Saturday, September 3, 2011

Cooking : 30-Minute Minestrone

Ingredients
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 cup chopped cabbage
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian stewed or diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cubes beef bouillon
1 cup torn fresh spinach
2/3 cup cooked elbow macaroni
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a 3-qt. saucepan, saute carrots, cabbage, celery, onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add water, tomatoes and bouillon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in spinach, macaroni and pepper; heat through.

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 : Aunt Faith's Clam Dip

Ingredients
1 (6.5 ounce) can minced clams, with juice
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 small sweet onion, minced
2 drops hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco�), or to taste

Directions
With a fork, mash the cream cheese in a bowl, adding a little bit of the clam juice at a time until smooth. Fold the clams and onions into the cream cheese mixture until evenly mixed. Stir the hot pepper sauce into the dip.

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 : Banana Layer Cake

Ingredients
3 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup 1% buttermilk
3 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
3 drops yellow food coloring

Directions
In a small mixing bowl, beat shortening and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; beat well. Add banana; beat on low speed until blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to banana mixture alternately with buttermilk. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into batter.
Coat two 6-in. round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour. Add batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a small mixing bowl, combine shortening and butter. Add 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, salt and extract; mix well. Stir in banana. Beat in enough of the remaining confectioners' sugar to achieve desired spreading consistency. Tint with food coloring if desired. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

Cooking : Blueberry Fruit Salad

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

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

Cooking : Buttermilk Pralines

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon butter (no substitutes)
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a heavy 3-qt. saucepan, combine sugar, buttermilk and baking soda. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 210 degrees F. Stir in butter and pecans; cook until thermometer reads 230 degrees F. Remove from the heat; add vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture loses its gloss and begins to set, about 8 minutes. Quickly drop by teaspoonfuls onto foil-lined baking sheets. Cool.

Cooking : Applesauce/Sausage Waffles

Ingredients
1 pound bulk pork sausage
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups milk
1 cup applesauce
2/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions
In a skillet, brown and crumble sausage until no longer pink. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. In a another bowl, beat egg yolks lightly. Add milk, applesauce and oil; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Drain sausage; add to batter. Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown.

Cooking : Buffalo Chip Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups margarine, melted
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
2 cups raisin bran cereal
2 cups raisins
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups rolled oats
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine the margarine, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour baking soda, baking powder, raisin bran, oats, raisins, coconut, chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Mix until well combined. Drop large tablespoon sized scoops onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden approximately 10 minutes.

Cooking : BBQ Steak Teriyaki

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
10 fluid ounces teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together teriyaki sauce, ginger, sesame oil, orange zest, vinegar, water, cayenne pepper, and garlic. Place steak in a shallow dish, and pour marinade over meat. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grate, and place meat on grill. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side. Test for doneness.

Cooking : Blueberry Crumb Bars

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

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and cinnamon, if desired. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the shortening and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
In another bowl, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Cooking : Broth Simmered Rice

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups Swanson� Chicken Broth (regular, Natural Goodness™ or Certified Organic)
3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

Directions
Heat the broth in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.
Stir in the rice. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Cooking : Apple-Cinnamon Syrup

Ingredients
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 medium apples, peeled, thinly sliced

Directions
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring brown sugar, water, butter and cornstarch and cinnamon to a boil; boil for 2 minutes until thick. Reduce heat to medium. Add apples; cook for 10-12 minutes or until apples are tender.

Cooking : Broiler S'mores

Ingredients
4 graham crackers
2 milk chocolate candy bars
12 marshmallows

Directions
Preheat the oven broiler. Line a small pan with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
Break the graham crackers in half and lay 4 of the squares out on a serving plate. Break the candy bars in half and lay one piece on each of the graham crackers on the plate.
Arrange the marshmallows in a single layer in the prepared pan.
Broil the marshmallows until the tops brown, turn the marshmallows to brown the undersides. Keep a close eye on the marshmallows so they do not burn. They will brown very quickly.
Remove the marshmallows from the pan and place three on each of the chocolate squares. Top with the remaining graham cracker halves.

Cooking : Black Treacle Scones

Ingredients
3 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, salt, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry blender. Combine milk and molasses in a small bowl; stir into flour mixture until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick round. Cut out circles with a medium biscuit cutter and place pieces on prepared baking sheet so that they are barely touching.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Move to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. For soft scones, cover with a dry cloth for 10 minutes. For crisp scones, do not cover.

Cooking : Allana's Excellent Potato Soup

Ingredients
8 ounces cubed cooked ham
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 tablespoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 1/2 cups milk
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend

Directions
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sautee ham and onions in the butter, until the onions are translucent. Stir in the mustard, then pour in the chicken broth. Add potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.
Combine the milk and cream of celery soup; stir in to the saucepan. Season with garlic powder, seasoned salt and salt-free seasoning blend. Heat through, but do not boil. Serve hot.

Cooking : Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage and Sweet Peppers

Ingredients
1 pound Italian sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 green bell peppers, chopped
8 ounces farfalle pasta
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

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.
While pasta is cooking, cook sausage and peppers in large skillet over medium heat until sausage is brown and juices run clear. Drain sausage mixture and return it to the pan. Pour in the broth, season with black pepper and bring to a boil.
Toss pasta with sausage sauce and serve.

