Zucchini Pickle

2 pounds zucchini
2 small onions
1/4 cup salt
2 cups white vinegar
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons mustard seed

Wash zucchini and cut in thin slices. Peel and quarter onions, then cut in thin slices. Cover vegetables with water and add salt. Let stand two hours, then drain thoroughly.

Combine vinegar, sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then pour over vegetables. Let stand two hours, then bring to a boil and boil five minutes. Pack in hot, sterilized jars and seal. Makes about three pints.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Zucchini Pickles Vegetables

Quick Salmon Loaf

When you need something fast, try this.

1/2 cup crisp buttered breadcrumbs
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 cups canned salmon, drained and flaked
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/16 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon sage
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon melted butter

Oven: 350 degrees

Combine all ingredients in the order shown. Pack firmly into a buttered loaf pan. Bake about 45 minutes, or until brown and firm in the center. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Salmon Seafood

Chocolate Almond Dessert

A rich, chocolatey dessert to top off your next dinner party.

12 ounces sweet cooking chocolate
3/4 cup finely slivered blanched almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 eggs, separated
1 cup heavy cream, whipped and sweetened
Rum
Chocolate shavings

Put sweet chocolate and almonds in a double boiler and heat over hot water until chocolate is melted. Add salt to the egg whites and beat with rotary or electric mixer until stiff but not dry.

Beat yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Add chocolate mixture to yolks and mix well. Fold into whites until very well blended. Pour into a shallow serving dish and chill at least four hours. Before serving, top portions with whipped cream and a sprinkle of semi-sweet or unsweetened chocolate shavings. Serves twelve.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chocolate Almonds Desserts

Ham And Egg Burger Loaf

Traditional burger meat dressed up with ham and eggs.

4 slices rye bread, trimmed and cubed
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 pounds ground chuck
1 egg, well-beaten
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper
1/2 peeled onion, grated
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
4 ounces Mozzarella cheese, diced
3 hard-cooked eggs, shelled and sliced
1/4 pound boiled ham, diced

Oven: 375 degrees

In a bowl, soften bread cubes in white wine and Worcestershire sauce. Then, using a fork, blend well with beef, beaten egg, salt, pepper, onion, and 2 tablespoons tomato sauce.

Spread half the meat mixture in a well-buttered 10x6x2 baking dish. Mix diced cheese, sliced eggs, and ham. Spread over beef mixture. Cover with remaining beef mixture, then the rest of the tomato sauce. Bake 40-45 minutes. Let stand out five minutes, then cut into squares and serve. Serves 6.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Hamburger Ham Eggs Meat Dishes

Walnut Wreaths

This takes a bit of work, but the results are delicious. Keep one and give the other as a gift.

2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/2 cup very warm water
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4 3/4 cups sifted regular flour
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Confectioner's sugar

Oven: 350 degrees

Sprinkle yeast into very warm water (should feel comfortably warm when dropped on wrist). Stir until yeast dissolves, then stir in melted butter, evaporated milk, a half-cup sugar until dissolved, and salt.

Separate one egg, placing white and yolk in small bowls. Beat remaining whole egg into yolk. Stir into yeast mixture. Beat in 2 cups flour until smooth, then stir in remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn out onto a lightly-floured pastry cloth or board. Knead about five minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in a large, greased bowl. Turn to coat all over with shortening, then cover with a clean towel. Let rise in a warm place, away from drafts, about one hour or until double in bulk.

Stir walnuts into egg white with the remaining one cup of sugar. Punch dough down and divide in half. Roll out, a half at a time, on a lightly floured pastry cloth or board, into a rectangle 18x10 inches. Spread with half the walnut mixture. Starting at the long side, roll up jelly-roll fashion. Place on a large, greased cooky sheet, curve into a ring, and pinch the ends to seal. Repeat with the other half of the dough.

Cover both rings and let rise again one hour or until double in bulk. Snip the tops of the rings with scissors to make a pattern. Bake about 35 minutes or until golden and the rings give a hollow sound when tapped. Remove from sheets to wire racks to cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Makes 2 9-inch rings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cakes Walnuts Walnut Cake Baking

Quick Bortsch

Or borscht. Spelling varies, but it's still the same beet soup.

