Sunday, June 12, 2011

Cooking : Beef Stroganoff I

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 pounds sirloin tip, cut into thin slices
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

Directions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and the onions; cook until the meat is browned and the onion tender.
Stir in sour cream, and heat through. Do not boil.

Cooking : Brunch Peanut Butter Muffins

Ingredients
CRISCO� Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 cups PILLSBURY BEST� All Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/3 cup Crisco� All-Vegetable Oil
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons PILLSBURY BEST� All Purpose Flour
3 tablespoons Jif� Creamy Peanut Butter or Jif� Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with a no-stick cooking spray or line with paper cups.
Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Combine egg, milk and oil in small bowl. Add liquids to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Divide batter evenly among cups.
Combine sugar, flour, peanut butter and salt in small bowl, mixing with fork until crumbly. Divide topping over muffins. Lightly stir into muffin with knife.
Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan to rack to cool completely.

Cooking : All-Bran Mochaccino Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Kellogg's* All-Bran* Original cereal
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
In medium bowl, mix together flours, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In medium bowl, mix together cereal, milk and coffee crystals. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, with electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg whites and vanilla.
Stir in cereal and flour mixtures until combined.
Drop by 15 mL (level tablespoon) about 5 cm (2 inches) apart on baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray.
Bake at 180 degrees C (350 degrees F) for about 10 minutes, until almost firm to the touch. Let cool for 2 minutes then remove to wire racks and cool completely. If desired, drizzle tops with icing. Store in airtight container.

Cooking : Berry Refresher Dessert

Ingredients
1 quart pineapple or lemon sherbet
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup white grape juice or white wine

Directions
Divide the sherbet between six dessert cups or bowls. Top with the berries and grape juice.

Cooking : Buffalo Wing Potato Pancakes

Ingredients
2 frozen, breaded chicken strips
3 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot �)
6 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
Cook the chicken strips according to package directions. Dice the cooked chicken strips and place them in a bowl and toss with the hot pepper sauce.
Stir together the mashed potatoes, eggs, and ranch dressing mix in a large bowl.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, drop 1/2 cup of the potato mixture into the skillet. Press to flatten. Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of the coated chicken strips on the flattened pancake. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, until the pancakes are golden brown. Garnish with shredded cheese and serve.

Cooking : Appetizer Sausage Balls in Blankets

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 pound pork sausage
1/2 cup butter

Directions
Mix in a large bowl the flour, curry, paprika, salt and cheese. With pastry blender or 2 knives used scissors fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. With hands shape into a ball. Cover and refrigerate.
Meanwhile, shape heaping teaspoon of sausage meat into small balls. In a large skillet, over medium heat, fry until well browned. Drain thoroughly on paper towels.
Divide dough into as many pieces as sausage balls. Then shape dough evenly around balls. Wrap and freeze.
At Serving Time: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place frozen sausage balls on a cookie sheet and bake 12-15 minutes until golden. Serve with toothpicks as appetizers.

Cooking : Beer Cheese Philly Steak Casserole

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 large onion, sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds rib-eye steak, sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
5 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded American cheese
8 ounces provolone cheese, sliced

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat; add the bell pepper and onion to the skillet; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until soft, about 20 minutes; set aside.
Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into the skillet and raise the heat to medium; add the sliced steak to the hot oil until; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
Arrange the bread cubes in the bottom of a 9x13 dish. Layer the steak on the bread and then layer the pepper and onion mixture atop the steak; set aside.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour to make a paste. Pour in the beer, whisking continually until there are no lumps. Stir in the 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce; stir. As the mixture thickens, pour in the milk. Add the Monterey Jack cheese and American cheese; stir until the cheese is melted. Pour the mixture over the assembled ingredients in the 9x13 pan. Top with provolone cheese slices.
Bake in preheated oven until the provolone cheese melts, about 20 minutes.

Cooking : Apricot-Pineapple Dream

Ingredients
1 (6 ounce) package orange flavored gelatin mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1/2 cup white sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (4 ounce) jar apricot baby food

Directions
Mix orange-flavored gelatin with pineapple in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Cool completely.
In a medium mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat gelatin mixture, baby food, cream cheese and whipped topping. Blend well. Stir in nuts. Spoon into serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate at least four hours.

