Saturday, September 17, 2011

Cooking : Blake's Best Steak

Ingredients
4 (6 ounce) rib-eye steaks
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions
Preheat grill for high heat.
Rub each steak lightly with olive oil - this is to ensure that the steaks don't stick to the grill. Season with salt and pepper. Rub fresh garlic into both sides of each steak. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Place the steaks on the preheated grill, and immediately turn after 30 seconds (this first turn is to ensure that one side is seared). Place the fresh rosemary sprigs on top. Cook 7 minutes per side, to desired doneness, remembering to remove the rosemary sprigs before turning, and to replace on top of the meat after turning.

Cooking : Anise Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed anise seeds
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup blanched almonds, toasted and finely chopped
2 teaspoons milk

Directions
Combine flour, baking powder, anise seed, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside. In a separate bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Stir in almonds and flour mixture. Line a baking pan with foil. Divide the dough in half and mold into two 12-in. x 2-in. rectangles on the foil. Smooth the surface of each rectangle, then brush with milk and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and reduce heat to 300 degrees F. Lift rectangles with foil onto a wire racks; cool 15 minutes. Place rectangles on a cutting board; slice 1/2 in. thick crosswise on the diagonal. Place slices, cut side down, on baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes longer. Turn oven off, leaving cookies in oven to cool with door ajar. Store cookies in airtight containers.

Cooking : Autumn Pot Roast

Ingredients
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (5 pound) boneless beef rump roast
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup tomato juice
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 medium carrots, cut into thirds
1/2 pound small whole onions
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cold water
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add the roast; brown on all sides.
In a large bowl, combine vinegar, tomato juice, ketchup, sugar, salt and pepper; pour over roast. Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Add carrots and onions; cover and cook for 1 hour longer or until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm.
Skim fat from pan juices. Add water to juices to measure 3 cups. Mix flour and cold water until smooth; stir into pan juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Slice roast; serve with vegetables and gravy.

Cooking : Artichokes in a Garlic and Olive Oil Sauce

Ingredients
4 ounces small uncooked seashell pasta
2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic
1 sprig fresh basil, chopped
1 (8 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered

Directions
Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add seashell pasta, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Mix in the garlic, basil, and artichoke hearts, and cook 5 minutes, until heated through. Toss with the cooked pasta to serve.

Cooking : Brown Sugar Brownies

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 1-3/4 inch pan.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. In large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in the flour mixture and the nuts until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool slightly. While still warm, cut into bars with a sharp knife.

Cooking : Ali's Greek Tortellini Salad

Ingredients
2 (9 ounce) packages cheese tortellini
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound baby spinach leaves
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup slivered red onion

Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add tortellini, and cook for 7 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, and salt. Place the cooked tortellini in the bowl, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Place eggs in a saucepan with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and allow eggs to sit in the hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, cool, peel, and quarter.
Gently mix the spinach, feta cheese, and onion into the bowl with the pasta. Arrange the quartered eggs around the salad to serve.

Cooking : Amish White Bread

Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Cooking : Baked Meatball Sandwiches

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 French baguette
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch salt, or to taste
1 (14 ounce) jar Classico� Tomato and Basil Sauce
4 slices provolone cheese

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, gently mix by hand the ground beef, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Shape into 12 meatballs, and place in a baking dish.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cooked through. Meanwhile, cut the baguette in half lengthwise, and remove some of the bread from the inside to make a well for the meatballs. Brush with olive oil, and season with garlic powder and salt. Slip the baguette into the oven during the last 5 minutes of the meatball's time, or until lightly toasted.
While the bread toasts, warm the pasta sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. When the meatballs are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the sauce. Spoon onto the baguette and top with slices of provolone cheese. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Cool slightly, cut into servings, and enjoy!

