Pull Apart Apple Ring

I have been making this recipe for many years.  It is a sticky yummy bite of goodness!

When the original recipe came out back in the 1980's, it called for Hungry Jack Biscuits.  However, I can no longer find those in my grocery store.  Also, it is sometimes difficult to find the Grand Junior Biscuits.  I have noted the variations in my recipe below.
  

1/2 cup apple jelly
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 large apple, peeled
2 - 16.4 oz cans Pillsbury Grands Original Flaky Biscuits (8 biscuits in each can).You will only need a total of 10 biscuits OR you may use 2 - 12-oz cans Pillsbury Grands Junior Golden Layers refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits per can)  You will need all 20 biscuits.
6TBS melted butter  

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-cup tube cake pan. Spoon apple jelly evenly over bottom of greased pan; sprinkle with nuts.

In small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Cut apple into quarters; remove core. Slice each quarter into 5 slices. 

Separate dough into 20 biscuits (If you use the Original Grands Biscuits, you will need to cut 10 biscuits in 1/2.  If you use the Grands Juniors, you do not have to cut them in 1/2, just use all 20 biscuits); flatten each slightly.

Wrap 1 biscuit around each apple slice; pinch edges to seal and completely cover apple slice. Dip each in butter; roll in brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Stand biscuits on end in greased pan. Drizzle with any remaining butter; sprinkle with any remaining brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool upright in pan 8 minutes; invert onto serving plate. Spoon any additional topping over baked ring. Serve warm.

Source:  Pillsbury - Simply from Scratch

Janice

Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars

I was looking for an easy quick dessert that didn't make a large pan.  This was perfect.  Delicious, too! 

1 1/2 cups cold butter (1 stick)
1 pouch (1lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker Oatmeal cookie mix
1 egg
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2 tsp lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray the bottom and sides of an 8 x 8 pan with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl cut the cold butter into the cookie mix using a fork or pastry blender.

Stir in the egg until the mixture is crumbly.

Press half of the dough into the bottom of the greased pan and bake for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, stir the sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest and lemon juice until thick.

Spread lemon mixture over baked crust and evenly crumble remaining dough on the top.

Bake another 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  Let cool and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.  Cut into bars and store in refrigerator.


Source: www.BettyCrocker.com

Janice

Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

I made these meatballs and sauce for meatball bombers.  I don't think I will ever buy a jar of spaghetti sauce ever again.  This was so easy and delicious!  I doubled the sauce recipe so I could freeze some for later.  I didn't have to double the meatballs because it made plenty.

Sauce:
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 TBS olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Meatballs:
4 slices white bread, torn into pieces
1/2 cup water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1 pound lean ground beef or ground chuck
2 tsp olive oil

In a large saucepan, cook onion in oil until tender.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40-50 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak bread in water for 5 minutes.  Squeeze out excess liquid.  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, Parmesan, garlic, basil, parsley, salt and bread.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  (go ahead and use your hands)  Shape into 1 to 1 1/2  inch balls.  Because I was making the meatballs for bombers, I made them about 1 1/2 inches (the meatballs will shrink a little when cooked).  I used a large Pampered Chef scoop (about 3 TBS) and made 20 meatballs. 

In a large nonstick skillet, add 2 tsp of oil.  Brown the meatballs in batches over medium heat. Continue to turn the meatballs so they are browned completely.  Be gentle as the meatballs are very tender.

Remove the meatballs from the skillet.  Drain the fat.  Return meatballs to the skillet.  Cover with the sauce.  Return to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink.  Gently, stir occasionally.  You may need to add a little water if the sauce gets too thick.   However, make sure you don't break up the meatballs.   If all of your sauce does not fit in the skillet with the meatballs, just simmer the remaining sauce in the other saucepan.  (The original recipe said to add the meatballs to the pot of sauce.  However, I modified the recipe and simmered some sauce separately with the meatballs because the meatballs were so tender and I didn't want them to fall apart in a large pot of sauce.)  

You may serve over the top of pasta or serve on toasted bomber buns as I did.  Sprinkle meatballs bombers with shredded Mozzarella cheese.