Cooking : Asian Flank Steak Stir-Fry

Ingredients
4 ounces uncooked Asian rice noodles
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon minced gingerroot
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (14 ounce) package frozen stir fry vegetable blend
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
1 1/2 pounds beef flank steak, cut into thin strips
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Directions
In a large bowl, soak noodles in boiling water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper until blended; set aside.
In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry the vegetable blend and carrots in 1 teaspoon oil for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. In the same pan, stir-fry beef in remaining oil for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink.
Stir soy sauce mixture and add to pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Drain noodles. Stir noodles and vegetables into beef mixture; heat through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Cooking : Bosnian Style Cornbread (Razljevak)

Ingredients
1 tablespoon cornmeal for dusting
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup semolina flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, or more as needed
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter an 8x8-inch baking dish and sprinkle 1 tablespoon cornmeal over the bottom of the dish.
Sift the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and vegetable oil together in a separate large bowl. Mix the flour mixture into the egg mixture until just combined; don't overmix. The batter should be pourable; add more buttermilk as needed to get the right consistency.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Cooking : Baked Rice and Vegetables in Broth

Ingredients
3/4 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 tablespoon uncooked wild rice
1/4 cup uncooked brown rice
1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 chopped fresh broccoli
1/4 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a 9 x 13 inch baking dish combine white rice, wild rice, brown rice, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, bell pepper, onion, salt, onion flakes, paprika, black pepper and broth. Mix well; cover.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until cooked through; stir once during baking.

Cooking : Alcohol-Free Mint Julep

Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
2 cups crushed ice
1/2 cup prepared lemonade
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and 1 tablespoon of chopped mint. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. After about an hour, strain out mint leaves.
Fill 2 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice. Pour 1/2 of the lemonade into each glass and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint sprig and a straw. Serve on a silver platter.

Cooking : Blue Cheese, Avocado, and Grape Salad

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) bag mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons shredded Mexican four-cheese blend
1/2 cup red seedless grapes
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup blue cheese salad dressing

Directions
Divide the mixed salad greens between two large plates or bowls. Place half of the shredded cheese, grapes, and sliced avocado on each serving dish. Drizzle blue cheese dressing on each salad.

Cooking : Bob's Habanero Hot Sauce - Liquid Fire

Ingredients
12 habanero peppers, seeded and chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can sliced peaches in heavy syrup
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions
Place the peppers, peaches, molasses, mustard, brown sugar, and vinegar into the container of a food processor or blender. Measure in the salt, paprika, pepper, cumin, coriander, ginger and allspice. Blend until liquefied. Pour into clean jars, and refrigerate overnight before using.

Cooking : Apple-Raisin Breakfast Bread Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) loaf cinnamon bread with raisins, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored, and diced

Directions
Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the milk, cream, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until evenly blended. Fold in the bread cubes and set aside until the bread soaks up the egg mixture, about 5 minutes. Place the sliced apples into a mixing bowl and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter; toss to evenly coat. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and arrange the apple slices evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish; spoon the bread mixture over top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Sprinkle the diced apple over the bread pudding and cover again with the aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven until the bread is no longer soggy, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and set the oven to Broil; broil until golden brown on top, about 5 minutes. Remove and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking : Baked Whole Pumpkin

Ingredients
1 medium sugar pumpkin
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon butter

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cut the lid off the pumpkin and remove the seeds.
Combine the eggs, whipping cream, brown sugar, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Pour mixture into the pumpkin shell and top with the butter. Replace lid on pumpkin and place in a baking pan.
Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until mixture has set like a custard. Allow to cool and serve right from the pumpkin at the table, scraping some of the meat from the pumpkin wall with each serving.

Cooking : Applesauce Pork Loin

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) boneless pork loin roast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup applesauce
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions
Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown roast on all sides in oil. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Combine the applesauce, mustard and honey; spread over roast. Top with rosemary. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Cooking : Basic Margarita

Ingredients
5 fluid ounces tequila
3 fluid ounces triple sec
2 (6 ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate
4 cups ice cubes
coarse salt

Directions
Salt the rims of 2 large margarita glasses. To do so, pour salt onto a small plate, moisten the rims of the glasses on a damp towel and press them into the salt.
In a blender combine tequila, triple sec and limeade concentrate. Fill blender with ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, garnish with slice of lime and serve.

Cooking : Beer-Batter Onion Rings

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs, separated
4 tablespoons butter, melted
salt to taste
3 large onions, sliced into rings
2 quarts oil for frying

Directions
Sift flour into a large bowl. In another large bowl, whisk egg yolks. Mix in beer, butter and salt. Set aside 1 cup of flour for dipping the onion rings. Slowly stir the egg yolk mixture into the remaining flour and mix well. Allow the mixture to stand 30 to 60 minutes.
Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a small bowl, stiffly beat the egg whites. Gently combine the egg whites with the batter.
Coat each onion ring with flour and dip into batter.
Deep fry the battered rings, several at a time, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve.

Cooking : Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops

Ingredients
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1/3 cup fruity white wine, such as Gewurztraminer
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick

Directions
Mix the apricot preserves, wine, and ground ginger together in a small bowl; set aside.
Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until brown on each side, and no longer pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chops from the skillet. Reduce heat to medium low. Using the same skillet, pour in the apricot preserves mixture and simmer until thickened, about 4 minutes. Return pork chops to the skillet, turning to coat each side in the sauce; cook 1 minute.

Cooking : Blue Cheese Bites

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough
1/2 cup butter, melted
5 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.
Slice each biscuit into quarters, arrange then in the prepared pie plate. Pour melted butter over the biscuits, then sprinkle the biscuits with blue cheese.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.