Almond Tea

This unusual beverage isn't tea in the traditional sense because it isn't made from leaves or herbs that have been steeped in hot water. However, if you like almonds, give it a try.

2/3 cup cooked rice, short-grain if possible
2 tablespoons almond paste
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Light-brown sugar
Water

Blend rice, almond paste, and 1/2 cup water in a blender at low speed five minutes. While still blending, add another 1/2 cup of water, a small amount at a time, until mixture forms a smooth, thin paste. Pour into a large saucepan.

Use three cups of water, one at a time, to rinse the blender and put water in the saucepan. Beat well with a rotary beater or force through a sieve. Bring to aboil, stirring. Add almond extract and granulated sugar. Serve hot in cups or small bowls with a sprinkling of brown sugar. Makes 4-6 servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Tea Almonds

Kentucky Pecan Pie

Makes a great pecan pie, and it's fast, too.

1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
1 cup white corn syrup
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 whole eggs, slightly beaten
1 heaping cup whole peacans, shelled
Whipped cream (optional)

Oven: 350 degrees

Combine sugar, syrup, salt, butter, and vanilla, mixing well. Add slightly beaten eggs. Pour into pie shell. Sprinkle pecans over all. Bake for about 45 minutes. Cool before serving. May be served with whipped cream, but this pie really doesn't need any topping.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pecan Pie Desserts Pies Baking

Ham and Sweet Potato Patties

1 3/4 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups finely-chopped cooked ham
3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
1 3/4 cups cornflake crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Cook unpeeled potatoes in a small amount of boiling salted water until tender. Drain, peel and mash; you should have 3 cups worth. Mix with a half-teaspoon salt, the ham, the melted butter, a half-cup of the crumbs, the sugar, pepper and mustard.

Shape in twelve 3-inch patties and coat on all sides with the remaining crumbs. Saute in a small amount of butter over low heat until browned on both sides. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Ham Sweet Potatoes

Corn Fritters

2 cups frozen corn
1 cup sifted regular flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup milk
Vegetable oil

Cook corn according to package directions; drain. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper onto waxed paper.

Beat egg whites in a small bowl until soft peaks form. Beat egg yolks well in a medium-sized bowl; stir in corn and milk. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Fold in beaten whites.

Pour vegetable oil into a large frying pan to a depth of about 1/2 inch. Heat until a small amount of the batter will cook quickly at the edges. Turn heat to medium.

Drop batter, a rounded tablespoon for each fritter a time, into hot oil. Cook, turning once, about 2-3 minutes or until golden. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper toweling. Keep hot until all are cooked. Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Makes about 18 fritters.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Shrimp Corn Fritters

Shrimp-Stuffed Lobster

A bit of effort is needed here. But if you're looking for a dish to wow your guests, this is it.

6 lobsters, about 1 1/2 pounds each
Boiling water
1 lemon, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 pound medium shrimp, shelled, cooked and deveined
1/4 cup butter
2 shallots, minced
6 mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup flour
2 cups (1 pint) light cream
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sherry
Salt and paprika

Drop lobsters into boiling salted water with lemon slices and bay leaves. When water reboils, boil for fiften minutes. Remove lobsters, drain and cool. Add shrimp to water and cook only until shrimp become pink and opaque, about ten minutes. Drain.

Melt butter in a skillet and saute shallots and mushrooms until tender. Sprinkle with flour. Beat cream with egg yolks. Gradually stir cream mixture into skillet. Add sherry. Cook while stirring over low heat until sauce bubbles and thickens.

Place lobsters, one at a time, on a cutting board, red shell up. Slash lengthwise with a sharp knife, cutting not all the way through. Open out shell and remove coral and lobster meat. Dice lobster.

Add lobster, coral, and shrimp to sauce. Reheat, and season to taste with salt. Spoon hot mixture into shells. Sprinkle with paprika and serve. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Shrimp SeafoodLobster

Sweet and Sour Pork Chops

6 pork chops, about 3/4 inch thick
1 large onion, peeled and sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup pineapple juice
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups hot cooked rice
2 tablespoons flour

Oven: 350 degrees

Trim any excess fat from the meat. Brown slowly in their own fat in a large frying pan. Place in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Pour off all but two tablespoons fat from the frying pan.

Stir onion and garlic in frying pan and saute until soft. Stir in pineapple juice, tomato sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar and salt. Heat, stirring constantly, to boiling. Simmer five minutes. Pour over chops, cover, and bake about 45 minutes, or until meat is tender.