Cooking : Brandy Slush I

Ingredients
5 cups boiling water
4 (2 g) bags green tea
1 cup white sugar
1 (16 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (16 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cups brandy
1 (2 liter) bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

Directions
Steep tea in 2 cups boiling water for 10 minutes. Place remaining 3 cups boiling water in a 9x13 inch pan. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Stir in lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, and brandy. Remove teabags and stir tea into mixture. Freeze overnight.
To serve, scoop desired amount into glass, then fill glass with lemon-lime soda, and stir.

Cooking : Apple Flavored Pot Roast

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1 dash soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
3 baking potatoes, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Place the roast in a roasting pan or large casserole dish. Fill the dish with about 1/2 inch of water, then stir in the apple juice concentrate. Sprinkle soy sauce over the top of the roast. Make several small slits in the roast and stuff pieces of garlic into them. Season the roast with onion soup mix. Cover with aluminum foil or a lid.
Bake for 2 hours in the preheated oven, then remove from the oven and add the carrots and potatoes. Cover again, and continue to cook for an additional 2 hours, or until roast is fork tender.

Cooking : Brown Sugar-Caramel Latte

Ingredients
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon caramel ice cream topping
3/4 cup hot, brewed coffee

Directions
Stir brown sugar into half-and-half until dissolved. Whip with a milk frother or small whisk. Pour coffee into a mug, and stir in caramel sauce until dissolved. Pour frothed half-and-half into coffee, and serve.

Cooking : Brussels Sprouts with Apples

Ingredients
1 cup diced apple
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1/4 cup apple cider
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Stir the Brussels sprouts, apple, apple cider, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper together in a baking dish until evenly mixed.
Bake in the preheated oven until the Brussels sprouts are tender, about 25 minutes.

Cooking : Blazing Brisket

Ingredients
5 pounds beef brisket
2 pounds sliced bacon
5 cups brewed coffee
1/4 cup salt
1 cup butter
1/2 cup minced garlic
1/2 cup shortening
1 pound fatback, sliced into small rectangles
2 sweet potatoes, quartered
1 cup olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

Directions
Wrap the brisket entirely in bacon slices, and place into a large glass baking dish. Mix together the coffee and salt. Pour the coffee mixture over the brisket, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the butter and minced garlic. Cook stirring occasionally until butter is melted, and has turned golden. Spread all of the shortening onto the inside of a roasting pan. Place the brisket in the pan with one cup of the coffee marinade. Lay slices of the fatback over the roast. Place sweet potatoes around the perimeter of the roasting pan. Pour the garlic butter over the roast and potatoes. Let stand for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C)
Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil, and bake for 4 hours in the preheated oven. The internal temperature of the roast should be at least 145 degrees F (62 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
While you wait for the roast, stir together the olive oil and horseradish in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for at least half an hour, then pour into a small bowl. This is the dipping sauce for the brisket.

Cooking : Brownie Tarts

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
maraschino cherry halves (optional)

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add flour; mix well. Chill for 1 hour. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place in ungreased miniature muffin cups; press into the bottom and up the sides to form a shell.
For filling, melt chocolate chips and butter in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat; stir in sugar, egg and vanilla. Add the pecans if desired. Spoon into shells. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until brownies test done with a wooden pick. Cool 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Garnish with cherries if desired.

Cooking : Anise Fruit Bowl

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons anise seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 cups assorted fresh fruit

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, lemon juice, aniseed and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Strain syrup; discard aniseed. Place fruit in a large bowl; add syrup and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Cooking : Atsara (Papaya Relish)

Ingredients
4 cups grated fresh green papaya
1/4 cup salt
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced into long strips
1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
2 green chile peppers, sliced into thin rings
1 (1.5 ounce) box raisins
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Toss the grated papaya with 1/4 cup salt together in a large bowl; allow to sit for 1 hour. Drain the liquid from the papaya and rinse thoroughly. Place the papaya in the middle of a large piece of cheesecloth and squeeze to drain as much liquid from the papaya as possible.
Combine the papaya, carrot, red bell pepper, ginger, green chile peppers, and raisins together in a clean large bowl; mix. Transfer the mixture to clean, dry jars with lids.
Stir the vinegar, water, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Pour the vinegar mixture into the jars, making sure the vegetables are completely submerged in liquid. Allow the vegetables to marinate in the liquid at least 1 day before using. Store in refrigerator between uses.

