YOGURT FRUIT DIP IN AN ORANGE

1 brick (8-oz) Neufchatel cheese

1/4 cup fresh strawberries
3 tbsp strawberry preserves
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp grated orange rind
2 tbsp vanilla yogurt
1 large orange
Fresh berries, thin sliced apples, etc for dipping

Soften the Neufchatel cheese.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cheese and remaining ingredients excluding the orange; stir thoroughly.

Cut a small slice off the bottom of the orange if necessary so it will stand upright.  Cut off the top and hollow out the interior.  Spoon the dip into the orange for serving.

file photo

Serve with fresh fruit and/or berries for dipping.

STRAWBERRY SHERBET WITH A TOUCH OF CINNAMON

4 quarts fresh strawberries, stemmed & sliced

4 cups granulated sugar
2 2/3 cups milk
2/3 cup orange juice
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
additional fresh strawberries for garnish, if desired

In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberries and sugar; let stand until juicy.  This will probably take 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Mash the berries or puree in blender (will take several batches to do this).

Add the milk, orange juice, and cinnamon to the mashed or pureed berries; stir to combine well.  Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker cylinder and process according to the machine's manufacturer's instructions.

If you do not have an ice cream freezer, you can freeze in shallow containers in the freezer for about 3 hours or until of sherbet consistency.

file photo

To serve, scoop into individual serving dishes and garnish with fresh berries, if desired