cooking

Peach Cobbler

1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups fresh peaches
1 cup sweet anne cherries - pitted (optional)
1 additionall cup or less sugar depending on the sweetness of your peaches

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add peaches with sugar to a pan and heat gently, adjusting sugar to taste.

Melt butter in 10″ baking dish. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the vanilla and milk, stir in until blended. Spoon over melted butter.

Spoon warmed peaches over batter. Sprinkle cherries if using over top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven 30 - 35 minutes until crust is golden brown. Crust will rise to the top and lightly brown.

Serve warm of cold.

Traveling in Amish Country

Lemon Chicken with Mushrooms

* 4 boneless chicken breast halves, skin removed
* 1/3 cup flour
* 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/8 teaspoon paprika
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 tablespoon butter
* salt
* 4 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms
* 4 green onions sliced
* 2 tablespoons dry Marsala wine or a dry Chardonnay
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

PREPARATION:
Place chicken breast halves between sheets of plastic wrap; gently pound to thin to an even thickness. Combine flour, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a plastic food storage bag. Add chicken and coat well; shake excess flour mixture off.
Sponsored Links

In large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sauté chicken breasts for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turn and sprinkle with a little salt. Place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm.

Add mushrooms to the skillet with a little more butter, if needed. Sauté for 3 minutes, until browned and tender. Add green onions and sauté 1 minute longer. Add Marsala wine and lemon juice; simmer for 1 minute. Put chicken back in skillet; simmer for 1 minute longer.

Arrange chicken on platter; pour sauce and mushrooms over the chicken and garnish with a little chopped parsley.

Serves 4.

Scalloped Corn

1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
5 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cups soft bread crumbs
2 cans (8-1/2 ounces each) cream-style corn
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
2 eggs
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

In a large skillet, saute green pepper and onion in 4 tablespoons butter until tender. Stir
in the soft bread crumbs, corn and eggs. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish.
Melt the remaining butter; toss with dry bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake,
uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Yield: 5 servings."

Cheesy Turnip Bake

Serves: 6

4 large turnips — sliced, chopped, or grated
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon onion — minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley — chopped

Prepare turnips, (I used parboiled, frozen diced turnips, thawed, and pulsed in food processor until coarsely chopped.) Place in a greased shallow 2-qt. baking dish.

In a small saucepan, heat butter, onion, garlic, salt, thyme and pepper until the butter is melted. Drizzle over potatoes. Mix together and mix in cheeses. Sprinkle more cheese over all. Cover and bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender.

Author unknown- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cheesy Turnip Bake

Serves: 6

4 large turnips — sliced, chopped, or grated
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon onion — minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley — chopped

Prepare turnips, (I used parboiled, frozen diced turnips, thawed, and pulsed in food processor until coarsely chopped.) Place in a greased shallow 2-qt. baking dish.

In a small saucepan, heat butter, onion, garlic, salt, thyme and pepper until the butter is melted. Drizzle over potatoes. Mix together and mix in cheeses. Sprinkle more cheese over all. Cover and bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender.

-Unknown - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Asparagus in Puff Pastry

2 cups water
24 fresh asparagus spears (about 1 pound), trimmed
1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. ( 17-1/4 oz.) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
1/4 cup egg substitute

In a large nonstick skillet, bring water to a boil. Add
asparagus; cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain asparagus
and immediately place in ice water; drain and pat dry. In
a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and salt until smooth;
set aside. Unfold the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Cut each sheet in half widthwise. For each rectangle,
spread cream cheese mixture lengthwise over half of the
dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Arrange 2 rows of 3
asparagus spears lengthwise in a single layer over cream
cheese. Brush edges of dough with some of the egg
substitute; fold dough over filling and press edges together
to seal. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut widthwise
into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Place 1 inch apart on a baking
sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Brush with
remaining egg substitute. Bake @425 deg. for 8-12
minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

