Sunday, May 8, 2011

Cooking : Almond Chocolate Torte

Ingredients
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
8 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 cups whipping cream, whipped

Directions
Set aside 1 tablespoon almonds for garnish. Chop remaining almonds; sprinkle into a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar.
In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Beat into cream cheese mixture. Add melted chocolate; beat until blended. Fold in the whipped cream. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved almonds. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Cooking : Asian Stir Fry Sauce

Ingredients
2 tablespoons Argo� Corn Starch
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon Spice Islands� Crushed Red OR Cayenne Pepper
1/2 cup Karo� Light Corn Syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic

Directions
Stir corn starch, brown sugar and crushed red pepper together in a small saucepan OR 1-quart microwaveable dish. Add remaining ingredients; stir well.
Cook over medium heat (OR microwave on HIGH (100%) for 2 minutes) stirring occasionally. Heat until mixture boils for 1 full minute. Cook and stir an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until thickened to a syrup-like consistency.
Drizzle over your favorite stir-fry just before serving. Also delicious as a glaze for grilled meats. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Cooking : Barbecued Turkey Sandwiches

Ingredients
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine
3 cups shredded cooked turkey
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
6 Kaiser rolls, split

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add the turkey, water, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and paprika. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Serve on rolls.

Cooking : Apricot/Cranberry Chutney

Ingredients
1/4 cup diced dried apricots
1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch ground cloves
1 cup water
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the apricots, cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves.
In a medium saucepan, boil water and sugar, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Add the dried fruit mixture and vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Serve immediately, or refrigerate in a covered container.

Cooking : Baked Bean Sandwiches

Ingredients
4 English muffins, split
1 (16 ounce) can maple cured baked beans
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices
4 slices Cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Arrange the English muffin halves on a baking sheet. Place an equal amount of baked beans on each muffin half. Layer beans with onion, tomato, cheese, and bacon.
Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Set oven to broil, and continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes, until bacon is crisp. Watch constantly during broiling to make sure bacon does not burn. Serve immediately.

Cooking : BBQ Feta and Hot Banana Pepper Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup seeded, chopped banana peppers
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
In a bowl, mix the turkey, peppers, and feta cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
Cook patties about 8 minutes per side on the prepared grill, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

Cooking : Barley Salad With Almonds And Apricots

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups pearl barley
4 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup dried apricots, sliced
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions
Rinse barley in a fine sieve. Bring water to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Stir in the barley, and return to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat. Simmer until water is absorbed, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
Pour oil into a small skillet, and place over medium heat. Add onion, and saute until golden brown.
In a serving dish, combine barley, onion, apricots, almonds, and parsley. Toss.
In a small bowl, mix together yogurt, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and nutmeg. Pour over the barley mixture ,and toss well to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Cooking : Beef Florentine

Ingredients
2 cups medium egg noodles
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (8 ounce) container cottage cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until evenly brown; drain excess fat. Season with oregano, salt and pepper. Stir in tomato sauce and water. Remove from heat, and stir in cooked noodles.
In a medium bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, onion, and Parmesan cheese. Spread half of noodle mixture in a large casserole dish. Layer with all of spinach mixture, then cover with remaining noodle mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Cover with mozzarella, and continue cooking 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Cooking : Barbecued Shredded Beef

Ingredients
3 pounds beef roast
2 onions, chopped
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles beer
6 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons liquid smoke flavoring
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
salt to taste
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
2 cups water

Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees (135 degrees C).
Place roast in a large roasting pan and scatter chopped onions over.
In a large bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour in beer, stir and add to roasting pan. Add water to the top of beef.
Cover and cook in oven at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 4 to 5 hours.
When meat is cooked, shred meat with 2 forks, add barbecue sauce and mix well.

Cooking : Amazing Crunchy Tofu Salad

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package firm tofu, drained and cubed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
1 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 medium shallots, finely minced, divided
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced, divided
vegetable oil for pan-frying
1/4 cup champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon chili oil
1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
1/2 large cucumber, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped

Directions
Toss the tofu with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce in a small bowl, set aside to marinate.
Combine the cornstarch and bread crumbs with 1 minced shallot and half of the green onions in a bowl. Toss the tofu with the cornstarch mixture to generously bread; reserve the remaining marinade.
Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the tofu cubes on all sides until golden brown, remove to drain on a paper towel.
Whisk together the remaining marinade with the vinegar, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, sugar, and chili oil; set aside. Toss together the salad mix, cucumber, tomato, and tofu cubes in a large bowl; add the dressing and toss to combine.

