Basil Citris Vinagrette

4 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T orange juice
2 T vinegar
1 t orange zest
2 T minced fresh basil
1/2 t. sugar
1 pinch sea salt
fresh ground pepper (to taste)

Mix all ingredients together. Drizzle on one package spinach, 2 cans mandarin oranges, and 1 cup slivered almonds.

School Lunch Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 cup peanut butter, creamy
2 cups oatmeal, not quick (make sure they are certified GF)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease sheet cake pan.
2. Cream first three ingredients. Add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and combine. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together.
3. Spread batter in cake pan. Cook for 15 minutes.
4. While hot, spread 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter on the top.
5. After peanut butter cools and becomes solid again, spread chocolate frosting on top and cut into bars.

Sweet Potato Fries

2 sweet potatoes
cooking spray or vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Wash and peel potatoes.
2. Thinly slice potatoes (like fries).
3. Spray a baking sheet with pam or spread a little oil around.
4. Place potato slices on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Bake at 350 until potatoes are soft (or crispy if that's the way you like them).

*Try adding cilantro and lime when you pull them out of the oven (The Gluten Free Girl and The Chef)

Pork with Tropical Sauce

4 boneless pork top loins, cut 1" thick
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp ground ginger (I used fresh ginger and a garlic press)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup dried tropical fruit (dried mangos or a mixture of dried fruits), finely chopped
1/2 c. orange juice (I juiced one fresh orange)
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp pineapple preserves (optional)

1. Mix curry, ginger, and cinnamon. Set aside one tsp on the spice mixture.
2. Brush chops with oil. Rub remainder of spice mixture over chops. Cook chops to internal temperature of 160 degrees. (I pan fried but you could also broil.)
3. In a small saucepan, mix dried fruit, juice, vinegar, and one tsp of the spice mixture. Heat to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Serve overpork.

Mom's Famous Cream Cheese Frosting

(This is a "Mom recipe" so measurements are only approximations.)

2 pounds (1 bag) powdered sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2-3 teaspoons vanilla
3 shakes of salt
1 brick of cream cheese (don't use fat free)
canned milk

Mix all ingredients together, adding canned milk until the right consistency is reached.