Maple Butter Thins

This quick and simple recipe makes thin, tasty cookies just right for afternoon tea or coffee break.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup maple syrup

Oven: 300 degrees

Mix together flour, cornstarch and sugar. Add the butter and syrup. Mix with hands until smooth. Chill one hour or until firm. With hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets with sides at least three inches apart, as these cookies become very thin when baked. Bake about twenty minutes. Makes about three dozen cookies.

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Orange Mustard Sauce

This sauce is especially good over sliced ham or tongue.

6 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/8 teaspoon ginger
Dash of Cayenne
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

In a saucepan, boil the scallions in one cup of water for two minutes. Drain. Combine the remaining ingredients, except rinds, with the scallions until thoroughly blended. Cook over low heat until slightly thickened, about five minutes. Add the rinds and serve hot. Makes about two cups.

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Country Curry Chicken

1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 frying chicken (about 3 pounds), cut up
1/3 cup salad oil
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup currants or raisins
1 large green pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup toasted almond slices (optional)

On a piece of waxed paper, stir together the flour, curry powder, salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Rinse chicken pieces and dry thoroughly with paper towels.

Dredge pieces in seasoned flour, coating well. In a large heavy skillet, heat the salad oil. Add seasoned chicken pieces and brown well on all sides, about fifteen minutes. Sprinkle on any remaining seasoned flour, add the onion, ketchup, water and currants.

Cover tightly and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer gently until chicken is tender, about 35 minutes. Add the green pepper pieces and continue cooking ten minutes more. Serve chicken and sauce over hot, fluffy rice, with a sprinkling of almond slices if desired. Serves six.

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Fruity Pecan Pie

Add a little heft to your next pecan pie with some fruit.

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
2 cups pecans
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup seedless raisins

Oven: 425/350 degrees

Prepare piecrust from a mix or your favorite recipe. Roll out to a 12-inch round on a lightly-floured board and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim overhang to a half-inch, turn under flush with rim, and flute the edge.

Set aside a half-cup of pecans for topping, then coarsely chop the remainder. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one a time, until well-blended. Stir in sour cream, lemon rind, chopped pecans, and fruits.

Spoon into pastry shell and top with reserved pecans. Bake at 425 degrees for ten minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until filling is set, about thirty minutes. Cool pie completely on wire rack before serving. Makes one 9-inch pie.

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Open Face Steak Sandwiches

3 medium-size onions, peeled and thinly-sliced
2 medium green peppers
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
4 cube steaks or small boneless steaks, 1/4-inch thick
4 hero rolls
2 medium tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper

Seed peppers and slice into thin rings. Saute pepper rings and onions in 2 tablespoons butter in a large frying pan until soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm.

Saute steaks in same pan two minutes on each side or until done as you like them. Split rolls almost in half and open flat. Spread with remaining butter and place on serving plates. Cut each tomato into eight slices. Place slices and steaks on rolls. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon onion mixture over steaks. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Steak Steak Sandwiches Beef Meat Dishes

Chocolate Applesauce Cake

1 1/2 cups sifted flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup thick applesauce
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup salad oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Whipped cream
Applesauce

Oven: 350

Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt into a bowl. Add the applesauce, water, salad oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into a greased 8x8x2-inch baking pan.

Bake until cake starts to leave the sides of the pan and springs back when tested in the center with a finger, about 30-35 minutes. Can be served slightly warm or completely cooled. Serve with a spoonful of applesauce and a dollop of whipped cream.

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Ham-Potato Pancakes

When you've got just that little bit of leftover ham.

1 can condensed cream of potato soup
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely-cut leftover cooked ham
Apple or cranberry sauce

Blend soup and flour in a bowl. Add eggs and oil and beat with a rotary beater until smooth. Add ham and pour by large spoonfuls onto a hot, lightly-greased griddle or skillet. Cook, turning only once, until golden brown on both sides. Serve with apple or cranberry sauce. Makes about 16 medium pancakes.

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Sausage Cheese Noodle Bake

A quick and hearty dish when you haven't a lot of time to cook.

