Recipes

Parmesan Parsnip Fries

2008-11-26T17:05:00.006-05:00

Parsnip is an interesting and healthy twist to potatoes when making french fries. You can slice them into wedges, shoe string fries or chips. They're a delicious side dish to any meal.

Ingredients

6 large parsnips
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. onion powder
3 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Peel and slice parsnips in desired shape and place in baking dish. Toss with remaining ingredients. Bake at 350º for about 45 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Posted in Dinner Recipes

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Mussels in White Wine Broth

2008-11-12T14:58:00.020-05:00

Mussels with white wine can be a very romantic dinner. I like to prepare this for my husband when the kids are away. Serve this to your significant other with a nice glass of your favourite white or red wine, a french baguette and voila! An intimate dinner for two.

Ingredients

2 pounds of fresh mussels (de-bearded and washed well)
2 cups of your favourite white wine
1 package of Knorr vegetable soup mix
1/2 cup of green onions diced
1/2 cup of red peppers diced
1/2 cup celery diced
1 clove of garlic minced
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 can (28 fl.oz.) of diced tomatoes
1/2 cup of water

Directions

Using a large saucepan on medium heat, fry green onions, red peppers and celery in olive oil. Cook until translucent. Pour in mussels, water, wine, diced tomatoes and soup mix. Cover and simmer for approx. 30 minutes.

Now some may argue that I'm overcooking the mussels but I like to let them simmer so they absorb all the great flavours. I also didn't add salt and pepper to the ingredients list because I think the soup mix adds enough salt. You can always add salt and pepper after tasting. Enjoy.

Posted in Dinner Recipes

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Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary

2008-08-13T14:49:00.012-04:00

These mashed potatoes are a refreshing change from the "same old". Made with chicken stock and fresh rosemary, they're delicious served with any type of meat.

Ingredients

10 medium sized potatoes, peeled and cut
3 cups chicken broth
15 fresh rosemary leaves, washed and chopped finely
3 tablespoons of butter, margarine or olive oil
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Place potatoes in a pot and add chicken stock. Boil until potatoes are tender enough to mash. The amount of chicken stock you use will vary, depending on the potatoes you're using so you may have to eliminate some of the stock or add more. Once potatoes are mashed, add remaining ingredients. As an alternative, you can use beef stock, leftover stock from your turkey at Thanksgiving or if you're a vegetarian, knorr vegetable soup mix works great.

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Ham and Cheese Rice Balls

2007-07-24T14:52:00.001-04:00

Rice balls or "Arancini" (as we Italians like to call them) are a little messy to make but very easy and well worth it, they're delicious.

Arancini simply means little oranges, which is what they resemble after being fried.

This recipe is an excellent way to use up your left-over white rice but if you're making your rice fresh, just be sure to let it cool completely. You'll want to have a large bowl of water nearby to rinse your hands while making them. You can make large ones to serve as a main meal or little ones which make great party appetizers.

The nice thing about rice balls is you can use whatever you have handy. Some people add peas, chicken, etc. If your mixture is to dry, simply add another egg. If it's too moist, add more freshly grated parmesan cheese or rice. Ham and Cheese rice balls are normally coated with bread crumbs before frying but I have used flour and they were just as yummy.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked & cooled white rice
2 eggs
3 tablespoons fresh italian parsley
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/2 cup of finely chopped ham
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 container of mini bocconcini (mozzarella balls)
1/2 cup of finely diced green onions
1 stalk of celery diced
bread crumbs for coating
Italian marinara sauce

Directions

Combine all ingredients except bocconcini and breadcrumbs (mixture will be sticky but that's what helps bind them). Grab a hand full of rice mixture and form into a ball. Using your thumb, make a whole in the center of rice ball and place one mini boccocini inside. Reform into a ball making sure cheese if completely covered with rice.

Heat oil over medium high heat. I usually throw a tiny bit of the rice mixture into the oil to make sure it's hot enough. Fry rice balls until they are golden brown. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce.

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Apple Filled Wontons

2007-02-02T13:59:00.001-05:00

Treat your guests to this tasty apple dessert and some hot cinnamon tea. For small turnovers, use wonton wraps. If you prefer larger treats, use eggroll wraps instead. Great served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Ingredients

1 package of wonton or eggroll wraps
5 apples; thinly sliced
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
4 tbsp. brown sugar
vegetable oil
eggwash
icing sugar to garnish

Directions

Peel and core apples, cut into thin slices. In a mixing bowl, toss apple slices with brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Coat edges of wonton wrap with eggwash and add filling to center. Coat the edge of another wrap and place over. Press edges together with fingertips or fork.

For eggroll wraps; coat edges, add filling to one side and fold over into a triangle. Ensure that edges are sealed well.

Fry in hot oil until golden brown and dust with icing sugar.

Note: These apple wraps take only seconds to fry up, so keep an eye on them!

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Eggrolls

2007-01-21T08:11:00.001-05:00

Forget take out! You can't beat the taste of fresh homemade eggrolls. They're simple to make and the kids will enjoy getting involved too. If you have a vegetarian in the family, just omit the chicken and they're just as delicious.

Ingredients

1 package of eggroll wraps
2 chicken breasts
2 cups of bean sprouts
3 large stalks of celery
1 red pepper
1 clove of fresh garlic
2 eggs
3 tbsp. of soya sauce
2 tbsp. of garlic spare rib sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cut chicken breast into very small pieces and fry on stove top until fully cooked (do not season). Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients and stir in cooled chicken.

Create an eggwash, beat one egg and a teaspoon of water in a small bowl.

Using a basting brush, brush egg wash around edges of egg roll wrap. Add filling along middle length of wrap. Fold one side over, then the other. Fold ends up and seal.

Fry in hot oil until golden brown and serve with plum sauce or my personal favorite, spare rib sauce.

