Simple Garlic Bread

It's the simple things really...they make a difference between a great meal and an ok meal. Yesterday was my daughter's thirteenth birthday. I made chicken alfredo, which she loves, but also got some hot french bread fresh from the bakery to make garlic bread. Now I have seen a lot of people buy that pre-made throw-it-in-your-oven frozen garlic breads. In my book those never fail to disappoint and I will NOT use them! I make (in my humble opinion) fantastic garlic bread and it is sooooooooooooooooo easy!

All you do is slice the loaf of french bread in one long cut (so there is a top and a bottom). Use softened butter...not margarine...real, delicious, amazing butter. Spread it on the upper and lower halves of the loaf. Sprinkle garlic SALT (not powder) onto the buttery surface. Add a dash of parsley flakes or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if you like. Wrap it in foil and bake it at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. After you take it out of the oven, cut the vertical slices into the loaf...gives you lots of wedges with which you can enjoy your pasta dish, or maybe even the leftover sauce. Yummm...

Orange Julius

Do you ever go to the mall on a hot summer day and get an Orange Julius? They are a beautiful thing in the summer...sweet, cool, relaxing. Well, my daughter's middle school cooking teacher came up with this recipe for making them at home! They are so delish!

One 6 oz can of orange juice concentrate

One cup milk

One teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of water

2 cups ice cubes

Combine all ingredients except for ice in the blender and blend until smooth. Then, turn blender on liquify. Add a few ice cubes at a time, blending after each addition. Keep adding the ice until the drink is thick and fabulous!

Now, go get your beach towel-catch some rays in your backyard-and enjoy!