Thursday, September 22, 2011

Cooking : Apple Butter IV

Ingredients
6 (16 ounce) jars applesauce
6 cups apple juice
8 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Directions
In a Dutch oven or slow cooker, bring to a boil the applesauce and apple juice. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Stir the mixture into the simmering applesauce. Continue simmering 2 hours more, creating a thick, rich butter. Ladle the apple butter into sterile jars and refrigerate.

Cooking : All-Bran Classic Carrot Muffins

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups Kellogg's* All-Bran* Original cereal
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins or chopped dates
1 cup grated carrots
1 3/4 cups buttermilk or soured milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, lightly beaten
Grated rind of 1 lemon or orange

Directions
In large bowl, stir together flour, cereal, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, salt raisins and carrots.
Add buttermilk, oil, egg and lemon rind, stirring just until combined.
Spoon into greased non - stick muffin tins. Bake in 200 degrees C (400 degrees F) oven for 20 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch.

Cooking : Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip

Ingredients
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Stir the sour cream, mayonnaise, and lemon juice together in a bowl; whisk the tomatoes and basil through the sour cream mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour.

Cooking : Brown Bread Ice Cream

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™)
3 cups milk
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 pint half-and-half cream
1 tablespoon maple flavored extract
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions
Place cereal in a bowl and pour in enough milk to cover (1/2 to 1 cup); set aside. In a large bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, condensed milk, half-and-half, maple flavor and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Place in freezer canister of ice cream maker. Stir in enough milk to reach fill line.
Freeze according to manufacturers' directions. When ice cream begins to solidify, add cereal mixture before freezing completely.

Cooking : Best Ever Party Appetizer

Ingredients
12 ounces goat cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and diced
1 cup black olives, chopped
4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3 cloves garlic, halved

Directions
Slice goat cheese into one inch pieces and place in a single layer on a large platter. Sprinkle olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, basil and rosemary over the cheese.
Using toothpicks, insert the garlic cloves into the cheese throughout the mixture.
Allow the mixture to marinate 6 hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator. Remove the toothpicks, and serve with sliced French bread.

Cooking : Brunch Scones

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons white sugar
2/3 cup whole milk
1/2 cup currants
1 egg yolk, beaten

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with baking parchment.
Sift flour and baking powder into a medium bowl. Rub butter and sugar into flour to form a fine crumble. Make a well in center, and add milk and currants. Knead gently together, being careful not to over mix. Dough will be sticky.
On a generously floured surface, roll out dough to 3/4 inch thickness. Stamp out 2 1/2 inch rounds with a plain pastry cutter. Transfer to prepared pan, and brush tops with egg yolk. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.
Bake in preheated oven until risen and lightly golden on top, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.

Cooking : Blue Cheese Dip II

Ingredients
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
4 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dried parsley
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
garlic salt to taste

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, dried parsley, blue cheese and garlic salt. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Cooking : Amish Friendship Chocolate Bread

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, chocolate pudding. Make a well in the center of this mixture. Add Amish friendship bread starter, vegetable oil, milk, eggs and vanilla extract; mix well. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.
Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Cooking : Aunt Fanny's Squash

Ingredients
2 pounds yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup butter, cut into small chunks
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup butter
2 cups corn flakes cereal, coarsely crushed

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart microwave-safe baking dish with a cover.
Spread the squash and onion slices in the baking dish, dot with 1/4 cup of butter cut into chunks, cover the dish, and microwave on High 5 to 7 minutes, or until the vegetables are steaming hot and tender.
In a bowl, whisk together milk and cornstarch until smooth, and stir in the beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. Pour the milk mixture over the squash and onions.
Melt 1/4 cup butter.
Sprinkle the corn flakes cereal evenly over the top of the casserole, drizzle with the melted butter, and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cereal topping is golden and crisp.

Cooking : Baked Crumbled Chicken

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups crushed cornflakes
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 (3 1/2) pound broiler-fryer chicken, cut up
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Directions
In a shallow bowl or large resealable plastic bay, combine cornflakes, parsley, paprika, salt, basil and pepper. In another bowl, beat eggs and milk. Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then coat generously with crumb mixture. Place in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear.

Cooking : Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients
6 tablespoons chopped onion
4 tablespoons margarine
6 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
3 cups water
4 cubes chicken bouillon
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

Directions
In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender. Add squash, water, bouillon, marjoram, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil; cook 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.
Puree squash and cream cheese in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan, and heat through. Do not allow to boil.

Cooking : Apple Banana Smoothie

Ingredients
1 frozen bananas, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Gala apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup milk

Directions
In a blender combine frozen banana, orange juice, apple and milk. Blend until smooth. pour into glasses and serve.

Cooking : Baked Carrots

Ingredients
1 pound carrots, cut into sticks
1 bunch green onions with tops, chopped
1 cup chicken broth

Directions
Place the carrots and onions in an ungreased 1-qt. casserole; pour chicken broth over all. Cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour.

