Rich Rolled Sugar Cookies

adapted from Joy of Cooking

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

Beat the butter on sugar on medium speed until fluffy and well blended. Add the egg, baking soda, salt, and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add the flour. Stir until blended and smooth.

Divide the dough in half, roll into a ball, and flatten somewhat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

After chilling, roll out the cookie dough to about a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured counter or cutting board. Cut out cookies and carefully transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet. Re-roll the cookie dough as many times as necessary to use up the dough, chilling when not using.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or to desired doneness (as brown around the edges as you'd like them). Remove the cookie sheet from the oven, let sit for about 30 seconds before removing the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

If desired, you can sprinkle the cookies with colored sugars or sprinkles before baking. Otherwise ice and decorate after completely cooling. Makes about 4-dozen cookies.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

from Cooking Light magazine, June 2000

1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate mini chips
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg white

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Coat bottom of an 8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray (do not coat sides of pan)

3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup, level with a knife. Combine flour, chocolate chips, soda and salt in a bowl.

4. Combine sugars, and remaining ingredients in a bowl, stir until well blended. Add flour mixture stirring just until blended. Spread batter in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out almost clean.

Quick Caramels

1 cup butter
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Line an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of the pan. Butter foil, and set aside.

In a heavy 3 qt saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add brown sugar, condensed milk, and corn syrup, mix well. Cook and stir over medium high heat to boiling. Carefully clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook and stir mixture over medium heat to 248F or firm ball stage. (10 to 15 minutes)

Remove the saucepan from the heat; remove thermometer. Stir in vanilla. Immediately pour caramel mixture into the prepared pan. When firm, use the foil to lift it out of the pan. Use a buttered knife to cut into 1 inch squares. Wrap each caramel in waxed paper. Makes about 2 pounds.

To dip Caramel apples: Wash and dry 14 to 16 small tart apples; remove stems. Insert a wooden stick into the stem end of each apple.

Prepare as above, except do not pour caramel into prepared pan. Working quickly, dip each apple into hot caramel, turning to coat. If desired, dip bottoms of apples into 1 cup chopped nuts. Set on a buttered baking sheet; chill if desired.

Pumpkin Bread

from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking

2 cups whole wheat flour, traditional or white whole wheat
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (I used 1/2 cup vegetable oil)
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (9 1/2 ozs) canned pumpkin (I used fresh, cooked and mashed)
3/4 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, powder, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.

Cream together the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. beat in the eggs, one at a time, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin. Add the dry ingredients, mixing until evenly moistened. Stir in nuts and raisins, cranberries, or chips.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to cool for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, run a table knife around the edges of the pan to make sure the bread isn't sticking, turn it out of the pan and place it on the rack to finish cooling completely before slicing.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

12 large pasta shells -- cooked (12 to 18)
1 lb ground beef
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 onion -- chopped
1 1/2 cups salsa -- divided
1 cup grated cheese -- divided
28 ozs. tomato sauce
chili powder -- to taste
green onions -- for garnish

Brown ground beef and drain.

Add seasoning, water,onion, and 1/2 cup of salsa and 1/4 cup cheese.

Mix together remaining salsa, tomato sauce,and chili powder.

Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking pan.

Fill each shell with the ground beef mixture and place in pan.

Pour remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese on top and garnish with green onion. Cover and freeze at this point.

Defrost overnight and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. (Cook from frozen for 2 hours at 300°F).

If desired sprinkle additional cheese on top after baking and return to oven for 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts.

Lime and Honey Marinade for Chicken

12 pieces of chicken (I used wings)
3 large limes -- juice and zest of
8 ounces liquid honey
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove -- crushed (optional)

Combine lime juice, lime zest, honey, ginger, and garlic in a large ziploc bag.

Add chicken and combine well.

Squeeze out as much air as possible and freeze.

Remove from freezer the night before serving and defrost all day in the fridge; chicken will marinate as it defrosts.

Transfer chicken to a roasting pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (40-45 minutes for bone-in chicken), or until chicken is cooked through.

You can also cook this chicken on the BBQ/grill if desired.

