Monday, June 20, 2011

Cooking : Beaufort Stew

Ingredients
1 pound smoked sausage links, sliced
10 frozen small corn cobs
10 small red potatoes
1 (3 ounce) package dry crab and shrimp seasoning mix
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
salt to taste

Directions
Place the sausage, corn, potatoes, and dry crab and shrimp seasoning mix in a large pot filled with enough boiling water to cover. Cook 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Mix in the shrimp, and continue cooking until opaque. Drain, season with salt, and serve warm.

Cooking : Blueberry Grunt

Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions
Pour blueberries and their juice into a 10 inch iron skillet or kettle. Stir in sugar. Cook until juice begins to boil, and lower heat.
In medium mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, lemon rind, spices, and salt. Stir in milk until dry particles are just moistened. Drop dough by spoonfuls (8 dumplings) on top of simmering berry mixture, and cover skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until dough is puffed and cooked through. Serve dumplings with berry sauce and cold cream.

Cooking : Alfredo Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta

Ingredients
16 ounces Classico� Creamy Alfredo Sauce
1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup butter, melted
1/2 small green bell pepper, diced
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions
In a saucepan over low-temperature, heat the Alfredo sauce. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Boil shrimp in a large pot of water until they turn orange. Then place in bowl with melted butter. Let shrimp marinate for 15 to 30 minutes; remove. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the green pepper and onion in a small amount of oil.
Mix together the cooked pasta, shrimp, pepper-onion mixture and Alfredo sauce. Season with garlic powder and cumin.

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 : Butterscotch Bars II

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups butterscotch chips
2 cups white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and butterscotch chips. Stir frequently until smooth then stir one cup of the sugar, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
In a medium bowl, whip eggs with remaining 1 cup of sugar until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the butterscotch mixture to the eggs while mixing. Combine the flour and salt; fold into the batter until absorbed. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until firm. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Cooking : Black Bean and Couscous Salad

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked couscous
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8 green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Bring chicken broth to a boil in a 2 quart or larger sauce pan and stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin. Add green onions, red pepper, cilantro, corn and beans and toss to coat.
Fluff the couscous well, breaking up any chunks. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve at once or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cooking : BBQ Sauce to Live For

Ingredients
1 cup barbeque sauce
1 cup duck sauce

Directions
In a medium bowl, blend barbeque sauce and duck sauce. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Cooking : Busy Day Deer

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
1/4 bell pepper, diced
2 (1/2 pound) venison steaks, cubed
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion and mushroom soup mix
3 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Cook the onion, pepper, and venison in the hot oil until the meat is cooked through. Stir in the soup mix and the water. Continue cooking until the onion and pepper are tender. Add the flour and whisk over the heat until there are no lumps. Cook and stir until sauce has thickened.

Cooking : Aunt Gail's Oatmeal Lace Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture. Finally, mix in the rolled oats.
Roll dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place the dough balls about 3 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Dip the bottom of a glass in water and then in sugar, use this to flatten down the cookies. Sugar the glass as needed. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, cookies should be slightly browned. Store in an airtight container.

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 : Bacon Blue Cheese Flat Iron Salad

Ingredients
2 pounds flat iron steaks
2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh-ground black pepper
1 pound sliced bacon
1/2 head shredded iceberg lettuce
1/2 head red leaf lettuce, torn
1 (10 ounce) bag baby salad greens
1 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 pound crumbled blue cheese
1/2 pound shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions
Rub the flat iron steaks with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper; set aside. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown and crispy. Remove bacon to cool on a paper towel lined plate, while leaving the grease in the skillet.
Heat the bacon grease over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Place the flat iron steaks in the hot grease, and cook until done to desired degree of doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium. Once done, remove the steaks and keep warm.
Place the iceberg lettuce, red leaf lettuce, and baby greens into a large salad bowl. Toss with the blue cheese dressing, then sprinkle with the blue cheese and cheddar cheese. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle overtop. Thinly slice the flat iron steak, and arrange over the salad.