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Easy Mexican Rice

2007-01-04T06:49:00.001-05:00

In the mood for Mexican food but pressed for time? Save your money on take out and try this easy and delicious mexican rice that your whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

3-4 cups cooked white rice
diced green onions
diced red peppers
diced green peppers
1 cup black beans
1 package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
water

Directions

In a large skillet, fry onions, red and green peppers in vegetable oil. Add rice and fry for another 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and heat through. Add as much or as little water as you need, depending on how moist you like your rice.

P.S. Great dish for vegetarians!

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Mediterranean Pasta

2006-11-20T18:51:00.001-05:00

This light tasting, delicious pasta salad is served best cold or at room temperature. You can omit or add any ingredient you like, be creative!

Ingredients

1 900 gram bag of cooked rigatoni pasta (al dente)
1 jar of mild pickled vegetables
1 thinly sliced red onion
1 can of black olives
5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp. of garlic powder
juice from half a lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook rigatoni until al dente (has a bit of a bite), rinse in cold water and drain well. Pour pasta in a large decorative serving bowl and toss in remaining ingredients. Serve immediately or chill in refridgerator if you prefer a cold pasta.

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Lemon Pudding Cake

2006-09-20T22:14:00.001-04:00

Okay... so this cake won't win any presentation awards, but it sure tastes great. You don't even have to worry about letting your cake cool completely because it won't be staying in one piece!

Ingredients

1 box of Duncan Hines white cake mix
1 box of Shirriff lemon pie filling (2 bags)
1 can of 12 fl. oz. can of Carnation evaporated milk
1 container of Light Cool Whip
3 tbsp. of lemon zest

Directions

Bake cake as directed and let cool slightly. In the meantime, prepare lemon filling on stove top as directed on package and let cool.

When cake is cool enough to handle, break apart into bite size pieces and place in a decorative bowl. Pour in evaporated milk and toss until all pieces have absorbed liquid. *Note: Don't worry if cake seems too wet! It will finish absorbing in refridgerator.

Add lemon filling, cool whip and lemon zest and fold into cake mixture. Refridgerate overnight.

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Green and Yellow Bean Casserole With Cheddar

2006-09-20T21:44:00.001-04:00

Green and yellow bean casserole with cheddar cheese is an excellent accompaniment to pork chops or chicken breast. It's a delicious last minute recipe that your family or guests will love.

Ingredients

3 14 oz cans of Del Monte green wax beans
2 14 oz cans of Del Monte yellow wax beans
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 onion, diced
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of plain bread crumbs
2 cups of cheddar cheese

Directions

Drain yellow and green beans and place in casserole dish. Add chopped onions and red pepper. Stir in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.

To make the crusty topping, grate cheddar cheese and place in a small mixing bowl. Add bread crumbs and toss.

Sprinkle topping over beans and bake in a 350º oven for approx. 20 minutes or until cheese topping is a crusty and golden.

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No Bake Pineapple Tiramisu

2006-08-29T14:34:00.001-04:00

This is about the easiest cake you'll ever make. That's because you don't use cake mix! This delicious recipe is made with inexpensive lady finger cookies and takes only minutes to make.

Ingredients

4 packages of lady finger cookies
1 large can of pineapple juice
1/2 cup of dark rum
2 containers of light cool whip
4 cans of crushed pineapple (drained)
1 can of pineapple rings (drained)
6 maraschino cherries

Directions

Mix pineapple juice and dark rum in a mixing bowl. Using a rectangle baking dish, dip lady finger cookies in juice and completely cover bottom of dish with cookies. Add a layer of crushed pineapple and then a layer of cool whip. Continue layering until you reach the desired height (your last layer should be cool whip). Place six pineapple rings on top and place a cherry inside each ring. Refridgerate for at least two hours. Enjoy!

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Grilled Stuffed Zucchini Halves

2006-05-20T18:10:00.001-04:00

Stuffed grilled zucchini halves are a delicious compliment to barbecued steak, make a simple healthy lunch or unique appetizers for guests. They'll definitely have you going back for seconds!

Ingredients

5 large zucchini
1 250 g container of philadelphia light cream cheese
1/2 cup of finely chopped roasted red peppers (store bought)
1/2 cup of slivered almonds
2 tbsp. fresh chives finely chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
salt and fresh black pepper to taste

Directions

Wash and dry zucchini, cut stems and discard. Slice each zucchini in half length-wise. Using a tablespoon or melon-baller, scoop out the inside of the zucchini halves. Don't discard the inside of the zucchini, set it aside for a next day soup!

Combine cream cheese, almonds, chives and spices until smooth. Add roasted red peppers and stir gently.

Stuff zucchini halves generously and grill on barbecue for 10 minutes.

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Oven Baked Rigatoni

2006-05-03T16:16:00.001-04:00

If you're pressed for time, there's nothing easier than baked pasta. I use the rigatoni rigate because it holds the sauce better. Use your favorite spaghetti sauce and for added flavor, toss in some cubed cooked chicken.

Ingredients

1 bag of rigatoni (rigate)
1 jar of marinara sauce
2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
3 green onions, chopped
4 tbsp. olive oil
Cubed chicken (optional)

Directions

Boil pasta until "al dente" and drain. In a large shallow baking pan; combine pasta, marinara sauce, green onions, cheese and olive oil. Bake at 350º for approx. 20 minutes.

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Chicken Parmigiana

2006-04-21T16:39:00.001-04:00

An Italian classic that's traditionally served with a pasta side dish. If you prefer thinner cutlets of chicken, use a meat pounder to flatten chicken breasts.

Ingredients

5 boneless chicken breasts
4 eggs
2 cups Italian breads crumbs
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil

Directions

Place breadcrumbs on a plate and stir in garlic powder and pepper. In a shallow bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Dip chicken breasts in eggs and then coat completely with breadcrumbs.

