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The {Page-Turner-Cookbook}
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American

231 recipes
Angel food cake
Angel food cake alaska
Apple bread pudding with Butterscotch Sauce
Apple cheese crisp
Apple cranberry crisp
Apple orange cake
Apple praline baked brioche challah toast
Apple-butterscotch pie
Apple-cranberry crumble pie
Apricot crumble
Apricot purses on a cloud
Asparagus with lime
Baked acorn squash with chestnuts apples and leeks
Baked oysters with wild mushroom ragout
Baked spaghetti squash with spinach and cheese
Bakers chocolate cookies
Banana bran muffins
Banana flax bread
Banana pancakes
Best bran muffins
Best pancakes
Bittersweet chocolate truffle cheese cake
Black bottom pie
BLT macaroni salad
Blueberry corn bread
Blueberry corn muffins
Blueberry streusel cake
Blueberry streusel cake #2
Blueberry supreme
Blueberry-banana pancakes
Blueberry-buckwheat pancakes
Blueberry-lemon bundt cake
Bourbon chocolate cake
Braised blueback with white wine sauce
Broiled crab meltaways
Broiled pacific salmon steaks with salsa butter
Broiled pompano with noodles
Broiled salmon fillets in a horseradish-ginger crust
Buckwheat pancakes
Caramel-pecan hand flipside pies
Caramelized pear upside-down cake
Carrot muffins
Carrot muffins with zucchini and pineapple
Cauliflower melt
Cauliflower patties
Cedar planked salmon with mustard mashed potatoes
Cheese wafers
Chewy oatmeal cookies
Chicken and shrimp salad california
Chicken divan
Chicken fingers
Chicken hash vanderbilt
Chicken magnifique
Chicken salad and avocados
Chinese chicken tenders
Chocolate angel food cake
Chocolate bourbon pecan pie
Chocolate brownie cookies
Chocolate cake for birthday cake
Chocolate chips cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate icing in a flash
Chocolate mousse cake
Chocolate mousse with honey popcorn
Chocolate pecan pie
Chocolate-dipped macadamia cookies
Choconut chippers
Cinnamon rolls version 2
Cioppino
Classic cheesecake
Classic stuffing
Coconut crispies
Coconut flour pancakes
Coconut squares
Coffee cake cupcakes
Cookie christmas tree
Corn bread for chili
Corn bread stuffing
Cranberry and pear phyllo tart
Cranberry eggnog cheesecake
Cranberry mold
Cranberry walnut cake
Cranberry walnut pie
Cranberry walnut tart
Creamy pumpkin pie
Crispy chicken nuggets
Crispy onion rings
Cronuts - croissant and doughnut
Crown roast of pork with stuffing
Crumble top cranberry bars
Cup cakes with vanilla and chocolate icings
Dips for endives
Double apple cake
Double cranberry soda bread
Doughnut muffins
Dutch baby apple pancake
Espresso chocolate chip cookies
Fish seasoning
Fluffy strawberry sherbet
Fresh blueberry pie
Fresh ricotta
Frozen lime cream pie
Garlic-roasted potato skins
Gluten-free pancakes
Grapefruit Alaska
Grapefruit cheesecake
Grapefruit fondue
Grapefruit salsa
Green bean casserole
Grilled pompano with tangy ginger sauce
Healthy baked chicken nuggets
Holiday roasted turkey
Home made cranberry juice
Hot spiced blueberry sauce
Kale and brussels sprout salad with walnuts parmesan and lemon-mustard dressing
Kale salad
Key lime pie
Krispy kreme donut
Lacy almond-orange cookies
Lamaze mayonnaise
Lemon and lime squares with pistachio crust
Lemon bars
Lemon cheese cake
Lemon meringue pie
Lemon or lime mousse
Lemon- honey jello
Lemon-glazed candied-ginger cookies
Lemon-scented blueberry sauce
Lentils mini burgers
Light strawberry mousse
Lime chiffon cheese cake
Lime meltaways
Lime mousse
Lime tart with raspberry sauce
Lumberjack cookies
Marbled pumpkin cheesecake
marionberry pie
Marshmallows
Mascarpone cheesecake
Morning glory muffins
Napoleon of peekey toe crab and apple
No-bake nutella cheesecake
Nutty peach crisp
Oatmeal raisin cookies
Oatmeal toffee cookies with dried cherries
Oats and berry crumb dessert
Old fashion rice crispies chocolate cookies
Orange cake 2
Orange pound cake
Orange prune nut loaf
Orange-cranberry topping
Orange-honey jello
Oven-baked chicken wings
Oven-cooked bacon
Pamplemousse pie
Parker house rolls
Peach almond compote
Peach and cream dessert
Peach mango smoothies
Peach-blackberry tart
Peach-blueberry custard danishes
Peanut butter and mint chocolate chips
Peanut crisps
Pear-cranberry crumble
Pecan crescents
Pecan pumpkin pie
Perfect roasted turkey
perfect white cake
Pingree pasta
Pompano almondine
Pompano captiva
Pompano meuniere
Pompano papillottes
Pompano with mango beurre blanc
Pork spareribs
Potato bacon soup - quick and easy
Praline lace cookies
Pumpkin cheesecake
Pumpkin chocolate cinnamon and salted caramel mousse cake
Pumpkin pie-pumpkin-shaped
Pumpkin-orange pie
Quick and easay cranberry sauce
Quick and easy pie crust
Raspberry cheesecake
Raspberry coconut squares
Raspberry crême brulée
Raspberry triple crown
Raspberry-apricot pie with hazelnut streusel topping
Refrigerator blueberry muffins
Rhubarb crumb bars
Rhubarb pound cake
Rice crispies cakes
Roasted cauliflower with parmesan polenta
Roasted turkey breast with barbecue sauce
Rum-broiled grapefruit
Salmon burgers with herb aïoli
Scallopines of pompano
Seasoned flour and spices for fried chicken
Sherried chicken thighs
Smoked turkey
Snickerdoodles
Southern fried chicken
Southern pecan pie
Southern-style collard greens
Spiced pumpkin bread
Spiced whole cranberry sauce
Steamed broccoli
Strawberry bavarian
Strawberry cheesecake with rhubarb sauce
Strawberry purses
Strawberry shake with red berry coulis
Streusel pumpkin bread
Stuffed boneless turkey with tart cherry gravy
Summer corn and tomato pasta
Tangerine jelly
Tangerine soufflés
Texas chili and corn bread pudding
The summit cake
The ultimate bran muffins
Toasted corn with cherry tomato and edamame salad
Toffeed pears
Tuna salad on olive bread with arugula
Tuscan kale salad
Valentine truffle cake
Vanilla-pomegranate parfaits
Vidalia onion fritters
Waldorf salad coleslaw
Walnut raspberry brownies
Wild blueberry flan
Wild rice and chestnut stuffing
Yeast donuts
descript here

Angel food cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cake flour, sifted
12 egg whites (1 3/4 cups) (at room temperature)
1/3 cup warm water
1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift half of the sugar with the salt and the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar.
After 2 minutes, slowly add the sifted reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed.
Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.

Carefully spoon mixture into a 10-inch (4L) ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).

Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Angel food cake alaska

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:2 minutes

1 angel food cake
1/2 gallon strawberry ice cream or 1/2 raspberry and 1/2 strawberry ice cream
For meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation
Remove the inside of angel cake leaving one inch thick sides and bottom to form a trench. Fill with ice cream. Freeze until ready to use.
For meringue: In an electric beater, whisk egg whites with cream of tartar until meringue is firm. Add sugar and vanilla.
Beat for 2 more minutes. Cover cake entirely with meringue using a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tube. Bake at 450 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes to brown. Decorate with whole berries and serve.



Apple bread pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

4 4x4-inch slices firm white bread, crusts trimmed
2 teaspoons butter
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
8 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon dried currants or raisins
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Hot Butterscotch Sauce (Makes 2 ½ cups )

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup butter
1 1/3 cups light cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly butter 9-inch-square baking dish.
Cut each bread slice into 4 squares with crusts trimmed.
Arrange half of bread squares in single layer in prepared dish.
Melt 2 teaspoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add apples; sauté 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar; sauté until apples are golden, about 5 minutes.
Arrange apples atop bread in dish. Sprinkle with currants.
Top with remaining bread slices in single layer.
Bring milk to simmer in small saucepan.
Whisk eggs and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in medium mixing bowl to blend.
Gradually whisk in hot milk, then vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour over bread and apple mixture.
Place pie dish in roasting pan.
Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of pie dish.
Bake bread pudding until top is golden and custard is set, about 40 minutes.
Remove from water. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Butterscotch Sauce

In saucepan, bring sugar, syrup and butter to boil; stirring; boil for 3 minutes. Stir in cream and bring back to boil. Remove from heat; add vanilla. Cool to room temperature.

Apple cheese crisp

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

3 tablespoons grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/3 cup soft butter
1/3 cup flour
5 large tart apples
1/3 cup cider



Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine grated sharp cheddar cheese,
brown sugar, nutmeg, soft butter and flour.
Peel, core and slice large tart apples. Arrange in a buttered pie dish.
Pour cider over apples. Crumble flour mixture over.
Bake for 40 minutes or until apples are soft.

Apple cranberry crisp

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

Topping:
1 1/4 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sliced almonds
4 pounds tart apples, peeled, quartered, cored and sliced
3 cups cranberries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
vanilla ice cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Butter a 13-by-9-by-2 inch baking dish or a 3-quart baking dish, 2-inch deep. In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cardamon, and salt.
Add butter and mix all ingredients until crumbly. Mix in the almonds. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries and granulated sugar. Mix in 1 tablespoon flour and remaining cinnamon and cardamon. Mix well. Transfer to the prepared dish.
Spread the oat mixture evenly over fruit. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 50 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

Apple orange cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons chopped pecans
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons butter
Cake:
2 cups chopped peeled apples
1/2 cup raisins
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup orange juice
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Topping:
Mix together brown sugar, pecans, flour and cinnamon; blend in butter.
Cake:
Mix together apples, raisins, 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon. Beat together brown sugar, sugar and oil. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in orange rind and vanilla. Mix together flour, baking powder and soda. Mix together sour cream and orange juice. Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately to egg mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in half of apple mixture.
Spread batter into pan.
Top with remaining apple mixture and sprinkle with Topping. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack. Cake can be frozen.

Apple praline baked brioche challah toast

Serves: 6

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

3/4 cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups pecan halves
6 cups cubed egg bread (brioche or challah (1­inch cubes)
3 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into ½­inch pieces
6 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preparation
1. Coat two 9­inch round (and at least 2½­inches deep) pie pans (OR a 9 by 13­ inch baking dish) with butter
or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Divide butter mixture between prepared
pans and tilt so that it evenly coats the bottom of each pan.
Arrange pecan halves in an attractive pattern
at the bottom of your pans. Cover and refrigerate pans until you're ready to assemble baked French toast.
3. Place bread and apple pieces in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, syrup, vanilla,
and cinnamon. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture and stir until all bread and apples are coated.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour the bread and apple mixture over the pecan praline layer. Bake for 45 to 55
minutes or until golden and puffed. If you used pie pans, allow to rest for 5 minutes before turning out onto
serving platters.

Apple-butterscotch pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

Basic Pie crust for a Double-Crust Pie
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup half-and-half
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch wedges
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
grated zest of 1/4 orange, optional
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees .
In a small saucepan, stir 3/4 cup of the brown sugar and
the half-and-half over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from the heat and add the butter and the vanilla.
Stir until the butter melts. Set the butterscotch mixture aside to cool completely.
In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice.
Add the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, the cornstarch, lemon zest,
and the orange zest (if using), cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the larger disk of dough into a
13-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fold the dough in half.
Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, and gently unfold the dough to fit into the pan.
Sprinkle the bottom of the dough with the flour.
Fill the pie pan with the apple mixture.
Pour the cooled butterscotch mixture over the apples.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the remaining pie dough into
a 10- to 11-inch round about 1/8 inch thick.
Fold the dough in half, and gently unfold over the apples to cover the filling.
Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim the edges of the 2 pie crusts to a 1-inch overhang.
Pinching the 2 crusts together, fold the dough under itself so the edge of
the fold is flush with the edge of the pie pan.
Flute the crust around the edges of the pan.
Cut a few slits in the top crust so the steam can escape.
Bake until golden brown and the juices are bubbling (look into the slits to check), about 45 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire cake rack.

Apple-cranberry crumble pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 10 minutes

1 cup flour
1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar
1/3 cup oatmeal (not instant)
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cut into pieces
1 16-ounce can whole cranberry sauce
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 9-inch deep dish frozen pie shell, unthawed
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For topping:
Mix first 4 ingredients. Add butter, mix until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
For filling:
Place baking sheet in oven. Toss apples, cranberry sauce, sugar and cornstarch until well blended.
Transfer apple-cranberry filling to frozen pie shell, mounding in centre.
Sprinkle topping over pie. Set pie on baking sheet in oven. Bake until apples are tender, juices bubble thickly and crust is golden, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Apricot crumble

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

2 cups sliced fresh apricots
1 cup graham-cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon melted butter
light cream or ice cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine brown sugar, graham-cracker crumbs, melted butter and lemon juice.
Blend gently with sliced apricots.
Spread in shallow buttered baking dish.
Bake for 25 minutes. Serve with light cream or ice cream.

Apricot purses on a cloud

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

3 sheets of phyllo dough, 12 by 17 inches
1/4 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
4 slices pound cake, 2 inches squares by 1/2 inch thick
16 apricots halves
8 mint leaves, 4 chopped and 4 reserved for garnish
For sauce:
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon peppermint liqueur or drops of peppermint extract
4 chopped mint leaves
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Brush the sheets of phyllo with melted sweet butter.
Dust sheets with 3 tablespoons confectioner's sugar, and stack the three sheets.
Quarter the phyllo sheets.
Place a 2 inch square, 1/2 inch thick slice of pound cake on each square. Arrange 2 apricot halves on each cake square, stem down.
Brush strawberries with melted butter, sprinkle each square with 1/2 teaspoon chopped mint.
Gather the edges of each phyllo quarter to encase the apricots, leaving a 2-inch opening in center of phyllo purse. Brush the outside with melted butter.
Dust with confectioner's sugar.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until purses are golden brown.
Sauce: Combine vanilla ice cream, heavy cream, peppermint liqueur or drops of extract, and 4 chopped mint leaves. Stir until soft and creamy. Refrigerate.
Spoon the mint sauce on plates. Place a purse on each plate. Garnish with mint leaves.

Asparagus with lime

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:6 minutes

2 pounds asparagus trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons liquid honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons diced sweet red pepper
Preparation
In large skillet, simmer asparagus in salted boiling water for 6 minutes or just until tender.
Drain on towels; transfer to platter.
Whisk oil, lime rind and juice, honey, salt and pepper; stir in mint and chives.
Drizzle over asparagus; garnish with red pepper.

From Canada Living Test Kitchen

Baked acorn squash with chestnuts apples and leeks

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

4 halved, seeded Acorn Squash
1 1/2 cups diced Celery
2 peeled, diced Granny Smith Apples
10 oz diced day-old Bread (crusts removed)
1/2 cup chopped Parsley
1/3 cup Vegetable Stock
3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
2 halved, sliced Leeks, white part
2 tsp fine chopped Thyme
7 oz cooked Chestnuts
1/3 cup Heavy Cream
3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Preparation
Preheat the oven at 350 F and brush the cut sides of each squash using olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
Place cut sides of squash down on two baking sheets. Roast 25 minutes or until tender.
Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet. Add celery with leeks, salt and pepper, cooking on medium heat for about eight minutes, stirring now and then.
Add apples and thyme, cooking on medium high about five minutes, or until until the apples begin to soften.
Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Work in bread, parsley, stock, chestnuts, and cream, tossing to mix well; salt and pepper.
Turn the squash so cut sides face up. Fill the cavities with stuffing and bake 20 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.

Baked oysters with wild mushroom ragout

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

For the Oysters
2 dozen oysters
For the Aioli:
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For the Ragout:
1 cup diced thick-sliced hickory-smoked bacon
1 or 2 shallots, minced
1 cup wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
Leaves of 1 sprig fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper


Preparation
Buy the oysters. When buying oysters, look for a tag with the harvest date and use them within a week of that date. Also, make sure the oysters are fresh and alive; the shells should be tightly closed or should close when tapped.
An hour before shucking, scrub the oysters with a stiff brush under cold running water to remove any grit. Set them aside to relax muscles in shell. They will open with more ease.

Shuck the oysters. Hold the oyster, curved-side down, in a towel on a cutting board. Insert an oyster knife between the shells at the narrow pointed end. (Use a real oyster knife-there is no substitute!) Press down firmly on the oyster to prevent slipping and twist the knife to pry the shells apart. Use the knife for leverage; do not use force. Cut the muscle that connects the oyster to the top shell with the knife, being careful not to pierce the meat. Remove the top shell. Slide your knife under the oyster to loosen it, keeping the meat and liquid in the shell. Use your knife to carefully scrape away any shards of shell.

Make the aioli. Blend the garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with the motor running and process until thick. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the aioli to a bowl, then cover and refrigerate.

Prepare the ragout. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp. Add the shallots and mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, stirring. Add the garlic, cook 3 minutes, then add the butter and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the oysters. Preheat the broiler. Place the oysters, in their shells, in individual baking dishes or one large dish. (Put a crumpled sheet of foil underneath them to keep them steady, if necessary.) Top each with a spoonful of mushroom ragout.

Finish the dish. Top each oyster with a dollop of aeoli. Broil until the aeoli is golden, about 2 minutes, and serve immediately.

Baked spaghetti squash with spinach and cheese

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:2 hours

6 cups cooked spaghetti squash (from about 1 large squash)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups 2% or skim milk
1 cup fat free chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian)
3 Tbsp tomato salsa
4 oz reduced fat cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups (about 4 oz) baby spinach, steamed for 3 minutes
1/4 cup grated parmesan
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Place squash on a baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Separate the strands of squash with a fork and place in a medium bowl; discard shells. Maintain the oven temperature.

Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook about 2 minutes. Stir in flour. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring continually 3 - 4 minutes.
Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick, about 2 minutes stirring; season with salt and pepper.
Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheddar cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked spaghetti squash and chopped baby spinach, pour into a baking dish and sprinkle with tomato salsa and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake until bubbly and golden 25 to 30 minutes.

Bakers chocolate cookies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:14 minutes

16 squares Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Coarsely chop 8 squares of the chocolate; set aside.
Microwave remaining 8 squares of chocolate in large microwavable bowl on high 1-2 minutes.
Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in sugar, butter eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder.
Stir in reserved chopped chocolate and nuts. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are puffed and feel set to the touch. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Banana bran muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup mashed bananas
1 tablespoon molasses
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup natural bran
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup raisins
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter, sugar, molasses then add bananas.
Add all dry ingredients with egg and buttermilk. Whisk until batter is smooth. Pour batter in greased muffin tins.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Banana flax bread

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:55 minutes

1 ½ cups mashed, very ripe banana (3-4 bananas)
1/3 cup reduced fat vanilla Greek yogurt
2 large eggs
¼ cup safflower or other neutral-flavored oil
½ teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
¾ cup all purpose flour
¾ cup white whole wheat flour
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix the bananas, yogurt, eggs, oil, and vanilla together in the bowl of a stand mixer until combined. Add the sugar and continue to mix until combined.
2. Whisk the flours, flaxseed, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer and beat until just combined (do not over-mix). Stir the nuts into the batter.
3. Pour the batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake in the oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove the bread and cool completely on wire rack.

Banana pancakes

Serves: 6

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off
2 tablespoons sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small, over-ripe banana, peeled
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons low fat milk
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For Cooking

Vegetable oil
Unsalted butter

For Serving
Maple syrup
Sliced bananas
Confectioners' sugar (optional)
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork until almost smooth. Whisk in the eggs, then add the milk and vanilla and whisk until well blended. Pour the banana mixture and the melted butter into the flour mixture. Fold the batter gently with a rubber spatula until just blended; do not over-mix. The batter will be thick and lumpy.
Set a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat until hot. Put a pad of butter and one tablespoon vegetable oil onto the griddle, and swirl it around. Drop the batter by 1/4-cupfuls onto the griddle, spacing the pancakes about 2 inches apart. Cook until a few holes form on top of each pancake and the underside is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is puffed, 1 to 2 minutes more. Using the spatula, transfer the pancakes to a serving plate.
Wipe the griddle clean with paper towels, add more butter and oil, and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the pancakes while still hot with maple syrup, sliced bananas and confectioners' sugar if desired.

Best bran muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

3 cups all bran cereal
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup raisins
1 cup boiling water
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk *
Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together the bran cereal, oil and raisins. Pour on the boiling water and let stand while preparing remaining ingredients.
Combine the flour, sugar, soda and salt. Lightly beat the eggs and mix with the buttermilk.
Add to cereal mixture and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix only until combined.
Pour batter in greased muffin tins.
Let stand at least 15 minutes before baking. Do not stir. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove muffins from cups while hot.
* You can replace the 2 cups buttermilk with 2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice and milk.

Best pancakes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
Preparation
Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whip in eggs and milk. Mix in melted butter. Allow batter to rest at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook pancakes on a hot greased griddle or a large non-stick frying pan.
It is time to flip pancake when the batter surface is covered with little breaking bubbles. Serve with real amber maple syrup.