Chicken and Dumplings

3 tablespoons butter
4 pieces chicken (thighs and drums) -- (4 to 6)
1 medium onion -- quartered
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped celery leaves
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt (unless using bouillon and water)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 bay leaves
2 carrots -- cut in 4 inch lengths then quartered (2 to 3)
2 cups peas or corn (or a mix of both)
dumplings (Nan's Dumplings-recipe to follow)

Heat butter in skillet, brown chicken on all sides.

Remove chicken and place in 9x13 in pan or rotating pan.

Add onion, celery, celery leaves, garlic and carrots to fat in pan and sauté for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Remove carrots and place around chicken.

Mix chicken broth with spices.

Whisk flour into veggies and gradually whisk in broth stirring constantly until boiling.

Add peas and or corn and pour over chicken Cook covered at 350° for 40 minutes.

Top with Nan's Dumplings dropping by tablespoons on top of chicken and broth. Cook 10 minutes covered at 425° then uncover and cook 10 minutes more.


Nan's Dumplings (for chicken and dumplings)

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon or vegetable bouillon granules (optional)
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 egg -- beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup milk
2 sprigs chopped fresh parsley

Mix dry ingredients together then stir in cheese.

Mix Egg, butter and milk together.

Stir into flour mixture until well mixed (dont over mix).

Drop into soup or stew, cover and simmer for 12 min.

I sometimes drop 1/2 teaspoons into soup for mini dumplings.

They also freeze well once cooked.

Raita with Onion and Tomato

2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
1 cup 1/4- inch tomato cubes
1/2 cup 1/4-inch cucumber cubes
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder**
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Stir the yogurt well with a wire whisk in a small bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and salt, stir to combine.

Garnish with the roasted cumin powder and cayenne if using. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

**Roasted cumin powder: In a frying pan or an iron griddle, dry-roast 1/4 cup of cumin seeds over medium heat until reddish-brown to dark brown. Cool to room temperature. Grind the seeds in a blender or spice grinder and store in an airtight container.

Lentil Dal

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onions -- chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger -- peeled, minced
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric -- ground
1/2 teaspoon red peppers -- crushed
4 cloves garlic -- minced
2 cups cauliflower florets -- chopped
2 cups tomatoes -- chopped
2 1/2 cups water
1 cup dried lentils
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro -- minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups cooked basmati rice or long grain rice -- cooked

Heat olive oil in large saucepan over med-high heat. Add onion and next 5 ingredients (onions through garlic); saute 2 minutes.

Add cauliflower and tomato; saute 1 minute. Stir in water and lentils; bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Stir in lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Serve 1 cup lentil mixture with 1 cup rice.

Cranberry Meringue Pie

1 pie crusts -- (9 inch) baked
2 packages fresh cranberries -- (12 ounce)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cranberry-apple juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh ginger -- grated
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
MERINGUE
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon lime rind -- finely grated

Combine cranberries, one cup of sugar, cran-apple juice and salt in a large saucepan.

Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat; stirring occasionally, until cranberries "pop".

Pour the cranberries through a mesh strainer and discard skins/solids.

Return the drained mix to the saucepan and add the cornstarch and water.

Stir well over medium-high heat and then add ginger.

Bring this mixture to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat after 2 minutes and add the butter and vanilla, mixing well.

Pour this mixture into your pre-baked pie crust.

Prepare your merinuge by beating the egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed with an electric mixer until they become foamy. Add the 1/3 cup of sugar a teaspoonful at a time until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved (about 4 minutes).

Add the lime rind and beat slowly until just blended.

Cover the cranberry mixture with the meringue and sealing to the edge of the pie crust.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until meringue is a light golden brown.

Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Crème Anglais

from Joy of Cooking

Whisk together in a medium bowl until slightly thickened:
6 large egg yolks
1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar
Pour into a medium, heavy saucepan:
2 cups whole milk, 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup light or heavy cream or 2 cups half & half
(Really, even low-fat milk works here)
Cook, stirring, over medium heat until bubbles form around the edges. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg yolks and sugar. Return this mixture to the saucepan. Rinse out and dry the mixing bowl, then set a fine-mesh sieve over the top. Place the saucepan over low heat. Using a heatproof spatula or a wooden spoon, stir the sauce gently but constantly, sweeping the entire pan bottom and reaching into the corners. As soon as the sauce is slightly thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir for 2 minutes to complete the cooking. The sauce should be the consistency of heavy cream and register around 170ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Pour the sauce through the sieve and let cook for 10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent a skin from forming. Stir in:
2 teaspoons vanilla
Serve warm or cold. If chilling, let the sauce become completely cold before covering, as condensation will cause it to thin. The sauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, set the container of sauce in water heated to 165ºF and stir until warmed through.