Cooking : Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake by EAGLE BRAND�

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND� Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
2 medium all-purpose apples, cored and sliced
Cinnamon Apple Glaze:
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In small bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar until fluffy. Add flour, oats, walnuts and cinnamon; mix well. Press firmly on bottom and halfway up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes.
Beat cream cheese until fluffy in large bowl. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth (do not overbeat). Add eggs and apple juice concentrate; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched. Cool.
Cook apples in remaining 1 tablespoon butter until tender-crisp in large skillet. Arrange on top of cheesecake; drizzle with Cinnamon Apple Glaze. Chill. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
Apple Cinnamon Glaze: In small saucepan, combine apple juice concentrate, cornstarch and ground cinnamon; mix well. Over low heat, cook and stir until thickened. (Makes about 1/4 cup)

Cooking : Baked Ham with Sweet Glaze

Ingredients
1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
4 cups boiling water, or as needed
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dry mustard powder
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or as needed
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
toothpicks

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place ham on a rack set in a roasting pan, and carefully pour about 1/2 inch of boiling water into the pan beneath the ham.
Bake the ham in the preheated oven for 2 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat (do not touch the bone) reads at least 140 degrees F (60 degrees C.)
Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, dry mustard, honey, and lemon juice as needed to make a thick, smooth paste. Brush the ham generously with glaze. Skewer 1 pineapple chunk and 1 maraschino cherry per toothpick, and insert the decorated picks all over the ham.
Return the ham to the oven, and roast for 15 minutes. Baste the ham, fruit and all, with glaze and juices that have collected in the bottom of the pan, return to the oven, and roast for an additional 15 minutes. Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Cooking : BREAKSTONE'S Sensational Creamy Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups milk, divided
1/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S Reduced Fat Sour Cream
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose baking mix for biscuits
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
4 cups sliced strawberries
1/3 cup sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat 1/2 cup of the milk, the sour cream and 3 Tbsp. sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Stir in baking mix until just moistened. Spread evenly into greased 9-inch round cake pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack; cool completely.
Add remaining 3/4 cup milk to dry pudding mix in medium bowl. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in half of the whipped topping. Toss strawberries with 1/3 cup sugar; set aside. Cut cake horizontally in half to make two layers.
Place bottom cake layer on serving plate; top with half of the strawberry mixture. Spread with pudding mixture; cover with top cake layer. Spread with remaining whipped topping; top with remaining strawberry mixture. Serve immediately. Store any leftover shortcake in refrigerator.

Cooking : Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Salad

Ingredients
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup pecans, broken into pieces
2 heads red leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1/4 pound smoked salmon, cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place asparagus in the pot, and cook 5 minutes, just until tender. Drain, and set aside.
Place the pecans in a skillet over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted.
In a large bowl, toss together the asparagus, pecans, red leaf lettuce, peas, and salmon.
In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Toss with the salad or serve on the side.

Cooking : Apple Nut Cake with Rum Sauce

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
1 cup margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavored extract
2 tablespoons water
4 apple - peeled, cored and diced
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup water
1/2 cup margarine
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon butter flavored extract
2 teaspoons rum flavored extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together 2 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream 2 cups sugar and 1 cup margarine until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring and 2 tablespoons water. Beat in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Finally, stir in chopped apples and pecans.
Pour batter into prepared 9x13 inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
To make the Rum Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup margarine. Bring to a boil. Mix 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons flour and 1/8 teaspoon salt and stir into the saucepan. Bring sauce to a boil, stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon butter flavoring and 2 teaspoons rum flavoring. Pour sauce over the cake and serve.

Cooking : Baked Spaghetti Corn

Ingredients
1 cup broken dry spaghetti
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
1/4 cup margarine, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a 1 1/2 quart casserole combine broken spaghetti, whole kernel corn, cheese, cream-style corn and margarine.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until spaghetti is cooked.

Cooking : Bacon Mustard Pork Roast with Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Ingredients
1 (2 pound) boneless sirloin pork roast
3/4 cup prepared spicy mustard
10 slices bacon
6 bacon strips, cut in half
1/2 small onion, minced
2 large mushroom stems, chopped
3/4 cup prepared spicy mustard
12 large mushroom caps

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Use a knife to cut shallow slits into the surface of the roast. Using 3/4 cup of mustard, brush half over the roast, then completely cover it with 10 strips of bacon; brush bacon with remaining mustard. Cook in preheated oven for 60 minutes until bacon is browned, or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of the pork reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F (65 degrees C).
Meanwhile, cook halved bacon over medium heat in a skillet until crispy; drain on a paper towel. Crumble bacon into a small bowl and combine with the onion, chopped mushroom stems, and 3/4 cup of mustard. Spoon mixture into the mushroom caps. Place caps in a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with sliced pork roast.