1 pound pork sausage meat
1 clove garlic, pureed
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
6 ounces medium egg noodles
12 ounces creamed cottage cheese
6 slices process American cheese

Oven: 325 degrees

In a large heavy skillet, cook the sausage meat, breaking it up with a fork, until all the pink color is gone. Drain off the fat. Add the garlic and tomato sauce.

Cook the noodles in boiling salted water until tender and drain. In a 2-quart baking dish, arrange half the noodles in a layer. Top with half the cottage cheese, half the American cheese, and half the sausage. Repeat the layers. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve hot from the dish. Serves four.

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Old Fashioned Bread Pudding

Sometimes, the simple desserts are the best.

4 cups soft bread cubes
2 cups milk
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup seedless raisins

Oven: 350 degrees

Place the bread cubes in a buttered 1-1/2 quart baking dish and set aside. Scald milk and butter. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, salt, cinnamon and raisins.

Stir some of the milk into the egg mixture, then gradually add the entire milk mixture, stirring constantly. Pour over the bread cubes. Bake until a silver knife inserted an inch from the edge comes out clean, about forty minutes. Serves six to eight.

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Quick Fudge Brownies

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup sifted flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Oven: 325 degrees

Melt chocolate and butter over hot water. Cool slightly. Beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually beat in sugar, blending well. Blend in melted chocolate mixture. Stir in flour, mixing well. Add vanilla and nuts.

Spread into a greased and floured 9x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes away clean, about 40 minutes or so. Let cool in pan on a rack then cut into bars. Makes eighteen bars.

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Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

2 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2/3 cup milk

Oven: 450 degrees

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the grated cheese and milk, mixing well.

Turn out dough on a floured board and knead briefly, about a minute or two. Roll or pat dough into a thickness of about 3/4-inch. Shape biscuits with a 2-inch biscuit cutter or glass dipped in flour.

Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake until browned, about twelve minutes. Serve hot. Leftover biscuits can be reheated in the top of a covered double boiler or wrapped in foil in the oven. Makes 12 biscuits.

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Rum Pudding With Raspberry Sauce

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
4 eggs, separated
1/4 cup light rum
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Fresh strawberries (optional)
Raspberry Sauce

In the top part of a double boiler, mix the gelatin, a half-cup of sugar, and the salt. Stir in the milk and heat to scalding. Beat egg yolks slightly and gradually stir in milk mixture. Put over simmering water and cook, stirring, until mixture coats a metal spoon.

Add rum, cool, then chill until mixture begins to set. Beat egg whites until foamy, then gradually add remaining half-cup of sugar and beat until stiff. Fold with whipped cream into chilled mixture. Pour into a 2-quart mold rinsed with cold water and chill four hours or overnight. Unmold and fill center with strawberries if desired. Serve with the sauce. Serves eight.

Raspberry Sauce

Thaw one box (10 oz.) frozen raspeberries. Put into a saucepan and crush. Stir in one teaspoon cornstarch mixed with a little cold water. Put over low heat and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. If not sweet enough, add a little sugar. Chill.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Puddings Rum Pudding Desserts Raspberry Sauce

Beef Stew With Mushrooms And Peppers

1 1/2 pounds beef cubes (1 inch)
2 tablespoons shortening
1 can beef broth
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 large clove garlic, minced
Dash Tabasco sauce
Generous dash pepper
2 large onions, quartered
1 small green pepper, cut in 1-inch squares
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons flour

In a large skillet, brown beef in shortening. Pour off fat. Add broth, 1/4 cup water, ketchup, mustard, garlic, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer one and a half hours.

Add onions and cook forty minutes more. Add green pepper and mushrooms. Cook twenty minutes longer or until tender. Stir now and then during cooking.

Gradually blend remaining 1/4 cup of water with flour until smooth. Slowly stir into stew. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Serves six.

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Orange Prune Pie

9-inch double-crust pastry
2 cups pitted prunes
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups orange juice
Grated rind of one lemon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Whipped cream (optional)

Oven: 400 degrees

Line a 9-inch pie pan with bottom crust and fill with prunes and raisins. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Slowly stir in orange juice and cook, stirring, until mixture comes to a boil.

