Friday, May 27, 2011

Cooking : Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 white onion, diced
2 cups beef gravy
salt and pepper to taste
3 small red bell peppers, halved and seeded
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Brown beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Halfway through browning, add mushrooms and onion. Continue cooking until meat is fully browned; drain fat from skillet. Stir in enough gravy to bond mixture without making it soupy. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat a medium saucepan of water until boiling. Place peppers in water, and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender; remove from water. Place peppers, hollow side up, in a 9x13 inch baking dish, and fill each with beef mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbling. Top with cheese, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Serve in a small pool of gravy.

Cooking : Apple Pudding

Ingredients
6 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
2 cups milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Toss apples with flour, sugar and salt and place in a 9x9 inch baking dish. Pour enough milk into dish to come almost to the top of the apples, but not cover them.
Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes, until apples are tender.

Cooking : Blue Cheese Fettucine

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 large zucchini, sliced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup white wine
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) package fettuccine
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the zucchini and garlic; cook until the zucchini is tender. Stir in wine, blue cheese, cream, and pepper; simmer 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add fettuccini, and cook until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, rinse under warm water, and drain again.
Return pasta to the pot, and toss with sauce over low heat. Serve with Parmesan and parsley sprinkled over the top.

Cooking : Basic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Basic Cookie Mix
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Melt butter over low heat and add to 2 cups Basic Cookie Mix.
Lightly beat the egg and add to mixture. Stir in vanilla and mix well.
With lightly floured hands shape into 1 inch balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
Cool a couple of minutes before removing from cookie sheet to racks to complete cooling.

Cooking : Apricot-Glazed Chicken

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
4 skinless chicken thighs
1/2 onion, sliced
1 (15 ounce) can apricot halves, drained
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken thighs on both sides, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken thighs and set aside. In the hot skillet, cook and stir the onions until softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour the apricot halves, chili sauce, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper into a blender, and pulse several times to puree. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the onions, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Return the chicken thighs to the sauce, and spoon sauce over the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is tender and no longer pink inside, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve chicken topped with sauce.

Cooking : Banana Cake II

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour milk
1 cup mashed bananas
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
In a large bowl, mix together butter or margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Set aside.
In another bowl, sift together flour, salt, soda, and baking powder. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Add sour milk and bananas to the batter. Beat together well.
Line two 9 inch round cake pans, or one 9 x 13 inch pan with wax paper; the pans can be greased and floured instead, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 17 to 20 minutes for the layered cakes, or for 25 to 40 minutes for the sheet cake.

Cooking : Berry Crumb Bars

Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shortening
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground cinnamon
4 cups raspberries
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease one 13x9 inch pan.
Combine 1 cup of the sugar, the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, shortening, and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and berries. Place mixture over dough in pan. Crumble the remaining dough over the tops of the berries.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown.

Cooking : Blondie Brownies

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8x8 inch pan.
Combine shortening and milk in large saucepan. Place over low heat until shortening melts. Remove from heat, add the brown sugar and egg. Stir until well blended.
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool and cut into 2x2 inch squares.

Cooking : Booger Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup margarine, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 (3 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk, or as needed
3 drops green food coloring, or as needed
24 milk chocolate candy kisses (such as Hershey's Kisses�), unwrapped

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Beat the margarine and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and the almond extract until completely incorporated. Mix in the pudding mix until smooth. Stir in the flour until just incorporated, then fold in the chocolate chips, mixing just enough to evenly combine.
Form the cookie dough into 1-inch balls, and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to make an indent into each cookie.
Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, 10 to 14 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the filling by stirring 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar in a bowl with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, milk, and food coloring. Add additional milk as needed to make the mixture smooth. Spoon a little of the green filling into each cooled cookie, and top with a candy kiss.

Cooking : Apricot Carrot Bread

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons water

Directions
In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the carrots, applesauce, egg substitute and oil; add to dry ingredients and stir until blended. Stir in apricots.
Spoon into an 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine confectioners' sugar and water; drizzle over bread.

Cooking : Blueberry Fruit Salad

Ingredients
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3 medium firm bananas, sliced
1 cup green grapes, halved
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tablespoons orange breakfast drink mix

Directions
Drain pineapple and peaches, reserving juices; set aside. Combine the fruit in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine fruit juices with pudding and drink mixes; mix well. Pour over fruit and toss to coat.

Cooking : Blue Cheese Turkey Rolls

Ingredients
3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons sour cream
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 dash garlic powder
2 slices thinly sliced deli turkey
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions
In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Spread over each slice of turkey; roll up each from a long side. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled. Cut into 1-in. slices. Dip one cut end into parsley. Serve immediately.