From: Joannelen Cooking@groups.msn.com

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered
peanut butter cups, unwrapped
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
3. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
4. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Black Walnut Cake

1 cup chopped black or English walnuts
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

FROSTING:
1-3/4 cups sugar
4 egg whites
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, toss walnuts with 1/4 cup flour; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; mix well.
Combine the baking powder, salt and remaining flour; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in the reserved nut mixture.
Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, egg whites, water and cream of tartar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low speed over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 9 minutes.
Pour into a large mixing bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high speed until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes. Frost the cake. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Apricot Cranberry Cake

3 cups biscuit/baking mix
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup (8 ounces) plain yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup chopped almonds

GLAZE:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine the biscuit mix and sugar. In another bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt, orange juice, oil and almond extract. Stir into biscuit mixture just until combined. Fold in the cranberries, apricots and almonds.
Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. In a bowl, combine the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake. Yield: 12-16 servings
From Quick Cooking

14-Karat Cake

1-1/3 cups sugar

2 eggs
2 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup golden raisins
6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons flaked coconut, toasted

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients until smooth. Combine the flours, baking soda, salt and spices; add to the egg mixture and mix well. Stir in carrots and raisins. Pour into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Beat in sugar. Frost the cake. Sprinkle with walnuts and coconut. Refrigerate. Yield: 18 servings
From Light & Tasty

Cranberry Nut Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat egg, orange juice and peel; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Add the cranberries and walnuts.
Spoon batter into a greased and floured 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 loaf.
From Taste of Home

Amish Pudding

7 c. milk
3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
5 eggs, beaten
3 tbsp. vanilla

CRUMBS:
1-1/2 package or 34 graham crackers
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter

Bring milk to a boil, remove from burner, mix cornstarch, flour, sugar, add beaten egg, mix until smooth. Add to milk stirring constantly, set back on burner (medium heat). Bring to a boil again stirring constantly until smooth, add vanilla, set aside to cool.

Put graham crackers in a plastic bag. Crush with a rolling pin. Put in a dish add sugar and butter, mix well. Press crumbs in a 13 x 9 pan. Let set for 1 hour. Pour in cooled pudding. Top with whipped topping. Can also add bananas.
Stan in PA

Orange Crunch Cake

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest (colored portion of the peel)
Juice and grated zest (colored portion of the peel) of 1 lemon
5 eggs
3 cups sifted cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans

Syrup
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup orange juice

Procedures:
Generously butter and flour a 10-inch tube or Bundt pan and set aside.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Stir in orange and lemon zest and lemon juice. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly and scraping down sides of mixing bowl with rubber spatula between each addition.

In a large bowl, sift flour again, along with baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed butter mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.

Sprinkle pecans into bottom of prepared pan. Pour batter into pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 1 hour or until cake tests done. Remove from oven and place pan on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.

Prepare glaze: Place butter, sugar and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pierce cake with a fork and pour hot glaze over warm cake. Let cake cool completely before releasing from pan.

Nancy's Kitchen

Marinated Pork Roast

1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup grated onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 boneless whole pork loin roast (2 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar

1. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first six ingredients; add pork roast. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, turning several times.

2. Drain and discard marinade. Place roast on a rack in a shallow, foil-lined roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 25 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, combine the wine or broth, honey and brown sugar. Brush half over the meat. Bake 15 minutes longer. Brush with remaining honey mixture. Bake 10-20 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 160°F. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Light and Tasty Magazine

Potato Stroganoff Casserole

1 1/3 c. water
2 tbl. Butter
½ c. milk
1 ½ c. instant mashed potato flakes
1 to ½ lb. ground beef
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 (8 oz. pkg.) brown gravy mix
½ c. water
1 – 2 (5 oz.) jar(s) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 c. sour cream
¼ tsp. dill week
paprika to taste

Heat oven to 350 ºF. In medium saucepan, combine 1 1/3 c. water and butter. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add milk and potato flakes. Stir and set aside. In large skillet, brown beef and onion. Drain. Add gravy mix, 1.2 c. water and mushrooms. Cook and stir until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and dill weed/ Spoon into ungreased 1 ½ qt. casserole. Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 ºF for 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
NANCY'S KITCHEN

Butterscotch Haystacks

Fun holiday goodies...fun to make and delicious, too!