Cooking : Baked Zucchini de Provence

Ingredients
3 zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Arrange a layer of zucchini slices into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan so they slightly overlap one another; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with some of the sea salt and herbes de Provence. Repeat layering until the zucchini is all used.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
While the zucchini bakes, stir together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly over the baked zucchini and return to oven 10 minutes more; serve hot.

Cooking : Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Make sure you get some, because they don't last long!

Cooking : Broccoli and Ramen Noodle Salad

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package broccoli coleslaw mix
2 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup unsalted peanuts
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup cider vinegar

Directions
In a large salad bowl, combine the slaw, broken noodles and green onions.
Whisk together the sugar, oil, vinegar and ramen seasoning packets. Pour over salad and toss to evenly coat. Refrigerate until chilled; top with peanuts and sunflower seeds before serving.

Cooking : Buckeye Balls

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Directions
Combine the melted butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and the vanilla together and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on waxed paper.
In the top half of a double boiler melt the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring constantly. Use a toothpick to dip balls into the melted chocolate, leaving a small uncovered area so balls resemble buckeyes. Place balls on waxed paper. Use fingers to blend in toothpick holes. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Enjoy!

Cooking : Beer Batter Crepes II

Ingredients
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
cooking spray

Directions
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and beer. Sift together the flour and salt, and mix in. Beat in oil. Allow to stand for 1 hour. If batter is too thick, stir in a little milk.
Heat a crepe pan over medium heat, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Pour on 2 tablespoons batter, and quickly spread to the edges of pan. Cook until top appears dry, then turn, and cook for 15 seconds. Set aside on paper towels and repeat cooking method until all batter is used.

Cooking : Authentic, No Shortcuts, Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients
1 pound dried red beans, soaked overnight
10 cups water
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
8 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, or to taste
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
4 cups cooked rice

Directions
Place the beans and water into a slow cooker. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage in the skillet; remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and transfer to the slow cooker. Reserve drippings. Add onion, green pepper, jalapeno pepper and garlic to the drippings; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer everything from the skillet to the slow cooker.
Season the mixture with pepper and Creole seasoning. Add the fresh basil leaves and ham hock. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or until beans are tender. If the bean mixture seems too watery, take the lid off the slow cooker and set heat to High to cook until they reach a creamy texture.

Cooking : Ash-e-jow (Iranian/Persian Barley Soup)

Ingredients
2 quarts chicken stock
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup tomato paste
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
8 lime wedges

Directions
Heat the chicken stock in a pot to a gentle simmer.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat and saute the onion until translucent. Add the pearl barley to the pot and stir for one minute. Stir in the hot chicken stock, turmeric, lime juice, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
Mix in the carrots and continue simmering 30 minutes or until the soup has thickened and the carrots and barley are tender. If the soup is too thick, add hot water, one tablespoon at a time.
Place the sour cream in a small bowl. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of hot soup mixture into sour cream, whisking constantly. Gradually add the sour cream mixture into the soup pot, whisking constantly. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve with fresh lime wedges.

Cooking : Banana Cream Cheesecake

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup ground walnuts
5 tablespoons butter, melted
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/8 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup banana liqueur
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water
1/3 cup white sugar
4 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
12 vanilla wafer cookies

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the vanilla wafer crumbs, ground walnuts, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a large bowl, stir cream cheese to soften. Mix together 1 1/8 cup sugar and flour; stir into the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in eggs, one at a time, mixing until well blended after each one. Stir in sour cream, mashed banana, banana liqueur, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. Pour over the crust in the springform pan.
Cover the bottom of the outside of the cheesecake pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from the water bath from seeping in. Place springform pan inside a larger pan. Place the whole thing into the preheated oven, and fill the outer pan with hot water.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven. After the time is up, turn the oven off, but leave door closed. Leave cheesecake in the unopened oven for 1 hour. Before removing from the water bath. Run a knife around the outer edge of the cake to keep it from shrinking away from the center and cracking. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours, or overnight.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the cold water, and set aside to soften. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot but not boiling. Meanwhile, whisk together 1/3 cup sugar and egg yolks until smooth and frothy. Whisk about 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture, then pour the yolk mixture into the pan with the remaining milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, making sure that the mixture does not burn on the bottom, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Stir the softened gelatin into the hot pastry cream until dissolved, then stir in vanilla. Pour into a bowl, place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour.
When the pastry cream is cooled, whip heavy cream just past soft peaks. Stir pastry cream to soften, then fold in the whipped cream. Place vanilla wafers on top of the cooled cheesecake, then spread the vanilla cream over the entire top. Chill until serving. Run a wet knife around the outer edge of the cake before removing the sides for a cleaner look.