Hamburger Buddy

from Eating Well magazine

3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
10 ounces white mushrooms, large ones cut in half
1 large onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
2 teaspoons dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cups water
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium beef broth, divided
8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (2 cups)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

1. Fit a food processor with the steel blade attachment. With the motor running, drop garlic through the feed tube and process until minced, then add carrots and mushrooms and process until finely chopped. Turn it off, add onion, and pulse until roughly chopped.

2. Cook beef in a large straight-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped vegetables, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables start to soften and the mushrooms release their juices, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Stir in water, 1 1/2 cups broth, noodles and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Whisk flour with the remaining 1/4 cup broth in a small bowl until smooth; stir into the hamburger mixture. Stir in the sour cream. Simmer, stirring often, until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley (or chives), if desired.

Horchata

1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups skinless almonds
1 inch cinnamon bark
8 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Wash and drain the rice.

Using a spice grinder (an electric coffee grinder works well too), grind the rice until fine; combine with the almonds and cinnamon bark.

Add 3 1/2 cups water and let sit overnight, covered.

Blend rice mixture until smooth using a blender.

Add 2 1/2 cups of water and continue blending.

Add sugar and vanilla extract.

Strain horchata into a bowl first using a metal strainer and then a double layer of cheesecloth; finish with up to an additional 2 cups of water until it achieves a milky consistency.

Serve cold or over ice.

Brown Sugar Pepper Bacon

1 lb lean bacon
1/2 teaspoon black pepper -- (1/2 to 2)
1/4 teaspoon powdered chipotle pepper
2 teaspoons brown sugar

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Lay bacon on paper and sprinkle generously with optional black pepper, chiptole pepper and brown sugar.

Bake 10 minutes then drain fat from pan.

Bake 5 more minutes or until it's as crisp as you like.

Herbed Baked Eggs

Recipe By :Ina Garten

1/4 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
6 extra-large eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Toasted French bread or brioche -- for serving

Preheat the broiler for 5 minutes and place the oven rack 6 inches below the heat.

Combine the garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and Parmesan and set aside. Carefully crack 3 eggs into each of 2 small bowls or teacups (you won't be baking them in these) without breaking the yolks. (It's very important to have all the eggs ready to go before you start cooking.)

Place 2 individual gratin dishes on a baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon of cream and 1/2 tablespoon of butter in each dish and place under the broiler for about 3 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Quickly, but carefully, pour 3 eggs into each gratin dish and sprinkle evenly with the herb mixture, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place back under the broiler for 5 to 6 minutes, until the whites of the eggs are almost cooked. (Rotate the baking sheet once if they aren't cooking evenly.) The eggs will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven. Allow to set for 60 seconds and serve hot with toasted bread.

Cinnamon Cream Syrup

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon -- (1/2 to 3/4)
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Combine the first four ingredients and bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Cook and stir for 1 minute. Cool for 5 minutes and stir in the evaporated milk.

The syrup keeps well in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for weeks. To reheat, warm slowly or it will overcook and become stringy.

Cheesy Leek and Egg Casserole

3 leeks
1/2 medium onion
2 green onions
2 Cups milk
8 large eggs
1 tsp. mustard powder
1 tsp Penzey's Fox Point Seasoning
6 to 8 slices French bread -- cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese

Saute the leeks, onion, and green onions in 2 tsp of olive oil over medium high heat.

In a large bowl combine milk, eggs, mustard powder and Fox Point. Whisk together well. Add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

Add sauteed vegetables to the eggs, along with the cubed bread and shredded cheese. Add enough bread cubes to soak up most of the eggs. It should be “juicy”, but not soupy. Spread the egg mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350° for approx. 1 hour.

Dutch/German Oven Puff Pancake

This puff pancake is one of our favorites! We serve it with maple syrup but, fruit on top is always a nice touch!