Source:  Light And Tasty - June/July 2006 (revised)

Janice

Bunny Butt Cake

My Mom and I have been making a bunny cake for years.  However, when I saw this Bunny Butt Cake I thought it was so adorable I just had to make it!   



1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix (I used Dark Chocolate)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

1 container Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy vanilla frosting
(I used Betty Crocker Home-Style Fluffy White Frosting - 7.2 oz box.  This frosting is a sticky marshmallow-type frosting similar to the traditional '7 Minute Frosting') 

1-2 large marshmallows, cut in half

3 cups shredded coconout
Green food color

4 strawberry or cherry stretchy and tangy taffy candies (I used Laffy Taffy)

2-4 rolls Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups punch berry chewy fruit snack (punch berry is orange)

Chocolate wafer cookies, crushed (I used chocolate Teddy Graham Cookies)

Green colored sour candies, separated into strips (I used Rips)

Pink construction paper

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 1 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl (8 inches across top) with shortening; coat with flour (do not use cooking spray). Lightly grease 3 (I made 4) muffin cups in regular-size muffin pan (see note below).

Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour cake batter in 3 (or 4) muffin cups, filling two-thirds full. Pour remaining batter into 1 1/2-quart bowl.

Bake cupcakes 17 to 21 minutes, bowl 47 to 53 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cakes from muffin cups and bowl; place rounded sides up on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour. If necessary, cut off rounded tops of cakes.

Place bowl cake on platter cut side down; spread 1/3 cup frosting over cake. Use frosting to adhere cupcakes to bowl cake for feet and bunny tail. Use toothpicks if necessary. Place marshmallow halves, cut sides down, on tops of 2 cupcakes to make heels of feet. (I needed to use two halves per foot) Spread thin layer of frosting over side and top of cake to seal in crumbs. Freeze cake 30 to 45 minutes to set frosting.

Spread remaining frosting over cake. Sprinkle with 2 cups of the coconut; press gently to adhere. Shake 1 cup coconut and 3 drops green food color in tightly covered jar until evenly tinted. Surround bunny with tinted coconut. Use rolling pin to press strawberry candies into 2 large rectangles (I made 4 rectangles). Cut 2 large ovals and 6 small circles out of candy. Press onto bottoms of bunny feet, using frosting if needed.  Sprinkle crushed cookies (dirt) around and on the bunny’s feet.

Cut fringe in the green sour candies.  Place the green candies at the edge of the fruit roll-ups and roll them up together to form a carrot.  Cut ears from construction paper; insert into cake. Remember to remove toothpicks before serving. Store loosely covered.

 

 

    

(this picture is before I added the 2nd marshmallow to the feet)

Note: I know the bunny’s head is supposed to be in the ground, however, I made 4 cupcakes because the poor bunny didn’t have a head at all.  I cut the cupcake in half and placed the halves side-by-side to make it look like the top of his head.  Also…I needed something to attach the ears to! 

The only fruit roll-ups I could find had printed jokes on them.  To remove the black print, I dipped paper towel in vanilla extract and rubbed gently in a circular motion.

To make the pink pads on the bunny's feet, I put the unwrapped pieces of Laffy Taffy onto waxed paper and microwaved for about 4 seconds.  Then I placed the candy between waxed paper and rolled with a rolling pin.  To cut out the 6 small circles, I used the cap from a vanilla extract bottle.  However, I still had to trim them down to make them a bit smaller.

Source:  Betty Crocker

Janice

Crockpot Chicken Stroganoff

An easy dish your whole family will enjoy.     

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3 to 4 lbs), cut into 2 inch pieces
3 tablespoons melted butter 
1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix or Ranch dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 TBS parsley
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
1/2 cup milk
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 16 ounce container sour cream

Cooked egg noodles
2 to 4 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

Place chicken breasts in bottom of large slow cooker that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Toss chicken with butter, spices and dressing mix. Add sliced mushrooms.  In a bowl whisk together wine (or stock), milk, soup, and sour cream until smooth. Pour over chicken and toss to coat. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

About a half hour before stroganoff is done cooking, mix together 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup flour.  Mix until the flour is dissolved into the water.  Add to crockpot.  Stir well.  This will thicken the stroganoff to make more of a gravy. 

Serve over noodles with parsley on top.
 