Using a large skillet; fry chicken in olive oil, over medium heat until browned. Blot excess oil with paper towel and place on baking sheet. Top with tomato sauce and cheese.

Bake at 350º until cheese has melted.

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Banana Bread

2006-04-20T15:42:00.001-04:00

I don't think I've met anyone who doesn't like homemade banana bread! It's a simple recipe that makes a healthy dessert or breakfast. The more ripe the bananas, the better the bread. Serve warm with a dollop of butter.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed bananas

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl; combine ingredients until well blended. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for approx. 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.

Let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

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Raspberry Sherbet

2006-04-20T15:18:00.001-04:00

A refreshing raspberry dessert on a hot summer day. To serve; scoop into a decorative glass cup and garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves. For an extra treat, try a scoop in a tall glass of 7up.

Ingredients

4 cup fresh raspberries see
2 cups sugar
2 cups buttermilk
Raspberries and mint leaves for garnish

Directions

Combine sugar and raspberries in a bowl and set aside for about half an hour. Pour raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture through a strainer and into a square pan. Stir in buttermilk. Cover and freeze overnight.

Break frozen raspberry mixture apart and place in bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Pour back in pan and return to freezer for about 3 hours or until firm.

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Apple Caramel Shake

2006-04-17T07:54:00.001-04:00

This apple caramel shake is a refreshing summer drink and delicious served with ginger snaps or cinnamon cookies. Recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups of vanilla yogurt (frozen)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup of applesauce
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup caramel dessert topping
4 cinnamon sticks (garnish)

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender, cover and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, dust with cinnamon and add a cinnamon stick.

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Grilled Pita Pizza

2006-04-15T16:10:00.001-04:00

This rustic grilled pizza is delicious with just about any topping. They take only minutes to cook on the barbecue and they're great for summer entertaining.

Ingredients

Pita Bread
Olive Oil
Tomato Sauce
Fresh Ripe Tomatoes
Bocconcini Cheese
Minced Garlic
Fresh Basil
Coarse Salt
Black Pepper

Directions

Brush olive oil on pita. Spoon a little tomato sauce over pita and spread evenly. Place a layer of thinly sliced fresh tomatoes and sprinkle with a touch of minced garlic, coarse salt and pepper. Cut bocconcini cheese in small slices and layer around tomatoes. Top pizza with fresh basil.

Barbecue on grill until cheese is melted and pita has formed a golden crust.

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Chicken Brochette

2006-04-11T16:15:00.001-04:00

No fancy marinade for this recipe. All you need is Italian Salad Dressing!
Serve on a bed of white rice with lemon wedges.

Ingredients

Chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
Green peppers
Red peppers
Cherry Tomatoes
Button mushrooms
Kraft Italian salad dressing

Directions

Put chicken and vegetables through skewer sticks. Marinade for 2 hours in refridgerator.

Cook on barbecue grill or in oven at 350º for 35 minutes.

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Broccoli Summer Salad

2006-04-08T09:16:00.001-04:00

A fresh and healthy salad that's takes five minutes to make and is the perfect accompaniment to a summer barbecue.

Ingredients

1 bunch broccoli
1 small can mandarin oranges
1 small red onion, julienned
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup coleslaw salad dressing

Directions

Remove stems from broccoli and place florets in a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss until ingredients are completely coated with dressing. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

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Seafood Soup

2006-04-07T14:26:00.001-04:00

If you're a seafood lover, you can add more types of fish to this soup like calamari, monkfish or clams. Serve with a french baguette and white wine.

Ingredients

2 lbs. mussels
2 lbs. shrimp
1 lb. scallops
5 cups water
1 cup white wine
1 small can of diced tomatoes
1 package knorr vegetable soup mix
3 green onions
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
fresh parsley to garnish

Directions

In a large soup pot, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Pour in soup bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a slice of baguette.

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Raspberry Torte

2006-04-06T17:47:00.001-04:00

You can substitute the raspberries in this recipe with strawberries or blueberries. For a great summer dessert, use a wild berry mix.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. milk
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 9-inch cake pan.

Using an electric beater, mix butter and sugar until well blended. Add flour, baking powder and eggs; blend thoroughly. Pour batter in buttered pan and evenly sprinkle raspberries on top. Bake for approximately 1 hour and until cake pulls away from sides of pan. Let cool for 20 minutes.

Turn torte out onto cake plate (raspberries side up). Combine confectioners sugar with milk and drizzle over raspberries.

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Carrot Cake Cappuccino

2006-04-06T17:12:00.001-04:00

If you like carrot cake, you'll love carrot cake cappuccino. Sounds different I know, but this is a delicious alternative to coffee or tea. The kids can feel grown up and have some too, no caffeine!

Ingredients

5 fresh carrots
1 cup milk
3 tbsp. heavy cream
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
whipped cream (optional)

Directions

Over medium-high heat, boil carrots until soft. Strain and mash carrots until very smooth. Return carrots to pot and add remaining ingredients, stirring constantly over heat for 5 minutes. Pour in coffee cups, add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar on top.

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Taco Taters

2006-04-06T16:45:00.001-04:00

Kids enjoy making these tater treats just as much as eating them. Great for a healthy lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

5 large potatoes
1 pound ground beef
1 package of your favorite taco mix powder
1/2 cup green onions
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 tbsp. water

Garnish

1/2 cup thinly sliced lettuce
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped tomato
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 1/2 cups sour cream

Directions

Bake potatoes at 425º until tender when pierced with a fork. Fry ground beef and drain fat. Stir in taco powder, onions, tomato paste and water. Cook for 5 minutes.

To Serve, split potatoes and spoon beef mixture on top. Garnish with sour cream, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and olives.