6 eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Beat eggs until well aerated Add milk and beat again Add salt and flour and beat on low, just until blended.
3. Meanwhile, put butter into a 9 x 13 baking dish, or two round cake pans, or two large cast iron skillets and place in the preheated oven to melt the butter and heat the pan(s). Tip pans to spread butter evenly.
4. Pour batter into the warm pan(s) and place In the oven Bake for 15 minutes.

Eggs Goldenrod

6 hard-boiled eggs
2 cups milk
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 slices bread toasted

I. Melt butter, add flour and stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Add milk very slowly stirring as you add Continue to stir and cook over a low heat. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken.
2. Add salt and pepper to mixture and set aside.
3. Peel boiled (or steamed, which works even better) eggs and chop. Add them to the white sauce.
4. Toast bread and slice it diagonally.
5. Arrange the bread slices on a plate and pour the sauce over the toast.
6. Garnish with a sprinkling of paprika (the sweet Hungarian kind not the hot Spanish, unless you like that).

Huevos Rancheros Hotdish

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped green peppers
2 cloves garlic -- minced
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon flour
2 cans tomatoes -- (16 ounce) drained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup white wine
6 eggs
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup ripe olives -- sliced (optional)

Saute onion, green pepper and garlic in olive oil.

Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Add next 7 ingredients and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Pour sauce into a 9x13 baking dish.

Make 6 indentations in the sauce and break an egg into each, gently.

Sprinkle with cheese and olives.

Bake at 350 degrees F.

for 15 minutes or until eggs are set.

Serve immediately.

Welsh Rarebit

4 slices dense -- hearty brown bread
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
5 tablespoons dark ale (NOT beer)
2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
salt and pepper -- to taste

Preheat a broiler.

Toast the bread slices in a toaster to golden brown.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cheddar and the dark ale.

When the cheese melts, add the butter, Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and the cayenne, and whisk together until smoothly melted and combined, 1-2 minutes.

Cut each piece of toast in half, diagonally, and arrange on a pie plate.

Pour the cheese mixture over the toasts so they are covered completely.

Place the platter under the broiler and broil until the cheese bubbles and starts to scorch in places, about 2 minutes.

Remove from the broiler and serve piping hot.

Curried Poached Egg

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
4 eggs
4 slices thick crisp buttered toast

Fill medium saucepan with about 3 inches of water.

Stir in coriander, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

Break one egg into a small dish.

Gently slip egg into water.

Repeat with remaining eggs.

Cook in barely simmering water for 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and drain well.

Serve immediately on crisp buttered toast.

Irish Potato Omelet

4 large eggs -- whites and yolks separated
1 large potato -- cooked and mashed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh chives -- chopped
2 teaspoons butter
salt and pepper

Separate the eggs and beat the yolks. Add, the mashed potato to the yolks, mixing thoroughly. Add the lemon juice, chives, and salt and pepper.

Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the potato mixture.

Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet or omelette pan over low-medium heat. Cook the omelet until golden (3-5 minutes), then run under the broiler to finish and puff the omelet.

Serve immediately.

Sweet Breakfast Grits

2 1/2 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup quick-cooking grits
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
sliced fresh peaches, nectarines, strawberries, diced apples, or whole berries

Combine the milk, grits, honey, and salt in a saucepan.

Heat the mixture to a boil over medium heatl, stirring frequently.

Once the mixture has reached boiling, lower the heat to simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes or until nicely thickened.

Serve warm, topped with fruit.

Muesli

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 apple -- peeled and grated
1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans
1 cup low-fat yogurt (any flavor you would like, I prefer vanilla)

Combine oats, milk and honey and leave soaking in the refrigerator overnight.

Next morning, add the grated apple, hazelnuts and yogurt.

Fruity Homemade Oatmeal Mix

6 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup dried apples or other dried fruit
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar -- packed
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT
8 cups water -- 1/2 cup per serving

In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.

Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

Yield 8 cups total.

To prepare oatmeal: Shake mix well and measure out 1/2 cup oatmeal into bowl, add 1/2 cup water, and microwave for 3 minutes.

Or on a stove top, in a saucepan, bring water to a boil; slowly stir in 1/2 cup mix.

Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat.

Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.

Source:
"from Light & Tasty magazine"

Quiche Lorraine

1 1/2 cups grated natural swiss cheese
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup finely chopped cooked ham
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 unbaked pie shell -- (9 inch)

Preheat Oven to 375ºF.