Cooking : Almond Coconut Brownies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups butter (no substitutes)
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped slivered almonds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
24 large marshmallows
1 (14 ounce) package flaked coconut
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted

Directions
In a saucepan, over low heat, melt butter and chocolate; cool slightly. Add sugar. Stir in the eggs, flour, almonds and vanilla. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large saucepan, combine filling ingredients; bring to a boil. Pour over cooled brownies.
In another saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sugar, butter and milk; bring to a boil. Spoon over the filling. Sprinkle with almonds. Chill for 2 hours or until set. Store in the refrigerator.

Cooking : Best Strawberry Daiquiri

Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
4 ounces frozen strawberries
1/8 cup lime juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup rum
1/4 cup lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

Directions
In a blender, combine ice, sugar and strawberries. Pour in lime juice, lemon juice, rum and lemon-lime soda. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Cooking : Big M's Grilled Orange Lamb Kabobs

Ingredients
2 1/4 pounds lean lamb meat, cubed
1 1/3 cups coriander seeds
4 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
6 orange, peeled, sectioned, and cut into bite-size pieces
1 hot chile pepper, minced
2/3 cup orange liqueur
1 bunch fresh cilantro

Directions
Place lamb meat into a large nonmetallic bowl. Grind the coriander seed in a mortar and pestle, and rub into the meat. Pour orange juice and orange liqueur over meat, and mix in minced chile pepper and chopped orange. Cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Turn the meat over every couple of hours.
Preheat grill for medium heat. Remove the lamb and orange pieces from marinade, and transfer marinade to a small saucepan. Set marinade aside. Thread the cubes of lamb on skewers, alternating with pieces of orange, and starting and finishing with a piece of orange.
Place saucepan with marinade on the grill, and bring to the boil. Continue boiling until reduced to a sticky but fluid sauce.
Once the marinade has come to the boil, place the skewers on the grill. Cook slowly until slightly charred, and cooked to your preference. Transfer skewers to a warm dish, and cover for 5 minutes. Serve with the orange sauce, garnished with sprigs of fresh cilantro.

Cooking : Baby Food Cake Bars

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (4.5 ounce) jar carrot baby food
1 (4.5 ounce) jar apricot baby food
1 (4.5 ounce) jar applesauce baby food

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar and oil. Beat until smooth. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the baby food. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool. Cut into bars.

Cooking : Baked French Fries II

Ingredients
3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking sheet.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Cooking : Bob Evans� Favorite Chili Recipe

Ingredients
1 pound Bob Evans� Original Recipe or Zesty Hot Sausage Roll
3/4 cup diced onion
3 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans (including liquid)
3/4 cup water
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Directions
In large saucepan over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage and onion until sausage is brown. Add chili powder, cumin and garlic and stir for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Cooking : Bloody Mary Shrimp

Ingredients
2 pounds cooked medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 (32 ounce) bottle bottled Bloody Mary mix (such as Zing Zang�), or as needed
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia�), finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped jicama
4 limes, juiced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 avocado, peeled and chopped, or more to taste

Directions
In a large bowl, gently combine the shrimp, Bloody Mary mix, jalapeno pepper, onion, jicama, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce until thoroughly mixed. Chill for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend. Gently stir in the avocado, then chill 1 more hour.

Cooking : Basic Easy Chicken Wings

Ingredients
3 pounds chicken wings, separated at joints, tips discarded
1/2 cup butter
1 cup hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Cook the wings 8 to 12 minutes on each side, until juices run clear. The larger pieces will take slightly longer to cook.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, and mix in the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Place wings in a large container with a secure lid. Pour sauce over the wings, and seal. Shake wings with the sauce until thoroughly coated.

Cooking : Apple Bran Muffins

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups bran flakes cereal
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups apple juice
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 apple - peeled, cored and chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin tins.
In a mixing bowl, combine bran flakes, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Stir in apple juice, margarine, vanilla, and apple. Spoon the mixture into the greased muffin tins.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Cooking : Brown Rice and Chicken Casserole

Ingredients
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of asparagus soup
10 3/4 fluid ounces milk
1 1/2 cups water
1 pound chopped cooked chicken
1 cup uncooked brown rice
2 (14.5 ounce) cans French cut green beans
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
In a large bowl, mix the soup, milk, water, chicken, rice, green beans, Cheddar cheese, onion, and garlic. Season with parsley, basil, dill, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven, until rice is tender. If water is absorbed too quickly, add more as needed.

Cooking : Black Pepper Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 1/2 cups raisins
2 tablespoons chopped candied citron
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions
Beat eggs with brown sugar. Stir in flour with baking soda, salt, spices and pepper. Add nuts, raisins and citron and stir to coat. Pour the egg-sugar mixture into flour mixture and stir to make a stiff dough. Chill.
Using rounded teaspoonful of dough roll into balls with floured hands. Put on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Cooking : Black-Eyed Pea Salad III

Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 small red onion, cut into slivers
1/2 cup light Italian-style salad dressing

Directions
Lightly mix the black-eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, onion, and salad dressing together in a salad bowl; let stand for 1 hour to blend the flavors before serving.