Cooking : Asian Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick
4 cups assorted fresh vegetables, such as sugar snap peas, broccoli florets, bell pepper strips and shredded carrot
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup prepared stir-fry sauce, preferably sesame-ginger flavor
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 cups hot cooked rice
2 tablespoons unsalted dry-roasted peanuts (optional)

Directions
Cut beef steak lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/4-inch thick strips.
Combine vegetables and 3 tablespoons water in large nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove and drain.
Heat same pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1/2 of beef and 1/2 of garlic; stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes or until outside surface of beef is no longer pink. Remove. Repeat with remaining beef and garlic.
Return all beef and vegetables to pan. Add stir-fry sauce and red pepper; heat through. Spoon over rice. Sprinkle with peanuts, if desired.

Cooking : Avocado Watermelon Spinach Salad

Ingredients
2 large avocados - peeled, pitted and diced
4 cups cubed watermelon
4 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 cup balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing

Directions
In a salad bowl, toss together the avocado, watermelon cubes and spinach. Stir in salad dressing just before serving.

Cooking : Apple Gouda Quesadillas

Ingredients
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 green onions, chopped
2 red apples, cored and thinly sliced
2 cups shredded Gouda cheese

Directions
Preheat a grill for high heat.
Brush oil onto one side of a tortilla, and place on a plate oil side down. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of mustard on the top side, and top with green onion, apple slices and about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Place a second tortilla on top, and brush the top with olive oil. Repeat with remaining ingredients, stacking the quesadillas on the plate.
Brush the grilling surface with oil, and place the quesadillas carefully on the grill. Grill for about 3 minutes, or until the bottom is crisp. Flip, and grill on the other side until crisp. Remove from the grill to serving plates and cut into quarters. Serve warm.

Cooking : Butternut Squash Soup with Spinach Ravioli

Ingredients
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sliced onions
3/4 cup sliced leeks
2 1/2 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash
1/2 cup dry white wine
5 cups chicken broth
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pound cheese filled spinach ravioli
3/4 cup light cream
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place the cumin seeds and nutmeg in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook until lightly browned. Stir in the butter, and saute the onions and leeks until tender. Mix in squash, wine, and chicken broth. Season with cinnamon and ginger. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ravioli, and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
With a hand mixer, puree the soup mixture. Blend in light cream, and season with salt and pepper. Mix in the cooked ravioli just before serving.

Cooking : Apple Pie Bread

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups diced apples

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves. In a separate bowl, mix together milk, egg and oil until well blended. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture. Fold in apple. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour 20 minutes, until loaf springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking : Asian Noodles

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package capellini pasta
1/2 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
1 red bell peppers, sliced
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions; add mushrooms and pepper during last 2 minutes of cooking.
Combine vinegar, soy sauce, oil, and ginger to make dressing.
Drain pasta and vegetables. Transfer to a serving bowl; combine with dressing. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Cooking : Brownie Batter + Cupcake = The SECOND BEST Cupcake. Ever

Ingredients
1 (19.5 ounce) package brownie mix
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/3 cups water
3 egg whites

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 48 muffin cups with paper liners.
Whisk together the brownie mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup canola oil, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Stir just until fully incorporated, about 50 strokes; set aside.
Mix the cake mix, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 1/3 cup water, and 3 egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Spoon the brownie batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup 1/3 full. Spoon the cake batter over the brownie batter, until muffin cups are each 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes.

Cooking : BDukes Lima Beans, Cabbage and Smoked Sausage

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package dried lima beans, soaked overnight
2 smoked ham hocks
8 cups water
5 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced (optional)

Directions
In a large pot, combine the lima beans, ham hocks, water, cabbage and butter. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and set a lid on top but leave a crack for steam. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the lid, add the tomatoes and sausage; simmer with the lid on until beans are completely tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cooking : Big Charlie's Gumbo

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 pound okra, chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 pound cubed beef stew meat (optional)
8 cups water
1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 pound crabmeat, flaked
1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
file powder

Directions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic, onions, celery and okra, stirring constantly until golden brown. Set aside.
In a large heavy bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat, combine 1/4 cup of butter and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux becomes chocolate brown. Stir in the vegetable mixture, and stew meat. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender, and meat is evenly brown. Stir in water, tomatoes and sugar. Season with parsley, thyme, bay leaves, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add shrimp, crabmeat and andouille to stock pot. Stir in hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Remove seeds from lemon and squeeze juice into stock pot. Simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves, sprinkle with file powder, and serve.