Makes 8 servings

Source:  Cooking with Amy - Channel 11

www.fox11online.com

 

Eileen

English Muffin Bread

I have been making this bread for years.  It's so much better than the store-bought English Muffins. However, this bread must be toasted as cold un-toasted English Muffins are not very flavorful.

While toast is warm, spread with butter and some strawberry jam...delish!

6 cups flour (divided: 3 cups and 3 cups)
2 pkgs Active Dry Yeast
1 TBS sugar
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water

Cornmeal for dusting on top of bread

Combine 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and soda.  Mix well.
Heat milk and water until warm.  Add to dry mixture.  Using a mixer, beat well.
Stir in the remaining 3 cups flour to make a stiff batter.  (It will be very stiff).

Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.  Spoon the bread batter into the pans.   (Instead of a spoon, I use my hands.  First, I spray my hands with cooking spray as this is very sticky.)

Sprinkle tops of bread lightly with cornmeal.  Cover bread with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray (Pam).  Let raise for 45 minutes.   

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.  Remove from pans immediately and let cool.

Janice

Dark Chocolate Peanut-Butter Bars

These bars are great when you want something different than the usual Rice Krispie bars.  The salty pretzels and the sweet chocolate and peanut butter are a great combination.

4 TBS unsalted butter
6 cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cups (12 oz) crunchy peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups mini pretzels or pretzel sticks, broken into pieces
1 cup (8 oz) dark chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup corn syrup

Line a 9x3 baking dish with parchment and coat with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add marshmallows and peanut butter to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is melted and beginning to bubble, about 3 minutes.

Remove pot from heat.  Stir in remaining ingredients until well combined. Transfer to prepared baking dish and smooth top using a spatula. Do not press into pan too hard. Cool to room temperature.

Use parchment to lift bars from baking dish. Transfer to cutting board and cut into squares to serve.

Source:  http://blog.madhungry.com/

Eileen

Strawberry Schaum Torte

These wonderful, lightly sweet and crunchy dessert shells are also called Meringues or Pavlova.  However, in Wisconsin, we call them Schaum Tortes.  Instead of a birthday cake, my family often requests this dessert. 

 

3 egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup white sugar

sliced strawberries, sweetened with a little sugar - set aside until juicy

vanilla ice cream

whipped cream

Heat oven to 275 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and vanilla in small mixer bowl until foamy.  Slowly beat in sugar (a tablespoon at a time).  Continue beating until stiff and glossy.  Do not under beat.  Drop meringues by 1/3 to 1/2 cupful onto parchment paper.  Shape into circles with the back of a spoon, building up the sides.  

Bake 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven; leave meringue in oven with door closed for 1 hour.  Finish cooling meringue at room temperature. 

Top with vanilla ice cream, sweetened strawberries and whipped cream.

**Tip:  When you separate your eggs, watch that not even a speck of yolk gets in there.  You also need a super clean mixing bowl.  Even the tiniest bit of fat will prevent your egg whites from whipping up properly.

Also, I do not recommend that you make these on a humid or rainy day.  They may become sticky and tough.

Serves 8-10

Source:  Betty Crocker

Eileen

Shiitake Hot and Sour Soup

I saw Ming Tsai make this delicious soup on his show "Simply Ming" and I knew I just had to make it.  He said this soup was designed for super immunity. The shiitake mushrooms along with the garlic, ginger, onions, and peppers all have immunity-boosting properties. Bolster your defenses against germs while enjoying this hearty dish.

1 TBS grape seed oil (or olive oil)

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

1 jalapeño, minced (remove membrane and seeds if you don't like it too spicy)

1 TBS minced ginger

7 garlic cloves, sliced

1 lb shiitakes, stems removed and tops 1/4-inch sliced

16 fresh Brussels sprouts, quartered 

2 1/2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth

2 TBS soy sauce

Juice of 2 lemons

1 block silken tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

3 cups shredded carrots

Freshly cracked black pepper

In a stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add chopped onion and cook til tender.  Add jalapeño, ginger and garlic. Sauté until aromatic, about 2-3 minutes. Add shiitakes and sauté and additional 2 minutes, until softened.  Add Brussels sprouts.

Add stock and soy sauce, bring to a simmer and cover and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes.  Add lemon juice, tofu and carrots and cook gently for 2 more minutes to heat tofu through. Season with black pepper.