Add lemon rind and butter and cool. Pour over fruit in pan. Adjust top crust, flute edges, and prick top. Bake about 35 minutes. Cool throughly before cutting. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pies Fruit Pies Oranges Prunes Orange Prune Pie

Salmon Steaks With Lemon Butter

4 salmon steaks, about 3/4-inches thick
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice
Paprika
Lemon slices
Dill sprigs (optional)

Sprinkle both sides of steaks with salt and pepper. Put in a foil-lined broiler pan. Mix butter, lemon rind and juice, and brush on fish. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and broil 2 inches from medium heat about 5-6 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Brush again with butter mixture, turn carefully, brush with mixture, and sprinkle lightly with paprika. Broil another 5-6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Brush with remaining mixture. Garnish with lemon slices and dill sprigs, if desired. Serves four.

Note: If using frozen salmon, be sure it is completely thawed first.

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Country Chowder

It's the time of year for hearty soups, and this one is sure to please a hungry crowd.

1 pound sausage meat, crumbled
1 medium-size onion, chopped
1 can (about a pound) white potatoes
1/4 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 10-1/2 oz. can cream of celery
1 10-1/2 oz. can vegetable soup
3 soup cans milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 8-oz can lima beans, drained
Salt and pepper

Drain and dice potatoes into quarter-inch pieces. In a large, heavy skillet, brown the sausage meat, breaking up with a fork as it cooks, about ten minutes. Drain all but two tablespoons of fat. Add chopped onion, diced potatoes, seasonings and parsley. Cook until onion is tender, about fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally.

Turn into a large saucepan or kettle. Add celery and vegetable soups, milk, Worcestershire sauce and drained lima beans. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and reheat about ten minutes. Serve immediately. Serves eight or more.

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Spicy Fruit-Nut Cake

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/8 teaspoon salt
3/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3/8 teaspoon ginger
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cut-up pitted prunes, cooked or moist-pack
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup golden raisins

Frosting
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioner's sugar

Oven: 350 degrees

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy. Sift flour and dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Stir in prunes (well-drained if cooked), nuts, and raisins.

Turn into a buttered 8-inch square pan and bake about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool in pan five minutes. Turn out onto wire rack and cool thoroughly. Cut in three lengthwise strips. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Servings depend on how the cake is cut.

Frosting: Beat all ingredients together until light and fluffy. Beat in enough confectioner's sugar to make a spreading consistency.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Cakes Spice Cake Baking Desserts

Three Vegetable Casserole

Frozen vegetables can be a big help when you don't have time to prepare fresh ones.

1 package frozen cut green beans
1 package frozen Fordhook lima beans
1 package frozen peas
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Paprika

Oven: 325 Degrees

Cook each vegetable separately as directed on package, then mix together. COmbine sour cream and mayonnaise and mix with vegetables. Place in a shallow 2-quart baking dish and sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake for twenty minutes. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Vegetables Casseroles Lima Beans href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/Peas" rel="tag">Peas href="http://www.technorati.com/tag/green+beans" rel="tag">Green Beans

Auntie's Tea Cake

1/2 cup soft shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup sifted brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup finely-slivered citron
1/2 cup finely-chopped walnuts
3/4 cup water
Confectioners sugar

Oven: 350 degrees

In a bowl, combine shortening, salt, vanilla and nutmeg. Gradually beat in brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and baking powder and sift three times.

Add one tablespoon of sifted flour mix to citron and nuts and mix well. Add a small amount of flour at a time to sugar mixture alternately with the water, beating thoroughly after each addition. Blend in the citron and nuts, mixing well.

Pour into a well-greased and floured 9x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake until the cake begins to leave the sides of the pan, or a cask tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50-55 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool thoroughly before cutting into bars or squares. Sprinkle with a little confectioners sugar. Serves eight or more.

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Broiled Swordfish

A touch of curry powder gives some zip to this dish.

1/4 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced onuion
2 tablespoons bottled steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 pounds swordfish steaks, 1-inch thick
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Chopped parsley

Broil temperature: 500 degrees

Mix lemon juice, onion, steak sauce and curry powder. Put steaks into a shallow pan. Pour marinade over fish and marinate one hour. Remove fish to greased foil on a broiler pan.