Cooking : Bailey's Sundae Coffee Drink

Ingredients
12 cups brewed coffee
1 pint French vanilla ice cream
12 fluid ounces Irish cream liqueur

Directions
Brew 12 cups of coffee. While the coffee is brewing, fill each cup with a scoop of ice cream. Be sure to use large cups (the oversized types you get at coffee houses are best). Top each scoop of ice cream with just enough Irish cream so that the ice cream looks lightly coated.
When the coffee is brewed, pour it so that each cup is filled up about halfway. It is then up to each individual to add more Irish cream, half-and-half, or sugar to suit his/her taste.

Cooking : Beer Cheese Pretzel and Dip

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package hot bread roll mix with yeast
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups beer
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, diced and softened
1 (8 ounce) package processed cheese, cubed
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup beer, room temperature

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix the hot bread roll mix with yeast and Cheddar cheese.
In a microwave or small saucepan, heat the beer to almost boiling. Stir beer and egg into the flour mixture and knead 5 minutes. Allow the dough to rest 5 minutes, then roll into desired shape. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
In a food processor, blend the cream cheese, processed cheese, garlic powder and room temperature beer. Refrigerate until serving with the baked dough.

Cooking : Apple Cheese Quick Bread

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and shredded
4 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the honey and eggs. In a separate bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture; mix until combined. Fold in the apple, cheese and walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

Cooking : Beef and Wine Soup with Dumplings

Ingredients
2 tablespoons margarine
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed beef broth
2 cups red wine
2 cups tomato juice
2 cups diced cooked beef
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons margarine, softened
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a large pot, saute onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until soft, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in broth, wine, tomato juice, and beef. Simmer covered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, eggs, flour, and salt until smooth. Drop mixture into soup by small teaspoonfuls. Cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Cooking : Always A Winner Grilled Chicken

Ingredients
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness

Directions
Whisk together lime juice, vinegar, orange juice, wine, and honey in a bowl until the honey dissolves. Add salt, pepper, chipotle powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, oregano, cumin, ginger, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and olive oil; whisk to mix. Place chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag, pour in marinade, and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess; discard remaining marinade. Cook chicken on the preheated grill approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear and there are no signs of pink in the meat.

Cooking : Blue Cheese Garlic Dip

Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 garlic cloves, peeled
Assorted crackers

Directions
In a blender, combine the milk, cream cheese, blue cheese and garlic; cover and process until blended. Serve with crackers.

Cooking : Broccoli Ham Bake

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli
1/4 cup chopped onion
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 1/2 cups seasoned stuffing cubes, divided

Directions
Cook broccoli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute onion in 3 tablespoons butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted.
Drain the broccoli. Add broccoli, ham and 1 cup stuffing mix to cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with remaining stuffing mix. Sprinkle around edge of casserole. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Cooking : Aloha Quick Bread

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup crushed pineapple

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in banana, milk, orange peel and extracts.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in the coconut, nuts and pineapple. Transfer to a greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Cooking : Brown Rice Casserole

Ingredients
2 quarts water
1 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice
1 cup dry split peas
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, grated
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring water, rice and peas to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet, saute the mushrooms, celery, carrots, onion and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. Combine the vegetables, rice mixture, tomatoes and seasonings.
Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.

Cooking : Bacon 'n' Egg Gravy

Ingredients
6 bacon strips, diced
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups water
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
4 slices bread, toasted

Directions
In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove to paper towels. Stir flour into the drippings until blended; cook over medium heat until browned, stirring constantly. Gradually add water and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add bacon, eggs, salt and pepper. Serve over toast.

Cooking : Apricot Brandy, Peach Schnapps Pound Cake

Ingredients
3 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup apricot brandy
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup peach schnapps
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup apricot preserves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup apricot brandy

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the lemon zest and sour cream. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the brandy. Put the batter into the prepared tube pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cake will spring back to the touch when done. To make the syrup, use the second set of ingredients. Combine the sugar, water, peach schnapps, and lemon zest in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack. Place cake in the upside down position, and place a cookie sheet under the wire rack. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake with a fork. Pour the syrup over the entire cake, until all of the syrup is absorbed. Let cake stand for a few minutes.
To make the topping for the cake, use the third set of ingredients. In a small saucepan, combine the apricot or peach preserves, apricot brandy and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Let the mixture boil for 1 minute. Turn the cake over onto a serving plate, drizzle the warm glaze over the top. Serve warm or cooled.