Spring Blossoms

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Easy Baked Manicotti


2 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-3/4 cups POLLY-O Original Ricotta Cheese
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup pesto
12 manicotti shells, cooked, rinsed in cold water

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Spread 3/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce on bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix egg, cheeses and pesto until well blended. Spoon cheese mixture into large resealable plastic bag. Using scissors, cut off small hole from one of the bottom corners of bag.

FILL manicotti shells, one at a time, squeezing cheese mixture into both sides of each shell. Place manicotti over sauce in baking dish; pour remaining 1-1/4 cups spaghetti sauce over manicotti. Cover with foil.

BAKE 40 min. Or until heated through.

Blue Ribbon Pecan Pie

1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped pecans

In a large bowl, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, butter, and vanilla; mix well. Add slightly beaten eggs and blend well; stir in pecans. Pour into the unbaked pie shell. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 45 minutes, or until set. Cool and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Chicken Casserole

1 pkg (12 oz) herbed stuffing mix
4 Tbsp margarine, melted
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

In medium bowl, combine stuffing mix, melted margarine and chicken broth; toss until thoroughly mixed. Place one half of the mixture in bottom of lightly greased 9x12-inch baking dish. In medium bowl, mix chicken, onion, mayonnaise and salt;sprinkle over stuffing mixture.

Beat eggs and milk together and pour evenly over chicken. Refrigerate several hours.

One hour before serving time, spread mushroom soup evenly over top of mixture. Bake at 325*F 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven and continue baking until cheese is melted.

Chunky Blonde Brownies


1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup vanilla chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
1 jar (3 1/2 oz) macadamia nuts or 3/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped, divided

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in vanilla chips, chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup nuts. Spoon into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan; spread to evenly cover bottom of pan. Sprinkle with remaining nuts. Bake at 350*F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
Yield: 2 dozen

www.kraftfoods.com

Lemon Supreme Pie


1 unbaked deep-dish pastry shell (9 inches)

Lemon Filling:

1 1/2 cups sugar
6 TBSP cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups water
2 TBSP butter
2 tsp grated lemon peel
4 to 5 drops yellow food coloring, optional
2/3 cup lemon juice

Cream cheese filling:

2 pkgs (one 8 oz, one 3 oz) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cups whipped topping
1 TBSP lemon juice

Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450*F for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat; stir in butter, lemon peel and food coloring if desired. Gently stir in lemon juice (do not overmix). Cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and lemon juice. Refrigerate 1/2 cup for garnish. Spread remaining cream cheese mixture into shell; top with lemon filling. Chill overnight. Place reserved cream cheese mixture in a pastry bag with a #21 star tip; pipe stars onto pie. Store in the refrigerator.
Yield: 6-8 servings

1falcoursweyr@angelfire.com

Apple Cream Pie


4 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP lemon juice
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups cold milk, divided
1 pkg (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
1/4 cup apricot preserves or strawberry jelly, melted

In a large skillet, saute apples, sugar and lemon juice in butter until apples are tender. Cool. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth; gradually beat in 1 cup milk, dry pudding mix and lemon peel. Add remaining milk; beat until thickened. Spread into pastry shell. Arrange apples over filling. Brush with preserves. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Brush with additional preserves if desired.
Yield: 6-8 servings.

Recipe and Image from Brenda's Recipe Page

Pineapple Zucchini Bread


3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups zucchini, shredded
1 8 1/4 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup currants or raisins
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350*F.
Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until thick.
Stir in zucchini, pineapple, flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and nuts.
Blend well.
Pour into two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

YIELD: 2 loaves

Corned Beef & Cabbage


3 to 4 lb. corned beef brisket with spice packet
(If corned beef did not come with a spice packet, use 1/2 tsp. dill weed plus salt & pepper to taste.)
4 medium potatoes - cut into chunks
3 large carrots, sliced or 1 cup baby carrots
l large white sweet onion - cut in half crosswise, then into thick slices
1 head cabbage - cut into wedges
2 cups water
1/4 cup honey
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. Dijon-style mustard