Cooking : Awesome Summer Watermelon Salad

Ingredients
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
3 cups 2-inch cubes watermelon
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 red onion, sliced very thin
coarsely ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Mix the vinegar and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Stir the garlic, salt, and pepper into the mixture. Slowly stream the olive oil into the dressing while whisking vigorously. Place the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Combine the watermelon, feta cheese, and red onion in a large bowl; toss lightly to mix. Season with the coarsely ground black pepper. Pour about half the dressing over the salad; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate the salad at least 30 minutes. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad just before serving.

Cooking : Bombay Chicken and Rice

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
6 ounces diced dried mixed fruit
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
1 (3 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 teaspoons curry powder, divided
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a 9x13 inch baking pan, mix rice, fruit, onion, sugar and salt. Pour in water. Arrange chicken parts over the rice mixture. In a small bowl, mix butter, curry powder and paprika. Brush butter mixture over chicken pieces. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until chicken juices run clear and rice is tender.

Cooking : Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients
8 ounces rotelle pasta
5 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
2 carrots, sliced diagonally
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, quartered
1/2 head broccoli, cut into florets
1/2 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
1/4 cup water
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil

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. Place in large bowl with chicken.
In large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Cook carrots with 1/4 teaspoon salt until tender-crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove carrots, place in bowl with chicken and pasta. Add 2 tablespoons oil to wok and cook mushrooms with 1/4 teaspoon salt until tender, 5 minutes. Remove mushrooms and place in bowl.
Add 2 more tablespoons oil to wok, stir-fry broccoli, cauliflower and onion until coated with oil. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water, cover and cook 5 to 10 minutes, until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove vegetables with slotted spoon and toss with pasta and chicken.
Mix in green onions, soy sauce and sesame oil, adjusting soy and sesame to taste. Serve warm or cold.

Cooking : Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Tomato

Ingredients
1 pound macaroni
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 1/4 cups milk
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Pour in pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In large bowl, combine macaroni, soup, milk, cheese and 6 tablespoons butter. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and dot with remaining butter. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Cooking : Beefy Lentil Vegetable Soup

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups dry lentils, rinsed
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
3 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 cubes beef bouillon cube
6 cups tomato-vegetable juice cocktail
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 dash Worcestershire sauce

Directions
Brown beef; break meat into small pieces while cooking. Drain.
Place meat in a big pot with lid. Add lentils, vegetables, water, salt, pepper, bouillon, vegetable juice, mushrooms, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on high until it boils. Reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.

Cooking : Buffalochef's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Ingredients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chilled butter
1 recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
3/4 pound rhubarb, chopped
1 1/3 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 eggs

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll out half the pie crust pastry to a circle about 11 inches in diameter, and fit the crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Place the pie dish onto a rimmed baking sheet.
Whisk together 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl. With a pastry cutter, chop in the butter until the topping resembles crumbs; set the topping aside.
In another bowl, stir together the strawberries, rhubarb, 1 1/3 cup of sugar, crystallized ginger, 1/4 cup of flour, nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined; beat in the eggs.
Roll the rest of the pastry out into an 11-inch circle, and cut the crust into 1/2-inch wide strips. Spoon the strawberry-rhubarb filling into the bottom crust, and sprinkle the crumb topping evenly all over the filling. Moisten the rim of the filled bottom crust with a bit of water, and lay the two longest strips in a cross in the middle of the pie. Working from the next longest down to the shortest strips, alternate horizontal and vertical strips, weaving the strips as you go. Press the lattice strips down onto the bottom crust edge to seal, and trim the top crust strips neatly. Press the crust edges with a fork dipped in a little flour to make a crimped edge.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees C (175 degrees C) until the pie is bubbling, and the crust and crumb topping are lightly browned, 45 to 50 more minutes. Cool pie at least 1 hour before serving.

Cooking : Bright Blue Monday Cake

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups blueberries
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup margarine

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, oil, and egg. Mix well. Stir in the blueberries. Pour into prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the margarine until crumbly. Sprinkle over cake.
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.

Cooking : Bok Choy, Carrots and Green Beans

Ingredients
1 teaspoon peanut oil
3 tablespoons minced shallots
2 carrots, sliced diagonally
1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup chopped bok choy
1/3 cup low sodium, low fat vegetable broth
1 tablespoon light soy sauce

Directions
Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the shallots and saute for 3 minutes. Add the carrots and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add the green beans and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the bok choy and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce and serve.

Cooking : Bob's Slow Cooker Braciole

Ingredients
2 (26 ounce) jars marinara sauce
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak, pounded to 1/4 inch
1 teaspoon kosher salt
ground black pepper
5 slices bacon
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions
Pour the marinara sauce into the slow cooker and set on High to warm.
Combine the eggs and the breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of the meat with salt and pepper. Pat the breadcrumb mixture over one side of the flank steak, leaving about a one inch border around edges. Top breadcrumbs with the bacon slices; sprinkle with shredded cheese. Starting from one long side, tightly roll flank steak into a log. Use string or toothpicks to secure the log in 4 or 5 places.
Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Sear the stuffed flank steak in the hot oil until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meat to the warm sauce in the slow cooker. Spoon sauce over meat to cover.
Turn slow cooker to Low; cook meat until very tender, 6 to 8 hours. Remove string/toothpicks before slicing. Serve with marinara.