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons margarine
2 cups cooked, minced beets
1 cup diced potato
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped cabbage
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 bouillon cubes dissolved in 6 cups boiling water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Cook the onion in the margarine in a large saucepan until yellow, about five minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook until the vegetables are pierceable, about thirty minutes. Serve with sour cream. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Bortsch Borscht Beets Beet Soup

Braised Pork Chops In Wine Sauce

6 lean 1-inch thick porkchops
1 tablespoon shortening
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons crumbled sage
1 tablespoon brown sugar
6 thin lemon slices
1 cup Sauterne wine
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Trim any excess fat from porkchops. Heat shortening in a skillet and add chops, browning well on both sides, about 15 minutes. Remove meat and drain off fat from pan. Spread mustard on both sides of each chop. Return to skillet. Combine salt, pepper, sage and brown sugar and sprinkle over meat.

Top each chop with a slice of lemon. Pour Sauterne over all. Cover and simmer until chops are tender, about an hour. Remove meat to a hot platter. Skim fat from gravy. Mix the cornstarch with water and add to gravy in skillet. Reheat about three minutes. Spoon sauce over chops. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pork Chops Pork Meat Dishes Wine

Berry Puffs

A quick and delicious strawberry dessert.

2 tablespoons butter, creamed
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sifted enriched flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
1 cup small strawberries, washed and hulled

Oven: 375 degrees

Blend the butter and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and vanilla, beating well. Add the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the milk to make a medium batter. Fold in the drained whole berries. Half-fill eight greased muffin pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until firm to the touch and a delicate brown. Serve warm. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Strawberries Fruit Desserts Baking

Crab Meat Souffle

12 ounces fresh or frozen crab meat
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
Generous dash of pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried dillweed
2 tablespoons finely-snipped parsley
1 cup milk
4 eggs, separated
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Oven: 350 degrees

If using frozen crab meat, be sure it is completely thawed and very well drained. Chop crab very fine. Melt butter in a saucepan and blend in flour and seasonings. Gradually add milk and cook, stirring, until thickened.

Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored and gradually stir into sauce. Add crab meat and lemon juice. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add about one-quarter of the whites to sauce and stir in well. Then gently fold remaining egg whites into sauce.

Pour into a well-buttered 1 1/2 quart casserole. Set dish in a pan of hot water and bake for about 45-50 minutes. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Souffles Crab Seafood Crab Souffle

Beef Stroganoff

A generous recipe for a dinner party.

1 2-pound boneless sirloin steak, 1 1/2" thick
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 medium onions, sliced
1/2 pound mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1 can condensed beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup dairy sour cream
Hot cooked rice or noodles

Trim excess fat from steak and cut into 1/4-inch thick diagonal slices. Heat a large skillet until very hot. Add about a tablespoon of butter to skillet and swirl to cover bottom of pan.

Pan-fry beef strips, a few at a time, one minute on each side or until done as you like them, and all strips are fried, using more butter as needed. Remove from pan and keep warm.

Add remaining butter to skillet. Stir in onion slices and saute five minutes. Push them to one side and stir in mushrooms. Saute 3 minutes. Add beef broth and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.

Stir flour into sour cream in a small bowl. Blend in about one cup of the hot broth, then add sour cream mixture to skillet, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and just begins to bubble (do not boil). Add beef strips and stir just until blended. Serve over hot rice or noodles. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beef Stroganoff Beef Meat Dishes

Applesauce Cake

1/2 cup butter or shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring
1 cup seedless raisins or currants
1 cup broken nutmeats (optional)
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups thick, unsweetened applesauce

Oven: 350 degrees

Cream butter in a mixing bowl. Blend in sugar and beat in the egg. Add the maple flavoring, nuts, and raisins. Mix and sift the flour, soda, salt and spices. Add alternately with the applesauce to the sugar mixture, beating smooth after each addition.

Pour batter into a greased and paper-lined 9x4x3 loaf pan. Bake about one hour or until a cake tester comes away clean. Invert on a cake rack. Remove pan but not the paper. Turn right side up to cool. If kept in a covered container, the cake will stay fresh about a week. Makes one loaf.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cakes Applesauce Cake Applesauce Baking

Meatballs Jardiniere

2 pounds ground beef
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
1 cup canned applesauce
1 egg
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or fat
1 cup sliced carrots, partially cooked
1 small onion, sliced
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 cups tomato juice

Oven: 350 degrees

Mix beef, breadcrumbs, applesauce, egg, salt, pepper and allspice lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2 inch balls. Roll in the flour and brown on all sides in a skillet in the oil. Put the meatballs in a 3-quart casserole.