Preparation -
Place the corned beef in a dutch oven or a stock pot; cover with water. Add the spices. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for about 2 to 3 hours or until tender. Add the potatoes, carrots and onion. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes longer or until the vegetables are barely tender. Meanwhile - combine the honey, mustard and brown sugar. Add to the corned beef along with the cabbage wedges, and cook 20 minutes longer. Remove the corned beef. Slice it across the grain. Place on a large serving platter with the cabbage and other vegetables.
Crockpot Directions -
Place the corned beef in a crockpot; Add the spice packet, potatoes, carrots, onion, and 1 cup water. Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours. Add the cabbage and 1 cup water; push down into the liquid as much as possible. Cook on low for an additional 2-1/2 to 3 hours.

CARROT CAKE WITH LEMON CHEESE


1 c. raisins
Boiling water
2 1/3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. Crisco
3 eggs
3/4 c. milk
2 c. shredded carrots
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover raisins with boiling water; let stand 5 minutes; drain. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat sugar, shortening and eggs until fluffy. Add flour mixture and milk. Beat 2 minutes. Stir in carrots, raisins and nuts. Spread into greased and floured pan (13 x 9 inch). Bake 35 minutes. Cool completely. Frost with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.

FROSTING:

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand condensed milk
2 egg yolks
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
Yellow food coloring
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

In heavy saucepan, combine milk, egg yolks, lemon juice and cook over medium heat stirring rapidly until thickened for 5-7 minutes. Stir in vanilla and food coloring. Chill at least 2 hours. In small bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in lemon mixture until smooth.

CRANBERRY FREEZE


1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1/4 c. lemon juice
Nuts
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip

Freeze.

APRICOT CHEESECAKE

1 can (30 oz.) apricot halves, drained, reserve syrup
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 (4 1/2 oz.) whipped topping

Combine 1/2 cup syrup and gelatin. Stir over low heat until dissolved. Blend apricots in blender. Combine apricots and gelatin mixture. Beat cheese, milk and lemon juice. Stir in apricot mixture. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into graham cracker crust

Homemade Apple Sauce


8 McIntosh or Rome Beauty apples (about 8 cups), peeled and chopped
3 cups water
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Place chopped apples in a deep pot. Add water, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, or until the apples begin to break down. Lower to a simmer and cook 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are completely soft. Stir well with a spoon until a thick sauce forms.

Leave a few lumps and bumps in it or puree it in a blender for a smooth finish. Make sure to let it cool first before pouring it the blender! Otherwise it will blow the cover off. Not that it has happened to me.

Let the sauce cool before serving.

Posted on Serious Eats.
Posted by Susan from Food Blogg

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Sausage Gravy


INGREDIENTS:

1 pound sausage
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk
Salt and black pepper to taste
8 prepared biscuits

DIRECTIONS:
1. Crumble and cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in flour until dissolved. Gradually stir in milk. Cook gravy until thick and bubbly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over biscuits. Refrigerate leftovers.

Baked Beans


Ingredients

- 1 lg can pork n beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup catsup
- 1-1/2 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 lb bacon, cut in small cubes


Preparation

To beans add (cooked chopped onions and bacon )

Put all the other ingredients in a bowl. Mix them, then add about one quart boiling water. Mix well, then pour this mixture over the beans. Add enough boiling water to cover the beans by 1/2".

Cover the dish with a lid or foil, sealing the edges well. Bake at 250° F for about 7 hours. (You may bake at 300° F for 6 hours.)

While the beans are baking, check them every 2 hours to make sure the liquid is not below 1/2" from the top of the beans. If lower, add more boiling water to bring the liquid level to 1/2". Do not add more liquid for the final 2 hours of cooking.

Serve with franks and freshly baked bread.

Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole


Ingredients

5-1/2 lbs (2.5 kg). sweet potatoes, boiled tender, skinned
8 oz (224 grm). margarine
1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice concentrate
8 oz (224 grm). brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) grated orange rind

Topping:

2 oz (56 grm). margarine
7 oz (196 grm). brown sugar
2 oz (56 grm). milk
4 oz (112 grm). pecan pieces

Preparation

Put potatoes in mixer and add 8 oz (224 grm). margarine, orange juice concentrate, brown sugar, and orange rind.
Blend well.
Put into large greased casserole dish.
Into a saucepan put topping ingredients.
Bring to boil stirring constantly till thickened.
Pour over sweet potatoes in casserole.
Bake at 400 degrees (200 C.) for 20 to 30 minutes.

