Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Quick and easy.

3 tablespoons prepared mustard
3 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
12 slices white sandwich bread
6 slices process American cheese
6 slices spiced ham
6 tablespoons butter or margarine

Blend mustard with mayonnaise in a cup and spread over bread slices. Cover each of six slices with one slice of cheese and one slice of ham. Top with remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter.

Bake in a preheated waffle iron 405 minutes or until godlen and cheese melts. Cut in half diagonally and put 3 halves on each plate. Makes four servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Ham Cheese Sandwiches

Hamburger Pasties

Yes, it's "pasty", not "pastry". A little work but the result is worth it. Hamburger doesn't have to be dull.

1 onion, minced
1 tablespoon fat
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 dairy sour cream

Oven: 400 degrees

Brown onion in the fat in a skillet. Add meat and cook until lightly browned, breaking it up with a fork. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste and mix well. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Spoon about 3 tablespoons meat mixture onto a pasty square. Top with another square. Crimp edges together and prick with a fork. Repeat with remaining squares and filling. Bake on a cookie sheet fifteen minutes or until lightly browned. Makes six pasties.

Pasty Dough

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 3-oz package cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

Mix all ingredients until well-blended. Chill several hours or overnight if possible (overnight is better). When ready to use, roll thin and cut in 12 4-inch squares.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Hamburger Beef Meat Dishes Ground Beef Pasty

Coconut Cherry Drops

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup candied cherries, chopped
2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Candied cherries

Oven: 375 degrees

In a bowl, cream the butter until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Blend well.

Stir in almond extract, chopped cherries, coconut and walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets. Top with a piece of candied cherry. Bake about 12-15 minutes, or until a light brown. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cookies Coconut Baking

Coconut Cherry Drops

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup candied cherries, chopped
2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Candied cherries

Oven: 375 degrees

In a bowl, cream the butter until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Blend well.

Stir in almond extract, chopped cherries, coconut and walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets. Top with a piece of candied cherry. Bake about 12-15 minutes, or until a light brown. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cookies Coconut Baking

Hawaiian Chicken Salad

Something a little out of the ordinary. The pineapple and papaya add an exotic touch to this salad.

1 broiler-fryer, about 3 pounds, cut up
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup thinly-sliced celery
3/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 small ripe pineapple
1 ripe papaya
1/2 cup toasted coconut
Boston lettuce

Place chicken in a large frying pan. Add water and salt and heat to boiling. Cover and simmer about 50 minutes, or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from broth. Cool until easy to handle. Skin chicken, take meat from bones and cut into bite-size pieces. Combine with celery in a medium-size bowl.

Combine mayonnaise, vegetable oil, pineapple and lemon juices, honey and sugar in a small bowl. Beat until blended. Pour a half cup of dressing over chicken and toss lightly to mix. Chill along with remaining dressing.

Pare pineaple and halve lengthwise. Trim off core and slice fruit. Pare and halve the papaya. Remove the seeds and slice fruit into crescents.

Line a large serving bowl with the lettuce. Mound the chicken mixture in the center. Overlap pineapple and papaya slices at the sides. Sprinkle with coconut. Serve with remaining dressing. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Salads Chicken Salad Hawaiian

Pork Apple Curry

An easy curry that adds some zip to pork.

1 pound diced pork shoulder
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons margarine
2 medium-size tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 cups hot water
Hot cooked rice

Brown pork and onion in margarine in a large skillet. Add apples. Mix flour, curry powder, ginger and salt and add to pork. Add bouillon cubes and the hot water. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve cubes. Cover and simmer 45 minutes, or until pork is tender. Serve on rice. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pork Curry Apples Meat Dishes

Bacon Corn Bread Squares

5 slices bacon, diced
1 1/2 cups white corn meal
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Oven: 425 degrees

Saute bacon until crisp in a small frying pan. Remove and drain on paper toweling. Measure drippings and add vegetable oil, if necessary, to make 1/4 cup.

Combine corn meal, sugar, baking powder and soda, and salt in a large bowl. Beat egg in a small bowl. Stir in buttermilk. Add all at once to corn meal mixture. Stir until just blended. Stir in drippings and bacon bits.