Spoon rice onto a heated serving platter. Arrange chops and onion on top and keep hot. Let liquid in pan stand a few minutes until fat rises. Skim off fat and reheat liquid to boiling. Blend flour with a little water into a paste, then slowly stir into the boiling liquid. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and boils one minute. Spoon over chops and serve. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pork Chops Pork Meat Dishes

Espresso Ice Cream

This ice cream can be made without an ice cream machine.

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
5 egg yolks
Instant espresso coffee powder
2 cups heavy cream
Whipped cream (optional)

Cook sugar and water until golden. Beat egg yolks hard. Add syrup slowly and beat five minutes full speed with a mixer. Stir in 4 level measuring-teaspoonfuls coffee powder.

Add heavy cream, blend well, and freeze in a 9x5x3 loaf pan. When frozen, remove from freezer and beat until creamy. Freeze again until firm. Serve sprinkled with espresso powder, and whipped cream if desired.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Ice Cream Espresso Coffee Desserts

Tuna Potato Casserole

A quick and easy casserole for those busy times.

8 medium potatoes, cooked and peeled
Salt and pepper
2 6-oz cans tuna, drained and flaked
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon seasoned fine dry breadcrumbs

Oven: 350 degrees

Cut potatoes in 1/4-inch slices and put half in a greased, shallow 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cover with tuna, then with remaining potato slices.

Beat eggs, milk, and cheese together, then pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with crumbs. Bake about 45 minutes, or until custard is just set and potatoes are golden brown. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Tuna Potatoes Casseroles

Egg Cheese and Bacon Sandwiches

These sandwiches are best when made with crusty seeded Italian rolls or crisp bakery rolls.

6 rolls
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/2 cup minced celery
1/4 cup chopped pimento
1/4 cup chopped onion
6 stuffed olives, chopped
6 slices Swiss cheese
12 slices crisp bacon
Mayonnaise
Melted butter or margarine
Garlic or onion salt

Oven: 400 degrees

Cut rolls in half. In a bowl, mix chopped eggs, celery, pimento, onion and olives. Add enough mayonnaise to make a creamy mixture. Spread mixture on bottom of buns.

Top with cheese and bacon slices. Replace tops, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic or onion salt. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until bread is crusty. Serve warm. Makes six sandwiches.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Eggs Bacon Cheese Sandwiches

Iced Cafe De Menthe

Heat got you down? Cool off with this flavorful coffee drink.

1 tablespoon instant coffee
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup creme de cacao
1 teaspoon creme de menthe
6-7 ice cubes

Dissolve instant coffee in the boiling water. Cool. Put in a blender the ice cream, creme de cacao, creme de menthe, cooled coffee and ice cubes. Cover and blend until finely crushed.

If you don't have a blender, crush the ice cubes and put them and all other ingredients in a chilled jar or shaker. Cover tightly and shake vigorously until well-blended. Either way, serve immediately in glasses with a straw. Makes four 5-oz servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Coffee Beverages Creme De Menthe Iced Coffee

Peanut Rice Loaf

A different way to use peanut butter.

3 cups hot cooked rice
1 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon powdered sage
2 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons minced onion, softened
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups soft breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, heated

Oven: 375 degrees

Place the hot rice in a heated bowl. Add the peanut butter, seasonings, parsley and onion. Mix lightly with a knife. Pour the milk over the crumbs in a bowl, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir milk mixture into rice mixture.

Transfer rice mixture to a greased baking dish. Smooth the top. Let stand ten minutes. Bake for about 40 minutes or until firm and brown. Unmold on a heated platter and surround with tomato sauce. Serves six to eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Peanut Butter Rice Baking Meatless

Mushroom Souffle

This one requires a little effort, but the results are worth it.

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, washed, trimmed and chopped
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
6 eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Gruyere Sauce

Oven: 350 degrees

Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium-size frying pan for five minutes. Remove from heat.

Melt remaining three tablespoons of butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Blend in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Stir in milk. Continue cooking until sauce thickens and boils one minute. Cool while beating eggs.

Beat egg whites with cream of tartar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Beat egg yolks until creamy-thick in a second large bowl. Blend into yolks the cooled sauce, then mushroom mixture. Lightly stir in about one cup of the egg whites. Fold in remaining egg whites until no streaks of white remain.