Blueberry pancakes:
Sprinkle blueberries over the batter immediately after pouring it on the griddle or pan.
Sautéed pears or apples:
Peel, core and thinly slice 2 pears or 2 apples. Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add fruit, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Sauté until fruit is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. If using apples, sprinkle with cinnamon. The fruit may be mixed in the pancake batter or serve warm as topping.

Other fruit can be added to batter immediately after it is poured on the griddle: wild strawberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, toasted nuts, granola or raisins plumped in fruit juice.
Luscious toppings:
- cranberries: Place 1 cup whole cranberries and 1 cup maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to allow cranberries to pop. Serve warm.

.- honey and spice: Warm 1 cup honey, 4 star anise, and 4 cinnamon sticks in small saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Use warm over pancakes. The mixture keeps up to a week in an airtight container.

Bittersweet chocolate truffle cheese cake

Serves: 14

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1/4 cup sugar
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon cocoa
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 8-ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup strong coffee
8 ounces chocolate, bittersweet
1/2 cup sour cream
4 ounces chocolate, bittersweet
1/2 cup heavy cream

Preparation
CRUST:
Combine first 4 ingredients. Press mixture on bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
FILLING:
Beat cream cheese with sugar. Add the eggs. Stir in the strong instant coffee, chocolate and sour cream. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 to 50 minutes or until center is barely set. Refrigerate.
GLAZE:
Shave a few curls of chocolate for garnish. Heat the cream with remaining chocolate until melted and smooth. Spoon over cake. Garnish with curls.

Black bottom pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

For the crust:

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate, melted
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup Graham crumbs
1 tablespoon cocoa


For the raspberry filling:
one 10-ounce package raspberries, pureed and strained
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the custard:
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup milk
2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon rum
1/4 cup sugar
Preparation
the crust:
In a medium bowl, Mix chocolate with butter. Combine with crumbs. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

the raspberry filling:
Combine ingredients in double boiler. Whisk until thickened. Cool and cover.
Dissolve 1 envelop unflavored gelatin with 1/4 cup water Allow to set for 5 minutes, and mix in with the raspberry filling.

the custard:

In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn starch and milk. Cook over medium heat until thick. Mix in egg yolks.
Cook one more minute. Set aside.
Cool and cover.
Mix half of the custard with 1/4 cup melted semi sweet chocolate.
Pour over crust bottom. Refrigerate until firm.
Spoon in raspberry mixture. Chill to set.
Add 1 tablespoon rum to remaining custard. Cool. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar.
Add 1/4 cup sugar. Continue beating until firm. Fold into custard.
Spoon over pie. Chill.

BLT macaroni salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
3 cups lettuce, shredded
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Preparation
1. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well.
2. Add the macaroni, tomato and onions; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Just before serving, add lettuce and bacon; toss to coat

Blueberry corn bread

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

1 cup flour
1 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup blueberries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Butter one 9-inch by 5-inch by 3-inch loaf pans. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add cornmeal and blend well.
In a separate bowl, combine and beat milk, egg, and butter.
Pour the wet ingredients over dry mixture. Stir to blend. Fold in the blueberries.
Pour batter into pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes. Cool corn bread on rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack to cool completely. Refrigerate wrapped for 2 days, or freeze for 2 weeks.

Blueberry corn muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 ounces unsalted butter
1 egg
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
2 cups blueberries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In an electric mixer, whisk together the butter, egg, sugar, honey and milk.
Stir together these two mixtures and carefully fold in the blueberries. Spoon the batter in a greased 12-muffin tins.
Bake the muffins for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove muffins from cups while hot.

Blueberry streusel cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 10 minutes

For cake:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, soft
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 cups sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla

For streusel mixture:
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups blueberries
Preparation
Preheat oven at 375 degrees.
Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar till light. Add eggs, one at the time, mixing well after each addition. Add flour mixture to batter alternately with sour cream and vanilla.
Combine streusel ingredients. Set aside ½ cup. Toss remaining with blueberries. Spread batter in pan. Sprinkle with half of the blueberry mixture. Then spread of the batter and sprinkle with remaining blueberries.
Top with remaining batter. Sprinkle reserved mixture over batter. Bake 60 to 65 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan.

Blueberry streusel cake #2

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

2 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup salad oil
2 tablespoons milk

Streusel:
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of sugar over berries; set aside. Mix our, sugar and salt. Combine salad oil and milk in a small bowl and whip with fork. Pour over flour mixture. Mix with fork until moist.
Turn into a greased 8-inch by 8-inch by 2-inch cake pan. Press dough into pan, building up edges about one inch deep. Spread berries over the dough.
Streusel:
Mix sugar, flour and salt together. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

Blueberry supreme

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

One recipe Quick and easy pie crust
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound blueberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup sugar
garnish with whipped cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, cornstarch and sugar.
Cook over low heat until thick and bubbly. Spread over pie crust. Chill. Decorate top with whipped cream.

Blueberry-banana pancakes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup mashed banana
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh blueberries
Preparation
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add eggs, milk, butter, bananas and vanilla. Stir until well blended and smooth. Fold in blueberries.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake on preheated, greased griddle. Turn only once.

Blueberry-buckwheat pancakes

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup buckwheat flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons canola oil
2 large eggs, separated
melted butter
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries or frozen, unthawed
Preparation
Mix first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
Stir in buttermilk, oil and egg yolks.
Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until medium-firm peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into batter.
Heat a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat; lightly brush skillet with melted butter. Drop batter by ¼ cupfuls into skillet; spread to 4 inch rounds. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons blueberries over each round. Cook until tops are covered with small bubbles and bottom are golden, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until second sides are golden, about 1 minute.
Repeat with remaining batter and blueberries, brushing skillet with melted butter for each batch.

Blueberry-lemon bundt cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons flour
1 lemon cake mix
1 cup sour cream
4 large eggs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour Bundt pan. Sprinkle flour over blueberries. Combine dry cake mix and sour cream. Add eggs, one at a time, beating at low speed. Beat at medium speed until smooth.
Bake for 45 minutes. Cool on rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan.

Bourbon chocolate cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

11 oz. semisweet good quality chocolate, chopped
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter
6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 oz. (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

For serving:
1 cup heavy cream
1 to 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Preparation
Position an oven rack on the middle rung and heat the oven to 350°F.

Butter a 9×3-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment and butter the parchment. Set the cake pan in a roasting pan large enough to accommodate it.

Melt the chocolate and butter over a double boiler. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
With an electric mixer (a stand mixer with the whip attachment or a hand mixer), beat the egg yolks with the brown sugar on medium speed until very pale, thick, and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed, add the chocolate mixture, and mix just to combine. Add the flour, mixing just to combine and scraping the bowl as needed. Blend in the bourbon and vanilla. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a clean mixing bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the salt on high speed until they hold soft peaks, 1 to 2 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, and then gently fold in the remaining whites. Scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Set the roasting pan on the oven rack and add enough warm tap water to come halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake until the top feels set, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the cake pan from the water bath and run a paring knife around the inside of the pan (or the inside of the parchment collar) to loosen the cake and then let the cake cool completely in the cake pan on a rack. When the cake is completely cool, loosen the sides once more with a paring knife. Cover the cake with a serving plate and invert the cake onto the plate. The bottom of the cake is now the top. Peel off the parchment. (Don’t worry if the surface looks a little ragged; you’ll be dusting with confectioners’ sugar).

To serve: In a chilled bowl, beat the cream and sugar to medium-soft peaks. Dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar, slice, and serve each slice with the whipped cream.

Braised blueback with white wine sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

2 tablespoon butter
5 medium shallots, peeled, minced
1-5 pound whole dressed salmon
3 cups dry white wine
to taste salt ground white pepper
1 bouquet garni
2 tablespoon butter
3 slices white bread
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add the minced shallots and cook until golden. Spread into a baking pan large enough to hold the salmon.
Scale salmon. Wash under cold water. Pat dry. Place the whole fish, lying flat on the baking pan. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Add the bouquet garni. Dot the fish with the two tablespoons of butter. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake Measure the salmon at its thickest part. Bake 12 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. While the fish is cooking, remove the crust from the bread. Cut the slices into triangles. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the bread triangles in oil until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan and keep warm. When the salmon in done, transfer to a large serving platter. Remove skin from the top side. Cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce to two cups. Beat the egg yolks with the cream. Pour into the reduced hot cooking liquid and whisk over low heat until the sauce thickens lightly. Do not boil the sauce as it may separate. Season to taste.

PRESENTATION
Starting at tail end, use a fish knife and fork to cut the top fillet into serving size portions. Slide knife between the fillet and bone to lift the portions. Arrange each portion in the center of warm plates. Before serving the bottom fillet, lift off tail and pull backbone away from flesh, removing the head all in one piece. Bottom fillet is now boneless and easy to lift into serving size portions. Free skin from portions before serving. Spoon the sauce over salmon. Garnish each plate with two slices of fried bread.

Broiled crab meltaways

Serves: 3

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

6 English muffins cut in halves

7 ounces crabmeat
4 ounces butter
7 ounces old English sharp Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Preparation
Mix all ingredients well. Spread on English muffin halves. Chill or freeze for future use.
Broil until golden brown. Cut muffins into quarters. Muffin halves can also be served as a luncheon.

Broiled pacific salmon steaks with salsa butter

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1/2 cup hot tomato salsa
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
4 6-ounce Pacific salmon steaks, thawed if necessary
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon lime zest, grated
1/4 teaspoon cumin, ground
to taste salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
for garnish: lime wedges
Preparation
Set aside two tablespoons of salsa.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining salsa, lime juice, mustard, and garlic. Coat salmon steaks in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.
In a medium bowl, combine the soft butter with lime zest, cumin, and the two tablespoons of the reserved salsa. Mix well, and set aside.
Preheat broiler on high.
Remove salmon steaks from marinade (discard marinade); season with salt and pepper. Arrange side by side skin side in an oiled oven-proof dish.
Place the salmon under the broiler, 4 inches from the heat source. Broil 3 minutes per side, or until the fish just flakes when tested with a fork. Bone and skin the salmon steaks.
PRESENTATION
Arrange salmon steaks on warm plates. Spoon a teaspoon of salsa butter on top of each steak. Garnish plates with lime wedges, and a green vegetable (snap peas, or green beans). Serve hot.

Broiled pompano with noodles

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

SAUCE *
1 lemon, juice and zest
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, crushed and finely chopped
1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
FISH
2 (8 ounce) pompano fillets, skinned, boned and cut in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound Fettuccine or spaghettini cooked al dente and drained
Preparation
Finely grate the clean lemon to make zest, and juice the lemon. Set aside.
In a small pot, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, wine, shallot and garlic.
Cook over high heat until reduced to half. Remove from heat, cool slightly. When lemon mixture is warm, cut in butter and whisk together. Add parsley and season with salt and pepper. Set the sauce aside.
Heat grill over high heat.
Brush pompano fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill fish for 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
Heat and toss pasta with half of the lemon butter
Arrange pasta on a platter, place fish on top of pasta and spoon remaining lemon butter sauce over. Serve immediately .

* The sauce can also be a fish velouté sauce

Broiled salmon fillets in a horseradish-ginger crust

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

4 5-ounce salmon fillets, skinned and boned
1 1/4 cups fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoon fresh horseradish, grated or 1/4 cup prepared horseradish, squeezed dry
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon rice wine or sake
to taste, salt, ground white pepper
for the sauce:
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoon rice wine or sake
2 tablespoon water
Preparation
Preheat the broiler.
Lightly oil a baking sheet. Wash salmon fillets under cold running water. Pat dry.
Set salmon on the baking sheet.
In a food processor, combine bread crumbs, horseradish, ginger, oil, rice wine or sake, salt and pepper. Process until well blended and moist.
Press one-fourth of the crumb mixture over the top of each salmon fillet. Broil about 4 inches from the heat source, until the crust is golden brown, and the salmon is opaque in the center, about 8 to 10 minutes.
For the sauce:
While the salmon is broiling, stir the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Serve alongside the salmon.

Buckwheat pancakes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
Preparation
Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whip in eggs and milk. Allow batter to rest at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cook pancakes on a hot greased griddle or a large non-stick frying pan. It is time to flip pancake when the batter surface is covered with little breaking bubbles.
Serve with real amber maple syrup.

Caramel-pecan hand flipside pies

Serves: 12

Preparation time:3 hours

Cooking time:40 minutes

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
4 sticks unsalted butter (1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch dice and chilled
3/4 cup ice water

FILLING AND TOPPING
1 1/2 cups pecans (6 ounces)
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Salt
1 cup corn syrup
5 large eggs, 1 egg beaten
1/4 cup turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
Preparation
In a large (preferably 12-cup) food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the butter and pulse in 1-second bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle the ice water over the dough and pulse in 1-second bursts until it just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and pat into 2 disks. Wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

On a floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of the dough to a 16-inch square, a scant 1/4 inch thick. Using a small pot lid or plate (5 1/2 to 6 inches) as a template, cut out as many dough rounds as possible. Repeat with the second disk of dough. Reroll the scraps, chilling if necessary, for a total of 12 dough rounds. Transfer the pastry rounds to parchment paper–lined baking sheets and refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop the nuts.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the sugar with 1/2 cup of water. Cook over moderate heat, swirling the pan gently once the caramel begins to form, until the caramel is medium-amber, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, cream, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Transfer 1 cup of the caramel to a large bowl and let cool slightly. (Save any remaining caramel for later use.) Whisk the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and the corn syrup into the caramel in the bowl. Whisk in the 4 unbeaten eggs until smooth. Add the pecans and a generous pinch of salt.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Pour the pecan filling into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until set. Let cool slightly, then scrape the pecan filling into a bowl and gently stir to recombine.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Working with one baking sheet at a time, brush the pastry surfaces lightly with some of the beaten egg. Scoop a scant 1/4 cup of the pecan filling onto each round and fold the pastry over to make a turnover. Press the edges to seal and crimp with the tines of a floured fork. Refrigerate the hand pies while you prepare the rest.
Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each pie. Bake the pies in the middle and lower thirds of the oven for 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown; shift the pans halfway through baking. Let the pies cool on the baking sheets before serving.
MAKE AHEAD
The pies can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Rewarm before serving.

Caramelized pear upside-down cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes

2 ounces unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces (4 tablespoons)
about 1 pound medium firm-ripe Bosc pears

For the Cake:
6 3/4 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour (1-1/2 cups)
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened (8 tablespoons)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs

Basic Caramel:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Preparation
1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x2-inch round cake pan (don't use a springform pan, as the caramel might leak out during baking). Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment and butter the top of the paper.
Make the Topping:

1. Peel, core, and cut the pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pear slices on the bottom of the pan in a circle around the edge, overlapping them slightly, with the pointed ends towards the center. If necessary, cut a little off the pointed ends to make the slices fit better. Or if the pear slices don't reach all the way to the middle, arrange a few of the shorter slices in the center to cover the bottom of the pan.
2. Make the Basic Caramel according to the directions. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the 4 tablespoons of butter one piece at a time, until they are completely melted. Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pears (it should spread over the pears and onto the bottom of the pan).

Make the Cake Batter:

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt into a medium bowl. Stir to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Turn the mixer to medium and slowly add the brown sugar. Increase the speed to high and continue to mix until lightened in texture and color, 2 to 3 minutes total. Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Reduce the speed to low and alternate adding the flour mixture and milk mixture in five additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix each addition just enough to incorporate, as overmixing will lead to a tougher cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl one last time and mix briefly to blend well.
Bake the cake:

1. Spoon the batter in large dollops over the pears and smooth it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Turn a cake plate upside down on top of the cake pan and, using pot holders, carefully invert the cake pan onto the plate.
Basic Caramel:

1. Fill a cup measure halfway with water and put a pastry brush in it; this will be used for washing down the sides of the pan to prevent crystallization. In a heavy-duty 2-quart saucepan, stir the sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup cold water. Brush down the sides of the pan with water to wash away any sugar crystals.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, occasionally brushing down the sides of the pan, until the mixture starts to color around the edges, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Gently swirl the pan once to even out the color and prevent the sugar from burning in isolated spots. Continue to cook until the sugar turns medium amber, about 30 seconds more. (Once the mixture begins to color, it will darken very quickly, so keep an eye on it.)

Carrot muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

1/2 cup oil
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup honey
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat eggs, add sugar, honey, oil and carrots. Mix well. Add dry ingredients along with buttermilk.
Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Transfer muffins on a rack to cool.

Carrot muffins with zucchini and pineapple

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

2 cups flour
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 golden delicious apple cored and finely chopped
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees .
Mix all ingredients except eggs and oil in a large bowl. Beat eggs and oil in a separate bowl.
Stir flour mix into eggs. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into each cup. Bake for about 25 minutes.
Transfer muffins on a rack to cool. Serve warm.

Cauliflower melt

Serves: 4

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 Medium head of cauliflower, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slabs, possibly halved to make a total of 8 slabs
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup white wine (optional)
1/4 cup shelled pistachios
4 ounces Comte or Manchego cheese, cut into 8 slices
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the cauliflower slabs and toss to coat.
3. Arrange the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, flip the slabs, and bake another 10 to 20 minutes, until softened and roasted. Set aside to cool but keep the oven on.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak the raisins in wine or water for 10 minutes. Drain.
5. In a small pan over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios, dry or with a little oil. Let cool on a paper towel, then chop coarsely.
6.Arrange the cauliflower in a baking dish. Sprinkle with pistachios and raisins and top with the cheese.
7. Bake until the cheese melts, 7 to 10 minutes.
8. Top with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Cauliflower patties

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 medium cauliflower
2 large eggs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup panko or corn meal
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste
olive oil
Preparation
Cut cauliflower into florets and steam until tender about 10 minutes. Drain. Mash the cauliflower while still warm. Stir cheese, eggs, panko, cayenne and salt to taste.

Coat the bottom of a griddle or skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Form the cauliflower mixture into patties about 3 inches across. Cook until golden brown & set, about 3 minutes per side. Keep each batch warm in the oven while you cook the rest.

Cedar planked salmon with mustard mashed potatoes

Serves: 6

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh gingerroot
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
an untreated cedar plank (about 17 by 10 1/2 inches) if desired
a 2 1/2-pound center-cut salmon fillet with skin
greens from 1 bunch scallions

Accompaniment:Mustard Mashed Potatoes
Preparation
In a small heavy saucepan simmer maple syrup, gingerroot, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste until reduced to about 1 cup, about 30 minutes, and let cool. (Maple glaze may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring maple glaze to room temperature before proceeding.)
Preheat oven to 350° F. If using cedar plank, lightly oil and heat in middle of oven 15 minutes; or lightly oil a shallow baking pan large enough to hold salmon.
Arrange scallion greens in one layer on plank or in baking pan to form a bed for fish.
In another small saucepan heat half of glaze over low heat until heated through to use as a sauce. Stir in remaining tablespoon lemon juice. Remove pan from heat and keep sauce warm, covered.
Put salmon, skin side down, on scallion greens and brush with remaining glaze. Season salmon with salt and pepper and roast in middle of oven until just cooked through, about 20 minutes if using baking pan or about 35 if using plank.
Cut salmon crosswise into 6 pieces. On each of 6 plates arrange salmon and scallion greens on a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle salmon with warm sauce.

Cheese wafers

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon Aromat seasoning
1 cup flour

Preparation
Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Process cheese with the flour. Add butter and spices and process until dough forms a ball. Scrape the side of bowl, and process for a few more seconds to blend.
Roll the dough into 2-inch thick cylinder. Wrap in wax paper. Chill. Slice into 1/4 -inch slices. Place on sheet pan lined with wax paper.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until wafers are crisp. Cool on rack.

Note: I also roll cylinder in ground almond.

Chewy oatmeal cookies

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cup quick oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease baking sheet.
Combine shortening, light brown sugar, egg, milk and vanilla in large bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until well blended.
Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and cream together with mixer at low speed until just blended.
Stir in raisins and nuts.
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 2" apart onto baking sheet.
Bake at 375'F. for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to foil on counter top.

Chicken and shrimp salad california

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

3 cooked chicken legs
3 ounces celery
2 hard boiled eggs
20 small cooked shrimp
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sour cream
1 small diced shallot
1 teaspoon wine
2 teaspoons ketchup
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon A1 sauce
1 teaspoon dill
4 leaves radicchio
Preparation
Cut chicken meat into julienne. Cut celery into small pieces.
Slice eggs and combine all in a bowl. Add the shrimp.
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, shallots. white wine, ketchup, lemon juice, A1 sauce, and dill to make a dressing.
Toss the salad. Arrange on radicchio leaves.

Chicken divan

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 pound broccoli
5 cups cooked chicken
2 10-ounce can chicken soup
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup white bread crumbs
2 teaspoons butter
Preparation
Clean, wash and cut broccoli into medium pieces. Cook lightly in boiling water. Drain well.
Cover the bottom of a casserole dish with broccoli. Cover broccoli with the diced chicken.
In a separate bowl, mix chicken soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, cream and ginger. Spread over chicken. Top with the cheddar cheese. Brown bread crumbs with butter.
Sprinkle over top of chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and brown.