Spoon into a greased 9x9x2 baking pan. Bake about 20 minutes, or until golden. Cut into squares and serve hot.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Corn Bread Bread Baking Bacon

Rhubarb Crunch

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
4 cups rhubarb, in 1-inch pieces

Oven: 350 degrees

Mix oats, flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Pat half the mixture onto the bottom of a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

In a saucepan, mix the granulated sugar and water. Bring to a boil, add rhubarb, and simmer 8-10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, reserving syrup.

Whirl rhubarb in blender or press through a sieve (there should be about 2 cups of puree). Cover oatmeal in pan with puree and top with remaining crumb mixture. Bake about 45 minutes. Serve warm with remaining syrup. Serves 6-8.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Rhubarb Desserts Baking

Rhubarb Crunch

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
4 cups rhubarb, in 1-inch pieces

Oven: 350 degrees

Mix oats, flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Pat half the mixture onto the bottom of a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

In a saucepan, mix the granulated sugar and water. Bring to a boil, add rhubarb, and simmer 8-10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, reserving syrup.

Whirl rhubarb in blender or press through a sieve (there should be about 2 cups of puree). Cover oatmeal in pan with puree and top with remaining crumb mixture. Bake about 45 minutes. Serve warm with remaining syrup. Serves 6-8.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Rhubarb Desserts Baking

Bahama Chicken

The last big grill-out is just ahead (can Labor Day really be that close?). Give this one a try at the barbecue.

2 broiler-fryers, 2 1/2 pounds each, quartered
1 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chili sauce
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Wash chickens, dry well, and place in a large shallow dish. Combine all remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken. Let stand at least one hour to season.

Remove chicken from marinade and place in a double-hinged wire broiling rack, skin side up, about 4 inches above hot coals. Grill, brushing several times with marinade, about 20 minutes. Turn, brush again with marinade, and grill 15 minutes longer, or until chicken is tender and richly glazed. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Barbecue Grilling

Bolognese Sauce

This sauce takes a bit of preparation, but you won't find anything as good on the supermarket shelf.

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup creamery fresh butter
2 ounces salt pork, diced
1/4 onions, peeled and diced
1/2 pound Italian sweet sausage
1/2 pound lean ground beef
4 chicken livers, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, mashed
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 tablespoons dry white wine
1 cup canned, peeled plum tomatoes, sieved
2 medium-size ripe tomatoes, chopped fine
Small pinch of freshly-grated nutmeg
1 cup boiling water

Combine olive oil, butter and salt pork in a saucepan. Heat. Add onions and brown slowly. Remove casing from sausages and cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to onions with the beef and chicken livers. Brown slowly for fifteen minutes.

Chop the garlic with the rosemary and add to the sauce with the bay leaf and pepper. Stir well and cook for ten minutes. Add wine, stir, cover and cook for ten minutes. Remove sausage and chop fine; return to sauce.

Add sieved and chopped tomatoes and nutmeg. Remove and discard bay leaf. Add the boiling water and cook slowly, uncovered, for about 40 minutes. Makes about four cups.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Sauces Spaghetti Sauce Bolognese Pasta

Strawberry Chiffon Tarts

Easy to make and no baking!

10 baked 3-inch tart shells
1 envelope plain gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
3 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sieved strawberries and juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 egg whites, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped

Sprinkle gelatin over water in a bowl. Combine egg yolks, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and strawberries with juice in a double boiler. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the water and stir in softened gelatin. Cool.

Add lemon juice. Chill until beginning to thicken. Beat the egg whites stiff. Gradually beat in the 1/4 cup sugar. Fold in the strawberry mixture. Place in cold tart shells. Chill until firm. Serve with a piping or dollop of whipped cream. Makes ten tarts.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fruit Strawberries Tarts Desserts

Hamburger Shepherd's Pie

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, minced
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon steak sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1 can beef or mushroom-beef gravy
1 10 oz package frozen peas and carrots, cooked and drained
3 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes
Paprika or chopped parsley (optional)

Oven: 350/400 degrees

Mix the first eight ingredients and press into a shallow, 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes, or until done but not dried out. Cut in 1-inch pieces.

Mix very lightly with gravy and peas and carrots. Put back in baking dish and spread mashed potatoes over the top, making a rough surface. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes, or until heated and lightly browned. Sprinkle with paprika or parsley if desired. Makes six servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beef Hamburger Meat Pies

Cucumber Onion Pickle

Your own relishes can perk up a meal. Try this one.

