Sunday, August 21, 2011

Cooking : Almond Poppy Tea Cookies

Ingredients
1 (1 pound 1.5 ounce) pouch Betty Crocker� sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup Gold Medal� all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/4 cup sliced almonds, if desired
1 cup powdered sugar
3 teaspoons water, or as needed

Directions
Mix cookie mix, flour, poppy seeds, butter, cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of the almond extract and egg in bowl until soft dough forms.
Roll dough into 1 1/4-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press balls slightly to flatten. If desired, top each flattened ball with 5 sliced almonds arranged to form a star.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Blend powdered sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon almond extract and enough water in a bowl, to spreading consistency. Spread glaze over warm cookies. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Cooking : Amber Beer Cheese Dip

Ingredients
2 (10 ounce) packages extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (such as Cracker Barrel�), shredded
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 (12 ounce) bottle amber beer
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Directions
Place the shredded cheese and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. With food processor running, slowly pour in the beer, scraping sides of the bowl as necessary; process until evenly blended. Season with cayenne pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and chill until ready to serve.

Cooking : Brine for Smoked Salmon

Ingredients
1 gallon water
1 cup kosher salt
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
lemon pepper to taste
1 (3 ounce) package dry crab and shrimp seasoning mix
freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 cloves garlic, crushed or to taste
1 dash hot pepper sauce (optional)
4 lemons, sliced and crushed
2 oranges, sliced and crushed
1 lime, sliced and crushed
1 large yellow onion, sliced

Directions
Pour the water into a large bowl or small bucket. If you must use a pot, use one that does not contain aluminum. Stir in the kosher salt, white sugar, brown sugar, lemon pepper, parsley and seasoning mix. Add the garlic, hot pepper sauce, lemons, oranges, lime and onion. Soak your salmon in this brine for 12 to 36 hours. Smoke using your desired method.

Cooking : Bacon 'N' Egg Tacos

Ingredients
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 slices process American cheese, diced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 (6 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
Salsa

Directions
In a bowl, beat the egg; add bacon. melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook and stir until the eggs are completely set. Stir in the cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon 1/4 cup down the center of each tortilla; fold sides over filling. Serve with salsa if desired.

Cooking : Bait and Tackle Salad

Ingredients
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
2 small zucchini, coarsely chopped
2 small yellow summer squash, coarsley chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash and cilantro. In a blender, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. White processing, gradually add oil. Drizzle over vegetables; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Cooking : Blueberry Oat Bars

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cold butter
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions
In a bowl, combine flour, oats, 1 cup sugar and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 2 cups for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan; set aside.
In a saucepan, combine blueberries, cornstarch, lemon juice and remaining sugar. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Spread evenly over the crust. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.

Cooking : Apple Cheese Danish

Ingredients
1 (24 ounce) carton cottage cheese
3 apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
3 tablespoons white sugar for decoration

Directions
Place the cottage cheese in a strainer lined with cheesecloth or heavy-duty paper towels. Pat dry with paper towels and set aside for 5 to 10 minutes.
Place apples in a bowl, and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Combine the cream cheese, drained cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer, and mix 1 to 2 minutes on high speed, until almost smooth.
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cut each of the puff pastry sheets into 9 pieces; you should have 18 total. Roll the pieces out, one at a time, to make 5 x 5-inch squares. To ensure the pastries puff up, avoid using too much pressure or rolling over the edges of the dough.
Place a square in front of you so that it looks like a diamond. Spoon a generous amount of cheese filling down the middle of each square, leaving 1/4 inch of room at the top and bottom edges. Fan out 4-5 slices of apple down the center of each cheese-filled square. Bring the left and right corners together to meet in the center and pinch to seal.
Transfer the Danish to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pastries. Sprinkle sugar over each bundle and bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Cooking : Bobotie from Boschendal Manor House

Ingredients
1 slice day-old bread
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 pounds ground lamb
1/2 cup raisins
4 (2 inch) pieces lemon zest
12 blanched almonds, chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons mango chutney, chopped
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 egg

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 2 quart baking dish. Place the bread in a shallow dish, and pour the milk overtop, allowing it to soak in.
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir in the curry powder. Cook and stir for 2 minutes, then set the skillet aside to cool.
As the onion mixture cools, combine the ground lamb, raisins, lemon zest, almonds, lemon juice, chutney, and 1 egg in a large bowl. Squeeze excess milk from the slice of bread, and add the bread to the lamb mixture; reserve the remaining milk. Season with sugar, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add the onions to the lamb mixture, and mix until well combined. Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and level the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Beat the remaining egg with the remaining milk, and pour evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the casserole to the oven, and continue baking until the custard has set and the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cooking : Apple Walnut Squares

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups finely chopped peeled tart apples
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar; beat in egg. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well (dough will be stiff). Stir in apples. Spread batter into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Combine brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon and vanilla; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Cut into squares.