Chicken fingers

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

8 large chicken breasts
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon Aromat seasoning
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups flour
5 eggs
3 cups fresh breadcrumbs
oil for frying
Preparation
Skin chicken breasts. Remove breast bone. Cut breast meat into 1 inch wide by 2 to 4 inches long.
In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, seasoned salt, Aromat seasoning, Dijon mustard, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Blend seasonings with chicken.
Marinate for an hour or more. Roll chicken pieces in flour. Dip in beaten beaten eggs, and coat with bread crumbs.
Deep fry at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Chicken hash vanderbilt

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 3-pound roasting chicken, washed

for stock:
1 large onion, peeled and quartered
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
1 leek, cleaned and sliced
2 sticks celery
1 bouquet garni

for sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken stock
8 ounces mushrooms
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 pound frozen peas
Preparation
In a large soup pot, combine chicken and vegetables. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Transfer chicken to a plate. Allow to cool. Skin chicken and debone. Cut all meat into cubes. Reserve.
For the sauce:
Melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the flour to make a roux. Strain 2 cups chicken stock over the roux. Whisk to thicken. Simmer for 10 minutes. Sauce should be medium-thick. add chicken and simmer for 5 minutes. Melt butter in a frying pan. Add mushrooms and sauté on high heat until all liquid is evaporated. Add to chicken.
Spoon chicken mixture into a casserole baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
Cook peas according to package directions. Drain and puree in a food processor.
I add 1 or 2 tablespoons instant mashed potatoes to thicken peas. Spoon puree of peas in a pastry bag fitted with a star tube.
Pipe all around edges of baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees until brown.

Chicken magnifique

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 10 minutes

6 boneless chicken breasts*
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 clove garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups milk
Preparation
Brown chicken in 2 tablespoons oil.
Remove to roasting pan.
Saute the mushrooms and add to the chicken. Crush the garlic clove and add with spices to pan.
Mix the soups with the milk and heat in the frying pan. (This deglazes the pan).
Pour over the chicken and bake about 1 hour at 350 F.

* Use a combination of chicken breasts and thighs, if desired.

Chicken salad and avocados

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

6 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon gin
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

6 cooked chicken breasts or chicken thighs
2 ripe avocados
2 teaspoons lemon juice
8 slices blanched and peeled tomatoes
4 teaspoons sour cream
1 bunch watercress
Preparation
Combine vinegar, gin, olive oil, salt, sugar, and pepper. Skin, bone, and cube the chicken.
Marinate in dressing for 10 to 15 minutes. Peel avocados and cut into wedges; season to taste with salt pepper, and lemon juice.

Spoon marinated chicken on each plate; decorate with wedges of avocado, tomato slices, dollops of sour cream or creme fraiche, and watercress.

Chinese chicken tenders

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

4 boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

For the batter:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup pancake mix
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup water

For the sauce:
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Cut chicken breast into medium strips.
Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.
Combine flour, pancake mix, cornstarch, egg, baking powder, and water. Mix well to form a smooth batter.
Dip chicken pieces in batter, and deep fry at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
To make the sauce:
In a heavy bottom medium saucepan, mix all the ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, while stirring.
Cook for 2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat. Transfer to a serving dish. Allow to cool.

Chocolate angel food cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1/3 cup superfine sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2/3 cup superfine sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift sugar, cocoa, flour and salt together in a bowl.
Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and vinegar until medium stiff. Add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at the time. Beat until soft peaks form.
Fold in the dry ingredients.
Spoon into a 10-cup angel food cake pan. Smooth the top. Tap the pan on work surface to release any air pockets.
Bake about 35 minutes. Test the center of cake with a tester.
Invert cake to cool for an hour. Loosen cake with a thin spatula or a knife. Unmold and cover with egg white frosting. Decorate with chocolate shavings.

Chocolate bourbon pecan pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked

3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons sweet butter
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup Bourbon
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate
1 cup whole pecans

Preparation
Preheat oven tot 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, vanilla and bourbon until well combined. Strain.
Grate the chocolate into bits. Sprinkle over the bottom of unbaked pie crust. Cover with the pecans.
Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool for an hour before serving.

Chocolate brownie cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:9 minutes

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (yes, this is the correct amount!)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tbsp brewed espresso (or you can use reconstituted espresso powder)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp unsalted butter
5 oz extra-bittersweet chocolate (70% or higher), chopped
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, briefly whip the eggs to break them up. Add the sugar, espresso, and vanilla and beat on high speed for 15 minutes, until thick. (This will help add body to the batter because there is so little flour in the recipe.)

While the eggs are whipping, place the butter in the top of a double boiler, or in a small metal bowl suspended over a pot of simmering (not boiling) water, and scatter the extra-bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate on top. Heat until the butter and chocolate melt. Remove the boiler top from over the water and stir the chocolate and butter until smooth.

Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until partially combined (there should still be some streaks). Add the flour mixture to the batter and carefully fold it in. Fold in the chocolate chips. If the batter is very runny, let it rest until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Drop the batter by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets and bake until puffed and cracked, 8 to 9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before removing from the baking sheets.

Chocolate cake for birthday cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

For the cake pans:

1 tablespoon soft butter
2 tablespoons flour

For the cake:
1 cup milk, divided
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Butter and flour 2 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of the milk and the grated chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool then add the vanilla.
3. Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Separate the eggs. Keep the whites in a mixing bowl, and stir the yolks into the butter-sugar mixture, and beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Stir the baking soda into the remaining 1/2 cup milk. Whisk into the butter-sugar mixture until creamy.
4. Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl.
5. Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until they hold stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites alternately with flour into the butter mixture. Finally fold in the melted chocolate-milk mixture. Pour half of the batter into each of the two prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center springs back when pressed lightly.

Chocolate chips cookies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 cup (2 sticks) soft butter
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi sweet chocolate
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter, sugars and vanilla. Add eggs and beat until light. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Fold in the above mixture. Stir in the chips and walnuts.
Line cookie sheet with brown paper. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out equal amount of cookie mix unto sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Slide paper with cookies on a cool surface.
Another quick and efficient method is to pipe the cookies through a pastry bag without a tip in the end of bag.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room
temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Preparation
Note: Using a heaping teasspoon of the dough you get 48 cookies.

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease 2 baking sheets with butter.
Put the confectioners' sugar into a bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, using a wooden spoon, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add 1 egg and beat on medium speed until blended. Add the other egg and vanilla and beat until blended.

Turn off the mixer and add the flour mixture. Beat on low speed just until blended.
To form the cookies, using a teaspoon, scoop up a rounded spoonful of dough. Scrape the dough off the spoon into the palm of your hand. Roll the dough into a ball. Roll the ball in the confectioners' sugar until covered. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake about 12 minutes until tops are puffed and crackled.
(Do not over bake. Cookies are soft when hot but firm and chewy when cool. ) Remove to rack to cool. Store tightly covered up to 3 weeks with wax paper between layers.

Chocolate icing in a flash

Serves: 12

Preparation time:10 minutes

8 ounces semi sweet chocolate, melted
1/2 milk
2 cups whipping cream
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine hot melted chocolate with milk. Mix well. Whip the cream until medium thick.
Gradually pour in the chocolate mixture. Whisk cream at speed until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Chocolate mousse cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Preparation
Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Mix cocoa in boiling water. Cool. Sift dry ingredients.
Beat soft butter with sugar. Add eggs one at the time. Add cocoa mix and flour mix to butter mixture.
Blend at low speed while alternating cocoa and flour. Mix until batter is smooth, scraping edges and bottom of bowl with a spatula.
Line the bottom of one 12-inch cake pan or 2 9-inch pans with parchment.
Grease and flour. Pour batter in mold. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until center is cooked. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold on a rack. Cut in layers.
Fill with the chocolate mousse filling recipe.

Chocolate mousse with honey popcorn

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

For the honey popcorn:
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons corn syrup
3 teaspoons water

For the chocolate mousse:
8 ounces Swiss milk chocolate
2 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 cup heavy cream
Preparation
For the honey popcorn:
Pop the corn in a microwave oven. Combine the sugar, honey, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar is caramelized to a light brown color.
Add to popcorn and stir to coat. Spread popcorn onto wax paper to cool. When cool, break the honey popcorn into small pieces.
For the chocolate mousse:
Microwave the chocolate with the oil for about 2 minutes to melt. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the cream. Whip the remaining cream to a medium peak. Fold into the chocolate mixture. Fold 3/4 of the honey popcorn into the mousse. Garnish with the remaining popcorn. Refrigerate for several hours.

Chocolate pecan pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 9-inch Quick and easy pie crust

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate, melted
2/3 cup white corn syrup
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine melted chocolate, corn syrup, sugar and eggs. Stir in the pecans.
Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake for 10 minutes.
Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, and bake 20 minutes longer.
Cool then chill. Slice and serve with ice cream and Satin chocolate sauce.

Chocolate-dipped macadamia cookies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1/2 cup (4 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest plus 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, toasted and finely ground
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped



Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, 2 minutes.
Add egg yolk, lemon zest and juice, and salt and beat until combined; beat in nuts. With mixer on low, add flour and beat just until combined, 2 minutes.
Form dough into a 4 1/2-inch-long log, wrap in plastic, and freeze until firm, 30 minutes. Cut into 1/4-inch slices, transfer to two parchment-lined baking sheets, and freeze 5 minutes.
Bake until golden at edges, 14 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cookies cool completely on wire racks.
Melt chocolate. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate; transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Chill until set, 10 minutes.

Choconut chippers

Serves: 24

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites or 1 whole egg
1 (5-oz) pkg. chocolate fudge pudding and pie filling mix (6-serving size; not instant)
1 (8-oz.) container dairy sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped pecans
1 (12 oz.) pkg. (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, oil, vanilla, egg whites, pudding mix and sour cream at low speed until moistened; beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Add flour, rolled oats, baking soda and salt; mix at low speed until blended.
Blend in pecans and chocolate chips.
(Tip: If dough is too soft, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate about 1 hour, or stir in an additional 1/4 cup flour for easier handling.)
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 degrees for 6 to 7 minutes or until set. Do not overbake. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

Cinnamon rolls version 2

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Makes 12

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
5 tablespoons soft butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add shortening and mix with a spoon. Add milk. Stir mixture to form a ball. Roll out on a floured surface into 9 by 16-inch rectangle.
Spread butter over surface of dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over butter.
Roll up dough on a floured surface into a cylinder. Cut into 12 even rounds.
Place into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove onto cookie rack to cool. Store and seal in a cookie tin.

Cioppino

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium chopped onion
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 pounds chopped canned tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 pound fillet of bass or rockfish
12 shrimp , cleaned and deveined
12 cherrystones
12 fresh mussels
Preparation
In a heavy pot, heat the oil. Add onion, garlic, and parsley. Stir over moderate heat. Do not brown.
Add the chopped, seeded tomatoes and tomato paste, wine, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Cut the fish into portions. Add to pot together with the clean shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes.
Steam the clean cherrystone clams and mussels in a pot with a little water. Add to the stew with the strained juice.
Heat before serving.

Classic cheesecake

Serves: 16

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:55 minutes

1 ½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs or Oreos/ginger snaps cookies
3 tablespoons sugar
⅓ cup butter or margarine, melted

Filling:
4 (8 ounce) packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
Preparation
Heat oven to 325°F.
Mix graham crumbs or Oreos or ginger snaps cookies , 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Mix in lemon juice and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Pour over crust.
Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.

When searching for a simple, delicious dessert that's sure to impress, look no further than this traditional cheesecake.

Classic stuffing

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

12 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 onions (2 pounds), peeled and diced
16 celery stalks, diced
10 fresh sage leaves , chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried sage
6 cups chicken stock , or canned chicken broth
2 loaves stale white bread (about 36 slices), crust on, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
3 cups coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (about 2 bunches)
2 cups pecans , toasted and chopped (optional)
2 cups dried cherries (optional) .
Preparation
Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions and celery, and cook over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add sage, stir to combine, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock, and stir well. Cook for about 5 minutes, until liquid has reduced by half.
Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add all remaining ingredients, including the remaining stock; mix to combine

Coconut crispies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flakes coconut
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream shortening with brown and white sugars.
Add egg and mix well.
Combine all dry ingredients and add to the shortening mixture. Spoon the equivalent of 1 teaspoon on greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. Transfer cookies on a rack and cool.

Coconut flour pancakes

Serves: 4

Preparation time:10 minutes

Cooking time:15 mintes

4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (63 gr) coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coconut oil
Honey, pure maple syrup, fruit compote for serving
Preparation
1. Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
2. Beat the eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment at medium speed until frothy. Mix in the coconut milk, vanilla and honey.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
4. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the remaining dry mixture and beat at medium to medium-high speed for another minute or two, or until the coconut flour is completely mixed into the batter and has fully absorbed the liquid.
5. Grease the heated pan with coconut oil, using a heat-proof silicone brush to spread the oil evenly between each batch). Spoon the batter onto the pan to create pancakes that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter, using the back of the spoon to spread them out. (keep them small for easier flipping.)
6. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pancakes are bubbling and well set, then flip and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary.
7. Serve hot with your choice of accompaniment.
8. You can freeze the prepared pancakes and reheat them later.

Coconut squares

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoon sugar
1 14-ounce can condensed milk
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla


Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter, cocoa powder and sugar.
Press the mixture in an 8 -inch by 10 -inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Mix the remaining ingredients. Spread on crust.
Bake at 375 degrees about 15 minutes, or until brown.
Refrigerate until cool. Cut into squares.

Coffee cake cupcakes

Serves: 12

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

Streusel Ingredients
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 tbsp melted unsalted butter

Cupcake Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
1 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Glaze Ingredients
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp melted butter
Preparation
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Streusel
In a small mixing bowl, use a fork to mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the chopped pecans and melted butter. Continue mixing with the fork until the sugar and pecans are fully mixed and evenly moistened by the butter. Reserve; this is your streusel topping.
Muffins batter
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cut the butter into cubes and place them in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on low speed, then medium, to cream the butter for a minute till it becomes light and airy.
Slowly add sugar to the bowl and beat for 2-3 minutes more, increasing the speed gradually and scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula periodically, until the color becomes lighter and the sugar is fully integrated into the butter.
Beat in the eggs, then the sour cream, then the almond or vanilla extract.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet and stir till evenly moistened. Do not over-mix.
Line a cupcake tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each tin halfway with batter. I've found the easiest way to do this is with a small ice cream scoop-- use one small (not heaping) scoop per tin.
Sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp of streusel onto the top of the batter in each tin.
Fill the tins the rest of the way with batter, all the way to the top of the tin (another small ice cream scoop of batter in each tin).
Sprinkle 1-2 tsp of streusel on the top of each cupcake.
Bake the cupcakes for 30-35 minutes till they test clean with a toothpick or skewer. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Glazing:
When ready to frost, make your vanilla glaze. In a small mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar.
Add the rest of the glaze ingredients. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients till a creamy frosting forms. You want the consistency of thick honey; if you need a little more moisture, add milk a few drops at a time. Just a drop can take it from a thick honey to a runny texture, so add with care.
Line a glass with a plastic bag, wrapping the edge of the bag around the outer rim of the glass. This will help you fill it with frosting. Use a spatula to scoop the frosting into the bag.
Place cupcakes on top of a piece of parchment paper or paper towels to catch drips.
Work the frosting into the corner of the bag and snip off a small corner with scissors. Gently squeeze and drizzle the frosting in a zig-zag pattern across the top of the cupcakes.
Let the frosting dry for at least 30 minutes to set (it may take longer depending on the weather).


Cookie christmas tree

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

3/4 cup slivered almonds
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Preparation
Place almonds into food processor bowl fitted with metal blade. Cover; process until finely ground. Combine almonds, flour and salt in bowl; set aside.

Combine 1 cup butter and sugar in bowl; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, lemon zest and almond extract. Continue beating, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed until well mixed.

Divide dough in half. Shape each half into ball; flatten slightly. Wrap each in plastic food wrap, refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough, one-half at a time, on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated) to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out 3 each of 6 graduated sizes of star-shaped cookie cutters (18 cookies total). Bake similar sizes of cookies together on ungreased cookie sheet 8-12 minutes or until edges are just beginning to brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar and 1/3 cup butter in bowl; beat at low speed until well mixed. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and enough milk for desired frosting consistency.

Frost and decorate 1 large cookie as desired. Secure decorated cookie to serving platter with 1 teaspoon frosting. Place about 1 teaspoon icing in center of cookie. Repeat frosting as desired, decorating and securing same size cookie on top, turning it slightly so points of star are offset from previous cookie. Repeat, continuing to stack cookies in graduated sizes, reserving 1 small cookie. Stand reserved small cookie up to form tree topper, securing with frosting.

Corn bread for chili

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

3/4 cup flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon melted shortening
2 small chopped scallions
1/2 cup grated cheddar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Add cornmeal and blend well. In a separate bowl, combine and beat milk, egg, and shortening.
Pour the wet ingredients over dry mixture. Stir to blend. Add the scallions and cheese.
Drop the mixture by large tablespoons onto the chili, leaving some space between mounds of batter.
Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Corn bread stuffing

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

1 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped, cooked poultry giblets*
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or ground sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups dry bread cubes
4 cups dry corn bread cubes
1 to 1-1/3 cups chicken broth or water
Preparation
In a frying pan cook celery and onion in butter until tender; remove from heat. Stir in giblets, poultry seasoning or sage, pepper and salt.

In a large mixing bowl place dry bread and corn bread cubes; add the onion mixture. Drizzle with enough broth or water to moisten, tossing lightly to mix.
Transfer to a 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake in a 325 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until heated through.
Or, use to stuff a 10- to 12-pound turkey; see directions for Classic Roast Turkey.)

*Note: To cook giblets: Rinse giblets and neck. Refrigerate liver until needed. In a medium saucepan place the remaining giblets and neck. Add enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add liver and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until tender. Remove giblets and finely chop. Discard neck. Strain broth. Chill giblets and broth until needed.

Cranberry and pear phyllo tart

Serves: 8

Preparation time:40 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

9 sheets phyllo
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar

Filling:
3 cups cranberries
4 pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon grated orange rind

For garnish:
mint leaves, phyllo flowers and frosted cranberries
Preparation
Filling:
Set aside 1/4 cup of the cranberries for garnish. Combine cranberries, pears, raisins, sugar and orange juice. Bring to boil; cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pears are almost tender and cranberries pop.
Combine cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into fruit mixture. Cook for about 1 minute. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in orange rind. Let cool.
Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on work surface. Brush lightly with butter. Place in lightly butter 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, letting excess hang over edge. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Brush second sheet with butter, place on first, rotating a quarter turn. Sprinkle with another 2 teaspoons sugar. Layer with 2 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter, sprinkling with sugar and rotating so not aligned with layers below.
Spread filling over phyllo crust. Fold pastry edges over top. Layer remaining phyllo on top, rotating, buttering and sprinkling with sugar. Gently fold top pastry under bottom. Using knife, cut vents in top of pastry. (Tart can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated covered for up to 4 hours).
Bake in 400 degree oven 30-35 minutes until pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes in pan on rack. Remove from pan; slide onto serving platter. Garnish: top with phyllo flowers. Scatter frosted cranberries on top and around side. Top with orange rind, and mint. Serve warm.
For garnish: Phyllo flowers: Arrange 2 stacks of phyllo pastry on work surface. cut out six 4-inch circles; wet center of 1 circle with water; top with second circle. Pinch centers together to make flower shapes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray; place in small muffin cups. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Repeat with remaining circles. Bake in 400 degree oven until golden.
Frosted Cranberries: In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white until frothy. Pour 1/4 cup sugar in shallow bowl. Dip reserved cranberries, a few at a time, in egg white; remove with slotted spoon. Roll in sugar until coated. Place on paper towel; let dry at room temperature for 1 hour.

Cranberry eggnog cheesecake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 1/2 cups fine vanilla wafer crumbs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
5 eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup dark rum
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese (light or regular)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
Preparation
Combine crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Blend well with a fork. Stir in butter. Press evenly into bottom and partway up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
Separate 3 eggs, placing whites into a clean large bowl and yolks in a small dish.
Pour orange juice and rum into a heavy bottomed saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over top. Let stand to soften, about 5 minutes.
Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 2 whole eggs and 3 egg yolks.
Stir constantly over medium low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens a little. Remove from heat. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Beating at high speed, gradually add orange mixture, about ½ cup at a time, until smooth. Beat in vanilla and nutmeg. Beat remaining egg whites until they hold soft peaks.
Place egg whites on top of cheese mixture. Gently fold together, until no lumps of egg white remain.
Pour into chilled shell. Break up cranberry sauce. Dot sauce on surface of cheesecake, then swirl slightly by drawing knife in gentle circles through the sauce.
Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours. Cheesecake will keep well for 2 days.

Cranberry mold

Serves: 5

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1 3-ounce package raspberry Jello
1 cup boiling water
1 14-ounce can whole cranberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange juice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup melon balls
Preparation
Combine Jello and water.
Blend well to dissolve. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into a decorative mold.
Refrigerate to set.