Cooking : Beer Chops II

Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
2 pork chops butterfly cut
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 cubes chicken bouillon

Directions
Arrange chopped onions in bottom of slow cooker. Lay butterfly chops on top, separating if you wish. Pour in beer and drop in chicken bouillon cubes. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Cooking : Banana Crepes

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
6 bananas, halved lengthwise
1 1/2 cups whipped heavy cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Directions
Sift flour and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth.
Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet. Add about 3 tablespoons batter. Tilt skillet so that batter spreads to almost cover the bottom of skillet. Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Repeat process with remaining batter, grease skillet as needed.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet. Stir in brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Add half the bananas at a time to skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning sauce over them. Remove from heat.
Roll a crepe around each banana half and place on serving platter. Spoon sauce over crepes. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

Cooking : Applescotch Sundaes

Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla ice cream

Directions
In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, flour, water, lemon juice and salt; stir until smooth. Bring to a boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add apples; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until apples are tender.
Remove from the heat; add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter is melted. Serve warm or at room temperature over ice cream. Topping can also be served over pound cake or gingerbread.

Cooking : Buffalo Chicken Fingers

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into finger-sized pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 egg whites, beaten
1 tablespoon water

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Coat a baking sheet with a nonstick spray.
In a bag, mix together flour, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. On a plate, mix the bread crumbs with the rest of the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Shake the chicken pieces with the seasoned flour. Beat egg whites with 1 tablespoon water, and place egg mixture in a shallow dish or bowl. Dip seasoned chicken in egg mixture, then roll in the seasoned bread crumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 8 minutes in the preheated oven. Use tongs to turn pieces over. Bake 8 minutes longer, or until chicken juices run clear.

Cooking : Banana Crumb Muffins

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter

Directions
In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Combine bananas, sugar, egg and butter; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Combine the first three topping ingredients; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Cooking : Bran-Gingerum Muffins

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2/3 cup applesauce
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 extra large egg
2 1/2 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups bran flakes cereal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups wheat bran
1 1/4 cups buckwheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper muffin liners.
In a medium bowl, beat together oil, applesauce, milk, yogurt, egg, strawberry jam, and vanilla extract.
In a food processor, grind bran flake cereal to a fine powder; this should make about 1 1/4 cups flour. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir together with whole wheat flour, wheat bran, buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, and ground nutmeg. Pour in applesauce mixture, and mix thoroughly. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups, filling until level with the top of the muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven 26 to 30 minutes, or until muffins test done with a toothpick. Remove muffins from pan, and cool on wire racks.

Cooking : Apricot Brown Sugar Ham

Ingredients
1 (10 pound) fully-cooked spiral cut ham
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup apricot jam
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

Directions
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Place the ham cut side down onto a sheet of aluminum foil. I like to put the shiny side up. Mix together the brown sugar, apricot jam and mustard powder in a small bowl. Brush onto the ham using a pastry or barbeque brush. Reserve any leftover glaze. Enclose the foil around the ham and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast for 2 hours in the preheated oven, or if you ham is a different size, figure 14 minutes per pound. Apply the remaining glaze 20 minutes before the ham is done.

Cooking : Brownie Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon shortening, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, white sugar and 1 tablespoon cocoa. Stir in shortening, vanilla and milk until smooth. Fold in nuts. Spread mixture in a 1 quart baking dish.
Stir together brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cocoa and boiling water. Pour carefully over pudding mixture in baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven 30 to 45 minutes, until set.

Cooking : Baked Apples in Caramel Cream

Ingredients
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup hot water
4 large Rome beauty apples, cored
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions
Combine brown sugar and water in an 9-in. square baking dish. Peel the top half of each apple; brush with lemon juice. Place in the baking dish. Fill each with three caramels. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-65 minutes or until apples are tender, basting every 20 minutes. Carefully lift apples, allowing any caramel in centers to drip into pan, and place in individual dessert dishes. Pour sauce into a small saucepan; add cream. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until sauce is smooth and thick. Spoon over apples; serve immediately.