Cooking : Asian Ground Beef and Pepper Saute

Ingredients
1 cup dry jasmine rice
2 cups water
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup beef stock
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon chile paste
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and water to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the ground beef until evenly browned. Drain, and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Stir in the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, parsley, garlic and ginger. Season with red pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until tender.
Return the beef to the skillet. Mix in the beef stock, soy sauce, chile paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until thickened and heated through. Serve over the cooked rice.

Cooking : Baked Beans, Texas Ranger

Ingredients
1 (28 ounce) can baked beans with pork
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium bell pepper, diced
4 links spicy pork sausage, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt to taste
1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a Dutch oven, combine the baked beans, onion, bell pepper, and sausage. Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic powder and salt. Add a dash of cayenne if desired.
Cover and bake for one hour in the preheated oven.

Cooking : Baked Potato Soup III

Ingredients
4 baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups milk
1 cup chopped green onions
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
5 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions
Bake potatoes 1 hour in a 400 degree F (200 degree C) oven. Scoop out the inside of the potatoes and set aside. Reserve the skins for another recipe or discard.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in the milk while stirring until all the milk has been added. Bring heat to medium and keep stirring until the soup mixture starts to get thick.
Add the potatoes, green onions, salt, ground black pepper, bacon and cheese. Stir well and continue to heat for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Stirring well, mix in the sour cream until well blended with the soup. Serve immediately.

Cooking : Apples in Pajamas

Ingredients
4 large Granny smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced into 1/2 inch thick rings
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup water
4 cups oil for frying, or as needed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions
In a shallow bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Whisk in the eggs, 1 tablespoon of oil, milk, and water until batter is smooth. The batter should be just thick enough to stick to the apples and coat them. If the batter is too thin, more flour may be added. If the batter does not want to stick, toss the apples with a bit of flour.
Heat one inch of vegetable oil in a deep heavy skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Coat apple slices with batter, and place 4 or 5 slices into the hot oil at a time. Fry until golden on one side, then use tongs to flip and fry until brown on the other side. Drain on paper towels. Stir together the cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over the apple slices before serving.

Cooking : Baked Herb Puffs

Ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter, mustard, salt and pepper to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Add parsley and green onions; mix well.
Drop by 2 tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut a slit in each to allow steam to escape; bake 5 minutes longer. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Cooking : Baked Fettucheesy

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package dry fettuccine pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, and cook the onion until tender. Stir in the fettuccine, heavy cream, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup Romano cheese, salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared dish. In a bowl, mix the remaining Parmesan, remaining Romano, and mozzarella. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the fettuccine mixture.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and golden brow.

Cooking : Bologna Salad Sandwich Spread I

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package bologna
1 (16 ounce) jar creamy salad dressing
1 cup sweet pickle relish

Directions
Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
Grind the bologna and eggs in a meat grinder with a medium blade.
In a large bowl, mix the bologna mixture with desired amount of creamy salad dressing and desired amount of sweet pickle relish. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours, or until chilled.

Cooking : Apple Crisp V

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) jar applesauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
18 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together applesauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and salt. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Add applesauce mixture and stir well. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and flour. Stir in melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle mixture evenly over apple filling.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Cooking : Butterhorn Rolls

Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine shortening and milk. Heat until shortening is melted; set aside to cool. Dissolve the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in the warm water. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt together. Add the milk mixture and yeast mixture to the egg mixture, stirring to blend. Sift in the flour and baking powder, and mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Divide dough into fourths, and on a floured surface, roll out into 1/2 inch thick circles. Spread surface with the soft butter. Cut each circle like a pie into 8 triangles, and roll up from larger to small end. Place rolls point side down on a baking sheet, and allow to rise until doubled, 3 to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.)
Bake rolls for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Cooking : Brown Sugar Pie I

Ingredients
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a saucepan, combine flour and sugar. Stir in milk, butter, salt and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Pour into an unbaked pie shell.
Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for 25 minutes.

Cooking : Better Than Brad Pitt Cake

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
3/4 cup white sugar
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Directions
Prepare yellow cake as directed, using a 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake until done, and remove from oven. Poke holes in the top of the cake using a fork.
In a saucepan, combine pineapple with juices and sugar. Cook over medium heat until syrup thickens. Pour over top of warm cake, and cool.
In another bowl, beat milk with pudding. Spread over the pineapple mixture.
Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form, and then beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Spread whipped cream over pudding. Sprinkle toasted coconut over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Cooking : Applesauce Cornbread

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup fine cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup skim milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.
In a bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, stir together milk, eggs, and applesauce. Fold the wet mixture into the dry; mix together well. Then pour the combined mixture into baking pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.