Cranberry walnut cake

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup brown sugar, chopped
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup melted butter
Vanilla ice cream
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C.)
2. Butter a 9 inch cake pan. Combine the cranberries, brown sugar, walnuts and cornstarch in a bowl. Layer the cranberies mixture on the bottom of cake pan.
3. In a large bowl, beat egg. Gradually add sugar, beating until thoroughly blended. Stir in flour and melted butter. Blend well and pour over cranberries.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes then invert on a serving platter.
5. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Cranberry walnut pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

2 cups cranberries, chopped (I use a bag of Ocean Spray fresh cranberries)
½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 ¼ cups sugar, divided
2 large eggs
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp almond extract
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350º. Butter the bottom and up the sides of a 10” pie plate.
Spread the chopped cranberries and walnuts over the bottom of the pie plate. Sprinkle the mixture with ¼ cup of sugar.
Whisk the flour, salt, and remaining 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl. Beat in melted butter. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until smooth. Stir in the almond extract. Do not overmix.
Pour batter on top of the cranberry/walnut mixture and bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is puffed and just beginning to turn a golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Cranberry walnut tart

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 50 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

For crust:
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces cold butter
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tablespoons ice cold water

For filling:
3 large eggs
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
2 ounces melted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups cranberries, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation
Preheat oven at 425 degrees.
Make shell:
In a mixing bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, and salt, add cut up butter, and mix to form a coarse meal. Add egg yolk and water, and mix to form the dough into a ball. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Roll dough out thinly to fit into a 10-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom.
Line the shell with foil, fill bottom of shell with rice or dry beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and rice. Cool.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, syrup, butter, salt, and vanilla.
Stir in the cranberries and walnuts. Pour mixture in shell, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes to form a golden crust on top.
Cool tart, remove rim of the pan, and slide tart onto a serving platter.

Creamy pumpkin pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes

Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1/4 cup cold shortening, cubed
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vinegar

Filling:
1 14 ounce can pumpkin purée
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

Preparation
Crust:
Combine flour, rind and salt; using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In measuring cup, whisk egg yolk with vinegar; pour in enough ice water to make 1/3 cup. Drizzle egg mixture over flour mixture; toss with fork until dough starts to hold together, adding a little more ice water if necessary.
Form into ball; press into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Place in 9 inch pie plate, draping loosely . Without stretching, fit into plate. Trim edges to leave 1 inch overhang. Fold edge under and flute. Prick shell all over and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Gather pastry scraps together and roll out. Using small pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, cut out 11 shapes. Transfer to baking sheet; bake in bottom third of oven for about 12 minutes or until golden. Transfer to rack, let cool. Line pastry shell with foil; fill evenly with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in bottom third of oven for 15 minutes; remove weights and foil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer or until pastry just starts to turn golden. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
In food processor, purée pumpkin, sugar, cheese, cream, eggs, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pour into pie shell; bake in bottom third of oven for 1 hour or until set in center.
Let cool on rack.
Topping:
Pipe cream into 8 rosettes around edge; top each with pastry pumpkin cookies.

Crispy chicken nuggets

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 pound boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon white wine worcestershire
2 minced garlic cloves
4 drops hot sauce
salt and white pepper to taste
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apricot jam
2 drops hot sauce
1/2 gallon vegetable oil
Preparation
Rinse chicken breast, pat dry, and cut into 1 inch nuggets. Place cubes in medium sized bowl; stir in one half of the wine Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Add hot sauce, salt and pepper.
Dredge chicken nuggets in cornstarch, shaking to remove excess. In large skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees.
Fry nuggets, a few at a time, 4 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.
To prepare dipping sauce:
In a small bowl, combine ketchup, apricot jam, remaining wine, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Serve chicken nuggets with sauce.

Crispy onion rings

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

2 medium Spanish onions
1 cup milk or buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
a pinch cayenne
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
vegetable oil for deep-frying
Preparation
Peel and cut the onions into 1/4-inch thick slices; separate into rings. In shallow bowl, stir together milk or buttermilk and ½ teaspoon of the salt; add onion rings and soak for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a bag, combine flour, remaining salt and pepper. Add onion rings in batches and shake to coat.
In deep-fryer or large saucepan, heat 2 inches oil to 375 degrees. Deep-fry rings, in batches without crowding for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
Drain and keep warm on paper towel-lined baking dish in 250 degree oven

Cronuts - croissant and doughnut

Serves: 7

Preparation time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 degrees F/41 degrees C)
1 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound all-purpose flour
8 ounces European-style (low-moisture) butter at room temperature, divided

6 cups grapeseed oil for frying, or as needed
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons milk, or as needed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


The Cronut, sold at Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo, NYC, is a cross between a croissant and a donut. It is made from a croissant-like dough that’s fried in grape-seed oil. Then the baker inserts a creamy filling in the middle. Finally, the Cronut’s rolled in sugar, then the top is glazed with frosting flavors like rose vanilla or lemon maple.
Preparation
Place yeast into the mixing bowl of a large stand mixer. Whisk in warm water and let stand until a creamy foam forms on top, about 5 minutes. Add salt, sugar, milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, vanilla extract, egg, and nutmeg. Whisk mixture thoroughly. Pour flour on top of liquid ingredients. Place mixing bowl onto mixer.
Attach dough hook to mixer and knead on low speed until dough comes together in a ball and becomes soft and sticky, about 3 minutes. Dough will stick to the hook and pull away from the side of the bowl.
Transfer dough to a floured work surface, knead 2 or 3 times, and shape into a ball. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes to let gluten relax.
Remove dough from refrigerator, unwrap, and dust lightly with flour. Roll out into a 9x18-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Evenly spread 6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter onto the middle third of the dough. Fold one unbuttered third over the buttered third and press lightly; spread remaining 6 tablespoons of unsalted button on top of that third. Fold remaining third over the first (buttered) third. Transfer dough onto a sheet pan, cover lightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and refrigerate 20 to 30 more minutes for butter to become firm. Sprinkle dough lightly with flour as you work if it becomes sticky.
Return dough to floured work surface and pat very gently into an 8x14 rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Fold outer thirds over center third as before; roll out into an 8x14-inch rectangle again. Keep edges of rectangle as straight as possible. Fold in thirds as before. Cover dough lightly with a kitchen towel, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Roll the dough out to about 3/8 inch thick. Cut dough in half crosswise. Leave half on a lightly floured work surface; refrigerate other half of dough until needed.
Use a sharp 3-inch circular cutter to cut 8 circles of dough from piece on the work surface. Use 1-inch size cutter to cut the donut holes out of the dough circles.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and sprinkle lightly with flour. Arrange cronuts and holes onto prepared baking sheet. Let rise in a draft-free, warm place (such as an unheated oven) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Once dough has been made, cut, and dough has risen continue on to fry and glaze your homemade cronuts.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a deep saucepan over medium heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Carefully lift a cronut and gently drop into oil. Fry 2 at a time until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Cronuts will puff up as they cook. Drain on racks over paper towels; let cool.
Whisk confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a shallow bowl until glaze is smooth and slightly runny.
Pick up a fried cronut and gently dip the top in glaze; return to rack and let stand until glaze has set, about 15 minutes.
Alternate version: For higher-rising cronuts, roll out finished dough (see Part I) into an 8x12 inch rectangle. Fold dough in thirds and roll out into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Cut out 6 cronuts and holes, using a 3-inch round cutter and a 1-inch small hole cutter.
Line baking sheet with waxed paper and dust paper lightly with flour. Place cronuts and holes onto prepared baking sheet and let rise in a draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Carefully pick up and gently drop cronuts, 2 at a time, into the preheated oil. Fry 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. The extra fold and making the dough thicker will result in taller cronuts than before. Let fried cronuts drain on racks.
Dip tops of cronuts in glaze as described above, and let cool on racks to let glaze set up.

Crown roast of pork with stuffing

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:2 hours

For pork:
1 8-pound crown roast of pork (12 ribs)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried sage
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups canned beef broth


Recipe of APPLE AND PORK STUFFING


For gravy:
1 cup apple cider
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons applejack brandy or brandy
Preparation
Make pork:
Transfer crown roast of pork to large rimmed baking sheet. Brush pork with oil. Combine salt, sugar, thyme, sage and pepper in small bowl. Rub spice mixture over pork. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Fill pork cavity with enough stuffing to mound in center. Roast pork 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork meat registers 150 degrees about 1 hour 50 minutes. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into center of pork and stuffing registers 155 degrees. Transfer roast to platter.
For gravy:
Add 1 cup broth to baking sheet and scrape up browned bits from bottom of baking sheet. Transfer pan juices to medium saucepan. Spoon fat off top of pan juices. Add remaining 1/2 cup beef broth and apple cider. Bring to boil. Dissolve cornstarch into applejack in small bowl; whisk into broth mixture. Boil until gravy thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer gravy to sauceboat. Carve roast between bones to separate chops. Serve with stuffing and gravy.

Crumble top cranberry bars

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Crust
1 1/2 cups uncooked quick cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Filling
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
Topping
1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch square baking pan with no-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine oats, 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in large bowl; stir until well mixed. Cut in butter and vanilla with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Place 1 cup crust mixture into small bowl; set aside.

Press remaining crust mixture into prepared pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until edges are just beginning to brown.

Meanwhile, combine sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest and vanilla in small bowl; stir until well mixed. Stir in cranberries. Spread filling mixture over hot, partially baked crust.

Stir pecans into reserved crust mixture; sprinkle over cranberry mixture, lightly pressing down onto filling. Bake 35-40 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 30 minutes; refrigerate 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Cup cakes with vanilla and chocolate icings

Serves: 16

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Cupcakes:
1 large egg
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sifted cocoa powder (optional for chocolate cupcakes)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup hot water

Icings:
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder (optional for chocolate icing)
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt


Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and make sure the oven rack is in the center position.

Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper cups, and place 4 paper cups inside a second muffin tin. Add 2 tablespoons of water to each of the remaining empty muffin wells.

Combine all the cupcake ingredients in a bowl, adding the water last. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the lined muffin cups. Bake until risen and golden in color and a toothpick inserted into the center of 1 cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

To make the icing, combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend with a hand-held mixer until smooth and creamy.

Remove from the oven and carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Using a small spatula or butter knife, spread either Vanilla or Chocolate icing onto each cupcake (using about 2 tablespoons per cupcake).

Dips for endives

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

GUACAMOLE:

2 ripe avocados
juice of one lemon
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 tomato, seeded and diced
salt to taste
hot pepper sauce to taste

Peel avocados, cut in halves, remove stones, and mash the avocados.
Add remaining ingredients, and mix.

BLUE CHEESE DIP:

1/2 pint sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Serve chilled.

SALSA:

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large clove garlic, peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 large tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of one lemon or lime
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro or parsley for garnish.

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.
Preparation
GUACAMOLE:

Peel avocados, cut in halves, remove stones, and mash the avocados.
Add remaining ingredients, and mix.

BLUE CHEESE DIP:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Serve chilled.

SALSA:

In bowl, combine all the ingredients well. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.

Double apple cake

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

2 Granny Smith apples
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 2/3 cups sifted cake and pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
2/3 cup applesauce

Topping:
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel, core and thinly slice apples. Beat sugar and butter until crumbly.
Beat in egg. Beat in yogurt and vanilla.
Combine flour, ginger, baking powder, baking soda and salt;
fold into butter mixture alternately with apple sauce.
Spoon in lightly greased 9-inch springform pan.
Arrange apples in overlapping concentric circles on top.
Topping:
Combine sugar, water and cinnamon; brush over apples.
Bake for 40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
Let cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes. Remove side of pan;
let cool completely.

Double cranberry soda bread

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
3/4 cup soy milk or rice milk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup lightly toasted, chopped walnuts (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly oil a baking sheet or line with parchment paper. Combine juice and zest of orange with the soy or rice milk to make 1 cup. Add oil and whisk together with a fork. Set aside.
Blend flours and baking soda together, stirring to make sure there are no small lumps of soda.
Mix in sugar, fresh and dried cranberries, and walnuts, if desired. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until a stiff dough is formed.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead a few turns. Shape into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife cut an X across the top about ½-inch deep (to allow for dough expansion when baking).
Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is browned. Remove to cooling rack. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Doughnut muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

For Muffin Batter
1 cup milk (low-fat is fine)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons grated nutmeg
For Muffin Topping
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a standard-size muffin pan generously with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine milk and lemon juice in a measuring cup and set aside.
In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just mixed in. Stir in the vanilla.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Stir with a whisk until well combined.
Using a rubber spatula, mix a quarter of the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Then mix in a third of the milk mixture. Continue mixing in the remaining dry and wet ingredients alternately, ending with the dry. Mix until well combined and smooth, but don't over-mix. The batter will be very thick.
Scoop enough batter into each tin so that the top of the batter is even with the rim of the cup. (I like to use an ice cream scoop with a wire scraper for this.) Bake the muffins until firm to the touch, 25-30 minutes. Set pan on rack to cool for a few minutes.
In the meantime, prepare the topping: melt the butter in a small dish and combine the cinnamon and sugar in another small dish.
When the muffins are cool enough to handle, use a pastry brush to paint the top of each muffin with butter, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon-sugar. If you have cinnamon-sugar left over, sprinkle muffins again. Serve warm, or cool on a rack and wrap airtight. Store at room temperature. Reheat muffins briefly in microwave for that fresh out of the oven taste.

Dutch baby apple pancake

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch wedges
1/3 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a well seasoned 10 inch cast iron skillet over high heat. Add butter. When melted, add apple wedges. Cook until softened and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in honey and cardamom, and remove skillet from heat.
In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients, except confectioners sugar, until smooth. Pour over apple mixture. Bake until puffed and brown, about 20 minutes.
Slide pancake onto a serving platter. Serve immediately, cut into wedges, with confectioners' sugar sifted over the top.

Espresso chocolate chip cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:14 minutes

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups golden brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease two cookie sheets. Blend together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
Beat, butter, sugar, egg, espresso powder and vanilla until well blended. Mix in dry ingredients.
Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets, spacing well apart.
Bake cookies until brown on top, about 14 minutes.

Fish seasoning

Serves: 20

Preparation time: 5 minutes

1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
Preparation
Blend all ingredients together.
Seal in an air-tight container, and store in a dry place away from heat. Use with fish or seafood recipe.

Fluffy strawberry sherbet

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 1 hour

Cooking time:10 minutes

1/2 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg whites
3 cups strawberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation
Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan. Dissolve the sugar over medium heat. Boil the sugar until it reaches the soft ball stage, 238 degree F. To test without a thermometer, put a drop of syrup in cold water. If it forms a soft ball, the syrup is ready.
While making the syrup, beat the egg whites in a metal bowl, until they begin to foam.
Slowly pour in the hot syrup and continue beating for about 10 minutes or until mixture is cool.
Clean the strawberries, hull and puree them with the lemon juice. Gently fold in the egg white mixture then pour in an ice cream maker and freeze until creamy.

Fresh blueberry pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine or butter
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon and blueberries. Mix well and put into pie shell. Drizzle top with lemon juice.
Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Spread topping over berries.
Bake for 30 minutes at 425 degrees, then cover with foil and continue baking for 20 minutes more.

Fresh ricotta

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

4 cups whole milk
1 cup 35 per cent cream
½ tsp salt
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Crusty bread
Extra-virgin olive oil
Preparation


1. Stir milk, cream and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. This will take about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Let stand, without stirring, for 5 to 8 minutes until mixture separates.

2. Line a colander with 5 layers of cheesecloth. Place lined colander over a bowl so excess liquid can drain. Pour mixture into lined colander and let stand for 1 hour. Transfer ricotta to a serving dish or container. If making ahead, ricotta will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days. Serve with crusty bread and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.

Frozen lime cream pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 9-inch pie crust, fully cooked
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
4 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
Preparation
In a medium mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, salt, lime rind, and juice. Cook over a double boiler until thickened. Cool thoroughly. Chill.
Whip egg whites until light and fluffy. Add sugar.
Continue beating until firm. Fold into the egg yolks mixture. Whip the cream until stiff. Fold into mixture.
Fill crust. Freeze until firm.

Garlic-roasted potato skins

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 40 minutes

3 pounds russet (baking) potatoes (6 to 8 medium)
1 medium head garlic
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350° F. Prick each potato once or twice with a fork. Cut off and discard top fourth of garlic head, then wrap garlic tightly in foil. Bake garlic and potatoes on same rack in lower third of oven until potatoes are tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Remove potatoes from oven and cool on a metal rack 15 minutes. Continue to bake garlic until tender, about 15 minutes more, then cool in foil on rack. While garlic cools, halve potatoes lengthwise, then quarter each half (to form short wedges).
Scoop out potato flesh (reserving it for another use), leaving 1/4-inch-thick potato skins. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Squeeze garlic into a small bowl, discarding garlic skins, and mash to a paste with butter, salt, and pepper using a fork.
Divide garlic paste among potato skins (about 1/2 teaspoon each), spreading evenly, then roast skins in a large shallow baking pan (1 inch deep) until golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.

Gluten-free pancakes

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

7 ounces (by weight) whole-grain gluten-free flour mix
1 ounce ground flaxseed
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
8 ounces buttermilk
¼ teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
2 ounces melted butter
butter or vegetable oil for the skillet
Preparation
Combining the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour and flaxseed meal to incorporate them together and aerate. Add the baking powder, salt, cardamom, and cinnamon. Whisk them all together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

Combining the wet ingredients. Whisk together the buttermilk, almond extract, and eggs. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients. Stir with a rubber spatula until the batter is combined. Add the melted butter and stir until the pancake batter is entirely combined.

Making the pancakes. Preheat the oven to 250°. Put an oven-safe plate in there.

Set a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Grease the pan liberally with oil or butter. Pour the pancake batter into the buttered pan, about ¼ cup at a time. When bubbles have started to form and pop on the top of pancake, flip it. Cook for about 1 minute more, then put the crisp pancake in the oven to keep it warm.
Continue this until you have cooked all the pancakes.


Grapefruit Alaska

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:2 minutes

2 large ruby red grapefruit
2 teaspoons grenadine syrup
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoon sugar
2 cups raspberry sorbet
Preparation
Preheat oven at 500 degrees.
Cut the grapefruit in halves crosswise. Cut off the sections, and discard the membranes from grapefruit. Chill shells upside down on a baking tray.
In a mixing bowl, combine the grapefruit sections with the grenadine. Chill for 30 minutes Strain grapefruit sections and save 2 tablespoons of the grenadine juice.
In an electric mixer, combine the egg whites with the cream of tartar. Beat the egg whites until light and fluffy, then stir in the grenadine juice and sugar.
Continue beating until meringue is thick and firm.
Scoop the raspberry sorbet into the grapefruit shells, filling the shells half way.
Arrange the grapefruit sections on top of sorbet.
Spread meringue over the grapefruit, sealing well at edges of shells.
Bake for about a minute in oven, or until golden brown

Grapefruit cheesecake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

Crust:
2 cup crushed coconut cookies
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1/2 cup melted butter

Filling:
2 grapefruits
3 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grapefruit juice from the fresh fruit
1-1/2 tablespoons gelatin
1/4 cup water
1 pound cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1-1/4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2/3 cup whipping cream
Preparation
Mix together the crushed cookies, lemon rind and melted butter. Firmly press on the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.
Peel the grapefruits and cut the segments into small pieces. Drain juice and reserve for filling.
Separate 2 eggs and combine the egg yolks, the remaining whole egg, sugar, salt and 1 tablespoon of the juice in the top of a double boiler. Place over simmering water and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
Soak the gelatin in the water for 5 minutes. Stir into the warm custard until dissolved.
Beat cream cheese with remaining grapefruit juice, lemon juice and rinds (zest) until smooth. Beat into the custard. Fold in the grapefruit pieces. Lightly whip the cream.
Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. Fold the cream and egg whites into the cheese mixture.
Pour into the prepared spring form pan and chill for several hours or overnight.

Grapefruit fondue

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

2 large grapefruit
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons Galliano
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cantaloupe or honeydew melon cut into balls
Preparation
Finely grate enough peel from the grapefruits to yield one tablespoon.
Squeeze juice from both grapefruit. Put sugar, Galliano and cornstarch into a saucepan and blend smoothly together. Stir in the grapefruit juice and peel, then bring to the boil, stirring all the time, and simmer for one minute.
Remove from the heat, stir in the cream and pour into fondue pot. Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve warm with the melon balls and other fruit to dip.

Grapefruit salsa

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
1/2 red bell pepper, minced
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1 large grapefruit, peeled, membrane removed, sectioned, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
Serve chilled as side dish, seafood and nachos.

Green bean casserole

Serves: 4

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

FOR THE TOPPING:
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray

FOR BEANS AND SAUCE:
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Grilled pompano with tangy ginger sauce

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:8 minutes

2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce or soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
Four 6-ounce pompano fillets
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup dill sprigs
Preparation
Light a grill.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the lime juice, ginger, fish sauce and garlic.
Season the pompano fillets with salt and pepper and grill over a hot fire for about 3 minutes per side, or until just cooked through.
Transfer the fish to a platter or plates. Spoon the sauce over the top, garnish with the dill and serve.

Healthy baked chicken nuggets

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 pound (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp olive oil
6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tbsp panko
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
olive oil spray


Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.

Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well.

Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 - 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Holiday roasted turkey

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:4 hours

2 tablespoons kosher salt or fine coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon dried sage leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
2 tablespoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns
1 tablespoon sweet paprika one
16-18 pound turkey, rinsed in salted cold water
4-5 cups stuffing (see recipes)
6 tablespoons melted butter
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 cups water
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart turkey or chicken stock
Preparation
In a small bowl, combine the salt, with sage, thyme, peppercorns and paprika. Pat the turkey dry. Set in a large roasting pan and rub it inside and out with the spice mixture.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stuff the turkey body cavity and the skin flap with the chosen stuffing, packing it loosely. Brush the turkey with melted butter and roast for 30 minutes or until the skin is golden brown. Scatter the onions, celery and carrots around the turkey, add the water to the pan and cover the breast loosely with foil.
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees, and roast the turkey for about 3 hours longer, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of roasting.
Transfer the turkey to a carving board, cover with foil and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Pour the pan juices into a medium saucepan and skim the fat from the surface.
Set the roasting pan over a top burner, stirring well until vegetables are brown. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and the flour, stirring well until well mixed. Stir in the turkey or chicken stock and whisk until gravy boils and thickens. Simmer gravy for 15 minutes. Strain the gravy into the pan juices in the saucepan. Discard vegetables. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Carve the turkey, arrange on a platter and serve with the stuffing and gravy.

Home made cranberry juice

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time:8 minutes

1 pound bag fresh or frozen cranberries
1 quart water
Preparation
Wash and drain fresh or frozen red-ripe cranberries.
Combine cranberries and water in a large pan.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until berries burst.

Strain juice through a fine strainer lined with cheese cloth.
Sugar can be added to juice to your taste.
Pour into jars. Allow to cool before refrigerating.

Hot spiced blueberry sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

1 cup blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Preparation
Combine blueberries, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a saucepan.
Bring to boiling point. Boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve hot.
Delicious on ice cream or Blueberry Gingerbread.

Kale and brussels sprout salad with walnuts parmesan and lemon-mustard dressing

Serves: 6

Preparation time:25 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

For the Salad
1 cup raw almonds with skins or walnuts, chopped
1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced
1 pound Tuscan or curly kale (about 1 large bunch), thick center rib removed, leaves thinly sliced
1 cup coarsely grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino
For the Dressing
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, from one large shallot
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Bake the walnuts for 5-8 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them; they burn quickly.
Combine the brussels sprouts and kale in a large bowl.
Make the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables. Add most of the walnuts and cheese, reserving some to garnish the platter, and toss well. Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours in the fridge) to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to a serving dish and scatter the remaining walnuts and cheese over top. Serve at room temperature.

Kale salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

4-6 cups kale, loosely packed kale leaves
juice of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 minced shallot
salt and pepper, to taste
hot red pepper flakes, to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino, Asiago or Parmesan
Preparation
Wash and spin dry the kale leaves and chop finely.

Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, shallot, salt, pepper, and a generous pinch of hot red pepper flakes.
Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well.
Add 2/3 of the cheese and toss again.
Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Toss again, and top with remaining cheese.

Key lime pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes


1 9-inch Graham cracker pie crust

2 14-ounce cans condensed milk
6 egg yolks
1 cup lime juice
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup super fine sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, beat condensed milk with egg yolks. Mix in the lime juice. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until pie is firm in center.
In an electric mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until firm.
Gradually add sugar and continue whipping to form stiff peaks. Spread or pipe egg whites over the baked pie.
Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown. Cool pie on rack and refrigerate before serving.

Krispy kreme donut

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 2 hours

Cooking time:10 minutes

3 (1/4 ounce / 7g) packages yeast (3/4 oz / 21g total) - I used "Rapid Rise" but traditional is fine too - it just affects the rising times
1/2 cup (120ml) water (105-115F / 40-46 C)
2 1/4 cups (530ml) milk, scalded, then cooled
3/4 cup (169g) sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup (113g) shortening
7 1/2 cups (940g) all-purpose flour
canola oil for frying

Glaze
1/2 cup (113g) butter
3 cups (375g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 -9 tablespoons (90-135ml) milk
Preparation
1 Dissolve yeast in warm water in 2 1/2-quart bowl.
2 Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour.
3 Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
4 Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
5 Stir in remaining flour until smooth.
6 Cover and let rise until double, 50-60 minutes.
7 (Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.) Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.
8 Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.
9 Cut with floured doughnut cutter.
10 Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.
11 Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350°.
12 Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula.
13 Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface.
14 Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
15 Remove carefully from oil (do not prick surface); drain.
16 Dip the doughnuts into creamy glaze set on rack then when slightly cooled spread chocolate frosting on top.
17 Dip in sprinkles or other toppings after chocolate if desired.
18 Creamy Glaze: Heat butter until melted.
19 Remove from heat.
20 Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
21 Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.
22 Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter and chocolate over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
23 Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
24 Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.

Lacy almond-orange cookies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:8 minutes,

1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
3/4 teaspoon anise or fennel seed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with racks in middle and lower thirds. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a food processor, pulse almonds and anise seed until coarsely ground. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan. Add butter, sugar, honey, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring once to combine ingredients as butter melts. Boil 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in flour and zest. Working quickly, drop batter by teaspoonfuls, 2 1/2 inches apart, on sheets.
Bake until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.

Lamaze mayonnaise

Serves: 24

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

3 cups mayonnaise
3 ounces chili sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
8 ounces chopped tomatoes, peeled and seede
1 teaspoon diced shallot
2 tablespoon chopped herbs
Preparation
Blanch the shallots and herbs, (parsley, tarragon).
Combine mayonnaise and chili sauce. Season with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper.
Fold in tomato, shallots and herbs.
Good with seafood, fish, eggs, and meat.

Lemon and lime squares with pistachio crust

Serves: 8

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:2 hours 15 minutes

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for pan
2/3 cup shelled pistachios
1 cup (4 ounces) graham-cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoons grated lime zest
FOR THE FILLING
2 large egg yolks
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with melted butter. Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.
In a food processor, finely chop pistachios with graham-cracker crumbs, sugar, and zest. Blend in butter. Press mixture into bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool crust, 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and condensed milk. Add lime and lemon juices; whisk until smooth. Pour filling into cooled crust; carefully spread to edges.
Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack; then chill at least 1 hour before serving. Using parchment paper overhang, lift out of pan, and transfer to a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping knife with a damp kitchen towel between each cut.

Lemon bars

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:55 minutes

For the crust:
1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting


Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Lemon cheese cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

Crust:
1 1/4 cups sugar cookie crumbs
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
6 ounces cream cheese, soft
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water
Preparation
Crust:
Mix ingredients for crust. Press on bottom and sides of a greased 8-inch spring form mold.
Filling:
Combine egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice in a double boiler. Whisk until hot and thick. Add lemon peel.
Mix the remaining ingredients, and stir in egg yolk mixture. Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Melt over low heat and stir in cream cheese mixture. Spread in mold. Refrigerate to set.

Lemon meringue pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 recipe Never Fail Pie Crust

1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 1/2 cups cold water
3 eggs, separated
grated rind of 1 lemon
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup sugar
Preparation
Pie crust:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Line crust with foil or parchment paper and weight with beans or pie weights.
Bake at 400 degrees until edge is light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove the beans and foil, and continue cooking until bottom is dry, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
In 2-quart saucepan stir together 1 cup sugar and corn starch. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Stir in egg yolks. Whisking constantly, bring to boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon rind, lemon juice, and butter.
Turn into pastry shell. In an electric beater, whisk egg whites at high speed until foamy.
Gradually beat in sugar and continue beating to form stiff peaks. Spread some meringue around edge of filling first, touching crust all around, then fill in center.
Bake in 325 F oven about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

Lemon or lime mousse

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 35 minutes

1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon cold water
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 cup lemon or lime juice, freshly squeezed, and strained
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream or 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip
1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation
Soften gelatin in water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Heat over low heat to dissolve. In a mixing bowl, combine the lime rind, juice and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add gelatin. Cool mixture but do not set. Beat the cream with the sugar until stiff. Fold into the lime mixture. Spoon into crystal glasses or molds. Serve with
Tangerine jelly

Lemon- honey jello

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

2 envelops unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup cold water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup lemon juice
Preparation
Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Add honey and heat over double boiler until melted. Add lemon juice and enough water to make 2 cups.
Pour into a decorative molds. Set in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Serve cold.

Lemon-glazed candied-ginger cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:14 minutes

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Salt
6 ounces (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger
1 large egg
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup water
Preparation
Sift flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Cream butter and brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add ginger, and beat for 2 minutes.
Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined. Add flour mixture, and then beat on medium-low speed until dough just comes together.

Shape dough into two 1-inch-thick disks. Wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out 1 disk on a lightly floured surface to inch thickness, and cut out 2-inch circles. Place the rounds 1/2 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Roll out and cut scraps. Refrigerate rounds for 10 minutes.

Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are set and edges are light gold, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer parchment with cookies to wire racks. Let cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. (Cookies can be stored for up to 3 days.)

Whisk confectioners' sugar, lemon zest and juice, honey, water, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle glaze over the cooled cookies. Let stand until glaze is set, at least 20 minutes. (Glazed cookies can be stored overnight.)

Lemon-scented blueberry sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

1 pound fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until cornstarch dissolves.
Boil until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until cold. ( can be made 3 days ahead; keep chilled.

Lentils mini burgers

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 cup lentils
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ounces Button Mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup Marinara sauce
Preparation
Combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft about 20 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.

Add the eggs, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, and walnuts to the cooled vegetable mixture and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.

Shape the mixture into mini burgers (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place in the prepared baking dish, allowing 1/4-inch of space between the burgers.

Roast for 30 minutes, or until the mini burgers are firm and cooked through.
serve with marinara sauce.

Light strawberry mousse

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

3 ounces raspberry jello
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 cups pureed strawberries
2 cups Cool whip
2 cups strawberry or raspberry sauce
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, stir the Jello in boiling water. Mix with pureed strawberries. Strain and refrigerate until cold, but not set.
Fold cool whip into strawberry mixture. Pour into a decorative mold. Chill until set. Unmold on platter and serve with sauce

Lime chiffon cheese cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Crust:
1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water, cold
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 cup whipping cream
Preparation
Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
CRUST:
Combine the crust ingredients. Press onto bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
FILLING:
Dissolve gelatin in cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, water, sugar, and cornstarch. Beat over a double boiler until mixture thickens. Stir in the gelatin. Beat cream cheese in a mixer. Gradually add the gelatin mixture. Blend well. Mix in lime juice and rind. Whip the cream until firm. Fold in cheese mixture.
Pour into pan. Chill until firm. Garnish with whipped cream piped rosettes and lime slices.

Lime meltaways

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:13 minutes

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
Finely grated zest of 2 limes
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt


Preparation
Put butter and 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add lime zest and juice and vanilla, and mix until fluffy.

Whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Add to butter mixture, and mix on low speed until just combined.

Divide dough in half. Place each half on an 8-by-12-inch sheet of parchment paper. Roll in parchment to form a log 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Refrigerate logs until cold and firm, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove parchment from logs; cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Space rounds 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake cookies until barely golden, about 13 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. While still warm (but not piping hot), toss cookies with remaining 2/3 cup sugar in a resealable plastic bag. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Lime mousse

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

1 envelop unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed, and strained
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream OR 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip
1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation
Soften gelatin in cold water. Stir to mix and set aside for 5 minutes.
Heat over low heat or over a double boiler to dissolve. The melted liquid should be clear.
In a mixing bowl, combine the lime rind, juice and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in the gelatin. Cool mixture until lightly thickened but do not set.
Beat the cream with the sugar until stiff. Fold cream OR Cool Whip into the lime mixture. Spoon into crystal glasses or molds.
Serve with TANGERINE JELLY

Lime tart with raspberry sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

crust:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter
5 tablespoons sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon chopped lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:
5 eggs
1 egg yolk
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon chopped lime peel

Sauce:
2 1/2 pints baskets raspberries
1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation
Crust:
Combine crust ingredients in a food processor. Process until it forms in a ball. Refrigerate and roll to 12-inch round to fit in a 10-inch tart with removable bottom.
Line crust with foil or parchment paper. Fill with dry beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set. About 15 minutes. Remove beans and foil. Continue baking until crust is golden. Transfer to a rack and cool.
Filling:
Whisk eggs, yolk and sugar together in medium bowl. Gradually mix in cream, lemon and lime juices and chopped peels. Pour filling into crust. Bake until filling is set, about 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature on rack.
Sauce:
Puree raspberries with sugar in blender. Strain. Dust tart with powdered sugar. Garnish with berries and serve with sauce.

Lumberjack cookies

Serves: 9

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:18 minutes

1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins

Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ginger in a medium bowl.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream vegetable shortening and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add molasses, and beat to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until fully incorporated.
Add the flour mixture, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until dough comes together.
Remove bowl from mixer.
Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips, oats, walnuts, and raisins. Using a 2-inch ice-cream scoop, drop dough on baking sheet, about 3 inches apart.
Bake until firm, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Marbled pumpkin cheesecake

Serves: 8

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Crumb-crust recipe:
1 1/2 cups (5 oz) finely ground graham crackers or cookies such as chocolate or vanilla wafers or gingersnaps
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 made with finely ground gingersnaps
3 (8-ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 large egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin
Preparation
For Crumb crust recipe:
Stir together crust ingredients and press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of a buttered 9-inch (24-centimeter) springform pan. Fill right away or chill up to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and flour with an electric mixer until smooth and add whole eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla, beating on low speed until each ingredient is incorporated and scraping down bowl between additions. Transfer 2 1/2 cups filling to another bowl and beat yolks, spices, and pumpkin into remaining filling until smooth.
Put springform pan with crust in a shallow baking pan. Pour half of pumpkin filling into crust, then half of plain. Repeat procedure with remaining fillings (springform pan will be completely full), drizzling the plain so that some of pumpkin filling is still visible. Gently swirl a small spoon once through batters in a figure-eight pattern without touching crust. Bake in baking pan (to catch drips) in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until puffed. Reduce temperature to 200°F and bake 30 minutes (do not open oven). Dome a piece of lightly oiled foil over cake and continue baking until mostly firm (center will still be slightly wobbly when pan is gently shaken), about 1 hour more.
Run a knife around top edge of cake to loosen and cool completely in springform pan on a rack. Chill, loosely covered, at least 6 hours. Remove side of pan and transfer cake to a plate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

marionberry pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 25 minutes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup shortening
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
5 1/2 cups marionberries (if marionberries are not available, blackberries can be used)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup cornstarch

Topping:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch kosher salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces

Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Preparation
For the crust:
Put the flour, granulated sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a couple of times to mix. Add the shortening and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is coarse and a few pieces of butter are still visible. Add the apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons ice water. Pulse to combine. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface about 11 inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick, to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Place in the pie pan, trim and decoratively crimp the edges. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
For the filling:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup marionberries with the granulated sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until the berries begin to burst and the mixture is saucy, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the ripeness of the fruit. Allow to cool slightly. Combine the remaining 4 1/2 cups marionberries with the cornstarch in a large bowl. Add the cooled marionberry mixture to the bowl and gently fold them in.
For the topping:
Combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar and salt. Cut in the butter pieces using a pastry blender or your hands to form large crumbs.
Pour the filling into the prepared pie shell. Sprinkle the crumbs over the filling.
Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and continue baking until the crust is golden brown and the filling is thick, dark red and bubbly, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe courtesy of Treva Chadwell

Marshmallows

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

2 cups sliced almonds
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
melted butter for brushing pan
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup orange juice
3 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toast almonds until brown. Let cool and crush. In a bowl, mix cornstarch and confectioners' sugar.
Butter a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking pan. Dust the pan with cornstarch mixture.
Coat the bottom of pan with cup crushed almonds. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin with juice. Set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Boil to a temperature of 230 degrees.
Continue boiling, and start beating egg whites. When foamy, add salt, and continue beating until syrup reaches 245 degrees. Pour syrup in gelatin. Whisk to dissolve. Gradually pour hot syrup over egg whites while beating at high speed. Add vanilla.
Spread meringue in pan. Smooth surface. Let cool in a dry place until set, at least 2 hours.
Sprinkle work surface with remaining almonds. Loosen edges of pan, and unmold onto nuts.
Cut into 12 even pieces. Dry on rack for 2 to 3 hours. Keeps a week in airtight container.
Variations:
You may omit almonds, increase the sugar-corn starch mix by 1/4 cup. Substitute lemon juice for orange juice. Or use toasted coconut.

Mascarpone cheesecake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

For crust:
1 cup sugar cookie crumbs (Chefdecuisine uses shortbread cookies)
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter

For filling:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
4 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 pound Mascarpone cheese
2 cups whipping cream

For garnish:
fresh raspberries or strawberries
lemon zest
red raspberry and strawberry sauce
Preparation
Fit the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with a circle of parchment paper.
Combine cookie crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl. Spread evenly into bottom of pan and refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until firm. To make cheese cake, combine sugar and cornstarch in a stainless steel saucepan.
Dissolve unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup of the lemon juice. Whisk remaining lemon juice and beaten eggs in sugar and cornstarch mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture thickens to a medium-thick consistency. Remove from heat.
Stir in gelatin and lemon zest. Transfer to a large bowl, and let cool at room temperature.
Whisk in Mascarpone until smooth. Beat whipping cream in a bowl until stiff. Fold mascarpone mixture into whipped cream.
Spoon cream mixture into prepared pan and smooth top with spatula. Seal top with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Run a small sharp knife along the edge of the inside cake pan rim to loosen cake.
Remove sides of pan. Transfer dessert from metal base to a serving plate.
To serve, garnish with fresh berries, lemon zest and a red berry sauce.

Morning glory muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

2/3 cup raisins
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour, spooned and leveled
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups peeled and grated carrots
1 large tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and grated
1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup wheat germ
3 large eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange juice
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line the 12-cup muffin tin with paper cups.
In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water. Set them aside to soak while you assemble the rest of the recipe.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
Stir in the carrots, apple, coconut, walnuts, and wheat germ.
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and orange juice. Add to the flour mixture, and stir until evenly moistened.
Drain the raisins, squeezing out any excess water with your hands, and stir them in.
Divide the batter among the wells of the prepared pan. They will be very full.
Bake the muffins for 25 to 28 minutes, until they're nicely domed and a cake tester inserted in the center of one of the inner muffins comes out clean.
Remove the muffins from the oven and let cool in the pan on a rack for about 5 minutes. Turn the muffins out onto the rack to cool completely. Cover and store at room temperature for several days, or freeze for longer storage.

Napoleon of peekey toe crab and apple

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

3/4 pound peeky-toe or jumbo lump crab meat
1 Granny Smith apple
1 vine-ripened tomato
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon thinly sliced fresh chives
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons sour cream
2 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
freshly ground white pepper

For tuiles:
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1/2 cup rice flour
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup egg whites (from about 3 large eggs)
1/4 cup heavy cream

Garnish:
julienne strips of tomato,
sliced fresh chives, and curry powder

Preparation
Pick over crab meat to remove any bits of shell and cartilage and if using lump crab meat lightly shred.
Peel and core apple and cut enough into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon.
Peel and seed tomato and cut enough into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/3 cup. Reserve 1 tablespoon each diced apple and tomato for sauce and in a bowl combine crab meat, remaining diced apple and tomato, 1 tablespoon chives, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise, and 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, tossing to combine well. Chill filling.
In a bowl whisk together milk and remaining tablespoons lemon juice, sour cream, and mayonnaise and stir in reserved diced apple and tomato, remaining teaspoon chives, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, and white pepper and salt to taste. Chill sauce while making tuiles.
Make tuiles:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan melt butter over moderate heat and cool slightly. In a bowl whisk together flours, sugar, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg and whisk in whites until just combined. Whisk in cream until just combined and whisk in butter until just combined. On a baking sheet spread 2 teaspoons batter in an arc shape. With a pastry brush spread batter into a 5-inch-long arc, about 1 1/2 inches wide.
Make 3 more arcs with some of remaining batter in same manner, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake tuiles in middle of oven until bubbly, crisp, and golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
Carefully transfer tuiles with a thin spatula to a rack to cool and make more tuiles in same manner. (There will be enough batter to make about 26 tuiles, more than you need for the napoleons; leftovers may be used as an hors d'oeuvre.)
Spoon 2 tablespoons filling onto a plate and top with a tuile. Make 2 more layers with 4 tablespoons filling and 2 tuiles. Make 3 more napoleons in same manner. Drizzle sauce around napoleons and garnish with tomato, chives, and curry powder.

No-bake nutella cheesecake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 10 minutes

2/3 cup Nutella
8 oz Cream Cheese at room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 8 oz container non-dairy whipped topping (defrosted)
1 Oreo Cookie Pie Crust
1 bar chocolate (optional)

Preparation
In a large bowl, mix Nutella and cream cheese together until well blended and smooth. Add vanilla extract. Fold in whipped topping until no white streaks are left. Pour into Oreo Pie crust. Refrigerate or freeze at least 2 hours to overnight.
Remove cheesecake from the fridge, slice and serve immediately. If removing from the freezer, allow the cheesecake to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before slicing & serving.
Optional: Shave chocolate with veggie peeler on top of pie for garnish.

Nutty peach crisp

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

1 can (29 ounce) sliced peaches, undrained
1 package Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Pecan Cake Mix
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
cut peaches into thin slices. Layer all ingredients in an ungreased rectangular pan (13x9x2). Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm or cold, and if desired, top with whipped cream or cool whip, or ice cream.

Oatmeal raisin cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup Nestle's Quick powder
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 ounces miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Into a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt and stir in oats. In bowl of a standing electric mixer beat butter with sugars until light and fluffy.
Beat in Nestle's Quick until combined well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla.
Add flour mixture, beating until just combined, and stir in chocolate chips.
Arrange rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake in batches in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until golden.
Transfer cookies to racks to cool.

