Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 May 2000 — Page 28

FRIDAY, MAY 19,2000 ■ PAGE C8

Cost-conscious parents discover value online (NAPS A) — Asa proud parent you may cry when your child receives his or her high school diploma, but you will really cry when you receive the first college tuition bill. While a price tag can’t be placed on education, most parents would surely welcome a price break on products and services needed to enhance their child’s college ca-

reer.

Today there are a multitude of resources to help parents and students find everything they need to meet the challenges of college life. Unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day and most parents would rather spend the next few months creating memories with their college-bound child rather than driving to numerous stores in a fruitless search for great prices on quality products. Fortunately for parents and students, the Internet prqyidea anyone with a computer direct access to a new world of bargains and values galore. Yet, despite the Internet’s speed and ease-of-use, searching for a good deal online can often be a long and laborious task - not to mention a confusing

one.

One company, edu.com, has created a centralized location for college students to purchase brand name products and services. What’s more, these premier products are offered at significantly reduced prices - and exclusively for college students. With tuition constantly on the rise, parents are hard-pressed to cut costs in their child’s higher education. After all, what parent wants to sacrifice on quality when it comes to'their children? Recognizing this dilemma, edu.com has negotiated directly with many leading manufacturers to offer students the best products and services at the lowest available prices. At www.edu.com students will find significantly reduced prices on popular items such as computers, textbooks, software, calling plans, bank services, credit cards and more from leading manufacturers like Microsoft, IBM, Citibank, AT&T, Apple, Adobe and many others. Parents are free to browse the site, but only verified college students, and high school seniors with college acceptance letters, can purchase items. Edu.com also provides unbiased reviews on products, some of which are written by actual college stu-

Tropkal Fruit Salad Makes 7 cups 1 Del Monte Gold Extra Sweat Pineapple 4 cupe cut-up aeaorted Del Monte freeh fruit (euch aa applea, papaya, melon, bananaa and grapea) 1/4 cup ReaLemon Lemon Juice from Concentrate 3 tableapoona honey 3 tableapoona chopped freah mint leevea, divided 1. Cut pineapple in half lengthwise. Remove fruit, leaving 1-inch shell and reserving any juice. Refrigerate pineapple shell until serving. 2. Cut pineapple into 1-inch pieces, removing core; reserve 1/4 cup pineapple pieces. Mix remaining pineapple with assorted fruit in large bowl. 3. Puree 1/4 cup pineapple, any reserved pineapple juice, lemon juice and honey in blender until smooth. Toss with fruit and 2 tablespoons mint. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until serving. 4. Spoon fruit and dressing into pineapple shell. Garnish with remaining mint. Swm and Zesty Grilled Chicken Makes 6 servings 1/4 cup Gray Poupon Dijon Mustard 3 tableapoona honey 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 11/2 pounds)* 1. Blend mustard, honey and garlic powder in small bowl. 2. Grill chicken over medium heat for 10 to

Tropical Fruit Salad, Sweet and Zesty Grilled Chicken and Zesty Grilled Onions

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ummertime and the living is easy. Keep it simple and unhurried in the kitchen, too, during this sensual season of relaxed

outdoor gatherings, sizzling backyard barbecues and tantalizing flavors. Just choose from a bounty of fresh produce, have a few zesty condiments on hand for marinades and light up the grill. With these three steps, you’ll not only streamline weeknight meal preparation, but find

it easier than ever to serve familypleasing dishes this summer. For starters, look in the produce

department for extra sweet pineapple and mild. Georgia-grown sweet Vidalia onions — by far the world’s sweetest. The distinctive taste of these succulent oniofis is due to their unique growing conditions which produce a high sugar content and low pungency. Store Vidalia onions in a dry, cool place and treat them gently; their higher sugar and water

SwMt6nton« 1/4 cup Gray Poupon Dijon Muctard 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon chIH powder 1. Cut each onion crosswise into 4 slices; , .secure onion slices with toothpicks to retain shape. Set aside. 2. Blend mustard, oil and chili powder in

small bowl.

3. Grill onion slices over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes per side, brushing with mustard mixture and turning occasionally until fully cooked and well glazed. 4. Remove toothpicks; serve onions hot as an accompaniment to grilled meats or poultry.

it’s easy to create dishes with outstanding flavor from only a few ingredients. Its subtle blend of herbs and spices enhances many foods, from grilled chicken to shrimp kabobs or a zesty

couscous salad, providing surprising richness and distinct flavor. So fire up the grill and relax this summer. Your mealtimes are guaranteed easy and delicious with these recipes.

4 * *»

dents, to help parents and students, content means they can bruise easily,

make educated purchasing deci-

sions.

“I want my son to get the most out of his college years and for me to get the most out of every dollar,” said Julie Ross, whose son Harrison will start college this fall at Boston University. “That includes having all the resources necessary to be prepared in class and a few extra dollars to have fun and go out with friends.” “Edu.com is a unique ‘studentonly’ resource where students receive outstanding prices, information and service on the essential items they need for school," said Adam Kanner, CEO of edu.com. “At last, the nation’s more than IS million students have a place to shop where they receive the value they crave and the respect they deserve.”

Pineapple, always a year-round treat, is now available in a delectable “extra sweet” variety that offers consistent value and quality. Grown in sunny Costa Rica, this brightly colored yellow fruit is twice as sweet as traditional pineapple varieties with four times the Vitamin C. Used in a zesty sweet-sour salsa or a tropical fruit salad, extra sweet pineapple

is a hands-down winner.

Two condiments that perfectly enhance summer foods are lemon juice from concentrate and Dijon mustard. A griller's best friend, and one of the most versatile pantry staples available, lemon juice from concentrate gives a fresh lemony “zing” to everything from seafood and meats to fruits and vegetables. Busy cooks will appreciate how easy it is to use — no slicing or squeezing required — and its consistent taste from bottle to bottle. With Dijon mustard on hand in a convenient squeeze bottle,.

Citrus Shrimp Kabobs Makes 4 servings 1/4 cup RcaUmon Lemon Juice from Concentrate 2 tableepoone ReeLlme Lime Juice from Concentrate 2 tableepoone orange juice 1 tableepoon vegetable oil 1 tableepoon honey 1/2 teaepoon dried oregano, crushed 1 pound extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 green and/or rad bell peppers, cut Into 2inch pieces 1. Blend lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, oil, honey and oregano in small bowl. Place shrimp and 1/3 cup juice mixture in nonmetal bowl or plastic bag; refrigerate for 1 hour, turning occasionally. Reserve remaining juice mixture. 2. Remove shrimp, discarding marinade. Place shrimp alternately with pepper pieces on metal skewers.* 3. Grill over medium heat for 3 to 6 minutes per side, brushing with reserved marinade. ♦Wooden skewers may be substituted. Soak skewers in water for 1 hour before using. Pineapple Salsa Makes 3 1/2 cups 2 cups chopped Dpi Monts Gold Extra 8«raat

-ra n .

1 cup chopped rod and/or groan bod psppar 1/2 cup Del Monte VkteUa Sweet Onion

1 to 2 freeh jalapeflo peppera, seeded and finely chopped 1. Blend pineapple, bell pepper, onion, vinegar, cilantro and jalapeflo pepper in medium bowl. Refrigerate, covered, for 4 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. 2. Serve salsa over grilled seafood or chicken or with chips.

Confetti Couscous Salad, Citrus Shrimp Kabobe and Pineapple Salsa V* #