Add the carrots, onion, green pepper and tomato juice to the skillet. Bring to a boil, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour over meatballs, cover, and bake about 45 minutes. Goes well with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Meatballs Beef Meat Dishes

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 1-oz squares unsweetened chocolate, cut
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in a saucepan. Cook, over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Then cook without stirring until a few drops tried in cold water form a soft ball (or 230 degrees on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat.

Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Gradually beat in the milk and add the vanilla. Serve hot over ice cream. Can also be stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator and reheated over hot water if used later. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Sauces Fudge Sauce Hot Fudge Sauce Desserts

Veal Cutlets In Sherry Cream Sauce

4 veal cutlets, scallopine style
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons salad oil
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
6 tablespoons sherry wine
1/2 cup light cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup grated Muenster cheese

Broiler: 500 degrees

In a large, heavy skillet, combine three tablespoons of butter with the oil and heat. Saute the veal until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan and place in a dish. Add remaining butter to skillet and saute the mushrooms for five minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from skillet.

Return cutlets to pan and add the sherry, cream, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat until the meat is cooked. Add mushrooms and re-heat. Sprinkle top with cheese, and broil until cheese bubbles, about three minutes. Serve immediately. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Veal Veal Cutlets Sherry

Maple Cream

A quick and easy recipe to make a rich desert with real maple flavor.

1 cup maple syrup, heated
3 egg yolks, beaten slightly
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
3 egg whites, beaten stiff
1/16 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Slowly pour the hot syrup over the beaten egg yolks in a double boiler. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Set the top of the boiler in cold water to hasten cooling.

Add vanilla if used. Beat egg whites with salt until stiff. Fold the cool maple custard into the beaten egg whites. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into two refrigerator trays. Freeze until almost firm along the sides. Beat smooth and freeze again until firm. Serves eight (use small portions; this is a rich dessert).

Note: one cup of chilled evaporated milk can be substituted for the cream if you wish.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Maple Maple Cream Desserts

Chicken Escarole Meatball Soup

1 2 1/2-3 pound fryer, whole or cut up
2 carrots, sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 tablespoons tomato puree
1/2 pound ground chuck
1 small egg
1/2 cup cracker meal
Dash of pepper
Chopped fresh or dried parsley to taste
1 1/2 pounds escarole
Italian-type grated cheese

Put the chicken in a kettle with 6-8 cups of water, depending on the size of the chicken and the kettle. Add salt to taste and the carrots, celery and puree. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer about an hour.

While the chicken cooks, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup water, the ground chuck, egg, cracker meal, pepper and parsley. Shape into about 16 small meatballs.

Remove chicken from broth and cool. Take the meat from the bones, and add the chicken meat and meatballs to the broth. Cook the escarole in a small amount of boiling water about five minutes, drain and add to the broth. Bring to a boil and cook about five minutes. Serve generously sprinkled with cheese. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Soups Chicken Soup Meatballs

Blueberry Corn Bread With Spice Topping

1 cup cornmeal (not water-ground)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup fresh or frozen (and thawed) blueberries
Spice Topping

Oven: 375 degrees

Put the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs, milk, and butter and mix well (an electric mixer helps a lot). Fold in bluerries (if using thawed, be sure they are well-drained), and place in a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Sprinkle with topping and bake about 40 minutes or until done.

Spice Topping

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Cut in a 1/4 cup butter to make a crumbly mixture.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Bread Corn Bread Blueberries Baking

Oven Baked French Fries

French fries don't have to be fried. Try this quick recipe for baking them instead.

4 medium-sized or large potatoes, peeled
3 tablespoons soft butter
1 teaspoon salt

Oven: 400 degrees

Cut the peeled potatoes into 1/2-inch thick strips. Brush with soft butter and sprinkle with salt. Arrange in a single layer in a shallow pan or on a baking sheet. Bake 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown, turning once with a spatula. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Potatoes French Fries Baking

Raisin Macaroons

1 cup finely-crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup seedless raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts
4 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Oven: 350 degrees

Combine crumbs, coconut, raisins and nuts in a small bowl. Beat the egg whites in a mixing bowl until stiff, using a rotary beater. Gradually add the sugar, beating until blended after each addition. Add the vanilla and fold in the crumb mixture.