RUMAKI


Ingredients

2 cans water chestnuts drained whole or sliced
1 lb (.5 kg) bacon
1 c brown sugar
toothpicks
Marinade:
1/4 c oil
1/4 c soy sauce
2 T catsup
1 T vinegar
1/4 t vinegar
2 cloves crushed garlic

Preparation

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees (200 C.) F.
Cut whole water Chestnuts in half.
Put chestnuts in marinade for about 30 minutes.
Cut the bacon strips in half & then take 1 half or 2 sliced chestnuts & roll bacon around, secure with toothpick & roll in brown sugar.
Bake* for about 20 min turning occassonaly.
*bake on foil wrapped deep cookie sheet.
For best results place on cooling rack while baking these are pretty fatty & delicious

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Cake


Ingredients

2/3 cup (150 ml) cocoa
1/2 cup (125 ml) boiling water
2-1/2 cups (600 ml) sifted cake flour
1-1/4 tsp (6 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
1/2 cup (125 ml) butter
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (475 ml) sugar
3 egg yolks
1 cup (225 ml) sour milk (See Note)
3 egg whites, beaten to stiff, not dry,peaks

Seven-Minute Frosting:

1-1/2 cups (350 ml) sugar
1/3 cup (80 ml) water
2 egg whites
1 tbsp (15 ml) light corn syrup
1/8 tsp (1 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
3 oz (84 grm). unsweetened chocolate (optional)

Preparation

Mix cocoa and water together; set aside to cool.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together; set aside.
Cream butter with vanilla; gradually add sugar creaming thoroughly. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating throughly after each addition. Add cocoa mixture and beat until well blended.
Beating only until blended after each addition, alternately add dry ingredients in thirds and sour milk in halves to cream mixture.
Fold in beaten egg whites.
Turn batter into 2 prepared 9-inch layer cake pans and spread evenly to edges.
Bake at 375 degrees (200 C.) 25 to 30 minutes, or until cake tests done.
Cool in pan on a wire rack about 10 minutes.
Then run spatula gently around sides of pan.
Cover cake with wire rack and invert.
Lift off pan and immediately turn cake right side up on wire rack.
Cool completely.
Fill and frost with frosting below.

Seven-Minute Frosting:

Combine all ingredients except vanilla in the top of a double boiler; beat with hand rotary or electic beater until blended.
Place over boiling water; beat constantly until mixture will hold peaks.
Remove from water; add vanilla.
Beat until cool and thick enough to spread.

For Seven- Minute Chocolate Frosting: Melt 3 ounces (3 squares) unsweetened chocolate and set aside to cool. Follow recipe above; blend in chocolate when mixture holds peaks.

Comments
Note: Add 2 T. vinegar or lemon juice to 1 pint milk. Allow to stand at room temperture 30 minutes, then return to refrigerator.

Source:
American Family Cookbook (Culinary Arts Institute)

Apricot Delight


Ingredients:

2 cans (5-1/2 ounces each) apricot nectar, divided
1 package (.3 ounces) sugar-free orange gelatin
1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
1 loaf (5 ounces) angel food cake, cubed
1 can (15 ounces) reduced-sugar apricot halves, drained and sliced

Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1 cup apricot nectar on high for 50-60 seconds or until hot. Sprinkle gelatin over hot nectar; stir until gelatin is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine remaining apricot nectar and enough water to measure 1-1/4 cups; whisk in pudding mix and milk powder for 1-2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Whisk in cooled gelatin; fold in whipped topping and cake.
Pour into an 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. dish. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Garnish with apricot slices. Yield: 8 servings

RECIPE FROM: Light & Tasty mAGAZINE

Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and
fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in
vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the
creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each
addition. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, cinnamon and remaining sugar,.
Spread half of the batter into a well-greased 10-inch tube pan with
removable bottom. Top with apple slices; sprinkle with half of the nut
mixture. Top with remaining batter and nut mixture. Bake at 375° for 40 to
50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to
loosen. Lift cake with removable bottom from pan. Cool completely. Before
serving, carefully remove cake from pan bottom.