Oatmeal toffee cookies with dried cherries

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup toffee pieces, (5 1/2 ounces)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together flour and baking soda, and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice during mixing.
Add egg, and mix on high speed to combine. Add vanilla extract; mix to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the sifted flour a bit at a time on a low speed until well combined. Add oatmeal, cherries, chocolate, and toffee pieces; mix to combine.
Divide dough into three equal portions, and roll into logs using plastic wrap, approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. To bake, cut logs into 3/4-inch pieces. Bake on parchment-lined baking sheets, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a baking rack to cool.

Oats and berry crumb dessert

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

2 cups quick cooking oatmeal
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon flour
pinch salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups fresh blueberries
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix oatmeal, brown sugar and flour. Add butter and mix well. Spread mixture in 8 inch square pan, leaving 3/4 cup aside for topping.
Combine flour, salt, sugar, water, lemon juice and blueberries in saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
Pour over oat mixture and sprinkle with remaining mixture. Bake for 35 minutes.
Can be served with ice cream or whipped topping.

Old fashion rice crispies chocolate cookies

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups rice crispies
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together, butter and sugar. Beat in the egg.
Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Gradually mix into the creamy mixture.
Stir in rice crispies and chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip.
Squeeze onto a cookie sheet about one inch apart.
Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer onto a rack and cool.

Orange cake 2

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

2 cups flour, all purpose
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup orange juice
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease two 8 inch round layer cake pans.
Line bottom with wax paper. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients alternating with orange juice to obtain a creamy texture batter.
Turn into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool 5 minutes then remove from pans.

Orange pound cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:55 minutes

2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup butter
3 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
For the candied oranges:
2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
2 large oranges (navel or tangelos)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan or tube pan.
Grate 2 tablespoons of orange peel and combine with 1 cup fresh orange juice.
In an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Add remaining ingredients at low speed including orange peel and juice.
Spoon batter into pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 10minutes.
Remove from pan. Cool completely on rack. Transfer to a serving tray.
Note:
This cake can also be baked in 2 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pans, or mini loaves cakes pans. Baking time will vary, about 35 to 40 minutes for mini loaves.
Candied oranges:
Combine water and sugar in a 4 quart saucepan.
Bring to a boil. Wash and slice oranges across into 1/4-inch slices.
Add to syrup, and boil or medium-high heat until syrup starts to thicken, about 15 minutes.
Cool syrup for 5 minutes, and carefully arrange orange slices on top of cake.
Pour syrup over. Keeps for 2 to 3 days, covered, or freeze for up to 1 month.

Orange prune nut loaf

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

1 medium orange, unpeeled
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup prunes, chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 egg
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash orange, and coarsely chop in a meat grinder or blender. Add to orange juice.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chopped cooked prunes and the chopped walnuts.
Beat together orange mixture, egg, butter, and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and beat for about half a minute.
Turn into greased 9-inch by 5-inch by 3-inch loaf pan, or 3 mini loaves.
Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 65 minutes for loaf pan or about 40 minutes for mini loaf pans.

Orange-cranberry topping

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

2 medium pears or apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup water
3/4 to 1 cup organic or raw sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons Brandy (optional)
Preparation
In a medium saucepan combine pears or apples, cranberries, orange juice, zest, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or until fruit is tender.
Purée in a blender until smooth. Return to pan and add sugar and brandy, if desired.
Cook on medium-low, stirring frequently, until very thick.
Once the "topping" begins to thicken, stir constantly so mixture doesn't burn. Cool before serving.

Orange-honey jello

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

2 envelops unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/3 cup honey
2 cups fresh orange juice

Preparation
Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Add honey and heat over water bath until melted. Add orange juice. Pour in molds. Set in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Serve cold.

Oven-baked chicken wings

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

12 chicken wings
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup bread crumbs
to taste salt and black pepper
Preparation
Rinse chicken wings and pat dry. Tuck the tip of each wing under to form a triangle.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a shallow dish, beat together the egg whites, honey and mustard.
Combine bread crumbs, pecans, salt and pepper in a bowl. Dip the chicken wings into egg white mixture; coat with pecan mixture. Arrange wings on greased sheet pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown, turning wings halfway through baking time.

Oven-cooked bacon

Serves: 4

Preparation time:5 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1/2 sliced bacon
Preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

1.Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make sure to cut a large-enough sheet of parchment paper so that there is overhang on all sides. Then fold the excess up so that the drippings don’t seep through any cracks.
Lay the bacon strips flat, making sure pieces do not overlap.
2. Bake until crisp and browned, 15 to 18 minutes, 24 minutes (thick-cut bacon), rotating the sheets once.
3. Transfer strips to a paper towel to drain.
Let the drippings cool slightly, lift up the parchment, and store the drippings into a container.

Pamplemousse pie

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

1 9-inch Graham cracker crumb crust, baked
2 red ruby grapefruit
1 cup grapefruit juice
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
Preparation
Peel one grapefruit, cutting away all rind. Remove sections; set aside for garnish.
In a saucepan, soften gelatin in one half of the juice. Dissolve over low heat. Set aside. Pour remaining juice in a blender. Add one half of the sugar, sour cream and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Blend in the gelatin. Chill until slightly thickened.
Beat egg whites until stiff and gradually add the remaining sugar. Fold into gelatin mixture.
Pour into crust. Chill and garnish with grapefruit sections.

Parker house rolls

Serves: 20

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

3 tablespoons warm water (105-110°F)
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4-oz package active dry yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 to 2 cups all-purpose flour
Preparation
Stir together warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Melt 3/4 stick butter in a small saucepan. Add milk and heat to lukewarm. Stir together yeast mixture, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, butter mixture, bread flour, and salt in a bowl with a wooden spoon until combined well, then stir in enough all-purpose flour to make a slightly sticky dough that forms a ball.

Butter a large bowl. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, kneading in more all-purpose flour if dough is too sticky, 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic but still slightly sticky. Form into a ball and put in buttered bowl. Turn to coat with butter, then let rise in bowl, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Divide dough into 20 equal pieces and roll into balls. Arrange evenly in 4 rows of 5 in pan and let rise, covered loosely, in a warm place 45 minutes, or until almost doubled in bulk. Make a deep crease down center of each row of rolls using length of a floured chopstick or side of a ruler. Let rolls rise, covered loosely, 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cool slightly. Brush tops of rolls with butter and bake in middle of oven until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let rolls cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool to warm.

Peach almond compote

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

3 peaches
1/4 cup apricot jam
1/4 cup black currant jelly
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup Amaretto
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pint vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
Preparation
Peel, core and halve peaches. Slice each half into 8 slices. Reserve. Combine jams in a large frying pan over low heat. Cook until jams are liquefied. Pour in brandy and Amaretto. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Add peaches and stir together until peaches are tender and warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Cool. Place ice cream in serving dishes such as coupes or wine glasses and top with peaches, sauce and almonds.

Peach and cream dessert

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

Crust:
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup brown sugar

Add melted butter to crumbs and sugar. Reserve 1/2 cup.
Press into 9 by 13" pan.
Filling:
2 14-ounce cans sliced peaches (Reserve juice plus water to make 2 cups)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
8-ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream
Preparation
Combine peaches, juice, water, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Heat and stir until it thickens. Let cool. Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until fluffy.
Beat cream until stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread half of mixture on prepared crust.
Spoon thickened peaches on top. Spread second half of cheese mixture over top. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs and chill.

Peach mango smoothies

Serves: 2

Preparation time:10 minutes

2 cups peeled and sliced peaches, cold (frozen peaches should be thawed)
1 cup chopped mangoes, cold (frozen mangoes should be thawed)
1/2 cup mango nectar, cold
1/2 of a banana
2 teaspoons sugar or honey (optional)
2 ice cubes
Preparation
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and purée until completely smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy cold.

Peach-blackberry tart

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Crust:
2 cups oatmeal cookie crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
1/2 cup peach nectar
5 tablespoons sugar
5 teaspoons cornstarch
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled peaches
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups blackberries
Preparation
For Crust:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray 10-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom with non-stick spray. Mix cookie crumbs and butter until moist clumps form. Press dough over bottom and up sides of pan. Bake about 10 minutes. Cool completely.
For Filling:
Whisk nectar, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan until smooth. Add half of peaches and lemon juice. Mash to a coarse puree. Simmer until mixture is thick, stirring constantly. Cool completely. Fold in remaining peaches. Spread filling evenly over crust.
Arrange blackberries around top edge of tart. Refrigerate at least 4 to 6 hours. Serve at room temperature.
Adapted from Bon Appétit.

Peach-blueberry custard danishes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Custard:
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
pinch of salt
2/3 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Danishes:
1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
4 ripe, firm freestone peaches, peeled
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
freshly ground nutmeg
Preparation
Custard:
Combine sugar with constarch and salt in a glass bowl. Whisk in milk until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Stir at least once during cooking. Beat eggs lightly.
Stir some of the hot sauce into egg, then whisk warm egg back into custard. Microwave on medium for 20 to 40 seconds or until thickened. Whisk until smooth.
Whisk in vanilla and set aside.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Danishes:
Roll half the pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-x 8-inch rectangle. Cut pastry into six 4-inch rectangles. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining pastry. Slice peaches thinly. Toss gently with blueberries, lemon juice and sugar.
Spoon fruit mixture into centre of pastry rectangles. Top fruit with about 2 teaspoons of custard and a small pinch of nutmeg. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating pan after 10 minutes. Pastry should be puffed and golden.
Cool slightly on racks. Serve danishes with remaining custard on the side.
Adapted from Homemakers Magazine Summer 2002

Peanut butter and mint chocolate chips

Serves: 12

Preparation time:10 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup mint chocolate chips
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream peanut butter with shortening. Add sugars gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add beaten eggs.
Gradually add the combined flour and baking soda and mix well. Stir in the mint chocolate chips.
Using tablespoonfuls of the dough place on a cookie sheet.
Flatten with a fork to form a round cookie about 2-inch round.
Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Peanut crisps

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts ( 5 ounces)
1 stick ( 4 ounces) butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a food processor, pulse the peanuts until finely ground.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the egg well.
Stir in the ground peanuts, then stir in the flour and baking powder until just combined.
Drop heaping spoons of the batter about 2 inches apart on large ungreased cookie sheets. Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, for about 8 minutes, until golden brown.
Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pear-cranberry crumble

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

8 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
Preparation
Base:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Stir pears with cranberries, sugar, flour, lemon rind, cinnamon and ginger. Place in prepared baking dish.
Topping:
Using a fork, stir flour with oats and brown sugar. Drizzle butter over flour mixture and toss until mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle evenly over fruit.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until topping is golden and pears are tender.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pecan crescents

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour confectioner's sugar to coat

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Beat butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy.
Add pecans and mix until blended. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour just until blended.
Wrap dough and chill until firm enough to handle, at least 2 hours. Have cookie sheets ready.
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On lightly floured board, form each piece into a 1/2 -inch thick rope, then cut into 1 1/2 -inch lengths.
Taper ends. Then bend into crescent shapes. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 12-15 minutes until light golden and firm. While warm, roll in confectioners' sugar to coat.
Let cool on racks. Store tightly covered up to 3 weeks.

Pecan pumpkin pie

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes

For the pastry:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water, or as needed

For the filling:
2 (13.5 oz.) pumpkin pie mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup heavy cream
whipped cream for serving

Preparation
To make the pastry,
in the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and granulated sugar and pulse once to mix. Add the butter and shortening and process in short pulses to form pea-size crumbs, 20 to 25 seconds. While pulsing, gradually add the water to form large, moist crumbs, 10 seconds more. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, with lightly floured hands, shape the dough into a 5-inch disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, fit the dough into the dish and trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold under the excess dough and, using your thumb, decoratively flute the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Using a fork, poke holes in the dough and bake until the pastry is golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
To make the filling, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin mix, eggs, brown sugar, chopped pecans and cream until smooth.
Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake until the filling is set, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
Serve slices with whipped cream.

Perfect roasted turkey

Serves: 18

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:4 hours

1 18-pound fresh turkey
About 12 cups of your favorite stuffing
8 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
Salt and freshly milled black pepper
2 1/2 quarts Homemade Turkey Stock, or more as needed
unsalted butter, melted as needed
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
OPTIONAL:
1/3 cup port, dry sherry, or bourbon
Preparation

1. Position a rack in the lowest position of the oven and preheat to 325° F.
2. Reserve the turkey neck and giblets to use in gravy or stock. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat the turkey skin dry. Turn the turkey on its breast. Loosely fill the neck cavity with stuffing. Using a thin wooden or metal skewer, pin the neck skin to the back. Fold the turkey's wings akimbo behind the back or tie to the body with kitchen string. Loosely fill the large body cavity with stuffing. Place any remaining stuffing in a lightly buttered casserole, cover and refrigerate to bake as a side dish. Place the drumsticks in the hock lock or tie together with kitchen string.
3. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in the roasting pan. Rub all over with the softened butter. Season with salt and pepper. Tightly cover the breast area with aluminum foil. Pour 2 cups of the turkey stock into the bottom of the pan.
4. Roast the turkey, basting all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan (lift up the foil to reach the breast area), until a meat thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh (but not touching a bone) reads 180°F and the stuffing is at least 160°F, about 4 ¼ hours. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 ½ cups at a time. Remove the foil during the last hour to allow the breast skin to brown.
5. Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter and let it stand for at least 20 minutes before carving. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Drizzle ½ cup turkey stock over the stuffing in the casserole, cover, and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a heatproof glass bowl or large measuring cup. Let stand for 5 minutes, then skim off and reserve the clear yellow fat that has risen to the top. Measure ¾ cup fat, adding melted butter if needed. Add enough turkey stock to the skimmed drippings to make 8 cups total.
7. Place the roasting pan in two stove burners over low heat and add the turkey fat. Whisk in the flour, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the turkey stock and the optional bourbon. Cook, whisking often, until the gravy has thickened and no trace of raw flour taste remains, about 5 minutes. Transfer the gravy to a warmed gravy boat. Carve the turkey and serve the gravy and the stuffing alongside.

perfect white cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

4 oz (125g) unsalted butter room temp
7 oz (200g) sugar
3 large egg whites room temp
7 oz (200 g) All Purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 oz milk room temp
1 oz vegetable oil
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 335ºF. Cover the bottom of one 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Butter and flour bottom and sides of cake pan.
Combine milk, oil and extracts and set aside
Combine flour, baking powder and salt and set aside
Place butter in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream until smooth. Sprinkle in sugar and then mix on high until light and white (about 5 minutes).
Add the egg whites at room temperature one at a time to the butter mixture while mixing on low and let fully combine after each addition before adding the next.
Add in 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the egg/butter mixture and mix on low until just combined. Then add in 1/2 of the liquids, then dry, then liquids and the rest of the dry.
Mix until just combined.
Add batter into prepared cake pan and bake at 335º F for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
Let cool ten minutes then turn out cake onto a cooling rack. Wrap warm and place into the freezer to flash chill. This locks in the moisture. Once cool but not frozen you can then trim off the brown edges of the cake and frost as desired. Chill cake.

Pingree pasta

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

12 ounces fresh fettuccini
1 chicken cube
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound boned and skinned chicken scallopine
to taste salt and pepper
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 pound asparagus tips, cooked
2 artichoke bottoms, sliced
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup pesto
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
In large pot of boiling salted water add chicken cube . Stir to dissolve . Cook pasta in water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
Place in a large bowl. Cut the chicken into small strips. Heat oil in a sauté pan over high heat.
Quickly stir fry chicken strips. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to an oven proof casserole dish.
Add mushrooms and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Combine chanterelle mushrooms with chicken. Steam to heat asparagus tips and artichokes.
Heat marinara sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat chicken and mushrooms until chicken is fully cooked.
To serve:
Heat fettuccini in boiling water. Drain well. Transfer to a large serving platter. Spoon marinara sauce over pasta. Garnish pasta with chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and spoon pesto in center of pasta. Serve at once, with fresh parmesan cheese.

Pompano almondine

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 cup sliced almonds
6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
lemon slices
Preparation
Spread sliced almonds on a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season both sides with salt and pepper . Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet and brown the fish. Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter.
Melt the remaining butter in a clean frying pan until brown. Add the lemon juice to melted butter and pour over the fish.
Sprinkle with the parsley and sliced toasted almonds.
Decorate with lemon slices. Decorate with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Pompano captiva

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

2 pounds pompano fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces shrimp quenelle forcemeat
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
5 ounces dry white wine
5 ounces fish stock
6 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 ounce beurre manié
3 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound diced canned tomatoes
1 ounce butter
Preparation
Flatten pompano fillets with a mallet. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread quenelle forcemeat over half of each pompano fillet and fold other half over.
Butter baking pan. Sprinkle with shallots. Arrange fillets on top in one layer.
Add wine and fish stock. Arrange mushrooms on top of fish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer fillets onto serving platter.
Reduce cooking liquid by one third. Stir in beurre manié and cream. Reduce to a medium consistency. Add lemon juice. Season to taste. Saute tomatoes in butter.
Arrange around pompano. Pour sauce over fish. Serve hot.

Pompano meuniere

Serves: 6

Preparation time:10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
6 lemon slices
Preparation
Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet. Brown the fish on one side.
Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter.
Melt the remaining butter in a clean frying pan until brown. Add the lemon juice to melted butter and pour over the fish.
Sprinkle with the parsley. Decorate with lemon slices.
Decorate with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Pompano papillottes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

2 pounds pompano fillets, boned and skinned
4 ounces butter
1/2 cup white wine
salt, ground white pepper to taste
2 ounces sherry wine
6 ounces cooked shrimp, sliced
6 ounces crabmeat
2 cups cream sauce
1 dash Tabasco
Preparation
Melt half of the butter in a sauté pan. Add scallions. Place pompano fillets on top. Cover, and steam for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the white wine, sherry, salt, and pepper.
Cook until pompano is firm. Transfer fish to a pan and keep warm. To the same pan, add the cooked sliced shrimp and crabmeat. Stir in the sauce. Bring to a boil. Adjust seasonings.
Cut the parchment paper into six heart shapes, about 14 inches (35 cm ) wide. Oil one side of paper.
Place two tablespoons of seafood on right side of hearts. Top each with pompano, 2 tablespoons of sauce and fold left half of heart. Roll edges to seal.
Bake in a 400 degree oven until bags puff. Serve hot with remaining cream sauce.

Pompano with mango beurre blanc

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil

For mango beurre blanc:

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon heavy cream
4 ounces unsalted butter, cold
salt and ground white pepper to taste
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons puréed mango
Preparation
Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet and brown the fish. Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter. Keep hot.

Mango beurre blanc:
In a small heavy pan, boil the vinegar, wine and shallots until all liquid is reduced. Add the cream, and re-boil until completely reduced.
Whisk in the cold butter, a few pieces at the time. The sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Stir in the orange juice and mango puree.
Note:
do not overheat the sauce, as the sauce separates and loses its creamy texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm over a pan of warm water. Serve as soon as possible.

Pork spareribs

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

4 pounds pork spareribs
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup hot chili sauce
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Preparation
Cut spare ribs into small portions. Place in a large pot of cold water. Boil over medium heat for about 40 minutes or until meat is tender. In a medium saucepan, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Stir until lightly brown. Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer sauce for 15 minutes.
Drain spareribs. Wash and line in a baking tray lined with foil. Arrange ribs over foil.
Spoon half of sauce over ribs. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn ribs, brush with remaining sauce.
Continue baking at 350 degrees.
Serve with fried rice or small oven browned red potatoes.

Potato bacon soup - quick and easy

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

8 oz bacon slices
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 small carrot, grated
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups 2% milk
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional

Preparation
1. Partially freeze your package of bacon so that it holds together easier while slicing.
2. Use a sharp knife and cut the frozen bacon into long strips about 1/4 inch wide.
3. Turn the bacon and cut the strips into pieces also about 1/4 in wide.
4. Sprinkle with pepper.
5. Fry in a large saucepan over a medium high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan.
Save 1/4 cup of bacon dripping in the saucepan. Add butter and mix in the flour cooking over medium heat for a minute while stirring occasionally. Add the vegetables, seasonings and broth and milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes.
Stir in cheese until melted. Serve with bacon bits and garnish with green onions.

Praline lace cookies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Preparation
In a small bowl, combine the pecans and flour. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and stir the dry ingredients into a pan. Transfer the batter to a bowl and stir occasionally until it thickens into a dough and is cool enough to handle, about 25 minutes.

With moistened hands, roll the dough into various size balls, depending on whether you're making cookies, cups or coronets (see below). Place on ungreased baking sheets, 3 to 7 inches apart, depending on size-they spread quite a bit.
Bake about 12 minutes, or until the active bubbling subsides.
Place the baking sheet on rack and let cool until the cookies are firm enough to lift with a flexible metal spatula.

Pumpkin cheesecake

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:55 minutes

Crust:
3/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup pecans, ground
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Filling:
3 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin, canned
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon bourbon
Garnish:
Whipped cream pecan halves
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crust:
Combine the crust ingredients. Press firmly onto greased 9 inch spring form pan. Chill.
Filling:
Beat cream cheese with sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at the time.
Stir in pumpkin, spices, milk, cornstarch, and bourbon until thoroughly combined. Pour into pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until center of cake is just set. Remove cake from oven and run a knife around sides of pan. Chill.
Garnish cake with whipped cream and whole pecans.