Pour into an ungreased 8-cup souffle or straight-side baking dish. Gently cut a deep circle in the mixture about an inch in from the the edge with a rubber spatula. This will give the souffle a double-puffed top.

Bake about 45 minutes, or until puffy-firm and golden. Serve at once with Gruyere sauce. Serves six.

Gruyere Sauce

1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
3 ounces Gruyere cheese, cut in small pieces

Melt butter in a small saucepan. Blend in flour, salt, and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Stir in the milk. Continue cooking and stirring until sauce thickens and boils one minute. Stir in cheese and continue stirring until melted. Stir in the parsley. Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Mushrooms Souffle Vegetables Souffles Eggs

Buttermilk Baked Chicken

A quick and easy recipe for baked chicken.

1 3-pound frying chicken, cut up
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup margarine
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

Oven: 425 degrees

Mix salt and pepper with the flour. Dip chicken in a half-cup of buttermilk, and roll in the flour. Place margarine in a 13x9x2 baking pan and melt in the oven. Put chicken in the pan, skin side down, and bake 30 minutes.

Turn and bake 15 minutes. Mix remaining buttermilk with the soup and pour around chicken. Bake 15 minutes longer, or until chicken is tender. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Buttermilk Meat Dishes Poultry Baking

Fish Potato Fluff

1 pound fresh or frozen fillets
Water
Salt
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup minced onion
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups well-seasoned mashed potatoes
1 teaspoon dried or prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dash of hot pepper sauce
3 eggs, separated

Oven: 350 degrees

Poach fish in a small amount of simmering salted water until opaque. Drain and flake. Saute the celery, parsley, pepper and onion in the butter 2-3 minutes. Mix fish, potatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, horseradish, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Add the sauteed vegetables.

Beat egg whites until stiff, set aside, and beat yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Add yolks to fish mixture and beat with a wooden spoon until very light. Gently fold in egg whites. Pile lightly in a 2 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake about 50 minutes, or until set and lightly browned. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Potatoes Baking

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup margarine, softened
Sugar
1/4 cup old-fashioned molasses
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Oven: 350 degrees

Cream margarine and one cup of sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Mix remaining ingredients, add to first mixture, and stir until blended.

Shape into 3/4-inch balls, roll in sugar, and put, 2 inches apart, on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake about 15 minutes. Makes 5-6 dozen.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cookies Molasses Baking

Blueberry Squares

Blueberries are in season, and here's a great way to enjoy them.

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Whipped cream

Oven: 325 degrees

In a bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix the milk and vanilla. Stir the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt alternately with the milk, mixing until smooth.

Mix the blueberries with the cornstarch. Gently add to the batter. Pour into a greased and floured 9-inch square pan. Bake about forty minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a rack. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream and a blueberry garnish. Makes 16 squares.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Blueberries Desserts Cake Baking

Oatmeal Waffles

Try something different for breakfast tomorrow morning.

1 1/2 cups biscuit mix
1 cup quick-cooking (not instant) oats
1 egg
1 1/3 cups milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Molasses Sauce

Combine biscuit mix and oats. Beat egg slightly and add to milk and oil. Add to dry ingredients and stir until mixed. Bake in a hot waffle iron or drop batter on hot griddle for pancakes. Makes four 7-inch waffles or 12 medium pancakes.

Molasses Sauce

Combine 1/2 cup molasses, 3/4 cup evaporated milk, and 2 tablespoons butter. Heat until butter melts and serve warm.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Oatmeal Waffles Pancakes Breakfast

Olives In Pastry

Need a fancy appetizer for your next party? Try this one.

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
25 well-drained medium black or stuffed green olives
1 egg white, slightly beaten
Poppy seeds, finely-chopped almonds or grated Parmesan

Oven: 300 degrees

Combine flour, cheese, cream and vegetable oil and mix well. Shape dough in a strip and cut into 25 small pieces. Put an olive in the center of each and cover completely with dough, rolling in hands.

Brush with egg white and sprinkle with poppy seeds (or almonds or cheese). Put on ungreased cookie sheets and bake about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Olives Canapes Appetizers

Mother Goose

A liver dish with an unusual flavor.

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 pound beef liver, cut in 1-inch pieces
2 unpeeled apples, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon
1 cup boiling water

Oven: 350 degrees

In a paper or plastic bag, mix poultry seasoning, flour, pepper and a half-teaspoon of seasoned salt. Add liver pieces and shake to coat well.

Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole and put in layers of meat, apple, onion, and potato, sprinkling final layer of potato with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Dissolve bouillon in the boiling water and pour over top of casserole.