Stir butter, salt and pepper into marinade. Brush fish with marinade and broil seven minutes in preheated broiler three inches from heat. Turn and baste with marinade. Continue broiling until fish flakes easily. Place on a heated platter. Heat remaining marinade with juice from steaks. Pour over fish and top with parsely. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Fish Swordfish Broiled Swordfish Seafood

Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup raw oats
1/4 cup sifted flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 medium-size tart apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup water
Whipped cream

Oven: 350 degrees

In a bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar and salt. With a pastry blender, cut in butter and peanut butter until crumbly. Peel, core, and thinly-slice the apples. Place slices in a buttered 2-quart baking dish or casserole. Sprinkle with lemon juice and water. Spoon peanut butter mixture over apples. Bake until apples are tender and top is browned, about forty minutes. Serve hot or cold with whipped cream. Serves six or more.

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Chicken Wings With Dumplings

3 pounds chicken wings
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 chicken bouillon cubes
3 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons water

Batter
1 1/2 cups biscuit mix
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

In a large heavy kettle, brown wings in the oil. Stir in vegetables and cook, stirring, until vegetables begin to brown, about ten minutes. Add salt and pepper. Dissolve bouillon cubes in the boiling water. Add to wings and simmer about an hour, or until meat begins to fall from the bones. Correct for seasoning if necessary. Blend flour with the two tablespoons of water and stir into wings mixture.

Blend together batter ingredients and drop by spoonfuls into the the kettle, making eight dumplings. Cover and cook until dumplings are done, about ten minutes. Serves four.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Chicken Chicken Wings Dumplings Poultry

Hamburger Party Casserole

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 pound chopped round steak
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon basil
2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce
1 8-oz. package wide noodles, cooked and drained
1/2 pint creamy cottage cheese
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/3 cup chopped onions or chives
1/3 cup chopped green pepper

Oven: 350 degrees

In a heavy skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter over low heat. Add the meat and cook until redness disappears, about five minutes. Mix in seasonings and tomato sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a bowl, combine the cooked noodles, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream and poppy seed. In a saucepan, cook the onions and green pepper in the remaining two tablespoons of butter until soft, about five minutes. Add to the noodle mixture, blending thoroughly.

Arrange noodle mixture in the bottom of a buttered 2-quart casserole. Spread the meat mixture over noodles. Bake until brown on top, about twenty minutes. Garnish with green pepper and pimiento if desired. Serves six.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Hamburger Casseroles Beef Meat Dishes Hamburger Casserole

Mini Meringue Mushrooms

2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Oven: 250 degrees

Grease two large cookie sheets. Flour them lightly, and tap off any excess. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and almond extract until foamy-white and double in volume.

Sprinkle in sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating all the time until sugar dissolves completely and meringue stands in firm peaks. Attach a plain tip to a pastry bag and spoon in meringue.

Mushroom caps: press meringue out in 1-1/2 inch rounds. Smooth tops, if necessary, with a knife but do not flatten.

Stems: Hold bag upright, then press out meringue, pulling straight up for about 1-1/2 inches.

Bake in slow oven about thirty minutes or until firm but not brown. Let stand several minutes on sheets. Loosen carefully with a small knife and remove to racks to cool completely.

Melt chocolate in a cup over hot water. Working carefully, make a small hollow in the underside of each cap with the tip of a wooden spoon. Fill hollow with melted chocolate. Press a stem into the hollow. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Sprinkle tops with cocoa if desired. Store in a tightly covered container in a dry place. Makes about two dozen.

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Fricassee of Veal With Noodles

3 cups chicken broth
1 onion, studded with cloves
2 sprigs parsley
1 teaspoon salt
3 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 carrot peeled and chopped
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup salad oil
3 pounds veal shoulder in 2-inch cubes
5 tablespoons flour
6 carrots peeled and sliced
12 whole pearl onions peeled and sliced
1 8-oz package wide noodles
3/4 pound sliced mushrooms
1 cup water or chicken broth


In a saucepan, combine 3 cups chicken broth, onion, parsley, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf and chopped carrot. Heat to the boiling point. In a heavy kettle, heat the butter and salad oil. Roll veal cubes in three tablespoons of flour and brown on all sides in the kettle, about ten minutes.