1 can Chow Mein noodles
1 12-oz. pkg. butterscotch morsels
1 cup salted peanuts
Medium microwave safe bowl
Waxed paper Cookie sheet
Directions

In medium microwave dish, melt butterscotch chips. It is best to heat for 30 seconds, then stir, repeating this process until morsels are completely melted. Stir in peanuts. Gently fold in noodles until coated with butterscotch. Drop by spoonful onto waxed paper cookie sheet. Flash chill in freezer while you prepare the next cookie sheet. Hint: have a cup of water handy to dip "pushing" finger into between spoonfuls.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

This is a chocolate shortbread recipe. You may use any tender cookie recipe. You merely need a cookie that crumbles when bit rather than squishing the ice cream out. Both sugar cookies and shortbread cookies make excellent ice cream sandwiches. The shortbread cookies from our Tally Nut Sandies work well as do the chocolate and vanilla sugar cookies from The American Classic Sugar Cookie Kit.

3 one-ounce squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 dash salt
4 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour

Ice cream

Directions

1. Melt the chocolate and one tablespoon butter in the microwave. Set aside.
2. Cream the remaining butter and powdered sugar together. Add the salt.
3. Add the four egg yolks, beating after each. Add the vanilla.
4. Add the flour in three parts, beating after each addition.
5. Scrape the dough onto a large sheet of waxed paper. Pat the dough into a square or round log. Wrap it in waxed paper and smooth the edges into a uniform log. Refrigerate the log for at least an hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the dough into 3/16-inch thick slices. Place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for eight to ten minutes or just until set. Cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, place the cookies in the freezer to chill.
7. Once the cookies have chilled, fill them with slightly softened ice cream. The top sides of the cookies should be facing out. Place the sandwiches in the freezer until they are completely firm.

FROM: THE PREPARED PANTRY

Caramel Cake

Caramel Cake Recipe
Paula Deen

For the cake:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
3 cups sifted self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the filling:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream, or more if needed
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, optional


For the cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add granulated sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4-inches above counter dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

For the filling:
While cake is baking, in a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate. Pierce cake layer with a toothpick over entire surface. Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with last layer and repeat process again.

*Cook's Note: As I stack layers together, I stick them with toothpicks to prevent cake from shifting.

For the frosting:
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil, and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat with a handheld electric mixer until it reaches a spreading consistency. At this time it may be necessary to add a tablespoon of heavy cream, or more, if frosting gets too thick. Just be sure to add cream is small amounts because you can always "add to", but you can't take away. Frost cake and sprinkle top with chopped nuts, if desired.

Artichoke-Cheese Braids

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup drained finely chopped artichoke hearts (from 14-oz can), patted dry with paper towels
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimiento, drained, patted dry with paper towels
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix artichokes, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and the mayonnaise.
2. Unroll dough and separate into 2 long rectangles; place crosswise on opposite ends of ungreased large cookie sheet. Press each into 11x4 1/2-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.
3. Spoon half of artichoke mixture lengthwise down center of each rectangle in 1 1/2-inch-wide strip. Top each evenly with pimiento.
4. On long sides of each rectangle, make 15 cuts about 3/4 inch apart almost to edge of artichoke mixture. For braided appearance, fold strips of dough at an angle halfway across artichoke mixture with ends of strips slightly overlapping, alternating from side to side; pinch to seal.
5. Bring ends of each braid together to form ring; press ends together to seal. Carefully brush tops of rings with egg; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake 13 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Carefully loosen braids from cookie sheet with wide spatula; slide onto serving plate. Cut between strips into thin slices; serve warm.