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Homemade Cheese Bread

2006-04-05T14:40:00.001-04:00

You don't need a breadmaker to make this delectable cheese bread. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and while the dough rises, you can get some things done around the house!

Serve as an appetizer with assorted Buttersand fresh grapes. This recipe makes two small loaves.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 packages of instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Directions

Butter a non-stick bakeware loaf pan and set aside. In a large mixing bowl; dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in warm water. Let sit until liquid starts to form a foam. In the meantime, you can grate the cheddar.

Add flour to liquid and stir with a fork until dough becomes sticky. Add grated cheddar and start kneading with hands. Knead until dough is smooth to the touch. Form in a long oval shape and place inside loaf pan. Work dough into the corners of the pan.

Spread butter over top of dough and sprinkle with more cheddar. Cover entire loaf pan with a dish towel and place near a warm area. Allow about an hour for the dough to rise.

Heat oven to 375º and cook for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Once the cheddar is a dark golden brown, it's ready!

Let cheese bread cool completely before cutting and serve on a decorative Bamboo Platter

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White Asparagus With Proscuitto and Cucumber

2006-04-02T14:23:00.001-04:00

Instead of the traditional melon and proscuitto, try white asparagus and cucumber. If you buy fresh asparagus, blanch for 30 seconds and drop into ice water to stop cooking process. Do not overcook. You want the asparagus be crispy, not soft.

Ingredients

White Asparagus Spears
Italian cured proscuitto, thinly sliced
Cucumber, thinly sliced
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
White pepper

Directions Per Serving

Arrange a few slices of fresh cucumber on a serving plate. Season six blanched asparagus spears with white pepper. Wrap one slice of proscuitto around each spear, place on cucumber slices and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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Oven Roasted Potatoes With Fresh Dill

2006-04-01T18:23:00.001-05:00

Oven roasted potatoes compliment just about any type of meat or fish. To add additional color to your meal, use an assortment of red, yukon and peruvian blue potatoes and use fresh herbs whenever possible.

Ingredients

12 small roasting potatoes
4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. coarse salt
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. fresh black pepper
Freshly chopped dill to taste

Directions

Wash and dry potatoes thoroughly. Place in a large rectangular baking dish. Add olive oil, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper and dill. Toss until potatoes are completely coated with olive oil.

Bake in oven at 35o° for 1 hour or until potatoes have formed a crispy golden crust.

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Cream Cheese & Pecan Celery Sticks

2006-03-31T14:40:00.001-05:00

These cheese and pecan filled celery sticks are delicious as a quick snack or served as party appetizers. Pecans can be replaced with walnuts or almonds if preferred.

Ingredients

1 cup of cream cheese
1/2 cup of pecans
1 package of celery
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Wash celery and dry thoroughly. Cut into bite size pieces and save some of the leaves as a garnish.

Using an electric blender, blend cream cheese and pecans until smooth. Place mixture in mixing bowl and add garlic, sea salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into piping bag and fill celery stalks.

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Orange Meringue Pie

2006-03-31T08:53:00.001-05:00

If you love lemon meringue pie, you'll adore this orange meringue pie. If you're not a fan of the meringue topping, you can replace that with a whipped topping and it's just as good!

You can use either a store bought or homemade pie crust and bake in a 9" pie plate.

Ingredients for Orange Filling

5 tbsp. flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup concentrated orange juice
3 egg yolks
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. orange extract
2 tbsp. grated orange peel

Ingredients for Meringue

4 egg whites
7 tbsp. sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions for Orange Filling

Using a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, water and orange juice concentrate. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to boil. Beat egg yolks. Add a little of the hot orange mixture into the egg yolks.

Now gradually add egg yolks into mixture, again stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add butter, orange extract and orange peel. Let cool. Pour into baked pie crust.

Directions for Meringue

Beat egg whites until light and frothy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until stiff. Add sugar gradually and continue beating until stiff and glossy. Spoon meringue over pie, making sure that you cover right over the crust's edge to seal the filling in.

Bake pie at 325° for 15 to 18 minutes, until meringue is golden brown. For added flavor and a decorative touch, garnish with flambar oranges in grand marnier.

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Stuffed Red Peppers

2006-03-29T14:57:00.001-05:00

As an alternative to the usual hamburger and rice filling, I use a bread stuffing with ham and cheese. These stuffed red peppers are very satisfying so you don't really need a side dish.

Depending on the moisture content of the bread you use, you may need a little less water but the dryer the bread, the better. It will absorb more of the flavor from the ingredients.

Ingredients

5 red peppers
1 package of sliced white bread
3 tsp. olive oil
1 celery stalk
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup of diced ham
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup of white wine
3-4 cup of water
3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
3 tbsp. fleur de sel or coarse salt
Fresh pepper

Directions

Remove tops from red peppers and set aside. Remove seeds, wash and dry thouroughly. In a large mixing bowl, break bread apart in small pieces (crust included) and combine all ingredients. Continue mixing until consistency is that of stuffing.

Stuff red peppers with mixture and sprinkle top with additional parmesan cheese. Place upright in a deep baking dish and add water to bottom of pan. Cook uncovered at 400º for 1 hour or until cheese is golden.

Don't place tops back on red peppers while cooking. The stuffing needs time to dry and form a golden crust. You can use the tops as decoration for serving.

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Homemade Pretzels With Maple Champagne Mustard

2006-03-29T08:11:00.001-05:00

The perfect snack for Lazy Sundays. Make different shapes and get the kids involved! They can make their own personalized pretzel, in the shape of the first initial of their name.

Ingredients

1 Package of yeast
1 1/2 cups of warm water
1 tsp. of salt
1 tbsp. of sugar
4 c. flour
champagne mustard

Mix warm water and yeast then add sugar and salt. Add flour and knead until dough is smooth. Make into desired shapes. Spray baking sheet with a non-stick cooking spray. In a small bowl, beat one egg. Using a basting brush, lightly coat pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake at 400° for approximately12-15 minutes. Serve with maple mustard.