Drop from a teaspoon on greased baking sheets, flatten each mound slightly with a knife. Bake about 20 minutes or until firm and light brown. Remove from sheets with a wide spatula to wire racks and let cool. Makes about 40 cookies.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cookies Macaroons Baking

Quick Beef Loaf Wellington

2 4 oz. cans sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup packaged biscuit mix
1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Oven: 375 degrees

Drain mushrooms, reserving broth, and a few slices for garnish. Lightly mix together meat, mushrooms, 2 tablespoons mushroom broth, eggs, onion, green pepper, salt, and pepper. Form into a 10 x 3 1/2-inch loaf in a shallow baking pan at least 12x8x2 inches.

Stir biscuit mix, poultry seasoning and 1/4 mushroom broth together to make a soft dough. Roll into a 12x8-inch piece. Cover top and sides of meat with dough, reserving bits of dough for garnish. Arrange bits on top of loaf. Bake 45 minutes. Lift loaf carefully onto a serving platter and garnish with reserved mushrooms. Serves 4-5.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beef Beef Wellington Meat Dishes Mushrooms

Chocolate Crepes

1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
1/2 cup light cream
3/4 cup unsifted flour
Confectioner's sugar
Apricot jam
Whipped cream
Chocolate sauce

Beat eggs until thick and light in color. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and cinnamon.

Combine water and cream. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with the flour. Pour two tablespoons of batter at a time into a hot, well-buttered skillet. Cook, turning once, until browned on both sides.

Spoon one tablespoon of jam into the center of a warm crepe. Roll up, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Makes 12-14 crepes.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chocolate Crepes Chocolate Crepes

Chicken Drumsticks Stuffed With Ham

Perk up those drumsticks with this recipe.

8 chicken drumsticks
1/4 pound (4 slices) cooked ham
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup white cornmeal
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup fat
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoons dried parsley

Oven: 350 degrees

Using a sharp boning knife, slit through skin and meat to bone, cutting lengthwise. With the point of the knife, cut under bone and lift out.

Cut ham slices in half, making eight pieces. Roll ham tightly and place one roll in the center of each drumstick. Roll chicken meat around ham and secure with a toothpick. Mix beaten egg and milk. Mix cornmeal with flour, salt, and pepper, and put in a paper bag.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in the bag and shake well to coat the pieces. Brown in melted fat in a heavy skillet. Then arrange drumsticks in a greased casserole and top with soup and parsley. Cover and bake for about 45 minutes or until done. Remove toothpicks before serving. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Drumsticks Poultry Meat Dishes

Stuffed Zucchini Italiano

6 medium-sized zucchini, halved lengthwise
1/2 pound hot Italian sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/3 cup flavored breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Oven: 350 degrees

Cook zucchini in boiling salted water in a large frying pan for 10 minutes. Lift out carefully. Drain pan. Scoop out insides of zucchini, mash, and drain well. Place shells in a shallow baking pan.

Peel casings from sausages, break up meat and saute in same frying pan five minutes. Stir in onion and garlic. Saute until onion is soft. Stir in mashed zucchini and bread crumbs. Spoon into shells and sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 30 minutes or until heated through. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Zucchini Vegetables Baking

Easy Avocado Salad

This one is quick and simple.

Iceberg Lettuce
1 bunch radishes, trimmed and sliced
2 large, firm ripe avocados
3/4 cup thinly-sliced celery
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper

Line six salad plates with lettuce. Arrange radish slices on top. Halve avocados. Peel, pit, and slice them. Arrange slices over radishes on each plate, dividing equally. Pile celery slices on the center of each.

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well to mix and drizzle over salad. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Salads Avocado Avocado Salad

Pumpkin Egg Nog Pie

Where did the year go? It's time to start bringing out the holiday recipes. This one is for a rich pumpkin pie that doesn't need baking.

1 baked 11-inch pastry shell
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup milk
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
3 egg whites
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum

In a cup, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand to soften. In a heavy saucepan, stir pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until blended. Cook, stirring constantly, until hot.

Beat a little of the pumpkin mixture into the beaten yolks, then stir yolks back into pumpkin mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until hot and bubbly. Add softened gelatin and stir until dissolved. Let cool.