Cooking : Biscuit-Topped Italian Casserole

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, water and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in vegetables and 1-1/2 cups cheese. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
Split each biscuit in half. Arrange biscuits around edge of dish, overlapping slightly; brush with butter and sprinkle with oregano. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the meat mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.

Cooking : Blueberry Flavored Waffles

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons white sugar
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup blueberries
1 blueberry yogurt

Directions
Preheat a lightly greased waffle iron.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk and butter. Stir into the flour mixture, along with blueberries and blueberry yogurt.
Pour mixture into waffle iron in batches, and cook until crisp and golden brown.

Cooking : Black-Eyed Pea and Bacon Soup

Ingredients
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 quarts water
4 cubes chicken bouillon
2 1/2 cups dry black-eyed peas
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 small potatoes, diced

Directions
Brown the bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Drain grease, and place onion in the pot. Cook and stir until tender. Pour in the water. Mix in the bouillon cubes until dissolved. Stir in black-eyed peas, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes.
Place the potatoes in the pot, and continue cooking 15 minutes, or until beans and potatoes are tender. Serve warm.

Cooking : Baked Fudge Cake

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch pan. In a food processor or blender, beat eggs for 2 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, cocoa and salt. Slowly beat in the whipped eggs. Beat in the butter and vanilla. Stir in the chopped pecans. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Cooking : Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

Ingredients
2 cups thin slices cooked roast beef
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
5 Kaiser rolls, split

Directions
In a saucepan, combine beef and barbecue sauce; heat through. Serve on rolls.

Cooking : Banana Bread - Quick Bread for Machines

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise

Directions
Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine.
Select the Dough setting, and press Start. Mix the bread for 3 to 5 minutes until the bananas are mashed and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to push the dough from the sides of the bread pan. When 3 to 5 minutes have passed on the clock display, press Stop. Do not continue mixing. Smooth out the top of the loaf with the rubber spatula.
Select the Bake setting, and press Start. The Bake cycle time may vary with machines, but should be about 50 minutes. To test the bread for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center top. Remove the toothpick. If the bread is done, the toothpick will come out clean. If there is dough on the toothpick, reset the machine on Bake and continue to bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Test again with the toothpick to assure the bread is completely baked. Remove the pan from the machine, but allow the bread to remain in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the bread to cool completely on a wire rack.

Cooking : Bahama Mama I

Ingredients
1/4 fluid ounce coffee-flavored liqueur
1/2 fluid ounce dark rum
1/2 fluid ounce coconut liqueur
1/4 fluid ounce 151 proof rum
1/2 lemon, juiced
4 fluid ounces pineapple juice
1 maraschino cherry

Directions
In a mixing glass combine coffee liqueur, dark rum, coconut liqueur, 151 rum, lemon juice and pineapple juice. Pour over ice into a tall glass and garnish with a cherry.

Cooking : Alice Chicken

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
5 fluid ounces Worcestershire sauce
8 slices bacon
2 tablespoons butter
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 (8 ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 (16 ounce) container honey mustard salad dressing

Directions
Place chicken in a glass dish or bowl; poke with a fork several times, then pour Worcestershire sauce in and turn to coat. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside.
Heat butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, and saute for about 10 minutes, or until soft; set aside.
Preheat oven to Broil.
Remove chicken from marinade (discard any remaining liquid), and broil for about 5 minutes each side. When chicken is almost finished, top each breast with 2 slices bacon, then cheese. Continue to broil until cheese has melted, then remove from oven. Serve with mushrooms and salad dressing for topping.

Cooking : Black Beans and Pork Chops

Ingredients
4 bone-in pork chops
ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, with liquid
1 cup salsa
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions
Season pork chops with desired amount of pepper. Select a frying pan large enough to hold all four pork chops in a single layer. Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown pork chops on both sides.
Pour undrained beans and salsa over pork chops and season with cilantro. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover. Simmer until pork chops are cooked through, about 20 to 35 minutes depending on chop thickness. If unsure of time, cut a pork chop in half to verify there is no pink left.

Cooking : Buffalo Chicken Stromboli

Ingredients
2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
3 tablespoons Frank's� RedHot� Sauce
1/2 (17.3 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm� Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed

Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stir the chicken, cheese and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10x14-inch rectangle.
With the short side facing you, spoon the chicken mixture down the center of the pastry. Fold 2 opposite sides of the pastry to the center over the filling and press to seal. Place the pastry, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. Tuck the ends under to seal.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cut the pastry in quarters to serve.