6 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
6 medium onions, sliced
1/4 cup salt
2 1/2 cups white vinegar
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
4 teaspoons turmeric

Sprinkle cucumbers and onions with salt. Cover and let stand in refrigerator overnight. Drain. Bring vinegar and sugars to a full rolling boil in a large kettle. Mix cornstarch, mustard and turmeric. Add enough water to make a smooth paste.

Stir into vinegar mixture. Add vegetables and bring to a full rolling boil. Pack into hot sterilized jars and seal. Makes about four pints.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pickles Relishes Cucumber Onions

Veal Paprika

2 pounds boneless veal, cubed
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons salad oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 can chicken broth
1 clove garlic, split
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
Hot buttered peas, sliced scallions

Dredge meat in the combined flour and salt. Heat the butter and oil in a heavy skillet. Add the veal and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are transparent, about five minutes. Add chicken broth, garlic, paprika, tomato paste and sliced mushrooms.

Reduce heat to simmer. Cover tightly and simmer until meat is tender, about ninety minutes. Remove garlic. Briskly stir in sour cream until well-blended. Pour onto a hot platter. Surround meat with peas and scallions. Serve immediately. Serves four or more.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Veal Veal Paprika Meat Dishes

Fresh Tomato Soup

Takes a little work, but better than canned any day.

1 medium-sized onion, chopped
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 whole black peppers
1/16 teaspoon basil
2 bouillon cubes
2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced parsely
1 teaspoon minced fresh mint

In a heavy saucepan, cook the onion in butter until golden, about five minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, garlic, salt, pepper, and basil. Cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Force the mixture through a strainer into a saucepan.

Dissolve the bouillon cubes in the boiling water; add to the tomato mixture along with the sugar. Cover, and cook slowly, about ten minutes, until piping hot. Pour into a hot tureen, and sprinkle with parsley and mint. Serve immediately. Makes four servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Soup Tomatoes Tomato Soup

Butterscotch Polka Dot Cookies

Big cookies for a special oocasion.

2 1/4 cups sifted regular flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup firmly-packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 oz butterscotch pieces
1 cup tiny marshmallows

Oven: 375 degrees

Measure flour, salt, and soda into sifter. Cream butter with sugars until fluffy in a large bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift in flour mixture, a third at a time, blending well. Stir in butterscotch pieces.

Drop dough, a scant 1/4 cupful at a time, 6 inches apart, on large cookie sheets. Spread into four-inch rounds. Bake about 10 minutes. Place several marshmallows on each cookie. Bake 1-2 minutes longer, or just until marshmallows melt. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cookies Butterscotch Baking Butterscotch Cookies Marshmallows

Super Quick Chocolate Mousse

Not only is this recipe fast, it can be halved if you're cooking for just two.

2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla or 4 teaspoons brandy or light rum
Whipped cream

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks, and salt with a rotary beater or electric mixer until fluffy. Add chocolate and beat until well-blended.

Add cream and vanilla (or brandy/rum) and beat until mixture mounds and is smooth. Spoon into a serving bowl or individual desert dishes. Chill. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chocolate Mousse Chocolate Desserts

Peanut Butter Bread and Raisin Pudding

A change from the usual.

6 white bread slices
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1/3 cup peanut butter
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Oven: 350 degrees

Cut bread into half-inch cubes. Place cubes into a greased 1 1/2-quart casserole. In a bowl, mix the butter and peanut butter. Stir in eggs. Add milk and sugar and beat until smooth.

Stir in raisins and nutmeg. Pour mixture over bread cubes. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until puffed and brown. Serve warm, topped with cream or sweetened whipped cream. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Peanut Butter Bread Pudding Raisins Puddings Baking

Tangy Hot Dog Sandwiches

Need something quick for two? Try these hot dog sandwiches.

4 slices firm bread
Butter or margarine
Minced parsley
4 frankfurters
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1 teaspoon prepared mustard

Oven: 475 degrees

Spread bread slices thinly with butter. Dip in parsley to cover surface completely. Cut franks in half lengthwise then crosswise. Cover each bread slice with 4 frank pieces, skin side down.

