Monday, August 29, 2011

Cooking : Apple Walnut Salad

Ingredients
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (6 ounce) container nonfat plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 large apples - peeled, cored and chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk in the softened cream cheese, yogurt, and vanilla until smooth.
Stir the apples, 1 1/2 cups of walnuts, and the dried cranberries into the cream cheese mixture until well coated.
Spoon salad into a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Keep chilled until serving.

Cooking : Apple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (1 1/4 pound) pork tenderloin
kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 Gala apple, cut into chunks
1/2 cup Riesling wine
1 cup apple jelly
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish large enough to hold the tenderloin without folding it.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and brown the pork tenderloin on all sides. Remove the browned tenderloin to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle all sides of the meat with salt, pepper, and parsley.
Cook and stir the onion and apple in the same skillet over medium heat until the onion becomes soft, about 5 minutes, and pour in the Riesling wine. Scrape all the browned flavor bits off the bottom of the skillet and stir to help dissolve them into the wine. Bring to a boil, and pour the onion, apple, and wine mixture over the tenderloin.
Mix together the apple jelly and balsamic vinegar in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and without lumps. Spread the jelly mixture all over the pork.
Bake the loin in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), 30 to 45 minutes. Allow the tenderloin to rest for 10 minutes before slicing, and serve each slice with a spoonful of the apple-onion mixture.

Cooking : Baked Macaroni and Cheese II

Ingredients
1 pound macaroni
1 (11 ounce) can condensed cream of Cheddar cheese soup
1 1/2 cups milk
14 ounces extra sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

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 and reserve.
In a large saucepan over low heat, warm soup and add milk; stir. Add 1/4 of cheese to soup and remove mixture from heat when cheese is melted.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Add macaroni and tomatoes to soup; stir and pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with bread crumbs and remaining cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 40 minutes or until the cheese is a golden brown; serve.

Cooking : Blueberry Meringue Pie

Ingredients
1 (9 inch) pie shell, partially baked
4 cups blueberries
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 egg whites
1/4 cup white sugar

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Add blueberries and lemon juice, and stir gently to coat berries. Pour into the pie crust.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. When the pie is done, whip the egg whites in a large glass or metal bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in sugar while continuing to whip into a stiff meringue. Spread over the hot filling so that the meringue is sealed to the crust all around.
Bake for 10 more minutes, or until meringue is nicely browned. Cool to room temperature before refrigerating or serving.

Cooking : Brocomole Dip

Ingredients
2 cups chopped fresh broccoli, cooked and chilled
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped onions
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine the broccoli, sour cream, onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice and chile powder. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Cooking : Almond Crunch Oatmeal

Ingredients
1/2 cup quick or old-fashioned oatmeal
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons honey
3 cups Silk Pure Almond Original or Vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups quick or old-fashioned oatmeal

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl toss together 1/2 cup oatmeal, almonds and honey. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 5-7 minutes
Meanwhile, prepare oatmeal. In a medium saucepan bring Silk Pure Almond to a boil over medium heat. Stir in cinnamon and 2 cups oats and cook according to oatmeal package directions, usually about 2-3 minutes for quick oats, 5-7 minutes for old fashioned oats. Pour oatmeal into bowls and sprinkle with topping.

Cooking : Baked Ziti with Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped, toasted pine nuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup grated Romano cheese
6 cups tomato sauce
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese

Directions
In a bowl, stir together turkey, garlic, bread crumbs, onion, pine nuts, parsley, egg, salt and pepper. Form into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
In a large heavy skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Cook half of meatballs, shaking skillet, until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper towels to drain. Brown remaining meatballs in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same manner.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Oil a 3 to 4 quart gratin dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain.
In a small bowl, toss together mozzarella and Romano cheese.
Spoon about 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce and half the meatballs into prepared dish, and spoon half the pasta on top. Spread half remaining sauce and half cheese mixture over pasta. Top with remaining meatballs, and drop dollops of ricotta over meatballs. Spread remaining pasta over ricotta, and top with remaining sauce and cheese mixture. Bake in middle of oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking : Baby Greens and Goat Cheese Wrap

Ingredients
1 (12 inch) whole wheat tortilla
1 cup mixed baby salad greens
4 cherry tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons diced roasted red peppers
1/2 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
balsamic vinegar to taste
olive oil to taste

Directions
Lay the tortilla out flat, and arrange the baby greens across the tortilla. Sprinkle the cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, and mozzarella cheese evenly across the greens. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Fold the bottom of the tortilla up about 2 inches to enclose the filling, and roll the wrap tightly.