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Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

2006-03-28T19:37:00.001-05:00

These cookies are so easy to make and are great served with coffee or tea. To please every palette, use a variety of fillings and spreads.

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
strawberry spread

Directions

Sift flour and set aside. Cream butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour to butter mixture a bit at a time and then begin to knead with hands. Turn dough onto floured surface and roll out to desired thickness.

Cut into circles and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325° for about 15 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Flip half of the cookies upside down and spread evenly with strawberry spread. Cover with another cookie and dust lightly with icing sugar.

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Bratwurst Sausage With Peppers and Onions

2006-03-27T08:24:00.001-05:00

For a hearty meal, try this dish with oven roasted baby potatoes. You can use a variety of sausages for this recipe but I prefer the bratwurst sausages.

As dipping sauce, try a half and half mixture of mayonnaise and dijon mustard or wasabi mustard for some extra kick.

Ingredients

8 Bratwurst Sausages
1 Large green pepper
1 Large orange pepper
2 onions
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup water
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 whole garlic

Directions

Over medium/high heat, fry sausages in a skillet with oil and whole clove of garlic for about 10 minutes. Remove garlic; add julienned green and orange peppers, sliced onions and fry for another 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to low, add white wine and water. Simmer uncovered until liquid reduces and sausages are fully cooked and have browned.

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Penne Pasta With Fresh Snow Peas and Asparagus

2006-03-26T08:52:00.001-05:00

This fresh and delicious spring recipe is best served at room temperature. Serve as a main course or as a side dish to fish or chicken.

Ingredients

5 cups of Penne Rigate Pasta
2 cups fresh snow peas/sugar snap peas
2 cups of fresh asparagus
1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves
1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup real mayonnaise
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp. butter
1 whole clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Boil penne pasta until al dente, strain and pour into large serving bowl. Boil snow peas and asparagus seperately until slightly cooked but still crispy.

Add butter, mayonnaise, milk, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper to penne pasta; stir until well blended.

Strain asparagus and snow peas well and toss into pasta. Add fresh basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.

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Sweet Pork Baby-Back Ribs

2006-03-25T14:40:00.001-05:00

These melt in your mouth pork baby-back ribs are sweet, tender and delicious served with corn and red pepper butter.

Some say to boil ribs first and others disagree. I've always boiled mine for at least 30 minutes before baking or barbecuing and they've always turned out tender.

Ingredients for Ribs

4 (1 1/4 lb) slabs of previously boiled pork baby-back ribs
1 cup catsup
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tsp. garlic powder

Ingredients for Red Pepper Butter for Corn

2 large roasted red peppers
1 lb. softened salted butter
4 large basil leaves
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Directions

Using a mixing bowl, combine catsup, maple syrup, garlic powder and mix well. Place ribs in a large baking pan and using a basting brush, completely coat pork with sauce. Pour remaining sauce over ribs. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 325º.

While ribs cook, place softened butter in a blender and blend until smooth. Add red peppers, garlic, basil leaves and black pepper. Continue blending until mixture is completely smooth. Spoon butter in a decorative serving bowl and serve with fresh corn.

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Lemon Garlic Shrimp

2006-03-23T16:58:00.001-05:00

Lemon Garlic Shrimp can be served with pasta, white rice or a fresh salad. Serve on a platter with lemon wedges and your favorite seafood sauce.

Ingredients

1 lb. jumbo shrimp
Coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
3 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. butter
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Heat oil in a frying pan, add red pepper flakes and garlic and fry until garlic is golden.Add shrimp and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, pepper and parsley.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

2006-03-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

Stuffed mushrooms are a great party appetizer and are so easy to make. Experiment with the ingredients by using different cheeses or spices.

For more creativity, place another baked mushroom cap on top to form little mushroom sandwiches!

Ingredients

1 lb. button mushrooms
3 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 cup finely diced ham
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tsbp. minced red pepper
2 tbsp. minced green onion
2 tsp. parmesan cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Remove stems from mushrooms and discard. Clean mushroom caps with paper towel and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and using a fork, stir mixture until it forms a stuffing. Using a small spoon, fill mushroom caps and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350º until mushrooms are golden brown.

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Gourmet Grill Cheese

2006-03-21T15:24:00.001-05:00

These sandwiches are always a hit with my kids (the big kid too). Experiment with different types of breads and cheeses. You can fry them on the stove top or use a grill sandwich maker.

Villaware makes a great sandwich maker that toasts an imprint of Mickey Mouse on the bread. What kid wouldn't love that? For an added treat, you can place sliced apples, tomatoes or ham in sandwiches while frying.

Ingredients

1 Loaf of Italian Bread
Shredded Swiss, Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese
Olive oil

How To Make

Slice italian bread to desired thickness and using a basting brush, coat both sides of bread with olive oil. Heat skillet to medium and toast one side until golden brown. Flip, add cheese and continue frying until bread is golden and cheese has melted.

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Apple Tortilla Cups

2006-03-20T21:18:00.001-05:00

Sick of same old apple pie? Here's a little twist. Use small tortilla cups instead of pie crust. They make perfect individual servings that can be topped with your favorite vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

Ingredients

6 small tortilla wraps
8 large apples peeled, cored and cubed
2 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup graham crumbs
2 tbsp. maple syrup

Directions

Butter a muffin pan. Place wraps over openings and press down to form cups. Lightly butter wraps with a basting brush. Using a fork, mix brown sugar and graham crumbs with 1 tbsp. of butter. Sprinkle some of the crumble mixture in the bottom of cups. Fill with cubed apples and top with more crumble. Drizzle tops with maple syrup. Bake at 350º until golden brown, serve with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of raisins.