If needed, you may add 2 TBS sugar.

Ladle soup into serving bowls and enjoy!

Serves 4

Source: Ming Tsai

Eileen

Chicken Biscuits

I received this recipe from a lady I used to babysit for...almost 30 years ago.  She set out the ingredients and asked me to make these for her kids one night for dinner.  I went home that night with my $1 an hour pay and a yummy recipe that I have made many, many times.  This is so easy and so delicious! 
I like to serve these Chicken Biscuits with Stove Top Stuffing, a green vegetable and a salad. I use a few tablespoons of the dry stuffing mix for my crushed croutons to sprinkle on top.




1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

2 (5 oz) cans chicken
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 TBS butter, melted
2 TBS milk
salt & pepper to taste

crushed dry bread crumbs or crushed seasoned croutons
2 TBS butter, melted

Mix together the chicken, cream cheese, 2 TBS melted butter, milk, salt and pepper.

Seal the crescent rolls to form 4 rectangles.  Top each rectangle with a fourth of the chicken mixture.  Fold up the corners to meet in the center.  Pinch edges to seal.

Brush the top of each chicken bundle with 2 TBS melted butter and sprinkle with crushed bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serves 4

Janice

Spice Cookies

So soft, moist and chewy.  These cookies are one of my family's favorites.  A cup of tea or a glass of milk and a couple of these cookies are sure to satisfy anyone.

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter.  Add the sugars and beat for 3-5 minutes.  Add the egg and vanilla, mix together.  Add molasses and beat for 20 seconds.

Sift together the dry ingredients.  Gradually, incorporate the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture (in about 3 batches).  Chill dough for 2-3 hours.

Roll dough into balls the size of a walnut (about 1 1/4 inches).  Place a 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl.  Roll the balls in the sugar to coat.

Place balls 2 inches apart onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Do not over bake.  Cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.  Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

Makes about 4 dozen

Eileen

Chicken Noodle Soup

Who doesn't love chicken noodle soup!?  This soup is our family's favorite. 

2 TBS butter
1 TBS olive oil
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, halved lengthwise and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
4 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 TBS flour
8 cups chicken stock (64 ounces)
1 bay leaf
Dash hot sauce (Tabasco)
Dash Worcestershire sauce
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, uncooked, cubed into bite-size pieces or
   2+ cups chicken breasts from a rotisserie chicken
8 ounces egg noodles, about 2 cups

Add any or all of the following:
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley (or you may use dill instead of parsley)
Sliced mushrooms
8 oz frozen peas
Kale (I usually add either peas or kale, not both)

Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil.  Add the onion, celery and carrots and saute until soft, about 4 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Stir in the chopped garlic and saute until fragrant, 1 minute more.  Whisk in the flour and stir frequently until it coats the vegetables and makes a paste.  Cook until it reaches a pale blonde color, about 2 minutes.  Gradually whisk in the chicken stock, making sure there are no lumps.  Add the bay leaf, hot sauce and Worcestershire and season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Let the soup simmer for 15 minutes to thicken and develop the flavors.

Reduce the heat and add the chicken and the noodles.  Do not boil the chicken or it will become tough.  Add the parsley, mushrooms, peas or kale and simmer gently for 10 more minutes. 

Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if needed.  Ladle into bowls and serve. 

Source: modified recipe from Pat and Gina Neely (TV Food Network)

Eileen 

Colorado Chili

I received this recipe from a co-worker several years ago.  It's a Mexican chili with a bit of a kick.  This is great served with a dollop of sour cream on top.

1 TBS vegetable oil or olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (4 oz) can diced jalapeno peppers (optional if you want it hot)
1 (4oz ) can chopped green chili peppers (these are not hot)
3 tsp ground cumin (only put in 1 1/2 tsp and add more to taste)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional if you want it hot)
1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth (add 2 cans of broth if chili is too thick)
6 oz water
5 oz Tequila (see note)
5 oz Red wine (see note)
3 cups cooked sirloin beef (see note)
3 (15 oz) cans white kidney beans, drained  (Cannellini beans)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.  Slowly cook and stir the onion until tender.  Mix in the garlic, jalapeno, green chili peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne.  Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes.  Mix in the beef broth, tequila, wine, water, cooked beef and beans.  Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Note: The recipe calls for Tequila and red wine, however, I use an additional can of beef broth instead.