Cooking : B and L's Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients
8 strawberries, hulled
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cubes ice, crushed

Directions
In a blender combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, sugar and vanilla. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve.

Cooking : Brussels Sprouts with Green Peppers

Ingredients
1 pound fresh brussels sprouts, halved
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Place brussels sprouts in a saucepan with 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 7 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, saute the green pepper, celery and onion in butter for 2 minutes. Drain brussels sprouts and add to vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until sprouts are tender.

Cooking : Asian Ginger Grill Marinade

Ingredients
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon chopped green onion or shallot
1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions
Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onion, sesame seeds, and pepper until the honey has dissolved.

Cooking : Becca's Tangy Baked Brie

Ingredients
1 teaspoon butter
1 (8 ounce) round Brie cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon molasses

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spread the butter over the top of the brie and top with the almonds. Place the brie in a baking pan and bake until the top puffs up, about 25 minutes. You may need to place a square of foil over the top after 15 minutes to prevent the almonds from burning.
Combine the balsamic vinegar and molasses. Drizzle the mixture on a serving plate and carefully place the baked brie on top of the balsamic mixture.

Cooking : Apricot Coconut Balls

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups dried apricots
2 cups flaked coconut
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
confectioners' sugar

Directions
Chop apricots in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl; add coconut and milk. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in sugar. Place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator.

Cooking : Broccoli Cheese Cornbread

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
1 cup cottage cheese
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (8.5 ounce) package self-rising cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease an 11x7 inch baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal mix and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, cottage cheese, onion and butter. Stir the egg and cheese mixture into the flour mixture. Fold in the broccoli. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.

Cooking : Bean Sprout Spinach Salad

Ingredients
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (10 ounce) package fresh spinach, torn
1 cup canned bean sprouts
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
4 green onions
2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
2 tablespoons sunflower kernels

Directions
In a small saucepan, whisk together the first six ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat; cool.
In a serving bowl, toss the spinach, bean sprouts, bacon and green onions. Drizzle with 1/2 cup salad dressing; toss to coat. Garnish with egg slices and sunflower kernels. Serve immediately. Refrigerate remaining dressing.

Cooking : Alyson's Broccoli Salad

Ingredients
10 slices bacon
1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sunflower seeds

Directions
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the broccoli, onion and raisins. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar and mayonnaise. Pour over broccoli mixture, and toss until well mixed. Refrigerate for at least two hours.
Before serving, toss salad with crumbled bacon and sunflower seeds.

Cooking : Baked Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic

Ingredients
1 pint cherry tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, slivered
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional)
kosher salt (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cut a slit in one side of the cherry tomatoes, and insert a sliver of garlic into each. Arrange tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Bake tomatoes about 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until slightly shriveled. Serve warm.

Cooking : Blackberry Pie III

Ingredients
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
4 cups fresh blackberries
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Line a 9 inch pie pan with half the pastry. Save remaining pastry for top crust. Chill both while preparing the blackberries.
Combine berries, flour, sugar, and lemon juice. Spoon into pie shell, and dot with butter or margarine. Cover with top crust, and slash in several places.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes, or until browned.

Cooking : Anise Overnight Cookies

Ingredients
1 1/8 cups white sugar
1/4 teaspoon anise oil
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 20 minutes, yes 20, with an electric mixer. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the egg mixture along with the anise oil and continue to mix for about three minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto well greased cookie sheets so that cookies are 2 inches apart. Cover the cookie sheets carefully with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bottoms begin to brown. When cool, store in tins.

Cooking : Barbecued Country Ribs

Ingredients
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds boneless country-style ribs, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 small onion, halved and sliced

Directions
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add rib pieces; shake to coat. In a pressure cooker, brown meat on all sides in oil; drain. Combine the water, ketchup, chili powder and hot pepper sauce; pour over ribs. Add onion. Close cover securely; place pressure regulator on vent pipe. Bring cooker to full pressure over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 15 minutes. (Pressure regulator should maintain a slow steady rocking motion; adjust heat if needed.) Remove from the heat; allow pressure to drop on its own. Skim fat from sauce if necessary and serve with ribs if desired.