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Hot Butterscotch

2006-03-19T14:34:00.001-05:00

If you've never tried hot butterscotch, it's definitely a must try and a great alternative to hot cocoa. Enjoy a cup with some cream cheese chocolate puffs.

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1 tbsp. brown sugar (packed)
1 tsp. butter flavoured extract
3o miniature white marshmallows

Directions

Pour milk, brown sugar and butter extract in a medium size saucepan and stir. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil. Reduce the heat to low and add a little over half the marshmallows. Continue stirring until marshmallows melt.

Remove from heat and using a whisk, whip the mixture until it becomes light and frothy. Place a few marshmallows in the bottom of cups and pour butterscotch mixture over the marshmallows. Top with whipped cream.

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Easy Homemade Egg Fettuccine

2006-03-18T09:06:00.001-05:00

When some people hear of homemade pasta, they envision expensive pasta machines and spending hours in the kitchen covered in flour. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Fact is, pasta machines are very inexpensive and the pasta only takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish.

Is there really a difference in store bought and homemade? Absolutely! Fresh pasta takes much less time to cook than store bought (just a few minutes), has a nicer texture and flavor and absorbs more sauce. Just be sure to keep an eye on it while cooking and strain as soon as pasta is "al dente" or still has a bit of a bite. No one likes mushy pasta!

Ingredients

Large 18-cm Stainless Steel Pasta Machine
2 cups all purpose flour
3 eggs
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
water

How to Make

Pour flour in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the middle. Add eggs, olive oil and salt in the well. Using a fork, begin beating egg mixture; incorporating flour a little at a time. Once flour becomes to stiff to manage with fork, begin using your hands to knead the dough.

If dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. If it's too dry, add another egg or a bit of water. Continue to knead until it becomes a well formed elastic dough.

Cut finished dough into parts and flatten each section. Run dough section through the widest setting of your pasta machine once, fold into thirds and run through once more. Adjust machine to a thinner setting and run through again. Continue this process with dough sections, adjusting setting on machine each time until you reach the desired thickness. Make sure that strips of dough sheets are well floured.

Once you have finished making long flat strips of pasta dough, change setting on machine to fettuccine (the wide toothed channel) and run through. Place finished noodles on a large baking sheet and toss with flour to prevent sticking.

When your ready to cook; grab handfuls of noodles, shake excess flour off and drop into boiling water. When noodles are cooked, strain and serve with your favorite spaghetti sauce.

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Brine Pork Chops With Apple Ginger Sauce

2006-03-17T14:31:00.001-05:00

Brine these pork chops on Sunday and they'll take only minutes to make on Monday! Enjoy the meal with a glass of your favorite wine.

Ingredients

3 cups water
1 cup apple cider
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 star anise
Six 1 1/2 inch thick pork rib chops
Pepper to taste
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tsp. finely chopped ginger
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 cup apple juice
1 cup stock
1/4 cup butter

Brine

Place water, cider, salt, maple syrup and anise in a pot and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the salt then remove from heat and cool completely to make brine. Place pork chops in one or two sealable plastic bags. Pour brine over pork chops. Seal bags and refridgerate for 12 hours.

Cooking Directions

Remove chops, drain well and pat dry. Season with pepper. Preheat oven to 450º. Heat oil in a 12-inch open fry pan over medium-high heat. Add chops in batches and sear on each side about 2 minutes.

Place pork chops on baking dish. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly pink, turning once. Remove from oven and place on plates. Add ginger, lemon juice, apple juice and stock to skillet when chops are baking. Bring to a boil until reduced by half. Stir in butter and spoon over chops.

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Bocconcini and Cherry Tomato Salad

2006-03-16T22:51:00.001-05:00

Bocconcini are fresh mozzarella balls that come in various sizes, packed in water.

This is a delicious fresh tasting salad that can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. For added kick, you can toss in some black olives or diced cucumber.

Ingredients

10 oz cherry tomatoes
10 oz small (mini) bocconcini
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 tsbp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Directions

Slice half of the cherry tomatoes in halves (this allows juices to mix in with the vinegar and oil, for better flavor). Using a garlic twist, mince garlic and combine all ingredients, toss and let sit for 20 minutes before serving.

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Caramelized French Onion Soup

2006-03-15T14:38:00.001-05:00

A classic and satisfying french soup that's delicious and easy to make. Serve in decorative soup bowls with some fresh baguette on the side.

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
10 red and white onions, thinly sliced
6 shallots thinly sliced
2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup white wine
6 cups chicken stock
12 slices baguette, 1 inch thick
1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large pot and add onions, shallots and thyme. Cook over medium heat until onions have caramelized to a golden brown color. Add garlic and cook for two more minutes.Deglaze with white wine, add chicken stock and simmer for approx. 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut baguette slices into croutons, brush with some olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Using the broiler, toast croutons until golden. Ladle hot soup into individual bowls, top with croutons and sprinkle with cheese. Heat under the broiler until cheese melts.

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Polenta With Wild Mushrooms

2006-03-12T20:45:00.001-05:00

This dish is best with the combination of shiitake, button, oyster and portobello mushrooms. You can also add a few drops of white wine to the mushroom mixture while frying for added flavor.

Ingredients for Mushrooms

1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
Salt and pepper

Ingredients for Polenta

2 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup instant polenta
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. butter
crumbled gorgonzola

Heat butter and oil in frying pan over medium heat until it begins to foam. Increase heat to high and add mushrooms. Cook, stirring until mushrooms are golden. Add garlic, herbs and salt and pepper to taste.

In a large saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Gradually add polenta, stirring continuously until creamy. Grate fresh parmesan cheese with a hand cheese grater and toss in with butter. Serve polenta in wide pasta bowls, top with mushrooms and gorgonzola.