Note: To cook the Sirloin, I use a 2 1/2  lb sirloin beef tip roast.  Cut into 3/4" cubes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Toss lightly in flour to coat.  Place in skillet on stove top and brown in 1 TBS oil on med-high heat.  Place sirloin, 1 sliced onion and 1 cup beef broth in crock pot.  Cook on Low 8 hours til tender.  I found that about 6 cups of raw meat cubes cooks down to about 4 cups of meat.  I saved the meat gravy and onions for another use.

Serves 6-8

Janice

Cappuccino Muffins & Espresso Spread

I received my fifteen minutes of fame with this muffin recipe.  Taste of Home Magazine held a muffin contest and my recipe was picked as the Grand Prize winner out of over 4,300 recipes.  The prize I received was a Kitchen Aid Mixer and Food Processor.  My muffin recipe was featured in the October/November 1999 magazine as well as in several other cookbooks published by Taste of Home. 

A wonderful flavor of coffee with a hint of chocolate is a great combination in these muffins.  The spread tastes good on bagels, too.

Muffins:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 TBS instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  In another bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until coffee is dissolved.  Add cooled butter, egg and vanilla; mix well. Immediately, stir this mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened (do not over-beat).  Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.  Bake at 375 degrees for 17 minutes or until muffins test done.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. 

Espresso Spread:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tsp instant coffee granules (or instant espresso powder)
2 TBS sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a food processor or blender, combine the spread ingredients; cover and process until well blended.  If you prefer more coffee flavor, you may add another 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of coffee granules, however, also add a little more sugar as well.  

Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.  To serve, let stand 10 minutes at room temperature to soften. 

Note: The spread is not meant to be frosted on top of each muffin like a cupcake, but rather spread lightly onto each muffin at the time of serving.  I prefer my muffin warmed so the spread slightly melts.   

Makes about 15 regular size muffins 

Janice

French Onion Soup

I served this soup with a Caesar Salad....a great combination.  You may want to make this the day before you plan to serve it because I found that it tasted better the next day.  Obviously, don't add the toast and cheese until you are ready to serve.

2 TBS butter
1 TBS oil
3 large white onions, thinly sliced (slice pole-to-pole so the onions don't get stringy)
1 tsp brown sugar 
1 TBS flour
2 - 10oz cans condensed beef consomme (broth would be fine as well)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
8 slices French bread
3 oz Gruyere cheese, grated (or Swiss)
salt and pepper  (I did not add any salt as I felt the soup is salty enough...taste first!)
1 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, to garnish

Heat the butter and oil in a large pan over low heat.  Add the onions and brown sugar and cook gently, stirring occasionally for at least 30 minutes or until the onions start to turn golden brown and caramelize.  Depending on the variety, you may need to cook them longer. 

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for a further 2 minutes.  Pour in the consomme and stir in two cans of water, then add the Worcestershire sauce.  Season with salt and pepper, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer gently for a further 25-30 minutes.

Preheat the broiler and just before you are ready to serve, place the toast on a baking sheet and toast the bread lightly on both sides.  Top the bread with the grated cheese.  Broil the toast until the cheese has melted and is bubbling and golden.

Ladle the soup into soup bowls.  Place a slice of cheesy bread on top of each bowl of soup and sprinkle with the chopped fresh parsley to garnish.   Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Source:  1001 Recipes

Janice

Caesar Salad

My favorite salad is a Caesar Salad.  I never knew it originated in Mexico.  Caesar Cardini invented the recipe at his restaurant in 1924 when a 4th of July rush depleted his kitchen supply.  He made do with what he had and came up the Caesar Salad.  The recipe below is from a restaurant in Tijuana, Caesar's Restaurant Bar, however, not from the restaurant where it was originally invented. 

2 large eggs
2 TBS mayonnaise
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp steak sauce (I omitted)
1 tsp bottled hot sauce
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup corn oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Romaine lettuce, leave separated
1/4 cup grated cotija or Parmesan cheese

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat.  Add the eggs and boil for 5 minutes (no longer than 5 minutes).  Remove the eggs from the water and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 7 minutes. 