Combine the cheese and flour and sprinkle into the pie shell.

Spread the ham evenly over this.

Combine the eggs, milk, salt and mustard.

Beat until smooth and pour evenly over the cheese and ham.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or until the custard is set.

Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley.

To freeze: Prepare recipe through step 4. Wrap well with saran wrap and then foil. Freeze.

To serve: Thaw in fridge overnight. Bake as directed.

Cheese and Sausage Quiche

1 lb ground sausage
1 sliced onion
1/3 cup green peppers -- chopped (optional)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon flour
2 beaten eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 unbaked pie shell

Brown the sausage and remove to a mixing bowl. Remove most of the sausage drippings from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in pan.

Place sliced onion in drippings from sausage and cook until onions are translucent.

Mix browned sausage and cheese with green pepper. Add flour and mix until coated with flour.

Place in unbaked pie shell.

Place onions on top of of sausage mixture.

Combine eggs, evaporated milk, parsley, pepper, seasoning salt, and garlic powder. Mix well.

Carefully, pour egg/milk mixture evenly into the pie shell.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until quiche is set

Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

Rochester Quiche

1 deep dish pie shell -- prebaked
6 slices bacon
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup onions -- chopped
3 large eggs
1 cup half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons blue cheese -- crumbled
1 1/2 cups swiss cheese -- shredded

Preheat oven 425F degrees.

In skillet fry bacon til crispy, drain on paper towel.

Remove most fat from skillet then saute' mushrooms and onions til browned.

In bowl combine eggs, half and half, pepper.

Crumble bacon onto bottom of prepared pie shell.

Then add the onions and mushrooms.

Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over all.

Top with the grated swiss cheese.

Place your pie plate onto a baking sheet to catch drips and to aid in moving quiche to the oven.

Pour egg mixture carefully over contents.

Bake at 425' for 15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350' bake another 20-25 minutes til center is set and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon shortening

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan; set pan aside.

Beat butter and 1/4 cup shortening in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir any remaining flour. Stir in miniature semisweet chips and if desired, nuts.

Press dough evenly on bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until evenly golden brown and center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour. Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF.

Use foil to lift baked mixture out of pan and to a cutting board. Remove foil. Cut baked mixture into 9x1/2-inch slices using a serrated knife. Place slices, cut side down, 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until crisp, turning carefully halfway through baking time. Cool completely on the cookie sheet on a wire rack. Trim ends if desired.

Microwave chopped chocolate and 1 tablespoon shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring twice. Brush or spread one end of each cookie stick with melted chocolate mixture; let excess drip down sides of cookie. Place cookies on parchment paper or waxed paper; let stand about 1 hour, or until set. Makes 18.

Black Bean Empanadas

from the CIA's Breakfast and Brunches

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely diced onions
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crumbled
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup crumbled queso blanco or cheddar cheese
Dough
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup masa harina
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
egg wash
3 cups oil (for frying)
kosher salt, as needed for garnish

1. To make filling:.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium saute pan over med-hi heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender, stirring frequently to prevent garlic from burning.
3. Stir in the cumin and oregano and cook for 30 more seconds. Add the beans and salt and pepper.
4. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Place beans in a blender and puree. If they are too stiff, add the water as needed to make a smooth puree.
5. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the cheese.
6. The filling can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
7. To make dough:.
8. Combine the flour, masa harina, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Toss to mix. Add oil and stir with a wooden spoon.
9. In a liquid measuring cup, mix together the eggs and water. Add gradually to the flour mixture until it is all incorporated.
10. Turn dough out onto a board and knead until it is very pliable - about 3 minutes. Add more flour or water if needed.
11. To assemble:.
12. Roll the dough out very thinly, about 1/16 inch thickness. Cut using a 3 inch round cutter. You should have 24 circles.
13. In a small bowl beat together 1 egg and 1 T. water to make an egg wash.
14. Place 2-1/2 teaspoons of filling in the center of each circle. Brush edges with egg wash and fold in half. Seal by pressing together with a fork. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
15. You may make these ahead and chill, covered, for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 weeks.
16. **Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 350 degrees. Fry until golden brown and crisp about 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with kosher salt before serving.
17. Serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

**Alternately, brush tops of empandas with an egg wash and bake in a 425ºF oven for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.