Cooking : Breaded Tomato Slices

Ingredients
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup milk
4 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, onion, Parmesan cheese, salt and Italian seasoning; mix well. Place milk in another bowl. Dip tomato slices in milk, then coat with crumb mixture. In a large skillet, heat oil. Fry tomato slices for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Cooking : Apricot Noodle Kugel

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package wide egg noodles
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup apricot nectar
1/2 cup golden raisins (optional)
1 1/2 cups cornflake crumbs
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in egg noodles, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix egg noodles with 1/4 cup butter, cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla. Stir in apricot nectar and milk. Mix in raisins. Transfer to the prepared baking pan.
In a separate medium bowl, mix cornflake crumbs, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, remaining vanilla, and cinnamon. Spread over the egg noodle mixture.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Cooking : Almond Easter Bread

Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 cup warm water - 100 to 110 degrees F (40 to 45 degrees C)
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes dry yeast
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
4 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour, divided
1 pound stick butter
1 (12.5 ounce) can almond cake and pastry filling (not almond paste)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
6 dyed hard-cooked Easter eggs
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons additional white sugar for sprinkling, or as desired
1/2 cup sliced almonds, divided

Directions
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in the warm water in a 1-cup measuring cup, and sprinkle with the yeast. Stir to mix the yeast into the water, and let stand in a warm place until frothy and doubled in volume, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir together 1/3 cup of sugar, 2 raw eggs, salt, the yeast mixture, milk, and 3 cups of flour in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes to develop gluten. Mix the remaining flour into the batter, and beat until the dough is shiny, soft, and elastic, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Place sticks of butter 1 inch apart between 2 large pieces of waxed paper. Roll the butter out into a square about 12 inches on a side, place the waxed paper with square of butter onto a baking sheet, and freeze for 15 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface, turn the dough around to pick up flour on all sides, and sprinkle the dough with flour. Roll the dough out into a rectangle 18 inches square. Brush off excess flour from the dough, if necessary. Peel off the top layer of waxed paper from the butter square. Place the square of cold butter, remaining waxed-paper side up, catty-corner onto the dough rectangle so the corners of the dough extend out beyond the butter. Peel off the remaining waxed paper. Fold the top and bottom points over the butter, meeting in the middle; fold the left and right points over the butter. Pinch the sides and seams of the dough together to enclose the butter in the dough.
Roll the flat dough envelope filled with butter, seam side down, out on the floured surface to a rectangle 12 by 24 inches, and fold the dough in half (into a 12x12 inch square), then in half again, to make a 6x12 inch square of dough with four butter layers. Chill the dough for about 5 minutes; then roll the dough out again to a 12 by 24-inch rectangle, and fold in quarters as before; chill, repeat rolling and folding the dough one more time. Refrigerate dough at least 1 more hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cut the dough into two pieces (you will see buttery layers). On a well-floured surface, roll out a dough piece into a rectangle 30 by 9 inches; cut the rectangle into 3 long strips, 30 by 3 inches each. Mix almond filling, 1/2 cup of butter, and 1/2 cup of sugar together in a bowl, and spread half the filling mixture all down the center of the 3 strips. Fold the strips over the filling the long way and pinch the edges closed, enclosing the filling in 3 long ropes. Braid the 3 ropes together, and arrange the braid into a ring. Pinch the ends closed. Repeat for 2nd dough piece and remaining half of filling, making two ring-shaped braided pastries.
Place the pastries onto the lined baking sheets, reforming into symmetrical rings if necessary. Set 3 hard-cooked Easter eggs, wedged between braids, into top of each braided pastry. Brush pastries, eggs and all, with beaten egg; sprinkle with additional white sugar and sliced almonds.
Bake in the preheated oven until browned and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes.

Cooking : Arnold Palmer Passion

Ingredients
4 (2 g) bags hibiscus tea (such as Tazo Passion�)
4 cups boiling water
4 cups ice cubes
4 cups prepared lemonade

Directions
Steep the tea bags in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
To prepare the drinks, fill 4 glasses with ice cubes and pour 1 cup of lemonade into each glass. Carefully pour 1 cup of cooled tea into each glass so that it floats on the lemonade.

Cooking : Beer Cheese Soup VI

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

Directions
In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook celery, carrots and onion in butter 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor or using an immersion blender. Return to pot over medium heat.
Toss Cheddar with flour and stir, a little at a time, into the pot, until fully incorporated and melted. Season with mustard. Stir in beer to achieve desired thickness just before serving.

Cooking : Butter Crescents

Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten

Directions
Warm the milk in a small saucepan until bubbles form at the edges; remove from heat. Mix in the butter, sugar, and salt. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine milk and yeast mixtures. Stir in 1 egg. Beat in flour 1 cup at a time until dough pulls together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces, and form into rounds. Cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
Using a floured rolling pin, roll each dough half into a 12 inch circle. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Roll each wedge up towards the point. Bend ends inward to form crescents, and place point side down on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover, and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Brush rolls with beaten egg, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.