Cooking : Asparagus-Turkey Pasta Toss

Ingredients
4 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup diced, cooked turkey
10 fresh asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, bouillon, pepper and salt until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; add cheeses and stir until smooth. Stir in the turkey, asparagus and mushrooms. Cook until heated through. Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour sauce mixture over pasta; toss gently to coat.

Cooking : Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients
2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and black pepper to taste
8 asparagus spears, trimmed - divided
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Directions
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
Place each chicken breast between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
Place 4 spears of asparagus down the center of a chicken breast, and spread about 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese over the asparagus. Repeat with the other chicken breast, and roll the chicken around the asparagus and cheese to make a tidy, compact roll. Place the rolls seam sides down in the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs.
Bake in the preheated oven until the juices run clear when pricked with a fork, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Cooking : Braised Celery

Ingredients
1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions
Arrange the celery in a single layer on the bottom of a large skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Dot with butter. Dissolve the bouillon cube in boiling water, and pour over the celery.
Cover pan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Cooking : Barbecued Baked Beans

Ingredients
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons canola oil
4 (15 ounce) cans pork and beans
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic or cider vinegar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper*
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke

Directions
In a Dutch oven, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until thickened and bubbly.

Cooking : Amazingly Yummy Surprise Inside Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups butter, softened
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (13 ounce) package chocolate covered caramel candies (e.g. Rolo TM)
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for rolling

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, beat the butter and flour together until soft and smooth. Stir in the cake mix to form a soft dough. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Press a candy into the center of each ball, covering completely. Place 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Roll cookies in confectioners sugar while still warm.

Cooking : Ambrosia Pecan Pie

Ingredients
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2/3 cup flaked coconut
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, corn syrup, sugars, orange juice, butter, orange peel and salt until well blended. Stir in pecans and coconut. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If edges become too brown, cover with foil. Cool on a wire rack.

Cooking : Baked Haddock

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

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

Cooking : Big Pot Sauce

Ingredients
1 large diced onion
20 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
2 (4 ounce) links hot Italian sausage
1 cup dried oregano
1/4 cup dried basil
7 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
1 cup red wine

Directions
In a medium skillet, cook sausages over medium heat until juices run clear. Drain, and cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
In large (13 quart) stock pot over medium heat, saute onion, garlic and crushed red pepper in olive oil until golden brown. Stir in sausage pieces, half the oregano and half the basil, and cook 10 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
Stir in the remaining oregano and basil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the red wine, and with a handheld mixer, carefully blend the sauce in the pot until the tomatoes have been chopped into small pieces and the sauce is thick and chunky. Serve.

Cooking : Bacon Clapshot

Ingredients
1 1/3 pounds potato, peeled and quartered
2/3 pound turnips, peeled and cut into chunks
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 pinch ground nutmeg
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Place the potatoes and turnips in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and turnips, return them to the saucepan and mash until creamy. Add the butter and milk and beat until fluffy. Stir in the crumbled bacon and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Cooking : 5 Minute Banana Berry Smoothie

Ingredients
1 cup strawberries
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey

Directions
Blend the ice, strawberries, banana, orange juice, and honey in a blender until smooth.

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 Bourguignon II

Ingredients
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds cubed stew meat
4 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups red wine
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 (16 ounce) can canned onions

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt and ground black pepper. Coat the beef cubes with this mixture.
Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat and brown well on all sides. Pour this into a 2 quart casserole dish.
Return the skillet to the heat and add the onion, carrots and garlic to it. Saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until onion is tender. add the wine, bay leaf, parsley, thyme, and liquid from the mushrooms. Pour over meat.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 2 1/2 hours. Remove cover, add canned onions and mushroom crowns, and bake for 30 more minutes.

Cooking : Awesome Red Pepper Hummus Dip

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 lemon, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bottled roasted red bell peppers

Directions
Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and red peppers in the bowl of a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved juice from the garbanzo beans. Pulse until the mixture is smooth, scraping the sides and blade to mix completely. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Cooking : Baked Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
2 cups mayonnaise
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
2 (6.5 ounce) jars marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
ground cayenne pepper to taste
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, crushed garlic, parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts and Worcestershire sauce. Pour into a baking dish and top with cayenne pepper and parsley flakes.
Bake in the preheated oven, approximately 30 to 45 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or veggies.

Cooking : Ali's Amazing Bruschetta

Ingredients
2 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread, cut into 1 inch slices
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, olive oil, oregano, basil and parsley. Place bread on a baking sheet, and top with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until bottom of bread is browned. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking : Asparagus Oregenato

Ingredients
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, sliced

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place asparagus in a 9x13 inch baking dish, and cover with bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Lay slices of butter on top.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cover, and bake 5 minutes more, or until browned on top.

Cooking : Apple Muffins

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup apples - peeled, cored and finely diced

Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease bottoms only of 12 muffin cups or line with baking cups.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; mix well. In a small bowl, combine apple juice, oil, and egg; blend well. Add dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy.) Stir in chopped apples.
Fill cups 2/3 full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan. Serve warm.