Pumpkin chocolate cinnamon and salted caramel mousse cake

Serves: 16

Preparation time: 4 hours

Cooking time:25 minutes

For the Chocolate Cake:
• 2 oz soft butter
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) brown sugar
• 1 egg at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) buttermilk at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (2.66 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (1 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pumpkin Cinnamon Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz cinnamon chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Pumpkin Butterscotch Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz butterscotch chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
For the Salted Caramel Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz salted caramel chips or white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup thick salted caramel sauce
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache on Top:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped
To Decorate:
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon
• Candy of your choosing
Preparation
To Make the Chocolate Cake:
1. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment, and spray it with non stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Add the butter and both sugars to the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat them together on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, and beat well until they’re fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low, add a quarter of the sifted flour mixture. Add a third of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl. When that’s incorporated, continue to add the dry and wet ingredients in an alternating pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.
4. Finish mixing the cake by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake the cake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cake completely before using.
To Make the Mousse Layers:
1. Prepare your pan. You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3 inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removable bottom or a springform pan will work. Line the inner wall with a 4-inch high acetate cake collar or a strip of aluminum foil or waxed paper. Make sure the acetate or waxed paper is long enough so that it overlaps itself, and if you are using foil/waxed paper, make sure you cut the strip tall enough to extend at least an inch over the pan’s sides, since the cake is about 4 inches tall.
2. Place a cake cardboard in the bottom of the pan, then carefully place the baked cake on top of the cardboard. This is optional, but it makes it easy to transfer the cake cleanly and neatly to your serving plate.
3. Prepare the cinnamon mousse layer: combine the cinnamon chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a large bowl, and let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
4. While you wait for the cinnamon mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the cinnamon is at room temperature, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Whisk the melted gelatin and cinnamon mixture together, and whisk in the ground cinnamon.
5. Whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the cinnamon, and once it’s incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Scrape the mousse on top of the cake, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for 25 minutes, until the mousse has started to set and is firm enough that a second layer can be added.
6. For the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, combine the butterscotch chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the cinnamon layer, by melting and cooling the butterscotch mixture, whisking in the melted gelatin, and folding in whipped cream. When the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse is ready, pour it over the cinnamon mousse layer. Spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate again.
7. Finally, prepare the salted caramel layer. Combine the salted caramel chips (or white chocolate chips), 1/2 cup heavy cream, salted caramel, salt, and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the previous two layers. Pour it over the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, and refrigerate to set the mousse layers for at least 30 minutes.
8. Make a quick chocolate ganache by putting the chopped chocolate in a small bowl and heating the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and whisk gently until the chocolate melts and you have a smooth, shiny mixture. If it is very hot, let it cool slightly so it’s still warm and spreadable, but not so hot that it will melt the mousse. Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, and use a spatula to nudge it right to the edge and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight, so that the mousse layers can be very firm when slicing.
9. To finish the cake, push the bottom out from the pan, or unhinge the sides, and unwrap the acetate strip. Transfer the cake to your serving platter. Pipe rosettes of whipped cream around the edges, and sprinkle the cream with a bit of cinnamon. Top the rosettes with chocolate candies or chocolate curls, or leave them plain.
10. For the cleanest slices, cut the cake when it is well chilled. Use a large sharp knife, and wash it frequently between cuts. For the best taste and texture, allow the cake slices to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Pumpkin pie-pumpkin-shaped

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

Serves 8 to 10

1 recipe never fail pie crust

FILLING: 1 3/4 cups canned solid pumpkin
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Topping:
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
4 large egg whites
Preparation
Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch shallow pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin.
Freeze any leftover dough for future use. Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Line pie shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell for 25 minutes. Remove weight or rice and foil, and bake shell until just pale golden. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Filling:
In a bowl, Whisk together all ingredients, and pour into pie shell. Bake pie for 1 hour, or until center is almost firm. Cool on rack and refrigerate.
Topping:
Whip the cream with 2 tablespoons. sugar until it holds stiff peaks. In a bowl, whisk sour cream.
In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water to soften for 1 minute. Heat to dissolve. Stir into sour cream. Gradually fold whipped cream into sour cream mixture. Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Fold meringue into cream.
Mount topping on chilled pie into a smooth dome.
Make 8 even-spaced indented ridges with a church key can opener. Chill. Dust with cinnamon.
Insert cinnamon stick in center for stem.

Pumpkin-orange pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

CRUST:
1 1/3 cups graham crumbs
1/3 cup ground almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/3 cup butter, melted

Filling:
2 3-1/2-ounces vanilla instant pudding
1 cup evaporated milk
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 ounces pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation
Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, thoroughly combine the crust ingredients. Press mixture over bottom and side of 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Cool before filling.
Filling:
In large mixer bowl, combine pudding mix with 1 cup evaporated milk. Beat until well blended, 1-2 minutes.
Beat in cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining ingredients.
Pour in crust. Freeze until firm. Allow frozen pie to stand at room temperature 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
Garnish with whipped if desired.

Quick and easay cranberry sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time:5 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 bag (12 ounces) frozen cranberries
1 jar (12 ounces) red-currant jelly
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries and jelly. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and liquid has reduced to a syrup, 20 to 30 minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish, and let cool.

Quick and easy pie crust

Preparation time: 5 minutes

1 1/2 cups All Purpose flour
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cold butter
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)
Preparation
In a food processor, process all ingredients until dough clumps together. Roll out dough on a floured surface and transfer to 9 inch tart pan.

Raspberry cheesecake

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

1 1/4 cups prepared crumbs (graham or chocolate)
1/4 cup melted butter
3 8-ounce packages softened regular or light philadelphia cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons raspberry jam

Garnish: Fresh raspberries
Preparation
1. COMBINE crumbs with butter. Press on bottom of 9 in. springform pan. Try using your favorite cookies for extra flavor - just give them a whirl in the food processor or blender and substitute for prepared crumbs.

2. MIX cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, cornstarch and sour cream and mix until just blended.

3. POUR over prepared crust and swirl in a raspberry Jam and bake at 300°F for 45-50 minutes or until centre is almost set. Cool completely and refrigerate.
Decorate with fresh raspberries.

Raspberry coconut squares

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup raspberry jam
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon soft butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups shredded coconut
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine flour and 1/4 cup sugar. Cut in butter finely. Press into bottom of lightly greased 9-inch square cake pan.
Spread jam over base. Beat eggs; beat in 1 cup sugar, soft butter and vanilla. Stir in coconut.
Spread over jam layer.
Bake for 30 minutes or until faintly browned.
Cool and cut into small squares.

Raspberry crême brulée

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

12 ounces frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed, drained
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons raspberry liqueur
5 egg yolks
2 cups whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Preparation
Gently toss berries with 1/4 cup sugar and liqueur.
Divide berries among six 3/4-cup broiler proof ramekins. Whisk egg yolks and remaining ½ cup sugar in heavy saucepan until pale and thick.
Add cream and vanilla. Stirring constantly, thicken over medium heat; do not boil.
Add butter and stir until melted. Spoon over berries.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Preheat broiler. Press sugar through sieve over custards. Broil until sugar begins to melt and caramelize. Chill 3 hours.

Raspberry triple crown

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

For the wafer batter:
4 ounces (1 stick) sweet butter, soft
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup flour, all purpose
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites

For the raspberry coulis:
2 cups raspberries
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar

For the Chantilly cream:
1 cup whipping cream
6 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons instant vanilla pudding
Preparation
Make the wafer batter:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter with confectioner’s sugar until creamy. Beat in flour, and vanilla. Beat egg whites to a light texture. Fold them into the batter.
Spoon the equivalent of a tablespoon of batter on a buttered cookie sheet pan. Spread batter with a small spoon to form 4 inch circles. Continue spooning and spreading more batter leaving about 3 inch space between wafer batter. Bake the wafers until golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer wafers to rack. While hot, they can also be shaped into cups. Cool. In high humidity, store in an air tight box until ready to use.
Make the raspberry coulis:
Save half the raspberries for garnish. In an electric blender, puree remaining raspberries with confectioner’s sugar. Strain, and chill.
Make the Chantilly Cream:
In an electric mixer, whip the cream with the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla pudding until stiff.

Presentation:
Pipe 4 rosettes of cream in center of a dessert plate. Arrange 6 to 8 fresh raspberries on cream. Top with a wafer, cream, raspberries. Top with a second wafer. Pipe a cream rosette in center. Arrange raspberries around cream rosette. Decorate with mint leaves. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry coulis in each plate. Serve.

Raspberry-apricot pie with hazelnut streusel topping

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup packed, golden brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Filling:
1 1/2 pounds ripe apricots, halved, pitted, each cut into 4 wedges
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 pint basket raspberries
A recipe of Never-fail-pie-crust
Preparation
For Streusel Topping:
Position rack in lowest third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
Combine first 5 ingredients in processor. Blend using on/off turns until nuts are coarsely chopped. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture begins to clump together. Transfer streusel to bowl and refrigerate.

For Filling:
Combine apricots, sugar, flour and allspice in large bowl; toss to blend. Let stand until dry ingredients are moistened, about 25 minutes. Carefully fold in raspberries.
Roll out pie-crust disk on lightly floured surface to 12 1/2-inch round.
Transfer crust to 9-inch diameter glass pie dish. Trim dough overhang under; crimp edges decoratively.
Spoon filling into crust.
Place pie on baking sheet. Bake until filling begins to bubble at edges, about 45 minutes.
Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over pie. Cover crust edges with foil to prevent overbrowning.
Bake until crust and topping are golden and filling is bubbly in center, about 50 minutes.
Cool pie on rack at least 2 hours.

Refrigerator blueberry muffins

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups sifted flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
Preparation
Night before:
Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla at high speed until light and fluffy, scraping the sides occasionally. Beat for 4 minutes. On low speed beat in flour mixture in fourths, alternating with milk in thirds (begin and end with flour). Beat until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries just to combine. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.
Refrigerate overnight.
Next day:
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove to wire rack. Let cool or serve warm.

Rhubarb crumb bars

Serves: 8

Preparation time:25 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

FOR THE STREUSEL
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
FOR THE CAKE
1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Butter and flour parchment and pan, tapping out excess flour.
2. Make streusel: Whisk together butter, brown sugar, and salt. Add flour and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Make cake: In a medium bowl, combine rhubarb, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup flour. In another medium bowl, whisk 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, one at a time. With mixer on low, beat in vanilla, then flour mixture. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with rhubarb and top with streusel.
4. Bake cake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake from pan. Cut into 16 bars.

Rhubarb pound cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:70 minutes

2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup sugar

FOR CAKE BATTER:
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Preparation
For Rhubarb:
In a small saucepan, combine rhubarb and sugar. Cover and cook over very low heat until rhubarb is tender.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Drain, discarding liquid. Let cool to room temperature.
For Cake Batter:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Sift flour, salt and baking powder together.
Beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Whisk eggs and vanilla together and add to butter mixture. On low speed, add flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold in rhubarb. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth with a spatula and make a lengthwise split i inch deep to minimize splitting.
Bake until cake is browned and a tester comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Unmold and let cool right side up on a wire rack.
(Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Taste)

Rice crispies cakes

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups miniature marshmallows or 40 large
6 cups rice crispies
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, combine butter, vanilla, and marshmallows.
Melt over medium heat while stirring with a wooden spoon.
Remove from heat, and mix in rice crispies.
Spoon and press into a 9-inch square pan .
Cool and cut into cakes.

Roasted cauliflower with parmesan polenta

Serves: 4

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

For the cauliflower:
1 large or 2 medium head cauliflower
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

For the panko crumbs:
1/2 cup panko crumbs
2 teaspoons melted butter
2 tablespoons toasted pinenuts
1 small clove garlic
finely grated zest from 1 medium lemon
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 medium size sundried tomato, drained and finely chopped (optional)

For the polenta:
5 cups low sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 cup instant polenta
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Preparation
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 450°F. Drizzle a sheet pan with 1 tablespoons of olive oil. Set aside.
For the panko crumbs, melt butter till bubbly in a small sauté pan. Add pine nuts and stir continuously for about 1 minute, till nuts and butter turn a light, golden brown. Remove pan from heat, then remove pine nuts with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Add garlic to butter in pan and return to medium low heat. Cook for 15-30 seconds or until fragrant. Add panko crumbs to the pan and stir to combine. Cook, stirring continuously for 1 minute to crisp crumbs. Remove from heat, Add lemon zest, parsley and finely chopped sundried tomato.
Wash and remove any outer leaves from the cauliflower, but leave the stem intact. Place head stalk side down on a cutting board. Using a large chef's knife, slice cauliflower into 3/4" wedges. Arrange cauliflower slices and any pieces in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, placing any stray pieces in the center of the pan. Drizzle with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Cauliflower shrinks during the roasting process.
Roast until underside is deep golden brown, 15–25 minutes. Turn cauliflower over, season with salt and pepper, and continue to roast until other side is deep golden brown and crisp, 15–20 minutes longer.
While the cauliflower steaks are roasting, make the polenta. Bring broth to a boil in a medium large pot.While the broth boils, slowly add polenta, stirring or whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Once all polenta has been incorporated, lower eat to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered for 6-8 minutes. Add parmesan and salt and stir to incorporate. Polenta should be thick but spoonable. If it gets too thick, you can add a bit more chicken broth, to thin.
To serve, spoon polenta into four shallow bowls. Arrange cauliflower steaks on top and sprinkle with panko mixture and pine nuts. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.

Roasted turkey breast with barbecue sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

for the barbecue sauce:

2 teaspoons corn oil
1/2 cup yellow onions, diced
2 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup ketchup
1 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
2 pounds boneless turkey breast, skinless
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place oil, onion, chopped garlic, cumin cayenne pepper in a heavy saucepan. Cook, stirring over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside.
Line a roasting pan with foil. Season turkey with salt and pepper. Place in the roasting pan. Spoon 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over turkey. Place in oven. Baste with additional sauce every 20 minutes until roast is done and all sauce is used. Remove any fat. Slice the roast. Serve with the sauce.

Rum-broiled grapefruit

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:6 minutes

2 pink or red grapefruit, halved crosswise
1/4 cup dark rum
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne
4 maraschino cherries, stemmed
Preparation
Heat oven broiler. Trim the ends of grapefruit halves so they sit flat when upright; transfer to a baking sheet cut side up. Run a knife around edges and between segments of grapefruit to loosen them.
Brush 1 tbsp. rum over each half and sprinkle each with about 11/2 tbsp. sugar.
Dust with cinnamon and cayenne; place 1 cherry in the center of each grapefruit. Broil, rotating pan as needed, until bubbling and slightly caramelized, 5–6 minutes.

Salmon burgers with herb aïoli

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

2 small cloves garlic
salt
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill
1-1/2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper

5 brioche, hamburger or Kaiser buns, 1 cut into large cubes, the other 4 split
1 lb (2 cups) skinless salmon fillets, skinned and boned, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter

Preparation
Mash and chop the garlic with a pinch of salt. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise, chives, dill, mustard, lemon juice, cayenne, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and salt to taste. Set the aïoli aside.

In a food processor, pulse the cubed bun into crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumbs and save the rest for another use. Pulse the salmon until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Transfer the salmon to a medium bowl and stir in 3/4 cup of the aïoli, the reserved breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Shape into four 1-inch-thick patties.

Heat 2 Tbs. of the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When melted and hot (but not smoking or brown), add the patties and cook until they are firm and each side is crisp and golden-brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Brush melted butter on the insides of the split buns. Put the buns on a baking sheet, butter side up, and toast under the broiler until light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve the burgers on the buns, spread with the remaining aïoli.

Serve with Spinach Salad.

Scallopines of pompano

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 pounds chopped tomatoes
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup tomato juice
salt, ground white pepper to taste
2 pounds pompano fillets
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
8 ounces egg noodles
1 1/2 cups velouté sauce (recipe below)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
FOR THE VELOUTÉ SAUCE
2 cups fish stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, sauté onion with 1/4 cup oil. Stir over medium heat until onion is transparent. Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, tomato juice, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce is medium thick.

Skin, bone and slice the pompano into scallopines. Flatten with a mallet. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Dredge pompano in flour and sauté briskly in remaining oil, about 2 minutes on each side. Cook noodles in salted boiling water. Drain, and combine with velouté sauce.
To serve:
Arrange noodles on preheated serving platter. Top with pompano scallopines. Spoon hot tomato and onion sauce over fish. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot.

VELOUTÉ SAUCE

Bring the stock to a simmer in a large saucepan. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the flour. Raise the heat to medium and stir the butter and flour together for about 2 minutes.
Whisk the simmering stock into the roux and keep whisking. When the stock begins to simmer again, turn down the heat to low and cook until the sauce thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper Strain through a fine mesh strainer.

Seasoned flour and spices for fried chicken

Preparation time: 5 minutes

3 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 teaspoons onion salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried powdered rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried powdered thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Aromat seasoning.

Preparation
Combine all ingredients.

Sherried chicken thighs

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

8 chicken thighs
salt and white pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup water
Preparation
Rinse the chicken thighs and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add thighs, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients; boil 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes.
Uncover and continue cooking until thighs are tender. Transfer thighs to a serving dish. Spoon off the pan drippings; add the water and cook, stirring constantly. Pour over thighs and serve immediately.

Smoked turkey

Serves: 10

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:3 hours


The brine:
1 ¼ cups salt
1 ¼ cups sugar
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, peeled and halved
2 cloves
1 10- to 12-pound turkey, washed, giblets removed

1 10- to 12-pound turkey
2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
Preparation
Prepare the brine:
Place salt, sugar and 1 quart hot water in a large deep pot and whisk until salt and sugar crystals dissolve. Whisk in 4 quarts cold water. Pin bay leaves to onion halves with cloves and add them to brine. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
Add turkey, placing a large heavy pot or sealed zip-top bag filled with cold water on top to keep bird submerged. Place pot in refrigerator and marinate overnight.
Proceed to smoke turkey.

PREPARATION
Set up an outdoor grill for indirect grilling, placing a large foil drip pan in center. (If using a smoker, light and set it up according to manufacturer's instructions and heat to 275 degrees. In a smoker, you will need to cook bird longer, 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.)
Drain bird. Blot dry inside and out and truss if desired. Place in center of grill grate, over drip pan and between mounds of natural lump charcoal. Toss 1/2 cup of soaked wood chops on each mound of coals. Place lid on grill. Adjust vents to keep temperature between 325 and 350 degrees.
Grill turkey until darkly browned and cooked through, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Baste turkey with melted butter after first hour and every hour thereafter. If skin starts to brown too much, loosely tent bird with foil. Use an instant-read thermometer to test for doneness; turkey is ready when internal temperature of the thigh is 180 degrees. Replenish charcoal every hour, adding 8 to 10 lumps of charcoal to each mound of coals and leaving grill uncovered for a few minutes to allow charcoal to light. After 1 hour, add 1 1/2 cups of soaked wood chips.
Transfer turkey to a platter, loosely tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Reserve any drippings in drip pan for gravy.

Snickerdoodles

Serves: 15

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; mix well. In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Immediately remove from cookie sheets.

Chocolate snickerdoodles
One-half cup unsweetened cocoa can be substituted for 1/2 cup of all purpose flour.
Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 9 minutes.

Southern fried chicken

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 large (3 pounds) whole chicken, cut into eight pieces
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry thyme
2 eggs
2 cups of milk
Canola oil for frying
Preparation
Thoroughly wash the chicken pieces and reserve on paper towel to dry.
Combine the flour with half (one teaspoon) of the salt and place in a large bowl and reserve.
Combine all remaining dry spices and herbs in a small bowl. Season chicken pieces and mix well.
In a separate bowl combine the two eggs with the milk and whisk. Dip the chicken in the milk and egg mixture and then into the flour.
Repeat and reserve the chicken pieces.
Using a deep fryer or a large cast iron pan with high sides, fill the pan until it is almost half filled with the oil.
Heat the pan over medium high.
Place 4 pieces of the chicken into the pan and let them cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the chicken over and cook another 6 - 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove the chicken and reserve.
Fry the last four pieces of chicken in the same manner. Serve the chicken warm.

Southern pecan pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

1 pie crust
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup oat bran
1 cup pecans, chopped, (or pecan meal)
1 cup pecan halves
Preparation
Roll the dough into a round 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface, drape it over a rolling pin, and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Press the dough firmly into the pan and cut off any excess with the floured rolling pin. Freeze any leftover dough for future use.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, mix the eggs with sugar and corn syrup. Stir in butter, oat bran and chopped pecan.
Pour prepared mixture in pie shell. Neatly arrange pecan halves on top of pie. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cover pie with foil to avoid browning pecans and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes.

Southern-style collard greens

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 pound collard greens, chopped
3 cups vegetable stock
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and butter. Saute the onions until slightly softened, about 2 minutes, then add the red pepper flakes and garlic, cook another minute. Add collard greens and cook another minute. Add the vegetable stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until greens are tender, about 40 minutes. Add tomatoes and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Spiced pumpkin bread

Serves: 16

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 10 minutes

3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin.
Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in walnuts, if desired.
Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes.
Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

Spiced whole cranberry sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and sorted
1/4 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup apple brandy
2 whole cinnamon sticks
1 cup sugar
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring continuously.
Reduce the heat and simmer gently just until the berries begin to split and release their juice, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before serving, or refrigerate overnight.