Cooking : Barb's Fried Green Tomatoes with Zesty Sauce

Ingredients
1 cup potato flakes
36 thin wheat crackers (such as Wheat Thins�)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter-flavored granules (such as Butter Buds�)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening (such as Crisco�)
5 green tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup buttermilk ranch dressing
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot�)

Directions
Place potato flakes, wheat crackers, flour, butter-flavored granules, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Pulse until the crackers are finely crushed, then transfer mixture to a bowl.
Melt the butter flavored shortening in a skillet over medium-high heat. Dip the tomato slices one at a time into the eggs, then the cracker mixture. Pan fry the tomatoes in the shortening until golden brown on both sides, 7 to 10 minutes.
Mix the ranch dressing, sour cream, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl. Serve the fried tomatoes with topped with the sauce.

Cooking : Bow Tie Medley

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 zucchini, chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
5 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup finely grated Parmesan 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.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, bell pepper, and 1/2 the chopped tomatoes until tender. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Add pasta and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well, and heat through. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and remaining chopped tomatoes.

Cooking : Asian Salmon Cakes with Creamy Miso and Sake Sauce

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon miso paste
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sake
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 (7 ounce) can salmon, drained and flaked
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions
Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the green onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Stir in the miso paste and sake until blended. Bring to a simmer then stir in the cream and lime juice. Return to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, salmon, onion, and cilantro. IN a small bowl, whisk together the egg, soy sauce and water using a fork. Stir about half of this into the salmon mixture, and if it seems dry, stir in a little more until the salmon mixture will stick together in patties.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Form the salmon mixture into 2 inch patties for appetizers, or 4 inch patties for a main dish. Fry patties for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Serve with the sauce drizzled over, or separately for dipping.

Cooking : Blackberry and Blueberry Pie

Ingredients
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold water
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Cut shortening into 2 cups flour and salt until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle in water 1 tablespoon at a time until flour is moistened. Gather into a ball, and roll out onto a lightly floured board. Make two rounds. Place one crust in a 9 inch pie dish.
Mix sugar, 1/3 cup flour, and cinnamon. Stir in berries to coat. Turn filling into pastry lined pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice, dot with butter. Cover with top crust; cut slits in the top. Seal and flute.
Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. Cover edges with foil to prevent burning, and remove foil for last 12 minutes of baking.

Cooking : Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies I

Ingredients
3 cups margarine, softened
2 1/2 cups white sugar
2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together margarine, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture, and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Instead of just dropping them onto the cookie sheet, I roll the cookies into balls - it makes them all look very uniform and nice!
Bake in preheated oven for 12 to15 minutes, or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Cooking : Breakfast Crisp

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup margarine, softened
1 egg

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 9x9 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together brown sugar and margarine. Beat in egg. Stir mixtures together just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out clean.

Cooking : Bourbon Balls I

Ingredients
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped raisins
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons flaked coconut
2 tablespoons bourbon
2 1/4 ounces colored candy sprinkles

Directions
Mix the butter and the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in the chopped nuts, raisins, cocoa, coconut and bourbon. Refrigerate mixture until firm, about 1 hour.
Shape mixture into small balls and roll in chocolate sprinkles to coat. Work fast, as they can melt in your hands. Chill on a wax paper lined tray. Keep balls refrigerated in a covered container.

Cooking : Apricot Brandy Pound Cake I

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup apricot brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and lightly flour a bundt pan.
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, pudding, and eggs until smooth. Mix brandy and flavorings in sour cream, and add to egg mixture. Beat at least 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pan, and continue cooling on wire rack.

Cooking : Apple Bundt Cake

Ingredients
2 cups apples - peeled, cored and diced
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt or tube pan. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, 1 tablespoon white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups white sugar, oil, orange juice, vanilla and eggs. Beat at high speed until smooth. Stir in flour mixture. Fold in chopped walnuts.
Pour 1/3 of the batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the apple mixture. Alternate layers of batter and filling, ending with batter.
Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.