Cover and bake about 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Serves 4 to 6.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Liver Meat Dishes

Curry Meatballs

Add a spicy touch to an old standard.

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup soft stale breadcrumbs
1 egg slightly beaten
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 tablespoons flour
Dash of Cayenne
2 cups milk
1 10 oz package frozen peas, thawed
Hot cooked rice

Combine meat with breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup water. Mix egg with ginger, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add to meat. Mix lightly and shape into 24 small meatballs. In a large skillet or kettle, cook onion and garlic in margarine until tender. Stir in curry powder, flour, remaining salt and cayenne.

Add milk and cook, stirring, until thickened. Add meatballs, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes. Add peas and cook a few minutes longer, or until peas are tender. Serve over hot rice. Serves 6.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Meatballs Curry Beef Meat Dishes

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

A summertime classic. Try it while the fruit is still in season.

1 pint box strawberries, stemmed and washed
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
4 cups rhubarb, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 unbaked, chilled 9-inch pastry shell
Whipped cream

Oven: 425/350 degrees

Reserve a few strawberries for garnish. Put remaining berries in a saucepan. Crush the berries. Combine a half cup of sugar with the cornstarch. Mix into strawberries until well-blended. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

In a bowl, mix the remaining sugar, flour and lemon rind. Mix in the rhubarb. Pour into the chilled pastry shell. Spread berry mixture over rhubarb. Bake at 425 degrees for ten minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking about forty minutes, or until rhubarb is tender. Remove to a rack. When cold, garnish with whipped cream and strawberries. Serves 6.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Strawberries Rhubarb Pies Desserts Baking

Cabbage and Fruit Salad

Something light for those warm summer days.

6 cups thinly-sliced cabbage
2 large oranges
2 cups split seedless green grapes
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Thinly slice the cabbage and then cross cut into 1-2 inch lengths to measure six cups. Peel and section the oranges, then cut sections into bite-size pieces and add to the cabbage in a bowl. Wash, dry and split the grapes, then add to the cabbage.

In a small bowl place the mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Whisk or stir together until thoroughly blended. Pour over the cabbage and fruits and mix well. Cover and chill thoroughly before serving. Serves six or more.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fruit Salads Cabbage

Steak Au Poivre

A fancy dish surprisingly easy to make, and you don't need the more expensive cuts of meat.

2 1/2 pounds bone-in chuck steak, about 2 inches thick
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1/4 cup red wine
1 tablespoon grated onion
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Remove bone and fat and cut steak into serving-size pieces. Place meat in a shallow glass or stainless-steal pan. Pour dressing, wine and onion over meat. Pierce the steak surface with a fork on both sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight.

When ready to cook, remove steak and dry on paper towels. Reserve marinade. Mash peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or place in cloth bag and crush coarsely with a mallet or hammer. Sprinkle both sides of meat with peppercorns, pressing into surface of meat with fingers. Let stand 30 minutes.

Heat butter in a large skillet and brown meat over high heat on both sides, taking care not to dislodge peppercorns. Lower heat and cook about 6 minutes on each side, or until meat is at desired degree of doneness. Remove to heated platter.

Add reserved marinade to skillet and heat, stirring to remove browned bits from skillet bottom. Serve sauce separately. Serves 4.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Steak Beef Pepper Poivre Meat Dishes

Cornish Hens With Rice

A quick and simple recipe for those times when you want something tasty but not elaborate.

1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 Cornish game hens (thawed)

Oven: 375/350 degrees

Spread rice in a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is golden.

Combine salad dressing mix with boiling water and chicken soup. Stir into rice. Cut game hens in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Place hens cut side down on top of rice. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove foil and bake about 30 minutes longer, or until rice and hens are tender. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cornish Hens Poultry Rice Cornish Game Hens

Watermelon Compote

A quick fruit dessert for your next party.

1 ripe watermelon
2 canteloupes
2 honeydew melons
Assorted seasonal fruits
1/2 cup fine granulated sugar
2 cups chilled Sauterne

Cut a slice from the watermelon lengthwise. Scoop out flesh with a ball cutter or measuring spoon, discarding the seeds. Turn the watermelon shell over to drain. Cut melon balls from the honeydews and canteloupes. Fill drained watermelon shell with an assortment of melon balls and fruit in season.