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Mocha Banana Shake

2006-03-11T07:11:00.001-05:00

A Shake for the Big Kids

Adding a touch of kahlua and coffee to this shake enhances the flavor of the chocolate. If you want a thicker shake, you can add more banana or ice cream.

Ingredients

2 cups milk
3 tbsp cocoa powder
2 bananas, peeled and chopped
2 cups chocolate ice cream
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. kahlua chocolate flavored liqueur
2 tsp. gourmet coffee

Directions

Add ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Pour into tall glasses, add a piece of chopped banana on rim of glass and a dollop of whipped cream on top.

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Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2006-03-10T19:01:00.001-05:00

There's nothing like homemade pancakes for breakfast. If your child doesn't like chocolate, try a healthier alternative like fruit or nuts.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs 1 cup milk
4 tsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Mix together liquid ingredients and beat into dry mixture until smooth. Add chocolate chips. Use one laddle-full per pancake, fry until bubbles form on top and flip. Serve with warm maple syrup.

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Party Meatballs

2006-03-09T07:57:00.001-05:00

These sweet and sour meatballs are a hit at every party. You can serve them on a large platter or keep them warm in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

2 pounds of meatballs, homemade or store bought (cocktail-size)
1 16-ounce can of cranberry jelly
1 12-ounce bottle of chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Combine cranberry jelly, chili sauce and garlic powder in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cranberry jelly is dissolved and sauce is smooth. Add cooked meatballs; stir gently to coat. Cook over medium-low heat for approx. 15 minutes.

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Lemon and Dill Sole

2006-03-08T19:16:00.001-05:00

These individual packets can be served directly onto plates. Try it with rice, fresh snow peas and a glass of white wine.

Ingredients

Fillet of Sole
Lemon Slices
Lemon Juice
Fresh Dill
Butter
Coarse Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Tin Foil

How to Make

Cut large squares of tin foil and rub with butter. Place 2 fillets on each piece of foil and add lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Place 2 lemon slices and fresh dill on top.

Fold foil over fillets to form individual packets. Prick a few holes on top of foil to allow steam to escape. Bake in oven or barbecue.

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Chocolate Orange Coffee

2006-03-07T15:43:00.001-05:00

You can make this decedent coffee right in your coffee maker.

Mix 2 teaspoons of good quality cocoa in with your gourmet coffee.

Add 2 teaspoons of orange extract in the bottom of the pot and brew. Pour yourself a cup, add cream and sugar to taste, grab a book and enjoy.

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No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2006-03-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

These cookies are so easy to make and stay moist for a long time. You can even add raisins and chocolate chips to kick them up a notch.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp. cocoa
4 ounces butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

Directions

Combine sugar, milk, cocoa and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and chopped nuts. Add oatmeal and stir to blend thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

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Orange French Toast

2006-03-07T15:02:00.000-05:00

This is a breakfast I make for my kids on the weekends and they love it! You can top it with a dollop of butter or whipped cream and if you're not a big fan of orange, try lemon.

Ingredients

6 slices of day old Italian bread
4 eggs
1 tsp. orange extract
3 tsp. cream
3 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. juice from orange

Directions

Beat eggs and wet ingredients together. Melt butter over skillet. Dip bread slices in egg mixture and fry until golden brown. Delicious with or without maple syrup!

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Grilled Vegetables With French Bread

2006-03-06T15:29:00.000-05:00

This is great appetizer for a dinner party. You can use as little or as much of the ingredients as you like and substitute vegetables.

Ingredients

Zucchini
Cherry Tomatoes
Onions
Red Peppers
Mushrooms
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh Minced Garlic
Salt & Pepper
Fresh Basil
Parmesan Cheese
French Bread

How to Make

Cut vegetables into bite size pieces and place on cookie sheet. Toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper, parmesan cheese and tuck basil leaves in between cherry tomatoes. Grill vegetables on barbecue or in oven.

Slice french bread. With a basting brush, coat the tops of bread slices with juices from the cooked vegetables. Top with grilled veggies. Sprinkle tops with a little more parmesan cheese and garnish with basil.

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Chicken Parmesan

2006-03-06T08:20:00.000-05:00

Although this dish is best topped with homemade tomato sauce, store bought works just as well if you don't have time. You can use a meat pounder if you prefer thinner cutlets of meat. Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap first.

Ingredients

6 Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
3 eggs
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup grated mozarella cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs, salt and pepper. Pour bread crumbs onto a flat plate; mix in parmesan cheese. Dip the 6 chicken breasts in eggs and evenly coat both sides with bread crumbs. Place on seperate plate and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook chicken until browned. Blot excess oil from chicken breasts with paper towel and place on cookie sheet. Top with spaghetti sauce, mozarella cheese and bake at 350º for approx. 30 minutes.

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Spice and Cream Chai

2006-03-05T15:47:00.000-05:00

A mildly spiced and soothing hot drink that keeps you warm on a cold winter's day.

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 1/2 cups milk
2 tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
6 cardamom seeds, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 whole clove
1/3 cup sugar
Whipped cream
Cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.

DirectionsMix the first six ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 5 minutes.2. Stir in milk and return to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, strain and stir in sugar. Pour into cups, top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon and add a cinnamon stick for stirring.

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Blonde Brownies

2006-03-05T15:23:00.000-05:00

These moist vanilla treats are a new twist to the old fashioned brownie. Better make a double batch, they disappear quickly!

Ingredients

2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup softened butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups self-rising flour
12 ounces chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream brown sugar and butter. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Stir in flour, chocolate chips and pecans.Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

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Beer and Mustard Ham

2006-03-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

Sounds different I know! but this beer and mustard sauce combination gives ham an even sweeter flavor and is always a hit.

