Contest Rules Photo due: April 29, 2011I developed the following mint jelly recipe as an alternative to some of the truly spineless mint jellies available commercially. Pear and Mint Jelly ½ cup fresh mint3 cups pear juice2 tablespoons cider vinegar3 ½ cups sugar2 packages liquid pectin Wash and finely chop mint. Bring juice to a bowl with the mint. Add vinegar. Stir in sugar. Bring to a rolling boil and continue to boil one minute….

Contest Rules Photo due: April 28, 2011Avocado Orange Salad 2 ripe avocados cubed1 540 ml jar mandarin oranges, drained¼ cup pitted Trilya olives (or any good black olives)Lettuce (mesculin, bibb or any tender variety) Combine all ingredients and plate onto a bed of pale, tender lettuce. Drizzle with olive oil. Serves 2-4

Contest Rules Photo due: April 27, 2011Red and Green Pasta Salad 2 cups tubetti cooked al denté1 sweet red pepper cleaned and diced1 package frozen, chopped spinach thawed1 cup broccoli florets blanched½ cup diced turkey summer sausage (or whatever sausage or salami you wish)½ cup olive oil¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper¼ cup red wine vinegar2 cloves garlic minced finely Toss together all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill. How easy is that? And you…

Contest Rules Photo due: April 26, 2011Stonehouse Apple Salad 3 apples cored and cubed (I use pink Crispin, but also find Ida Red and Royal Gala very nice.) Zest and juice of one lemon 1 cup celery finely chopped 1/2 cup raisins (dried cranberries make a nice variation) 1/2 cup walnut halves 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise or low-fat yogurtSalt and pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill at least…