Sprinkle the fruit with the fine sugar. Place in refrigerator to chill. An hour before serving time, pour the chilled Sauterne over the fruits. Serves 10 or more.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fruit Watermelon Canteloupe Honeydew Compote

Home-made Creole Mustard

This spicy and sharp mustard is good on hotdogs and other meats. You may want to start with less dry mustard and work your way up.

1-2 teaspoons dry mustard (more is hotter)
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 8 oz jar prepared brown mustard
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
2 tablespoons drained prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of hot pepper sauce or cayenne

Blend dry mustard and vinegar. Let stand about five minutes. Add remaining ingredients, and mix well. Use sparingly unless you really like hot stuff.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Mustard Creole Condiments Sauces

Bravo Ham Sandwiches

1/2 cup salad dressing
1/2 cup chopped ripe olives
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
3 cups chopped boiled ham
16 slices bread
3 eggs
1/3 cup milk
Dash of Tabasco
1 1/2 cups corn chip crumbs
Green pepper rings
Olive halves

Broil temperature: 450 degrees

In a bowl, combine the salad dressing, olives, cheese, chili powder and ham. Blend well. Spread mixture on eight slices of bread. Top with remaining bread slices.

In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and Tabasco sauce. Dip both sides of sandwiches into egg mixture, then into corn chip crumbs. Broil until golden on both sides. Garnish with green pepper and olive half and serve immediately. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Sandwiches Ham

Apple Pecan Custard Tart

*** Happy Fourth of July! ***
Wishing you and yours a safe and fun holiday celebration.

Today's recipe is that classic American treat, apple pie...but with a twist: this is a quick and easy tart.


2 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
3 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup coarsely-chopped pecans
1 tablespoon soft butter
Whipped cream
Pecan halves

Oven: 425/325 degrees

Arrange apple slices in pie shell. Beat eggs, add remaining ingredients, and mix well. Pour egg mixture over apples. Bake at 425 degrees for fifteen minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees and bake another 40-45 minutes, or until custard is set. Serve warm, garnished with whipped cream and pecan halves.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pies Tarts Apples Desserts Baking

Baked Fish Creole

Prepare for tomorrow's big barbecue with something light today.

2 lbs halibut or other white meat fish (1 piece)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 onions, peeled and sliced
2 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
3 or 4 mushrooms, quartered
2 sprays parlsey, minced
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Oven: 375 degrees

Wipe the fish with a damp cloth. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Place in a dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice and let stand ten minutes.

In a baking dish, arrange a layer of sliced onion, tomato, and pepper. Add the fish and cover with remaining vegetables. Add the mushrooms and parsely. Dot with butter. Bake, basting several times with the liquid in the dish, until the fish flakes with a fork. This will be about 25-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Serves 4-6.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Seafood Creole Halibut

Stewed Chicken Paprika

After yesterday's more elaborate meal, here is a simple classic.

1/4 pound butter
2 small chickens, cut into serving portions
3 medium onions, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water

In a heavy casserole, melt butter and brown chicken on all sides. Remove chicken and keep warm. Add onion to casserole and cook until golden. Sprinkle with salt and paprika and stir in flour.

Mix tomato paste with water and stir into casserole. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is slightly thickened. Return chicken to casserole and cook over very low heat for about an hour, or until chicken is tender. Baste occasionally with juices in the casserole. If the liquid cooks away, add a little more water to make enough sauce. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Stewed Chicken Poultry Casseroles Meat Dishes

Ham and Broccoli Royale

This dish takes a little extra work but it's worth the effort.

1 cup regular uncooked rice
2 10 oz packages frozen broccoli spears
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (about 4 slices)
2 large onions, chopped fine (about 2 cups)
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups milk
1 1/2 pounds cooked ham, cubed (about 4 cups)
1 8 oz package white American cheese

Oven: 350 degrees

Cook rice according to package directions. Spoon into a greased refrigerator-to-oven 13x9x2 baking dish.

Cook broccoli according to package directions and drain well. Place in a single layer over the rice in the dish.

Melt butter in a large frying pan. Measure out two tablespoons and sprinkle over breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Set aside.

Stir onions into remaining butter in pan. Saute until soft. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Stir in milk and continue cooking and stirring until sauce thickens and boils one minute.

Stir in ham and heat again just until bubbly. Pour over broccoli and rice. Place cheese slices over sauce. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over all. Cover and chill.

About 45 minutes before serving, uncover dish and bake for about 45 minutes or until bubbly and crumb top is golden. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Ham Broccoli Meat Dishes Cooking