Add hot broth to meat. Cover and simmer until meat is almost tender, about two hours. Remove meat to a platter. Strain broth and return to kettle. Add the veal, sliced carrots and pearl onions. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about twenty minutes.

Add the noodles, one cup of water, and mushrooms. Cover and cook until noodles are tender. With a slotted spoon, remove solids to a heated platter. Combine 2 tablespoons flour with a quarter-cup water and stir into broth. Cook until thickened. Pour over food on platter. Serves six or more.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Veal Fricassee Veal Fricassee Meat Dishes

Mini Apricot Turnovers

Having the neighbors in for coffee? Try these!

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into cup
1/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
Milk
Apricot preserves

Oven: 425 degrees

Put flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl and cut in butter until fine crumbs are formed. Break eggs into an 8-ounce measuring cup and fill with milk. Add to the first mixture and stir with a fork to form a soft dough.

Turn out on a lightly-floured board and knead a few turns. Roll to a rectangle a quarter-inch thick. With a floured knife, cut dough into 2-1/2 inch squares. Place a half-teaspoon of preserves in the center of each square and fold over to form a triangle. Put on ungreased baking sheets and bake about twelve minutes. Makes about 20 turnovers.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Pastries Turnovers Apricot Apricot Turnovers

Double Apple Sauce

Put something different on your pancakes or waffles.

1 cup applesauce
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
Dash of salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat about ten minutes, or until thick and syrupy. Serve hot on pancakes or waffles. Makes about 2 cups.

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Baked Lima Beans With Pork

Got some pork leftovers? Give this a try.

1 pound dried large lima beans
6 cups water
1 onion, chopped
Pork broth or water
3 tablespoons molasses
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Salt
Pieces of leftover pork
Brown sugar

Oven: 400 degrees

Wash beans and place in a large kettle. Add six cups of water, bring to a boil, and boil two minutes. Cover and let stand one hour. Add the onion and two to three cups pork broth (or water) and cook one hour longer, or until beans are tender, adding more liquid if necessary.

Drain off liquid and reserve two cups. Add molasses, mustard, and salt to taste (1 or 2 teaspoons) to reserved liquid. Mix liquid with the beans and put in a large, shallow, baking dish. Add the pork. Sprinkle with about two tablespoons brown sugar. Bake about twenty-five minutes. Serves six.

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Banana Coconut Cake

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup mashed bananas
1 cup sifted cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk, heated
1 teaspoon vanilla

Oven: 350 degrees

Coconut Glaze

3 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 bananas, sliced
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Broil: 500 degrees

In a bowl, beat eggs until thick. Gradually add the sugar, beating until fluffy and light-colored. Beat in the mashed bananas. Combine the warm buttermilk and vanilla. Stir into the egg mixture the sifted flour, soda and salt alternately with the buttermilk until blended.

Pour into a greased and floured 9-inch pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes away clean, about 30 minutes. Remove to rack and cool completely.

When cold, turn out on a baking sheet. Heat butter, brown sugar, and cream together. Remove from heat and add the coconut. Arrange banana slices on cake. Spoon coconut mixture over bananas. Broil until bubbly and golden, about three minutes. Remove to rack. Serve with whipped cream. Makes nine slices.

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Quick Franks In Blankets

Here's something fast and easy, after all that holiday cooking!

1-1/2 cups all purpose buttermilk biscuit mix
1/3 cup water
Prepared mustard
8 frankfurters
Pickles (optional)

Oven: 450 degrees

With a fork, stir water into biscuit mix to form a soft dough. Gently smooth into a ball on a floured board. Knead five turns, then roll out into a 12-inch circle.

Cut into eight wedges and spread each wedge with mustard. Make a slit in each frank and insert a thin strip of pickle if desired. Put a hotdog on each wedge and roll up, beginning with the wide end. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake about fifteen minutes. Makes eight franks in blankets.

Technorati Tags: Recipes Food Frankfurters Hotdogs Franks In Blankets Franks Meat Dishes