Ingredients

1 10-12 pound ham
1/2 bottle of beer
1 cup water
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 onion
1 red pepper
2 stalks celery

Directions

Combine ingredients with ham and cook at 375º for approx. 2 hours. Remove ham from juices and set aside to cool. Strain juices into a saucepan and discard vegetables. Add 2 tsp. of cornstarch to liquid and thicken over medium heat. Drizzle sauce over sliced ham and serve.

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Steak a La Pizzaiola

2006-03-05T07:56:00.000-05:00

This dish is delicious served with pasta or rice. For added flavor, fresh basil can be used during the last few minutes of cooking or as a garnish.

Ingredients

8 thin fast fry steaks
2 cups crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup of red wine
1/2 of one green pepper
1/2 of one red pepper
1 onion
1 small clove garlic
2 tsp. olive oil

Directions

Add olive oil to a large skillet and fry steaks with green pepper, red pepper and onion over medium heat. Fry until steak has browned and vegetables are translucent. Add tomatoes, wine and garlic and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

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Oriental Style Stir-Fry

2006-03-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

This sweet and nutty Stir-fry is sure to please everyone and is great for last minute guests. You can use your favorite vegetable mix and mild or medium spare rib sauce. If you don't like almonds, use peanuts instead.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups instant rice
1/4 cup mild garlic spare rib sauce
1 lb/ beef flank steak, cut into thin strips
1 bag of oriental style mixed vegetables
1/4 cup of almonds
1 tsp. vegetable oil

Directions

Cook instant rice and set aside. In a large non-stick skillet, fry beef with vegetable oil on medium heat until browned. Add oriental vegetables and cook for 8-10 minutes.Add spare rib sauce and almonds and heat through. Serve on a bed of rice.

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Tiramisu

2006-03-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

This is about the easiest dessert you can make. By omitting the mascarpone cheese, the Tiramisu is lighter in texture and and saves on all those extra calories! You can reduce even more calories in this recipe by using the low fat Cool Whip and replacing the sugar with Splenda.

Ingredients
4 packages of lady finger cookies
4 cups of espresso
3/4 cup of dark rum
2 containers of cool whip
2 cups chocolate chips
3-4 tbsp. of cream

Directions

Brew espresso and add rum and sugar to taste. Set aside to cool. Combine chocolate chips with cream and melt in microwave approx. 1 minute and stir until chocolate is completely smooth.

Using a rectangular glass dish, quickly dip cookies in espresso and tightly layer bottom of pan. Add a layer of chocolate sauce and then a layer of cool whip. Add another layer of dipped cookies and continue process until you reach desired height. Sprinkle top with chocolate chips or caramel sauce.Refridgerate overnight.

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Zucchini Lasagna

2006-03-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

A Healthier Alternative

This is a healthier alternative to regular lasagna and takes minutes to make. If you're a vegatarian, just omit the ground beef.

Ingredients
5 zucchini
1/2 pound of lean ground beef
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1 8 ounce container of ricotta cheese
1/4 pound of shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. olive oil

Directions

Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise. Coat bottom of pan with olive oil and layer zucchini, ricotta cheese, hamburger and spaghetti sauce as you would regular lasagna. Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350º for 1 hour.

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Easy Bruschetta

2006-03-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

A Rustic Italian Classic

This appetizer also makes a great lunch or can be served as an accompaniment to a main meal. Great with fish!

Ingredients
1 french baguette
4 ripe tomatoes
1 clove fresh garlic
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 leaves fresh basil
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Directions

In a mixing bowl combine chopped tomatoes and ingredients. Cut baguette to desired thickness and brush with olive oil. Toast in oven. Spoon mixture over bread slices.

Posted in Appetizer Recipes

Chocolate Espresso Cheese Cake

2006-03-02T14:55:00.000-05:00

For Chocolate and Coffee Lovers.

This dessert is made with espresso coffee and bittersweet chocolate and is best served at room temperature. Be sure to cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate for 6 hours before decorating.

Ingredients for Crust:

1-1/2 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Ingredients for Filling:

2 lbs. softened cream cheese
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3 tsp. espresso coffee
1 tsp. vanilla
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar for 3 minutes, then add sour cream.Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Slowly pour espresso and vanilla while beating. Stir 1 cup of the batter into the melted chocolate and set aside.

Pour remaining batter on crust. Using a spoon, drop the melted chocolate batter on top of the plain batter using spiral motions. Drag a knife through the top to create a marble effect. Bake at 350º for 45 to 55 minutes. Cool on rack for 2 hours.

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Roasted Chicken With White Wine

2006-03-02T14:23:00.000-05:00

Simple and Delicious

This meal cooks itself. The chicken can be marinated overnight or prepared at the last minute.

Ingredients:

1 Whole Chicken
1 cup water
1/2 cup white wine
1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix
3 garlic cloves
5 tbl. olive oil
3 celery stalks
2 onions
salt & pepper to taste

How to Make

Preheat your oven to 350º. Combine chicken and ingredients in a large baking pan and cook for approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on size of chicken.

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Dinner Recipes

2006-02-28T20:12:00.000-05:00

What's for Dinner?

Here's some simple and delicious main meals that will please the whole family and make you feel like an aspiring chef.

Dessert Recipes

2006-02-28T20:07:00.000-05:00

For the Sweet Tooth

It doesn't have to be a special occassion to enjoy dessert! If you're pressed for time, make it on Sunday and enjoy it on Monday.

Appetizers

2006-02-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

Company's Coming

Impress your guests with these savoury snacks!

Drinks

2006-02-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

Beverages

Whether it's coffee, tea or cocoa, we all have a favorite. Here's a few ways to spice'em up.

Fun Kid's Meals

2006-02-28T19:55:00.001-05:00

Meals and Snacks for Kids

If you have a child that eats everything, consider yourself lucky! If you have a finicky one, here's some creative recipes that they're sure to enjoy.

Have a tip or recipe of your own? Share it with me.