                                                Hazelnut Hot Chocolate


1 stick Splenda Flavor for coffee, Hazelnut flavor
3/4 cup lactose free milk
1 tblsp. dairy free chocolate chips

     Put all ingredients in a small sauce pan.  Over a low flame stir constantly until the chocolate chips melt.  Pour into serving cup.  Makes one serving.