Cooking : Bella's Rosemary Red Potatoes

Ingredients
6 red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into wedges
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Mix together melted butter and oil, then pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the potatoes into the dish, and stir until coated. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir the potatoes occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Cooking : Asparagus and Mushroom Quiche

Ingredients
5 slices bacon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup portobello mushrooms, stem and ribs removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped fresh asparagus
1 (8 inch) unbaked pie shell
1 egg white, lightly beaten (optional)
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3/4 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until evenly brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels, crumble and set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook and stir until translucent. Reduce the heat to medium and add the portobello mushrooms. Continue cooking until the mushrooms are tender. Set aside.
Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook asparagus in boiling water until just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately drain and run under cold water to cool.
Brush the pie shell with the beaten egg white, if using. Place the onion and mushroom mixture, asparagus, and bacon into the bottom of the pie shell. Sprinkle the Cheddar and feta cheeses over the vegetables. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour this mixture over the vegetable and cheese filling.
Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned on top. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

Cooking : Awesome Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup chopped pecans
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.

Cooking : Absolutely Fabulous Portobello Mushroom Tortellini

Ingredients
1 pound cheese tortellini
2 large portobello mushrooms
1/4 cup white wine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces Alfredo-style pasta sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup 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.
Meanwhile, prepare mushrooms by rinsing and thinly slicing the mushroom caps; discard the stems.
In a medium skillet over low heat, combine wine, parsley, garlic and mushrooms; stirring frequently, saute for approximately 5 minutes or until mushrooms are cooked through.
Remove skillet from heat and slowly add Alfredo sauce, stirring to blend; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Separate hot pasta into four portions and spoon sauce over pasta. Garnish with cheese and serve immediately.

Cooking : Brown Sugar Spice Cake

Ingredients
vegetable cooking spray
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's� Condensed Tomato Soup (Regular or Healthy Request�)
1/2 cup water
1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
1 1/4 cups hot water
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
vanilla ice cream

Directions
Spray the inside of a 4-quart slow cooker with the cooking spray.
Combine the soup, water, eggs and cake mix in a medium bowl and mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter into the cooker.
Stir the water, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour over the batter.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Spoon the cake into bowls, spooning the sauce from the bottom of the cooker. Serve warm with the ice cream.

Cooking : Apple Spice Drops

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup finely chopped peeled tart apple
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons apple juice

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and apple juice. Combine the dry ingredients; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Fold in apple and walnuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For frosting, cream butter, sugar, vanilla and enough apple juice to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies.

Cooking : Baked Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup solid pack pumpkin puree
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter, softened

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl. Mix in the pumpkin, brown sugar, buttermilk, egg and butter until well blended. Pour into a 9x5 inch loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cooking : Basic Coconut Cookies

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

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

Cooking : Banana Blueberry Pie

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 (1.3 ounce) envelope dry whipped topping mix
3 bananas, sliced
2 (9 inch) pie shells, baked
1 (21 ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions
In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until light. Prepare the whipped topping mix according to package instructions, and fold into the cream cheese mixture.
Place a layer of sliced banana into the bottom of each pie shell. Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture into each pie, and spread evenly. Spoon half of the blueberry pie filling over each pie in an even layer. Cover the tops of the pies with the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill until serving.

Cooking : BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package frozen meatballs
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup

Directions
Place prepared meatballs, barbeque sauce, and ketchup in a slow cooker. Let cook on a low heat for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Cooking : Apple Butter Pork Loin

Ingredients
2 (2 pound) boneless pork loin roast
seasoning salt to taste
2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Season the pork loins with seasoning salt, and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish or small roasting pan. Pour apple juice over the pork, and cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. While the pork is roasting, mix together the apple butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and cloves. Remove pork roasts from the oven, and spread with apple butter mixture.
Cover, and return to the oven for 2 hours, or until fork-tender.

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 : Arabic Green Beans with Beef

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds beef round roast, cubed
2 onions, diced
1/2 cup water
2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (16 ounce) can canned tomatoes, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat; brown the beef in the hot oil for 10 minutes. Stir in the onions and 1/2 cup water; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix the green beans, allspice, pepper, and salt into the mixture; cover and simmer another 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce; cover with water; cover and simmer another 45 minutes.

Cooking : Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions
In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the egg, milk, oil and vanilla; add to the dry ingredients just until moistened. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill greased or paper-line muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Cooking : Breaded Sea Scallops

Ingredients
1/3 cup mashed potato flakes
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 pound sea scallops
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions
In a shallow bowl, beat the egg. In another bowl, combine the potato flakes, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Dip scallops in egg, then roll in potato mixture. In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add scallops; cook for 4-5 minutes or until scallops are opaque and coating is golden brown, turning once.

Cooking : Broccoli with Poppy Seed Sauce

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons minced onion
20 ounces broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onion, and cook until the onion has begun to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place broccoli in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 6 minutes. Drain.
When the onions have turned golden brown, remove the saucepan from the heat, and whisk in the sour cream, vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. Place the cooked broccoli into a serving dish, and pour the sauce overtop. Sprinkle with chopped pecans to serve.

Cooking : Buttermilk Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon finely chopped walnuts

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, combine oil and 1-1/2 cups sugar. Add buttermilk and eggs; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. or five 5-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans about one-third full. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle half over the batter. Top with remaining batter and cinnamon-sugar. Swirl batter with a knife. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Cooking : Apple Downside-Up Cake

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 medium sized apples, sliced
2 cups buttermilk baking mix
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2/3 cup milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Melt butter in the 9 inch pan over the stovetop. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the melted butter. Arrange the apple slices over the brown sugar.
In a medium bowl, stir together the baking mix, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the egg and milk, beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon batter over the apples.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Invert cake onto a serving plate while still hot. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping.