Mix together the mayonnaise, chili sauce and mustard. Pour over frankfurters, leaving ends uncovered. Put slices on a baking sheet and bake for about seven minutes or until franks are browned. Top two slices with the other two to make two double-decker open-faced sandwiches. Good with pickles and olives or a vinaigrette salad.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Frankfurters Hot Dogs Franks Sandwiches

Chicken Wings with Barbecue Sauce

Tangy chicken wings that are quick and easy to make.

3 pounds (about 16) chicken wings
2 teaspoons dry mustard or 2 tablespoons prepared
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Preheat broiler and arrange wings in a broiler pan. Combine all remaining ingredients to make the sauce. If using dry mustard, mix it first with the vinegar then add it to the mixture. Spoon or brush sauce on wings.

Broil 6 inches from the heat about 30-40 minutes, turning frequently and keeping tips down, if possible, to prevent burning. Baste frequently with sauce until all is used. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Barbecue Sauce Chicken Wings

Peach Cream Cheese Pie

Peaches are still in season. Grab some and make this quick and flavorful dessert.

9-inch pie shell
2 cups sliced, peeled, firm ripe peaches
3 eggs
1/3 cup heavy cream
Sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Oven: 400/375 degrees

Bake pie shell for about five minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool. Arrange peaches in shell.

Combine two eggs, the cream and a half-cup of sugar and beat to mix. Pour over peaches. Beat cream cheese with remaining egg and one-third cup sugar and the lemon juice and rind. Pour slowly over fruit so that mixture covers top. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool, then chill. Makes 6-8 servings depending on cut.

P.S. Wow, recipe one hundred posted!

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Peaches Pies Fruit Desserts Baking

Shrimp Italiano

16 jumbo shrimp, cleaned and cooked
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 medium-sized onion, minced
1/2 medium-sized green pepper, cut up
12 large mushrooms, sliced
1/2 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup dry white wine

Cut each shrimp in half lengthwise. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil and butter. Add onion, green pepper, mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.

Add shrimp and oregano. Cook five minutes longer, add wine. This goes well with Italian bread and a green salad with Italian dressing. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Shrimp Seafood Italian

Quick Guacamole Dressing

When it comes to making sauces and dressing, blenders are especially helpful. Today's recipe is very fast, and very good.

1 1/2 cups peeled tomatoes, coarse cut
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Dash of Tabasco sauce
1 ripe avocado, peeled, seeded, and sectioned

Put all ingredients in a blended in the order given. Blend on high about 10 seconds, or just until mixture is smooth and thick. Do not over-blend. Makes about 2 cups.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Guacamole Avocado Salad Dressing

Oatmeal Muffins

3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup plus one tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk

Oven: 425 degrees

Combine the first seven ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Cut in butter. Beat together the egg and buttermilk. Pour over the oatmeal mixture and mix only until dry ingredients are moistened.

Put twelve 2 1/2-inch paper-lined foil muffin cups on a baking sheet and fill two-thirds full, or use a greased muffin pan instead. Bake 15-20 minutes. Serve warm. Makes twelve muffins.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Muffins Oatmeal Baking

Mocha Frosted

Chocolate, coffee, and vanilla come together in a great cool-off drink. Fast, too.

1 1/2 cups milk
2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee
2 tablespoons sugar

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for about 10 seconds. Makes 3 drinks. Doesn't get faster than this!

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beverages Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream Frosted

Veal Meatballs

Beef isn't the only thing for making meatballs. Try these for a change of pace.

1 pound ground veal
1 cup milk
1 cup soft stale breadcrumbs
Peel of 1/2 lemon, cut in very thin strips
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
2 cups chicken broth
Lemon Gravy
Chopped parsley

Mix together well all ingredients except broth, gravy, and parsley. Bring broth to a boil in a saucepan. With an oval tablepoon, shape meat mixture into balls and drop, four at a time, into the broth. Simmer about six minutes, or until done.

Remove to a covered serving dish and keep warm. Repeat until all meatballs are done. Strain broth and reserve for gravy. Pour lemon gravy over meatballs and garnish with parsley. Good with rice or noodles. Serves six.