Cooking : Banana Streusel Pie

Ingredients
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
4 cups sliced ripe bananas
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts or almonds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Directions
Line the unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of foil. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 2 minutes more or until pastry is golden brown; set aside. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F.
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Add the pineapple juice, lemon juice and peel; mix well. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat. Fold in bananas; pour into crust.
For streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, nuts and cinnamon; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the filling. Cover edges of pie with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes or until topping is golden and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Cooking : Basil Pork Chops

Ingredients
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops, 1/2 inch thick

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, basil, salt and chili powder. Gradually stir in 1 tablespoon oil until crumbly. Rub over both sides of pork chops.
In a large skillet, cook pork in remaining oil over medium heat for 7-8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

Cooking : Black Bean Soup

Ingredients
2 tablespoons Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Goya Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon Goya Minced Garlic
1 teaspoon Goya Oregano Leaf
1 packet Sazon Goya Natural and Complete
2 tablespoons Goya Golden Cooking Wine
2 (15.5 ounce) cans Goya Black Beans, undrained
2 Goya Bay Leaves
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon Goya White Distilled Vinegar
Goya Adobo with Pepper, to taste
Finely chopped white onions
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions
Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin, garlic, oregano and Sazon to pot. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine; bring to a boil. Add 1 cup water, beans, bay leaves, brown sugar and vinegar; bring bean mixture to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and ingredients come together, about 15 minutes. Season soup with Adobo; discard bay leaf.
Divide soup evenly among serving bowls. Garnish with onions and cilantro, if desired.

Cooking : Berry Refresher

Ingredients
1 cup apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
2 frozen strawberries, thawed
1/3 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
2/3 cup frozen blueberries, thawed
3 cubes ice

Directions
Place the apple juice, orange juice, milk, honey, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and ice cubes in a blender. Blend until slushy. Serve cold.

Cooking : Banh-Mi Style Vietnamese Baguette

Ingredients
2 portobello mushroom caps, sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 carrot, sliced into sticks
1 daikon (white) radish, sliced into sticks
1 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup chilled lime juice
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce)
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup cold water
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
8 sprigs fresh cilantro with stems
1 medium cucumber, sliced into thin strips
2 sprigs fresh Thai basil
2 (7 inch) French bread baguettes, split lengthwise

Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. Cool slightly, then slice into strips.
While the mushrooms are roasting, bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Plunge the carrot and radish sticks into the boiling water and after a few seconds, remove them and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. In a separate bowl, stir together the rice vinegar, 1/2 cup of lime juice and 1/2 cup cold water. Transfer the carrot and radish to the vinegar and lime marinade and let them soak for at least 15 minutes, longer if it's convenient.
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining lime juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water. This is the sandwich sauce.
To assemble sandwiches, sprinkle a little of the sandwich sauce onto each half of the French loaves. Place the roasted mushrooms onto the bottom half of each roll and sprinkle with a little more sauce. Top with a few slices of jalapeno, a few sticks of carrot and radish (minus the marinade), cucumber, basil and cilantro. Close with the tops of the bread and serve.

