Tropical summer treat

A great way to end a summer dinner is with a refreshing bowl of pineapple sorbet. It's light and sweet and delicious. It's very easy to make, especially if you have an ice cream maker. If you don't, you'll probably have to partially freeze it, then blend it again, then freeze it again, to create the necessary air bubbles.

THE RECIPE:

1 fresh, ripe pineapple
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Remove pineapple skin and core. Cut pineapple into chunks and place in blender or food processor, along with sugar and lemon juice. Puree thoroughly. Pour into ice cream maker's can and place in freezer for an hour or whatever -- until well chilled but not frozen. Then place in ice cream maker and follow your appliance's directions for churning. Enjoy the results!

Popeye was right

This spinach soup with acini di pepe is wonderful and a cinch to throw together. My whole family gobbled it down, along with seconds and thirds. We used fresh spinach from our garden, which made it even better.

THE RECIPE:

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 c. chicken broth
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. each pepper, garlic powder, nutmeg
3 medium carrots, chopped
1/2 c. acini di pepe noodles
4 c. tightly packed, chopped fresh spinach
Shredded Parmesan cheese

In large pot, saute onion and celery in oil for a couple of minutes. Add broth and seasonings, then bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer up to 10 minutes while preparing carrots and spinach. Add carrots and acini di pepe and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook a few minutes more. Soup is done when noodles and carrots are tender.