Lemon Gravy

2 tablespoon margarine
2 tablespoons flour
2 egg yolks
3/4 cup half-and-half
Strained broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Melt the margarine and blend in the flour. Gradually add the broth and cook, stirring, until thickened. Beat together egg yolks and half-and-half. Add to hot sauce, stirring briskly. Cook gently, stirring, two minutes. Add lemon juice, stir, and serve.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Veal Meatballs Meat Dishes

Beef In Paprika Sauce

1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds stew chuck, cut in 1-inch cubes
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
Olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 tablespoon paprika
Dash of cayenne
Hot cooked noodles

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a plastic or paper bag. Add meat and shake to coat evenly. Heat two tablespoons butter with a few drops of olive oil in a heavy kettle or Dutch oven, and brown half the meat quickly on all sides. Remove and brown the rest of the meat in remaining butter; remove.

Add onions to kettle and saute, stirring until tender and lightly browned. Add tomato sauce, water, paprika and cayenne and bring to a boil. Put the meat back in the kettle, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, two hours or until meat is tender. Serve with noodles. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beef Paprika Meat Dishes Stew

Swiss Cheese Salad

1 pound small potatoes
Salt
6 tablespoons vinaigrette or Italian dressing
1/2 pound aged Swiss cheese, diced (2 cups)
1/2 cup diced celery hearts
3 tablespoons minced green onion
3 tablespoons minced parsley
4 eggs, hard-cooked
2 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Freshly-ground pepper

Cook potatoes in boiling salted water until just tender. Peel while warm and sprinkle with four tablespoons dressing. Cool and combine with cheese, celery, onion, 2 tablespoons of parsley, 3 eggs (chopped), and the bacon.

Mix mayonnaise with the mustard and remaining dressing. Thin with a little wine vinegar if necessary, and pour over salad. Mix lightly, season with pepper, and chill. When ready to serve, chop remaining eggs fine, mix with remaining parsley, and sprinkle over salad. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Salads Swiss Cheese Eggs Cheese

Orange Chocolate Mousse

Quick, cool, and creamy. Just right for these torrid summer days.

1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 egg yolks
2 eggs
6 squares semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup heavy cream
Whipped cream
Orange peel slivers

Combine rind, sugar, yolks, and eggs in a blender and whirl until light and foamy. Add chocolate, juice and heavy cream. Continue to whirl until well blended. Pour into small individual serving dishes and chill until set. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a piece of orange peel. Serves five.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Orange Chocolate Mousse Desserts

Shrimp Sandwich Filling

Salad fillings for sandwiches are good this time of year. Try this one when you need something quick.

1 cup diced, cooked, cleaned shrimp
1 cup chopped, cored, unpeeled red apple
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Lightly toss all ingredients. Chill. Makes about two cups of filling.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Seafood Shrimp Sandwiches Salads

Egg Salami and Tomato Sandwiches

Still too hot to cook? Try these quick-to-make hero sandwiches.

6 large eggs, hard-cooked and chopped medium fine
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup finely-chopped cucumber
6 Italian hero rolls
Margarine, softened
Outside leaves of lettuce
18 slices salami (hard or Genoa)
18 tomato slices, cut 1/4-inch thick

Mix eggs, mayonnaise, salt, red pepper and cucumber. Split rolls in half lengthwise and spread with margarine. Fill with layers of lettuce, egg salad, salami, and tomato slices. Makes six sandwiches.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Eggs Salami Tomatoes Sandwiches

Stuffed Cucumber Salad

In this hot weather, light eating and less cooking is the thing.

4 large cucumbers
1 teaspoon salt
5 ounces sardines, drained
4 ounces boiled ham, chopped
2 hard-cooked eggs, shelled and chopped fine
1/4 cup finely-chopped dill pickle
1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 large tomatoes, sliced thin
Shredded iceberg lettuce

Trim ends of cucumbers and pare. Using a small, long-handled spoon or a melon-ball cutter, scoop out insides of cucumbers, leaving 1/4-inch thick shells. Sprinkle the salt into shells. Stand cucumbers on paper towels to drain.

Mash sardines in a medium bowl. Stir in ham, eggs, pickle, mayonnaise, mustard, and onion powder. Dry insides of cucumbers with paper towels. Stuff with sardine mixture, packing it down as you go with a spoon. Wrap each cucumber in waxed paper and chill several hours.

When ready to serve, place lettuce on four serving plates. Top with tomato slices. Cut cucumbers in thick slices and arrange over tomatoes. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Salads Cucumbers Vegetables Stuffed Cucumbers