Cooking : Bow Tie Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup white sugar
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Place the eggs, vanilla, vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of the sugar, and the flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle and blend on low speed until incorporated. Then beat on high speed for 5 minutes.
Remove the paddle and scrape the batter down the sides of the bowl. Rest the dough in the bowl, covered, until soft and spongy outside, about 1 hour. Then remove it from the bowl, it will be sticky, and make a ball out of it.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease 2 baking sheets.
Sprinkle a work surface with the 1 cup sugar, about 1/8 inch deep. Place the dough in the center, flatten it slightly with a rolling pin and sprinkle the dough liberally with sugar.
Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch, a rectangle about 18 by 12 inches. Then, using a pastry cutter or a dull knife, cut out the dough into strips 3/4 inch wide and 2 inches long. Lift each strip, twist in the middle to make a bow tie and place on the cookie sheets, leaving 1/2 inch between each strip.
Bake the cookies for 25 to 30 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, until the cookies are hard to the touch on all corners and golden brown. (If using 1 oven, put the cookie sheets on the top and center racks, then switch them midway). To test for doneness, break a cookie in half. If it is doughy or too soft, it is not done yet. Return to the oven for a few minutes more.

Cooking : Baked Stuffed Pumpkin

Ingredients
1 medium sugar pumpkin
6 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dark rum (optional)
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Position rack in the center of the oven.
Cut out top of pumpkin, and set aside. Scoop out seeds with a metal spoon.
In a large bowl, stir together the apples, walnuts, cranberry sauce, pineapple, brown sugar, raisins, and rum. Season with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the cleaned pumpkin, and replace top.
Set pumpkin directly on a baking stone or a thick baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until pumpkin begins to soften. Remove from heat, and stir, scraping the sides gently, so that some pieces of pumpkin fall into the apple mixture.

Cooking : Bolognese Sauce with Meat

Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
In a large saucepan saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil. Add ground beef and continue cooking. Stir in prosciutto and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste. Let sauce simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer for one hour. Add additional butter and simmer for an additional half hour.

Cooking : Apple Walnut Cake

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
3 cups chopped, peeled baking apples
2 cups chopped walnuts

Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and mace; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in apples and nuts. (Batter will be very stiff.)
Spoon into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool 10 minutes in pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking : Broccoli and Stuffing Casserole

Ingredients
2 pounds fresh broccoli florets
2 eggs, beaten
1 onion, chopped
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 ounces dry bread stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Cook broccoli in a large pot of salted boiling water until just slightly tender. Drain.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, onion, mushroom soup and mayonnaise.
Place a layer of broccoli in the prepared baking dish. Pour mayonnaise sauce over broccoli. Spread stuffing mix over the sauce. Drizzle butter or margarine over all and top with shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Cooking : Blue Cheese and Walnut Wafers

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
4 ounces blue cheese
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions
Mix the butter, blue cheese, flour, and salt in a food processor, and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in the walnuts. Cover, and chill 5 minutes in the refrigerator.
Divide dough in half. Form each half into a log shape. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour, until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice the dough logs into 1/4 inch rounds, and arrange rounds on a baking sheet.
Bake 12 minutes in the preheated oven.

Cooking : Bacon Olive Wraps

Ingredients
10 slices white bread, crusts trimmed
1 (16 ounce) jar processed cheese sauce
1 (5 ounce) jar pitted green olives, chopped
1 pound sliced bacon, cut in half

Directions
Preheat the broiler
Cut bread into thirds. Spread each third with processed cheese sauce. Sprinkle with olives. Roll thirds jelly-roll fashion. Wrap each with half a strip of bacon, securing with toothpicks. Arrange wrapped bread rolls in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Broil, checking frequently, until bacon is evenly browned and has reached desired crispness, about 5 minutes.

Cooking : Apple and Spice Pork Roast

Ingredients
1 (4 pound) boneless pork roast
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together applesauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and cloves in small bowl; refrigerate half of the applesauce mixture and set aside remaining applesauce mixture. Combine flour, salt, sugar, garlic powder and pepper in another small bowl.
Rub flour mixture evenly over entire surface of pork. Place pork on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, until internal temperature is 140 degrees F. Spoon reserved applesauce mixture over roast. Roast until internal temperature is 155 degrees F., 1 to 1 1/2 hours total cooking time (about 18-20 minutes per pound). Transfer roast to serving platter; cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. Heat chilled applesauce mixture in small saucepan until boiling; boil for 1 minute. Spoon heated applesauce mixture over pork slices.