Dirty Dessert

This is dirt dessert, you know the one that's usually in a flower pot with gummi worms on top. Well, I think it's much prettier in a glass trifle bowl like this one, or a hurricane vase sans worms! As for the name...my friend Olya gets the credit for that one. She's from Ukraine and some things just don't translate well so when I heard her calling it "Dirty Dessert" [with her Russian accent] I thought WOW that has a nice ring to it (wink wink) as you can imagine, I love what it implies. So I've been calling it Dirty Dessert ever since. I love this stuff!

Ingredients and Directions:

• 1 1/2 - 2 packages regular oreos

using a food processor, grind cookies to fine crumbs (or do it the old fashioned way...ziploc bag and a rolling pin). set aside

• 3 1/2 cups cold milk
• 2 (3 oz.) packages vanilla instant pudding mix

whisk together and set aside

• 1/4 cup soft butter
• 8 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar

with an electric mixer, mix together butter and cream cheese till fluffy. sift in powdered sugar and continue to mix until smooth. add the pudding and mix until incorporated.

• 12 oz. tub of cool whip thawed

gently fold in cool whip until completely combined

-wasn't that easy?!-

Now all you have to do is layer it in a pretty clear glass bowl beginning with the crumbs. Be generous with the oreo crumb layers because that's what makes this dessert so downright dirty delicious.

When you run out of space in the bowl or you run out of the pudding mixture, sprinkle some crumbs lightly on top too as a garnish.

CHILL IN THE REFRIGERATOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS TO OVERNIGHT. Serve very cold.

Grilled Avocados

If you love avocados, you are gonna wanna marry these! It's the perfect summer side dish. So quick. So easy. So good.
Our friends, Dawn and Jon made these for us years ago, and we loved them so much, we've been makin' them ever since.
This is more like a really good idea than a recipe. In other words...you will probably only have to look at this once. These are pretty unforgettable.

Ingredients:
ripe avocados
olive oil
salt and pepper
jarred salsa
shredded sharp cheddar cheese
lime

Directions:
1. cut the avocados in half and carefully remove the pit and the peel.
2. put them on a plate and drizzle with olive oil. use your fingers to distribute the olive oil and evenly coat the avocados.
3. fresh ground sea salt and black pepper to taste

pictured just before grilling

4. place them on the grill 'hole side' down first for about 3 minutes

5. turn over and fill with salsa (jarred works the best but I've used fresh too) I love to use the pineapple and peach salsa for a little sweetness.

6. top with shredded cheese and close the grill until the cheese is melted. about 3 more minutes

7. squeeze a little fresh lime over the top and serve immediately.