Recipe from Taste of Home's Magazine
Submitted by Oriana Churchill,
Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Oven Barbecued Chicken


3/4 cup catsup
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons instant onions
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup water
4 chicken breasts
Combine above ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes. In a 9x13 inch Pyrex dish, arrange chicken skin side up. Pour sauce over chicken. Bake at 350° for 60 minutes. Baste midway. Nana's Tip: Skinless, boneless chicken breasts will work for this recipe. If you use skinless chicken, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Use less vinegar to suit your tastes.

As an alternative, substitute 1/4 cup of white wine for the 1/4 cup of vinegar

Recipe from: Nana's Kitchen

Oven Fried Fish

Weight Watcher Points – 2 points*
Makes 6 servings

1/2 cup crushed corn flakes
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash of pepper
1 pound catfish or other fish fillets
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon skim milk
Vegetable cooking spray

Combine corn flakes, celery salt, onion powder, paprika and pepper in a shallow dish. Dip fillets in milk' dredge with cereal mixture. Place fillets in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees or until fish is lightly browned and flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Chocolate Fudge


4 1/2 cups of sugar
1 large can of canned milk
3 packages (6 oz. each) chocolate chips
1/2 lb. of butter or margarine
2 heaping tablespoons marshmallow cream
2 cups of chopped nuts
2 teaspoons of vanilla
one pinch of salt
In a large pan mix 4 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 large can of canned milk. Bring to a full boil. Boil 6 1/2 minutes, stir to keep from scorching.

Quickly add to above mixture, 3 (6 ounce) packages chocolate chips, 1/2 pound butter or margarine (cut into pieces), 2 heaping tablespoons marshmallow cream.

Mix until all chocolate chips and butter is melted, and the marshmallow cream disappears. Add 2 cups chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Spread into a 9x13 or 10x14 buttered pan. (If you prefer a thicker piece of fudge use the 9x13 pan.) Cool in refrigerator. Allow to stand at room temperature after cooling for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into bite size squares.

Nana's Tip: Some folks have reported that their fudge did not fully thicken. I think that today's chocolate chips are not of the same consistency as chips made in 1943 -- when the recipe was created. Try adding an extra six ounces of chips, that should solve the problem. My Motto: More chocolate is always better!

RECIPE FROM: Nana's Kitchen

Rocky Road Candy


2 tablespoons butter
2 packages (6 oz.) chocolate chips
1 can Eagle Brand milk (or equivalent condensed milk)
2 cups chopped nuts
1 package (10 oz.) miniature marshmallows
In a very large bowl or eight quart pan, mix nuts and marshmallows, set aside. In a separate pan melt chocolate chips, butter and milk over low heat. Pour over nuts and marshmallow mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Line a 9x13 pan with waxed paper. Place Rocky Road mixture into pan and press evenly. Allow to cool, cut into bite size pieces.

From the kitchen of Margaret (Perry) Rupnow
NAN'S KITCHEN

Tuna Melt


1 (6 ounce) can white albacore tuna packed in water (drained)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons chopped dried onions or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped onions
1 medium stalk celery and 1/4 bell pepper finely chopped together, to make 1/2 cup
2 English muffins cut and lightly toasted
4 slices of any kind of cheese or 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Pre-heat oven to 400°. Mix tuna with all ingredients. Spread tuna mixture evenly on to lightly toasted muffins.

Place tuna-topped muffins in an 11x7 inch baking dish. Heat in oven for 10 -15 minutes. Remove from oven, top with your choice of cheese.

Increase oven temperature to broil. When broiling heat is achieved, place muffins under broiler on middle rack for about 1 and

Cherry Crunch


1 can cherry pie filling
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 pkg. white cake mix.
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pie filling in bottom of a 8 or 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Combine dry cake mix, nuts and butter. Sprinkle over pie filling. Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden brown. Serve with ice cream.

"Recipes for Moms from Moms," Hillside Covenant Church, Walnut Creek, CA.

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