Beat cream until stiff and refrigerate. Combined egg whites and sugar and beat until stiff. Fold meringue and half the whipped cream into the cold pumpkin mixture. Reserve remaining cream for garnish. Fold in rum, pour mixture into pastry shell, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, garnish with remaining whipped cream and candy pumpkins, if desired. Serves eight.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pumpkin Pumpkin Pie Egg Nog Holiday Recipes Pie

Whole Wheat Bread

Making your own takes some work, but it's better than store-bought.

2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
3 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups warm water
6-7 cups whole wheat flour

Oven: 375 degrees

In a large bowl, scatter yeast over the half-cup of warm water and let dissolve. Stir in brown sugar, salt, shortening, two cups of warm water and half the flour. Beat until smooth.

Add enough additional flour for a dough that starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Turn out on a floured board and knead until satiny. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning over once to grease top. Cover with a cloth and allow to rise in a warm place until double in bulk.

Turn dough out onto a floured board and roll or pat into a 10x15-inch rectangle. Roll dough up from the narrow side. Turn ends under and place seam side down in a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan. Cover with cloth and set in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes or until top is well-rounded above edge of pan.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until nicely browned. Turn out on a rack to cool.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Bread Whole Wheat Bread Baking

Shrimp Spanish

If today's barbecue has you full up of meat, try this tomorrow for a change of pace.

1 pound cooked, cleaned, shrimp, diced
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup grated onion
1 tablespoon light cream
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup hot consomme
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup buttered bread crumbs

Oven: 350 degrees

Beat the egg yolks with the salt, cayenne, onion and cream. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Blend in flour. Gradually stir in the consomme, ketchup, and lemon juice. Slowly stir in egg yolk mixture.

Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add shrimp. Turn mixture into a casserole. Cover with buttered crumbs and bake 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Shrimp Seafood

Mustard Chicken

This chicken is crunchy and tasty and no frying in oil!

2 whole chicken breasts, split, boned and skinned
1/2 lemon
salt and fresh-ground pepper
Butter or margarine
1/4 Dijon-style prepared mustard
1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs

Oven: 425 degrees

Rub chicken with cut lemon and blot lightly. Season with salt and pepper. Brush lightly with soft butter and place, skin side up, in a shallow, broiler-proof pan. Roast in the oven, basting twice, 20-25 minutes, or until just tender.

Cool slightly, then spread with mustard. With fingers, press a layer of breadcrumbs evenly over chicken and put back in pan. Drizzle with two tablespoons melted butter. Broil low, at least 6 inches from heat, until crumbs are crisp and golden brown. Watch carefully that crumbs do not burn. Can be served warm or cold. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Poultry Baking Broiling

Welsh Cheddar Cheesecake

Tired of the "same-old same-old" cheesecake? Try this one with real cheese in it for a unique taste experience.

6 ounces zweiback crackers, crushed
3 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
4 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
8 ounces finely-shredded Cheddar cheese (2 cups)
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons flour
5 eggs
3 eggs yolks
1/4 cup beer

Oven: 475/250 Degrees

Combine crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and melted butter in a small bowl. Press firmly over the bottom and partly up the sides of a lightly-buttered 9-inch springform pan. Chill briefly before filling.

Beat softened cream cheese with Cheddar cheese, just until smooth. For best results, cheeses should be at room temperature. Add sugar and flour. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in beer and pour mixture onto crust.

Bake at 475 degrees for 12 minutes. Lower temperature to 250 degrees and bake 1 1/2 hours longer. Turn off heat and leave cake in oven for one hour.

Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Loosen around the edge with a knife and remove side of pan. The top of this cake will likely crack, but this will not affect the flavor in any way. Makes 16 servings.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cheesecake Cheddar Cheese Baking

Peruvian Barbecue

The last big cookout of the year is almost upon us. Try this one to give your barbecue an international flavor.

1 2-pound sirloin steak, 1-inch thick
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried ground chili peppers
6 peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon crushed saffron
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil

Cut steak into 1-inch cubes. Mix salt, chili peppers, peppercorns, saffron, garlic, vinegar and water in a large bowl. Add meat and toss to coat evenly. Chill 24 hours to season.

Lift meat from marinade and thread onto six long skewers. Brush with olive oil. Place skewers on grill about 4 inches above hot coals. Grill, turning and brushing often with marinade, about 10 minutes, or until steak is done as you like it.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Beef Barbecue BBQ Grilling Meat Dishes