Cooking : Berry Fruit Salad

Ingredients
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered lengthwise
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 teaspoon white sugar

Directions
Mix strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries together in a bowl. Sprinkle with sugar.

Cooking : Blender Hollandaise Sauce

Ingredients
3 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 dash hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
1/2 cup butter

Directions
In the container of a blender, combine the egg yolks, mustard, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Cover, and blend for about 5 seconds.
Place the butter in a glass measuring cup. Heat butter in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until completely melted and hot. Set the blender on high speed, and pour the butter into the egg yolk mixture in a thin stream. It should thicken almost immediately. Keep the sauce warm until serving by placing the blender container in a pan of hot tap water.

Cooking : Black Forest Freezer Pie

Ingredients
1 pint chocolate or vanilla ice cream, softened
1 (10 inch) graham cracker crust
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling, chilled
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Directions
Spoon ice cream into pie crust; cover and freeze for 15 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Spread over pie. Using the back of a spoon, make an 8-in. diameter well in the center of the pie for the pie filling. Cover and freeze for 3-4 hours or until firm. May be frozen for up to 2 months. Just before serving, spoon pie filling into the well; drizzle with chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.

Cooking : Banana Split Ice Cream Pie

Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust
2 bananas, sliced
1 quart strawberry ice cream, softened
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup maraschino cherries (optional)

Directions
Mix cookie crumbs with 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine. Press into a 9-inch pie plate.
Arrange bananas over bottom of crust. Spread ice cream in an even layer over bananas. Top with drained pineapple. Whip the cream and spread over top. Sprinkle with nuts.
Place pie in freezer for 4 hours or until firm. Garnish with cherries, if desired. Makes 8 servings.

Cooking : Blue Sky Martini

Ingredients
1 fluid ounce vodka
1/4 fluid ounce sweet vermouth
1/4 fluid ounce Blue Curacao
3 stuffed green olives

Directions
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Pour in vodka and sweet vermouth. Stir (or shake) and strain into a martini glass. Splash with blue curacao. Garnish with 3 green olives.

Cooking : Awesome Roast Beef

Ingredients
3 pounds rump roast
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef broth

Directions
Place rump roast in a slow cooker. Pour in condensed cream of mushroom soup and condensed beef broth. Cook on LOW for about 8 hours.

Cooking : Broiled Pork Chops

Ingredients
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops

Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, paprika, chili powder and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside half of the sauce.
Preheat broiler.
Brush both sides of the chops with sauce. Place chops on broiling pan rack. Broil about 4 inches from the heat for 4 minutes on each side. Brush with more sauce. Continue broiling, turning and basting every 3 to 4 minutes, until juices run clear. Serve with reserved sauce.

Cooking : Braised Beef with Garden Vegetables and Herbs

Ingredients
1 pound boneless beef for stew, cut into 1-inch cubes
Ground black pepper
Vegetable cooking spray
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (18.3 ounce) carton Campbell's� V8� Butternut Squash Soup
1 large potato, cut into cubes
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
Fresh parsley

Directions
Season the beef with the black pepper.
Spray a 6-quart saucepot with the cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the beef and cook until it's well browned, stirring often. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is tender-crisp.
Stir the soup in the saucepot and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes.
Add the potato and carrots to the saucepot. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Cooking : Aunt Edith's Baked Pancake

Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
confectioners' sugar
Lemon wedges

Directions
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until very light. Add salt, flour and milk; beat well. Thoroughly rub bottom and sides of a 10-in. cast-iron or heavy skillet with butter. Pour batter into skillet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 5 minutes more or until set. Remove pancake from skillet and place on a large hot platter. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with lemon. Serve immediately.

Cooking : Baked Stuffed Winter Squash

Ingredients
3 acorn squash, halved and seeded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place squash halves cut side down in baking pans. Fill pans with about 1/2 inch water. Bake squash 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
While squash bakes, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place onions and celery in the skillet, and cook until tender. Stir in the sausage and thyme. Cook and stir until evenly brown.
Remove squash from the oven, and carefully scrape the pulp from the rinds. Set rinds aside. Place the pulp in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Mix in the cooked sausage mixture, egg, bread crumbs, raisins, and pecans. Scoop into the reserved rinds. Set stuffed squash in the baking dishes.
Bake 25 minutes in the 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven, until heated through.

Cooking : Beef Tostadas

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 teaspoon dry Mexican or taco seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon chipotle sauce
6 tostada shells
3 cups shredded lettuce
1 1/2 cups guacamole
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions
In a large skillet, cook beef and red pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the chili sauce, Mexican seasoning, salt and pepper; heat through.
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and chipotle sauce. Layer each tostada with lettuce, meat mixture, guacamole, cheese and chipotle cream.