Cooking : Apple Nut Muffins

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease or line 24 muffin cups.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Fold in apple pie filling and walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Cooking : Baked Haddock

Ingredients
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground dried thyme
4 haddock fillets
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
In a small bowl, combine the milk and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and thyme. Dip the haddock fillets in the milk, then press into the crumb mixture to coat. Place haddock fillets in a glass baking dish, and drizzle with melted butter.
Bake on the top rack of the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily, about 15 minutes.

Cooking : Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 (8.5 ounce) package dry corn bread mix
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14.75 ounce) can creamed corn
1 cup sour cream

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine butter, eggs, corn bread mix, whole and creamed corn and sour cream. Spoon mixture into prepared dish.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden brown.

Cooking : Almond Spinach Salad

Ingredients
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1/2 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 (5 ounce) bag baby spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
CANDIED ALMONDS
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 drop freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup roughly chopped or slivered California Almonds

Directions
For vinaigrette, stir together mustard, garlic, sugar, lemon juice and vinegar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil until mixture is smooth and glossy.
For candied almonds, preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place a sheet of well-oiled foil on countertop. Place sugar in a very clean medium saucepan and cover with 2 tablespoons water and lemon juice. Place almonds on a baking sheet and place in oven. Bring sugar and water to a boil, and boil until sugar turns deep golden brown, swirling occasionally to ensure even color. Stir in warm almonds, and immediately spread coated almonds onto prepared foil. (Take care not to touch them--caramelized sugar is extremely hot.) Cool completely, then chop roughly or break into small pieces.
To assemble salad, place spinach, candied almonds, cranberries and goat cheese in a large bowl. Toss lightly with dressing and serve immediately.

Cooking : Basil Garlic Crescents

Ingredients
1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
In a food processor, combine cottage cheese, butter and cream cheese; cover and process until smooth. Add flour; cover and process until mixture forms a ball.
Divide dough into two portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 10-in. circle. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, basil and garlic powder. Cut each circle into 12 wedges.
Roll up wedges from the wide end and place pointed side down 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Curve ends of each to form a crescent shape. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks; serve warm.

Cooking : Black Bean Soup I

Ingredients
2 cups dry black beans
6 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup chopped ham
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Directions
Simmer beans, water, ham bone, broth, and salt for 1 1/2 hours.
Discard ham bone. Puree about 1/2 of soup; pour back into pot.
Saute onion, tomato, and meat in oil until onion is soft. Stir in vinegar, and then add mixture to beans. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Cooking : Applesauce Oatmeal Cake

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/8 cups applesauce
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions
Stir together flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and spices.
In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar. Beat in the eggs, then the applesauce and milk. Beat flour mixture into applesauce mixture. Stir in the raisins and nuts. Turn the batter into a greased and floured tube pan.
Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 65 minutes, or until it tests done. Let cake cool on a wire rack.

Cooking : Broccoli Salad II

Ingredients
5 cups fresh chopped broccoli
1 pound bacon - cooked and crumbled
1 cup raisins
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Directions
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon and raisins.
Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture, toss and refrigerate.

Cooking : Ammonia Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons bakers' ammonia
3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the white sugar and butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream, milk and peppermint extract. Combine the salt and bakers' ammonia with 2 cups of the flour and blend into the mixture. Gradually add more flour to make a stiff dough. Leave the dough soft for drop cookies or add more flour to make cut-out cookies. Drop dough from heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. When cool, ice with a simple confectioners' glaze that has been flavored with peppermint if desired.

Cooking : Baked Zucchini

Ingredients
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a bowl, toss the zucchini, butter and oregano. Arrange in a single layer on a greased baking sheet or shallow baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper.

