CHARLESTON SALAD. From the kitchen of bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews

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1 From the kitchen of bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews CHARLESTON SALAD After I was served this salad at the Charleston Book and Author Luncheon several years ago, I couldn t wait to get home and make my own version. Quantities of all ingredients depend on the number you re serving. For dressing you could use the recipe I ve included, or simply buy one of the good bottled poppy seed or raspberry vinaigrette dressings. To make this a main dish salad, add rotisserie chicken, cooked shrimp or even poached salmon. For the salad: Chopped lettuce romaine, bibb or arugula Hulled and sliced fresh strawberries Sliced avocado Pink grapefruit sections (jarred is fine) Red onion rings Goat cheese crumbles Almonds blanched and sliced For the dressing: 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise ½ cup Greek yogurt 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 tsp. poppy seeds ½ tsp. each sea salt & fresh ground pepper ½ cup olive oil

2 Preparation: Arrange chopped lettuce on each plate. Top with avocado, onion, strawberries and grapefruit sections, dribbling a little grapefruit juice over avocado to keep from browning. Add goat cheese crumbles. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top. For the poppy seed dressing, combine everything except olive oil in a lidded jar and shake well. Pour olive oil slowly into jar and shake vigorously again. Drizzle the salad with dressing. You ve found the perfect spot... Mary Kay Andrews novels are impossible to resist. The Huffington Post Order Now! In stores May 19, 2015 marykayandrews.com

3 PINKALICIOUS STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE I came home from an early spring trip to the Webster, FL flea market with a pair of vintage pink Pyrex pie plates and a flat of gorgeous Plant City strawberries. What to do? Strawberry cheesecake! Since my granddaughter Molly adores anything pink, I decided to make it pink by incorporating pulped strawberries into the batter. I think this is a winner! For crust: Crush 12 squares of graham crackers (about 1-1/2 cups). Combine with 1/3 cup of sugar, 5 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter and 1/8 tsp. salt. Pat mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes, until just golden. Turn oven down to 300 degrees. From the kitchen of bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews For cheesecake mixture: 1-1/2 blocks (12oz.) softened cream cheese ½ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. lemon juice Mix well at low speed.

4 For strawberry puree: Combine about 1/3-cup sliced strawberries in food processor with 1 Tbsp. sugar, and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Blend well. Preparation: Swirl strawberry mixture into cream cheese mixture to make it look marbleized. Pour into prepared pie crust. Place on baking sheet and bake at 300 for minutes, until cheesecake is set. Remove and cool on baking rack for at least an hour. While cheesecake cools, prepare strawberry topping. For strawberry topping: Hull and thinly slice a pint of strawberries. Arrange in concentric circles around top of cooled cheesecake. In a saucepan melt 1/3 cup of strawberry preserves. Brush this glaze over the strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. You ve found the perfect spot... Mary Kay Andrews novels are impossible to resist. The Huffington Post Order Now! In stores May 19, 2015 marykayandrews.com

5 From the kitchen of bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews Beach Town Happy Hour in a Glass What s better than a refreshing summer cocktail after a hot day on the beach? How about a pitcher full of them? As folks come filing in the door all hot and thirsty from their fun in the sun, this batch of watermelon margaritas will be a sight for sore eyes. And best of all? This drink is low in calories. There is very little added sugar because the watermelon is so naturally sweet. The fresh lime juice adds a bit of tanginess. Add a sugar rim and watermelon ball garnish to each glass for a special touch. You ll love this one so much I ll bet you ll be passing that pitcher back around before you hit the showers! Cheers, y all! For the cocktail: 3-½ cups cubed seedless watermelon ½ cup tequila 2 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon Triple Sec For Garnish: 2 teaspoons sugar 1 lime wedge Watermelon balls or additional lime wedges Crushed ice

6 Preparation: Place 2 teaspoons sugar in a saucer. Rub the rims of each glass with a lime wedge. Spin rim of each glass in sugar to coat. Set prepared glasses aside. You ve found the perfect spot... Mary Kay Andrews novels are impossible to resist. The Huffington Post Order Now! In stores May 19, 2015 Combine watermelon and next 4 ingredients (through Triple Sec) in a blender and process until smooth. Fill each prepared glass with 1/2 cup crushed ice. Pour margarita over ice. Garnish with melon balls or lime wedges if desired. marykayandrews.com