Peel the eggs and cut in half.  Spoon the yolks, which will still be very soft, into a blender; reserve the whites for another use.  Add the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, hot sauce and vinegar.  Pulse until blended.  With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and process until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.  The dressing will be thick but will thin out once mixed with the salad.

Put the lettuce and cheese in a large salad bowl.  Add the dressing and gently toss to coat.  Serve immediately.  I prefer to serve in individual bowls and serve the dressing on the side.  May serve with croutons (recipe below).

I'm not fond of purchased salad croutons so I came up with this recipe..

Croutons

5 slices stale bread, remove the crusts 
3 TBS butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp dried parsley

Place bread in oven for a couple minutes to slightly dry out if your bread is too fresh.
Melt the butter.  Add garlic powder, garlic salt and parsley. Brush lightly onto both sides of bread.

Place into a 350 degree oven for 6-10 minutes until lightly browned and toasted.  Watch carefully as these burn rather quickly.  Cut bread into cubes.  Let cool.

Serves 4

Source: Mexican Made Easy - Marcela Valladolid

Janice

Apricot Oat Bars

So very moist and delicious.  These can be served for dessert or as a breakfast bar.  This would also be good made with different preserves such as cherry preserves with dried cherries and pecans.  Blueberry jam or cranberry sauce would be good, too.

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Filling

1 (13-ounce) jar apricot jam or preserves (about 1 1/4 cups) 

8 dried apricots, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/3 cup)

Crust

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 packed cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted (* I would use a little less butter next time)

1 egg, at room temperature, beaten

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 metal baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable oil cooking spray and set aside.

Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the jam and the apricots. Set aside.

Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Stir in the oats and walnuts. Add the butter, egg and vanilla and stir until incorporated.

Using a fork or clean fingers, lightly press half of the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Using a spatula, spread the filling over the crust leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pan. Cover the filling with the remaining crust mixture and gently press to flatten. Bake until light golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Makes 24 bars

Source:  Giada De Laurentiis - Food Network

Eileen

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Bagels

6 mini bagels, split
3 TBS butter, melted
1 tsp onion powder
1 TBS Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce (or more to taste)
8 oz cooked chicken, diced small
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400.  Place mini bagel halves, crust side down, in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Combine butter, onion powder and buffalo wing sauce in a mixing bowl; stir well. Add chicken and stir to combine.

Top each bagel half with an equal amount of the chicken mixture.  Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over chicken and then top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until bagel bottoms are browned and crispy, and cheese is melted.  Serve hot.

Serves 6

Source:  Hot Recipes in Cool Dishes - Tara McConnell

Kimberly

Snack Mix

You can add any type of crackers or snacks to this mix.  Be creative.

4 cups Bugles
4 cups pretzels
4 cups Cheetos
4 cups oyster crackers
4 cups Fritos
4 cups Gold Fish crackers
4 cups Crispix cereal
1 1/2 cups Orville Redenbacher's Buttery Flavored Popcorn Oil
2 pkgs (1 oz each) Ranch Mix

In a 2 cup measuring bowl, combine oil and Ranch mix.  In a very large container, combine all snack ingredients and mix well.  Add oil mixture and stir every 30 minutes for 4 hours.  Let mixture sit in an airtight container for 24 hours before serving.  Give the mixture a stir every so often during the 24 hours. 

**You can certainly make a 1/4 or 1/2 of this recipe.  The full recipe does make a lot!

Kimberly

Artichoke Dip

This is my favorite artichoke dip.  The Gorgonzola cheese adds a delicious flavor, but it does not overpower the dip.

5 slices bacon, cooked until crisp
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, well drained, chopped
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (2 oz) Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup (2 oz) freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tsp lemon juice

Heat oven to 350.  Spray an 8" baking dish (or glass pie plate) with cooking spray. 

Chop bacon into small pieces and place in a medium bowl.  To bacon in bowl, add remaining ingredients; mix well.  Spread mixture in prepared baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Stir dip; bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until dip is bubbly around edges.

Serve warm dip with petite toasts or crackers.

Makes 2 cups

Source:  Pillsbury Holiday Appetizers & Desserts

Kimberly