Steamed broccoli

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

1 medium bunch broccoli - about 9 ounces
2 - 4 tablespoons fresh herbs (optional), minced (suggestions: tarragon, thyme, dill, basil, oregano)
2 green onions (optional), chopped
2 or3 cloves garlic, (optional), minced
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Balsamic vinegar to taste (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Trim broccoli: cut the last 1/4 inch from the end of the stalks and use a paring knife to trim any gnarly stumps or little branches from the stalks.

2. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the tough outer skin from the stalks, starting at the base of the flower and going to the end of the stalks. Some larger stalks have a fairly thick skin and may need two passes of the peeler. (You can tell when you got it all when the inner flesh of the stalk is exposed -- it has a softer wet-green look, with no fibers visible and a texture like a cut radish or potato.)

3. Cut the broccoli pieces crosswise into three pieces: the flower and two pieces of stalk about 2 1/2 - 3" long. Divide the flowers from each other as necessary and halve or quarter the stalk pieces lengthwise so that the pieces are all about the same size (for uniform cooking).

4. Place the broccoli in a steamer basket in a pan with about 3/4" of rapidly boiling water. Cover tightly and steam for 5 min.

5. Remove broccoli to a bowl. Add any of the optional ingredients you are using and toss with tongs briefly to mix.

6. Season to taste and allow to rest, partially covered, for a few minutes.

Strawberry bavarian

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

1 pound strawberry jam
5 egg yolks
1 cup milk
3 ounces strawberry Jello
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup fresh strawberries
Preparation

Mix the strawberry jam with the egg yolks.
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk to a boiling point. Pour over egg mixture and stir well. Heat over low heat stirring continuously until thick. Do not boil.
Strain the custard. Blend in the jello.
Refrigerate to cool.
Whip cream until thick. Fold into the strawberry custard. Pour mixture into a decorative mold. Refrigerate to set.
To serve, immerse mold in hot water. Unmold over a serving dish. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Strawberry cheesecake with rhubarb sauce

Serves: 12

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

2 cups sugar cookie crumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup strawberries, hulled and coarsely mashed
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 ounces sour cream
4 large eggs
Rhubarb Sauce:
1 pound rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preparation
Combine rhubarb, sugar, water and lemon juice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until very tender. Cool slightly. Purée in food processor or blender and refrigerate.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool. Stir together the mashed strawberries, 1 tablespoon sugar and the lemon juice. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and sour cream together until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Swirl in strawberries with a spoon, being careful not to mix too much. Pour into prepared crust. Bake 1 hour or until the edges are puffed and set and the center does not move anymore when slightly shaken. Cool in the pan on a rack.
Refrigerate. To serve, wet a knife in warm water and run around the edge between the cake and the outer ring. Remove the ring. Serve in wedges with Rhubarb Sauce.

Strawberry purses

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

3 sheets of phyllo dough, 12 by 17 inches
1/4 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
4 slices pound cake, 2 inches squares by 1/2 inch thick
20 strawberries, hulled
8 mint leaves, 4 chopped and 4 reserved for garnish

For sauce:
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon peppermint liqueur or drops of peppermint extract
4 chopped mint leaves
Preparation
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Brush the sheets of phyllo with melted sweet butter.
Dust sheets with 3 tablespoons confectioner's sugar, and stack the three sheets.
Quarter the phyllo sheets.
Place a 2 inch square, 1/2 inch thick slice of pound cake on each square. Arrange 3 to 5 hulled clean strawberries on each cake square, stem down.
Brush strawberries with melted butter, sprinkle each square with 1/2 teaspoon chopped mint.
Gather the edges of each phyllo quarter to encase the strawberries, leaving a 2-inch opening in center of phyllo purse. Brush the outside with melted butter.
Dust with confectioner's sugar.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until purses are golden brown.
Sauce: Combine vanilla ice cream, heavy cream, peppermint liqueur or drops of extract, and 4 chopped mint leaves. Stir until soft and creamy. Refrigerate.
Spoon the mint sauce on plates. Place a purse on each plate. Garnish with mint leaves.

Strawberry shake with red berry coulis

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

For the strawberry shake:
8 strawberries
1 pint good quality vanilla ice cream
1 cup red berry coulis

For the red berry coulis:
1 cup raspberries
1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preparation
Strawberry shake:
Hull and thinly slice 4 strawberries, save 4 whole with the stems on, slit halfway up from the bottom and reserved for garnish
Decorate 4 tall glasses or champagne flutes with strawberry slices by pressing one slice at a time against the insides of the glasses from bottom to top.
Freeze the decorated glasses 10 minutes before serving.
Red berry coulis:
In a blender, puree the red coulis ingredients until very smooth. Strain through a fine strainer. Refrigerate until needed. Combine the berry coulis and the ice cream in a food processor. Blend until light and smooth. Pour or spoon the shake into the decorated glasses. Slide one slit strawberry onto the rim of each glass and serve immediately with a tall spoon.

Streusel pumpkin bread

Serves: 16

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 ounces water
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup raisins

TOPPING:
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, softened.
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bottom only of one 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, water, eggs and pumpkin; beat 1minute at low speed. Add flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; blend at low speed until moistened then beat a minute at medium speed. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pan.
In small bowl, combine all topping ingredients until crumbly; sprinkle over batter. Bake for about one hour. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan.
Cool completely on wire rack.

Stuffed boneless turkey with tart cherry gravy

Serves: 8

Preparation time:1 hour

Cooking time:40 minutes

Stuffing:
2 cups cubes from a loaf of Italian rustic bread (trimmed of crust)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion, peeled and very thinly sliced (3/4 cup)
2 small garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
6 ounces sweet Italian sausage (about 1 1/2 links), casings removed
1/3 cup (2 ounces) coarsely chopped dried sour cherries
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup Basic Chicken Stock
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley


1 boneless, skin-on turkey saddle, 4 to 5 lbs (2 to 2.5 kg)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp melted butter, or duck fat at room temperature
3 tsp chopped thyme, divided
2 tbsp flour
2 cups chicken stock
¼ cup tart cherry juice
¼ tsp ground allspice
Preparation
Toast bread: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread bread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let stand until cool.
Make stuffing: Set a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then heat the oil. Add onion and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in cherries and rosemary, and cook 1 minute more. Pour in stock and stir to combine, then stir in bread, making sure all parts are moistened with liquid. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Adjust seasoning as desired, before proceeding with the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.


Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

Cut 8 pieces of twine, each about 12 inches (30 cm) long. Working on a large cutting board, arrange them parallel to each other, with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between each. Open turkey like a book, and place in center of twine with center seam perpendicular to twine; season flesh with salt and pepper. Spoon stuffing into length of seam. Beginning with a piece of twine nearest the center, gather both ends together to enclose stuffing; tie and repeat with remaining twine to form a torpedo-shaped roast. Trim excess twine and place on a rack over a small roasting pan or baking sheet. Brush with butter or duck fat, sprinkle with 2 tsp thyme; season with salt and pepper.

Roast for 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F (180°C) and cook for another 18 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (73°C). Remove turkey and rack to a board and tent with foil while finishing gravy.

Place baking pan over medium heat on stove top. Sprinkle flour over drippings and stir until a smooth paste forms. Pour chicken stock into pan (if using a baking sheet, scrape paste into a small pot before proceeding) and whisk until smooth; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken and concentrate flavor. Stir in cherry juice, allspice and remaining 1 tsp (5 mL) thyme. Season to taste.

Carve turkey into slices and serve with gravy.

Summer corn and tomato pasta

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 pound bow-tie pasta
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 ears fresh corn, kernels cut off
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the corn, raise the heat slightly and cook until the corn is heated through and golden, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
Add the vegetables, butter and basil to the pasta and toss.

Tangerine jelly

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

4 fresh tangerines or tangelos
30 pieces white sugar cubes
2 cups dry white wine
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
Preparation
Rub the tangerines all over with the sugar cubes, collecting as much skin oil on the cubes as possible. Pare some skin and cut into fine strips.
Peel remaining tangerines. Remove sections, discarding membranes and seeds.
Place sections in a mixing bowl. Pour the wine in a saucepan with the sugar cubes and the tangerine strips. Add gelatin.
Heat wine to a boil. Strain and let cool. Fill into glass cups. Chill to set. Arrange tangerine sections on top.
Serve with Lemon or lime mousse

Tangerine soufflés

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tangerines, peeled, quartered and seeded
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
unsalted butter, for ramekins
6 large egg whites
Orange Strawberry Sauce (recipe follows)

1 quart strawberries, cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup Grand Marnier 4 tablespoons sugar, plus more if necessary
3 tablespoons tangerine juice

Preparation
In a medium saucepan, heat orange juice and 1 cup sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add tangerines, and simmer, covered, until tangerines are very tender, 25 to 35 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing gently to extract most of the juice, reserving both fruit and juice.
In a food processor, combine tangerines and 1/2 cup tangerine juice. Puree until fairly coarse. Add Grand Marnier, and process to combine. The purée should just hold its shape without being sticky; if necessary, work in a little more juice. Transfer the purée to the saucepan.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter six 8 ounce ramekins, chill them for 10 minutes in the freezer, and butter them again. Set on a baking sheet. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites with a tablespoon of sugar until the whites hold a stiff peak, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, stirring with a spoon until whites are glossy and hold a long peak when the spoon is lifted, about 1 minute. Heat the tangerine purée until just simmering. Remove from heat, and add about 1/4 of the whites, stirring until well mixed. Add this mixture to the remaining whites, lightly folding to combine.
Transfer soufflé mixture to ramekins, filling to the rim and mounding generously in the center. Run your thumb around the edge of the mixture to make it rise evenly. Bake the soufflés until puffed and brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Set the ramekins on small plates, preferably lined with a napkin to prevent slipping. Serve immediately with orange strawberry sauce.

ORANGE STRAWBERRY SAUCE

In a blender, purée strawberries, Grand Marnier, sugar, and tangerine juice. Taste, adding more sugar, if desired. Chill before serving.

Texas chili and corn bread pudding

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

2 pounds ground beef
2 pounds ground pork
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped green peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoon cumin
3 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or chopped ortega chiles
2 cups drained kidney beans

Corn bread pudding (optional) see recipe below
Preparation
In a thick bottom skillet, brown ground beef and pork in olive oil. Add chopped onions, peppers, celery, and garlic.
Cook to soften vegetables.
Mix in chili powder, bay leaf, ground cumin, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste paste, beef broth, red pepper flakes, or chopped Ortega chilies, and drained red kidney beans.
Simmer 30 to 40 minutes.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and or lime wedges.
Or place in casserole dish and cover with Corn bread pudding, and bake.

The summit cake

Serves: 8

Preparation time:1 hour

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 recipe
Spanish olive oil tortas
4 oz melted semi sweet chocolate
2 cups whipping cream
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding
4 (6-oz) containers fresh raspberries
white icing
Preparation
Make 5 8-inch round tortas according to the recipe
Mix 1/4 cup whipping cream with the melted chocolate
Combine remaining whipping cream with instant vanilla pudding and chocolate mixture in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer.
Beat at medium speed until cream is firm.
To assemble the cake:
Arrange one circle of tortas on a serving tray. spoon 1/4 of the cream over and top with raspberries. Continue the same process with the remaining tortas, cream and raspberries. Cover the top with white icing.

The ultimate bran muffins

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 1/2 cups natural bran
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
2 tablespoon molasses
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine bran, flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder in mixing bowl.
Beat egg, brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, molasses, together.
Add liquid ingredients to dry and stir just until moistened. Fold in the raisins and apricots.
Fill greased a 12-muffin tin 3/4 full.
Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove muffins from cups while hot. Transfer muffins on a rack to cool.
* add 1 tablespoon vinegar to regular milk

Toasted corn with cherry tomato and edamame salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes    

1 cup frozen shelled edamame
5 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2-1/4 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 3 medium ears)
2 Tbs. plain low-fat yogurt
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. clover honey
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 heaping cup quartered cherry tomatoes (about 15)
1/4 cup very thinly sliced fresh mint
1/4 cup very thinly sliced fresh basil
Preparation
Cook the edamame according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool completely.
Heat 1 Tbs. of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are golden brown in patches, about 9 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk the yogurt, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Slowly pour in the remaining 4 Tbs. olive oil, whisking constantly until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a medium serving bowl, combine the cooled edamame and corn, the tomatoes, and the herbs. Gently toss. Add half of the vinaigrette and toss again. Add more vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Toffeed pears

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

For the poached pear:
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Zest from a lemon
4 firm, not quite ripe Bosc, Barlett or Anjou pear, peeled, quartered and cored

For the toffee:
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 star anise, broken into pieces
1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked whole peppercorns
Vanilla ice cream
Preparation
For the poached pear:
In a medium saucepan, heat the wine, sugar, lemon juice and water, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the lemon zest and juice and pear quarters and simmer gently, turning occasionally, just until the pears are tender and cooked through.
Remove from the heat; set aside to cool slightly. Transfer the pear quarters to a plate. Discard the poaching liquid or reserve for another use.
For the toffee:
Pat the pear quarters dry. In a small skillet over medium heat, heat the honey and butter, stirring constantly, until the butter melts. Add the allspice, cinnamon, star anise and peppercorns and heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is combined and bubbles.
Add the pear quarters and cook, without moving, until they are slightly seared on one side, about 3 minutes. Cook, turning every few minutes, until the pear pieces are seared on all sides, and well coated with toffee, 3 to 5 minutes more.
Remove the skillet from the heat; remove and discard the star anise. The toffee should have reduced slightly to a glaze.
To serve, transfer 2 pear quarters to each plate, drizzle with the remaining toffee and immediately top with ice cream, which will melt into the sauce. Serve immediately.

Tuna salad on olive bread with arugula

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

2 6-ounce packages albacore tuna packed in water, drained
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup diced seeded English hothouse cucumber
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
1/4 cup drained capers
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon
12 1/3-inch-thick slices olive bread
1 cup arugula

Preparation
Mix tuna, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and next 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Divide tuna salad among 6 bread slices; top with arugula leaves.
Spread remaining mayonnaise on remaining 6 bread slices; place atop arugula.
Cut sandwiches in half; wrap each tightly in plastic wrap.
Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.

Tuscan kale salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time:15 minutes

4-6 cups kale, loosely packed, sliced leaves of
Italian black (Lacinato, "dinosaur," cavolo nero) midribs removed
juice of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, mashed
salt & pepper, to taste
hot red pepper flakes, to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino Toscano cheese (Rosselino variety if you can find it) or other flavorful grating cheese such as Asiago or Parmesan
1/2 cup freshly made bread crumbs from lightly toasted bread
Preparation
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and a generous pinch (or more to taste) of hot red pepper flakes.
Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well.
Add 2/3 of the cheese and toss again.
Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Add bread crumbs, toss again, and top with remaining cheese.

Valentine truffle cake

Serves: 12

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Truffle Cream:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup crème de cassis
Cake:
1 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 large egg yolks
1 cup buttermilk
Glaze:
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (such as Valrhona)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup crème de cassis
fresh raspberries
Preparation
For truffle cream:
Stir chocolate, cream and butter in heavy saucepan, over low heat until chocolate and butter melt and mixture are smooth. Mix in liqueur. Let stand at room temperature until very thick and spreadable, stirring occasionally, about two hours.
For cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9-inch heart-shaped pan with 1 1/4-inch high sides. Dust with flour. Sift first four ingredients into bowl. At high speed beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Add yolks one at a time, beating just to combine after each addition.
With rubber spatula, mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted in center comes out clean, about thirty five minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool. Cut cake horizontally in half. Spread truffle cream over bottom layer. Arrange top layer over and press gently. Smooth cream on sides of cake if necessary. Chill at least one hour.
For Glaze:
Stir chocolate and butter in saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add corn syrup and liqueur and whisk until smooth. Let glaze stand until lightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about thirty minutes.
Place cake on rack. Pour glaze over cake, coating completely. Chill cake on rack until glaze is set, about thirty minutes.
Transfer cake to platter. Garnish with raspberries.

Vanilla-pomegranate parfaits

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

POMEGRANATE COMPOTE

2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 medium pomegranate (1 cup of seeds)
2/3 cup pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice

PUDDING
2 cups milk
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds for garnish
6 mint sprigs for garnish
Preparation
To prepare compote:
Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add pomegranate juice, lemon juice and 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds (save 1/4 cup for garnish) ; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate while you prepare the pudding.

To prepare pudding:
Combine milk in a medium heavy saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean (or add vanilla extract). Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk egg, egg yolk, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch in a medium bowl. Reheat the milk mixture just until steaming. Carefully whisk one-third of the steaming milk into the egg mixture. Pour the egg-milk mixture back into the pan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in butter.

To prepare parfaits: Divide the pomegranate compote among six 6-ounce (1 cup) parfait glasses, ramekins or other small dessert cups). Spoon the pudding mixture over the compote. Cover and refrigerate until the pudding is well chilled, at least 3 hours.
To serve, garnish each parfait with pomegranate seeds and a mint sprig, if desired.

Vidalia onion fritters

Serves: 5

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vinegar
4 dashes hot sauce
2 large Vidalia onion, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
Vegetable oil for frying .
Preparation
Mix flour, baking powder, curry powder, and salt in a bowl.
Beat the liquids together. Pour over the dry ingredients and combine.
Add the sliced onions and mix well. Let stand for 1 hour.
In a deep skillet heat 3 to 4 inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees over medium heat.
Drop the batter into the hot oil by tablespoonfuls, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook until browned on one side and turn.
When the fritters are deep golden brown all over, remove them and drain on paper towels. Break one open to test for doneness;
if underdone in the center, reduce the heat a bit, and fry another minute.
Repeat until all the batter is used up and serve immediately

Waldorf salad coleslaw

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Serves 6 to 8

6 cups white cabbage, cored and shredded
2 Granny Smith apples, cut into julienne strips, plus apple slices for garnish
2 ribs of celery, sliced thin diagonally
1/2 cups walnuts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
Preparation
In a very large bowl stir together the cabbage, the apple strips, the celery, and the walnuts.
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, the yogurt, the mustard, the sugar, the oil, the salt, and the vinegar until the dressing is smooth.
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture, and toss the slaw well. Chill the slaw, covered, for 2 hours.
The slaw may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.
Serve the slaw topped with the apples slices.

Walnut raspberry brownies

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup soft butter or shortening
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar, granulated
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup raspberry jam

chocolate glaze:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt chocolate with shortening over warm water; Cool. Blend together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt; stir in chocolate mixture. Stir in flour. Fold in walnuts.
Turn into well greased 8 inch square pan. Bake for about 40 minutes. Spoon jam over hot brownies; spread carefully. Let cool.
Spread chocolate glaze over brownies and top with chocolate dipped walnuts, if desired.
Cut into 12 bars.
Chocolate glaze:
Melt unsweetened chocolate. Blend in butter and corn syrup. stir in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Mix well.

Wild blueberry flan

Serves: 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 20 minutes

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
5 cups wild fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
2 cups sour cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter and sugar until blended. Beat in egg and almond extract. In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt; pour over batter and stir until blended. Pat over bottom and 2 inches up side of greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
Filling:
Toss together blueberries, liqueur and lemon rind; scrape over crust. Whisk together sour cream, egg yolks, sugar and almond extract; scrape evenly over blueberries. Bake for 1 1/4 hours or until crust is golden and crisp. Let cool in pan on rack. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until chilled. Remove side of pan.
Cut into wedges to serve. For an added touch, pipe whipped cream over tart and decorate with thin candied orange strips and almond slivers

Wild rice and chestnut stuffing

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

3 cups water
3/4 cup jumbo-grade wild rice, rinsed
3 teaspoons salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
2 cups finely chopped fennel bulb
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 pound sliced whole wheat bread, 2 to 3 days old, toasted and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 jar (15 oz.) steamed chestnuts
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups turkey stock
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
Preparation
In a heavy pot, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the wild rice and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cover partially, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the rice and let cool. Preheat an oven to 325°F. Generously butter a large, shallow baking dish.
In a large fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, chopped fennel, poultry seasoning, thyme and fennel seeds. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the bread, chestnuts, the onion mixture and the wild rice. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Whisk the stock into the eggs, then stir the egg mixture into the bowl with the bread mixture. Stir in the parsley, the remaining 2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake until the dressing is lightly browned on top, 20 to 30 minutes more.

Note: This dish can also be packed loosely in the body of the turkey and served as a stuffing. Tying the legs together will help hold the stuffing in the body cavity. For turkeys weighing 16 lb. or less, add 30 minutes to the total roasting time.
For turkeys weighing more than 16 lb., add 1 hour to the total roasting time.

Yeast donuts

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 1 hour

Cooking time:20 minutes

2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shortening or butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
3 1/2 cups flour
oil for deep-frying
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 teaspoons water

Glaze for donuts:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine yeast, sugar and water. Stir to mix. Keep in a warm area for 10 minutes.
Scald milk , add shortening, sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm then mix in 3 eggs.
Now add the yeast mixture and about 3 1/2 cup flour. Mix thoroughly, let rise until doubled in bulk.
Roll out, cut with donut cutter. Place them on parchment paper or wax paper.
Let them rise, covered, for an hour or until double in height. Knead the scraps of dough into a ball and let them rest covered for about 20 minutes before rolling out again and making more donuts. Fry the donuts in oil at 360 degrees.
Turn to brown both sides. Remove to a rack and brush with confectioners' sugar mixed with water to glaze.
Best served warm.