Cranberry Fluff Fruit Dip with Fruit Wreath

Dip
1 (7-oz.) jar marshmallow creme
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup frozen cranberry-orange sauce, thawed
Fruit Wreath
1 bunch curly endive
2 red apples, sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 small clusters seedless red grapes
3 small clusters seedless green grapes
5 or 6 strawberries
1 star fruit, sliced, if desired
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. In small bowl, combine marshmallow creme and cream cheese; beat until smooth. Stir in cranberry-orange sauce.
2. Line large platter with endive leaves. Place bowl of dip in center. Dip apple slices in lemon juice; arrange in circle about 1 inch from edge of plate, overlapping slices. Arrange grapes and strawberries on apples randomly around dip. Tuck slices of star fruit among other fruit. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over endive

Honey-Mustard Drummies

The perfect party snack -- easy and delicious!

INGREDIENTS
20 chicken wing drumettes
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons soy sauce

DIRECTIONS
1. In ungreased 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish, arrange chicken drumettes in single layer.
2. In 1-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, combine honey, mustard and soy sauce; mix well. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. Stir until well blended. Drizzle honey mixture over chicken, brushing as necessary to coat chicken. If desired, cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours.
3. Heat oven to 375°F. Uncover dish; turn chicken drumettes. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is tender, glazed and no longer pink next to bone, turning chicken once halfway through baking time.
4. Just before serving, brush with honey mixture from dish.

Sharp Cheddar Cheesecake

Cheesecake
2/3 cup crushed crisp rye or pumpernickel crackers
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 eggs
8 oz. (2 cups) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers (from 7.25-oz. jar)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Garnish
Green onion curls, if desired
Roasted red bell peppers, cut into shapes with cutters, if desired

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine crushed crackers and butter; mix well. Press evenly in bottom of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350°F. for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add cream, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and eggs; beat until smooth and well blended. Stir in shredded cheese, roasted peppers and 1/4 cup green onions; mix well. Spread over partially baked crust.
3. Bake at 350°F. for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool 30 minutes.
4. Loosen edges of cheesecake with small metal spatula or knife. Cool an additional 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
5. To serve, carefully remove sides of pan. Place cheesecake on serving platter. Garnish with green onion curls and roasted pepper cutouts. Surround cheesecake with apple and pear slices or assorted crackers.

Crescent-Wrapped Cranberry and Brie

INGREDIENTS
1 (8-oz.) can Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
1 (8-oz.) round Brie cheese
3 tablespoons whole berry cranberry sauce or cranberry chutney
1 tablespoon chopped pecans
1 egg, beaten
8 small seedless red or green grape clusters
1 pear, unpeeled, sliced
1 apple, unpeeled, sliced

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll crescent roll dough. Separate dough crosswise into 2 sections. Press dough to form 2 squares, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Cut corners off both dough squares and reserve to use for cutouts. Place 1 dough round on sprayed cookie sheet.
2. Cut cheese crosswise into 2 equal layers. Place bottom half of cheese on center of dough circle on cookie sheet. Spread cranberry sauce over cheese. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Top with remaining cheese half. Bring dough up around side of cheese, pressing and pinching dough.
3. With small cookie or canapé cutter, cut shapes from reserved corners of dough; set aside. Place remaining dough on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around side of cheese. Brush dough with beaten egg. Top with cutouts; brush with additional beaten egg.
4. Bake at 350°F. for 20 to 30 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool 15 minutes before serving. To serve, place warm pastry-wrapped cheese on platter. Arrange fruit around cheese.

Chutney-Glazed Meatballs

Meatballs
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 cup Plain Bread Crumbs
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
Sauce
1/2 cup chutney
1/2 cup ketchup
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon grated ginger root

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients; mix well. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Place in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
2. Bake at 375°F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until meatballs are browned and thoroughly cooked in center.
3. In large saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients; mix well. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Add meatballs to sauce; stir to coat. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.