Cooking : Apple and Carrot Christmas Pudding

Ingredients
4 carrots, peeled and grated
2 apples - peeled, cored, and grated
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup fine bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
4 eggs

Directions
Combine the carrots, apples, raisins, and bread crumbs in a bowl. Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice in a separate small bowl. Cream together the butter, sugar, and eggs in a separate large bowl; stir in the flour mixture. Add the carrot mixture and mix well. Transfer mixture to a lightly-greased, 2-quart mold.
Place a steamer rack in the bottom of a large, deep pot. Set the filled mold on top of the steamer rack. Pour enough water into the bottom of the pot to cover the bottom 2/3 of the mold. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer for 2 hours 45 minutes, adding water occasionally to maintain the water level. Remove from water and allow to cool 10 minutes before turning out of mold onto a plate.

Cooking : Blueberry Oatmeal Scones

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
3/4 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries or frozen blueberries, thawed
1/2 cup pecans
2 tablespoons milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Stir the oatmeal, flours, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter or two forks and cut in the butter with the flour mixture until crumbly and well blended. Stir the milk into the flour mixture until just combined. Lightly stir in the pecans and blueberries. Collect the dough into a ball and pat into a large circle about 1 inch high. Cut into 8 wedges, and place on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons milk.
Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cooking : Broccoli Chicken

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup milk
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of broccoli soup
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken breasts until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Combine the milk and cream of broccoli soup; pour over the chicken. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for a few more minutes. Stir in Cheddar cheese until well blended, and remove from heat. Serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Cooking : Black Bean Lasagna II

Ingredients
9 lasagna noodles
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can refried black beans
2 3/4 cups canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
8 sprigs fresh cilantro

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 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.
Coat a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray, and place over medium heat. Saute onion, red bell pepper, corn and garlic until tender. Stir in black beans, refried beans, tomato sauce, salsa and 1/4 cup cilantro. Cook until heated through and slightly thickened; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta, sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese and remaining 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; set aside.
Coat a 9x13 inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange 3 of the cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of the dish, cutting to fit if necessary. Spread with 1/3 of the bean mixture, then 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice more.
Cover, and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Garnish with sliced black olives and sprigs of cilantro.

Cooking : Authentic Chinese Egg Rolls (from a Chinese person)

Ingredients
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 eggs, beaten
1 medium head cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 carrot, julienned
1 (8 ounce) can shredded bamboo shoots
1 cup dried, shredded wood ear mushroom, rehydrated
1 pound Chinese barbequed or roasted pork, cut into matchsticks
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (MSG)
1 (14 ounce) package egg roll wrappers
1 egg white, beaten
4 cups oil for frying, or as needed

Directions
Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Pour in beaten eggs and cook, without stirring, until firmed. Flip the eggs over and cook for an additional 20 seconds to firm the other side. Set egg pancake aside to cool, then slice into thin strips.
Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir in cabbage and carrot; cook for 2 minutes to wilt. Add bamboo, mushroom, pork, green onions, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and MSG; continue cooking until the vegetables soften, about 6 minutes. Stir in sliced egg, then spread mixture out onto a pan, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
To assemble the egg rolls, place a wrapper onto your work surface with one corner pointing towards you. Place about 3 tablespoons of cooled filling in a heap onto the bottom third of the wrapper. Brush a little beaten egg white onto the top two edges of the wrapper, then fold the bottom corner over the filling and roll firmly to the halfway point. Fold the left and right sides snugly over the egg roll, then continue rolling until the top corners seal the egg roll with the egg white. Repeat with remaining egg roll wrappers, covering finished egg rolls with plastic wrap to keep from drying out.
Heat about 6-inches of oil in a wok or deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Fry egg rolls 3 or 4 at a time until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Cooking : Blooming Onion and Dipping Sauce

Ingredients
Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish sauce
1/3 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch ground black pepper
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Blooming Onion:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large sweet onion
3/4 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions
To make sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, 1/3 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon oregano, a dash ground black pepper and cayenne pepper; mix well. Keep sauce covered in refrigerator until needed.
To make the batter: In a medium bowl, beat egg and add milk. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, ground black pepper, oregano, thyme and cumin; mix.
To slice onion: slice 1 inch off of the top and bottom of the onion and remove the papery skin. Use a thin knife to cut a 1 inch diameter core out of the middle of the onion. Now use a very sharp, large knife to slice the onion several times down the center to create 'petals': First slice through the center of the onion to about three-fourths of the way down. Turn the onion 90 degrees and slice it again in an X across the first slice. Keep slicing the sections in half, very carefully until the onion has been cut 16 times. Do not cut down to the bottom of the onion. (The last 8 slices will be difficult, be careful).
Spread the 'petals' of the onion apart. To help keep them separate you could plunge the onion into boiling water for 1 minute and then into cold water.
Dip the onion into the milk mixture and then coat it liberally with the flour mixture. Again separate the petals and sprinkle the dry coating between them. Once you're sure the onion is well-coated, dip it back into the wet mixture and into the dry coating again. This double-dipping ensures you have a well-coated onion because some of the coating will wash off when you fry the onion.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure you use enough oil to completely cover the onion when it fries.
Fry the onion right side up in the oil for 10 minutes or until it turns brown. When the onion has browned, remove it from the oil and let it drain on a rack or paper towels. Open the onion wider from the center so that you can put a small dish of the dipping sauce in the center.

Cooking : Black Bean Nacho Bake

Ingredients
1 (7 ounce) package shell or elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounce) can condensed nacho cheese soup, undiluted
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
In a bowl, combine macaroni and beans. Combine soup and milk; stir into macaroni mixture. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with tortilla chips and cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Cooking : Bavarian Sausage Supper

Ingredients
2 cups coleslaw mix
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 1/4 cups water
3/4 pound fully cooked kielbasa or Polish sausage, sliced
1 (4.5 ounce) package quick-cooking noodles and sour cream chive sauce mix
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds

Directions
In a skillet, saute coleslaw mix and carrots in butter until crisp-tender. Add water; bring to a boil. Stir in remaining ingredients. Return to a boil; cook for 8 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.

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 : A Farewell to Basil Fettuccine

Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions
Using a food processor, process basil leaves until chopped very fine. Add 1 1/2 cups of flour and pulse two or three times, or until combined. Add egg, 1 teaspoon oil, and the water until dough forms a ball shape. If dough seems dry, add a bit more water. Wrap dough in a piece of plastic wrap which has been coated in a few drops of olive oil. Refrigerate dough for 2 hours.
Remove dough from refrigerator, and cut into 6 equal size portions. Run pasta though pasta machine, or roll with rolling pin to desired thickness. Use the additional flour to coat pasta while rolling.
Allow pasta to dry for one hour prior to cooking.
Cook in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. This should take only a 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pasta.

Cooking : Brown Sugar Biscuits

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
5 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet, or use parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cream of tartar. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in milk and vanilla. Knead briefly on a floured surface. Roll out into a large rectangle, 1/2 inch thick. Spread softened butter onto surface of dough. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over butter. Roll tightly, and cut into 12 equal slices. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cooking : Berry Delicious

Ingredients
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1 cup strawberry flavored yogurt
1 banana, sliced
1/2 teaspoon white sugar (optional)

Directions
In the container of a blender, combine the mixed berries, strawberry yogurt, banana, milk and sugar. Cover, and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Cooking : Bavarian Apple Torte

Ingredients
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Combine the first four ingredients. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Pour over the crust. Combine topping ingredients; spoon over filling. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-65 minutes or until the center is set. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator. Cut into wedges with a serrated knife.

Cooking : Ben's Seafood Dip

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatin
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped green onions
3/4 cup water chestnuts, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions
Place the cream cheese and gelatin in a medium bowl and microwave on high approximately 1 minute, or until melted. Blend until creamy.
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, celery, green onions, water chestnuts and shrimp. Chill in the refrigerator approximately 1 hour before serving.