ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH GOLDEN RAISINS and GINGER HONEY CARROTS and STUFFED MINI BELL PEPPERS and SAUTEED PARSNIPS WITH DATES AND SPICED YOGURT and RED CABBAGE WITH ASIAN FLAVORS and BROCCOLINI WITH PEAS AND SEARED LEMONS

A recent conversation with a friend was focussed on meals for the kids when the adults are going out to eat.
I don't want to cook a full dinner before I go out to dine -  I usually don't have the time and chances are I will snack (extensively) on what I am making, so I have tended to choose the quick, easy and often more expensive option of picking up fast food.
However, my friend and I discussed some healthy, reasonable (time and money) options - putting a pre-seasoned pork loin in the crock pot, freezing extra portions from previous dinners to have on hand for busy nights, my husband just last week, picked up a fully cooked rotisserie chicken for the kids when I was out with a friend one night, and what I tend to do when I really don't want to make a trip for fast food - prepare a vegetable side dish to accompany a quick and easy protein - pan fried chicken breast, or ham steak, the aforementioned pork loin, even a poached egg, deli turkey or grilled cheese sandwich.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH GOLDEN RAISINS

1 head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Heat oven to 375F.
Spread the cauliflower on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and toss well. Roast for about 40 minutes, until tender, adding the raisins in the last 5 to 6 minutes of cooking.
Transfer cauliflower and raisins to a bowl, sprinkle with the cheese and the parsley before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, February 2011
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

GINGER HONEY CARROTS

1 1/2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 pounds of carrots, sliced diagonally into 1 inch chunks
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl, whisk 1 cup water with honey, rice vinegar and salt until well combined, set aside.
Add butter to medium saucepan and heat over medium high. Add carrots and saute for 5 minutes or until just slightly tender. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds more. Add honey mixture to saucepan and bring to a boil. Then cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes or until carrots are tender. Remove lid, increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is almost gone. Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Shape Magazine, November 2013
www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes‎

STUFFED MINI BELL PEPPERS

1/3 cup cream cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
5 mini bell peppers

Heat oven to 350F.
Combine cream cheese, cilantro, sour cream, green onions, shallots and lemon juice, season to taste with salt and pepper.
Halve bell peppers lengthwise, discard seeds. Divide cheese mixture evenly among pepper halves. Place peppers on baking sheet, bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Grill under high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until peppers and cheese are lightly browned.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, May 2012
www.cookinglight.com/

SAUTEED PARSNIPS WITH DATES AND SPICED YOGURT

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds parsnips, peeled and sliced on the diagonal 1/2 inch thick
6 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 1/2 cups sliced pitted Medjool dates
5 rosemary sprigs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground sumac

Heat oven to 350F.
In a large skillet, heat 3/4 cup olive oil. Add half the parsnips to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until golden and barely tender, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the parsnips to a roasting pan. Repeat with the remaining parsnips, adding the garlic.
Scrape the parsnips and any oil into the roasting pan. Add the dates and rosemary sprigs, season with salt and pepper and roast for about 8 to 10 minutes, just until the parsnips are tender and the dates are slightly caramelized. Transfer the parsnips and dates to a platter.
In a bowl, whisk the yogurt with the lemon juice, sumac and the remaining 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with salt. Serve the roasted parsnips and dates, passing the spiced yogurt at the table.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, December 2011
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

RED CABBAGE WITH ASIAN FLAVORS

1/8 cup olive oil
12 ounces of thinly sliced red cabbage
3 minced garlic cloves
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/4 cup mirin
1/2 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
1 green onion, chopped

Heat oil in a skillet. Add cabbage, garlic, pepper and onion and stir fry for 5 minutes.
Add the sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and mirin, and cook for a couple more minutes.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food.com
http://www.food.com/recipe/red-cabbage-touched-with-asian-flavors-155361

BROCCOLINI WITH PEAS AND SEARED LEMONS

Cook 2 pounds of broccolini in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Add 8 ounces of swiss chard and a cup of peas.
Simmer for 4 minutes, drain. Cook 1 thinly sliced lemon in butter in a skillet utnil browned.
Add the vegetables, 1/4 cup chicken broth, and a heavy sprinkle of crushed red pepper to the pan and toss gently. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

TRAVEL TUESDAY - NEW ORLEANS - KING CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE CINNAMON FILLING and KING CAKE WITH BOURBON AND PECANS

Happy Mardi Gras!
I have always loved New Orleans - from the minute I stepped off the plane to take my licensing exam, into the hot and humid summer. Quite a surprise, having just come from the middle of a New Zealand winter.
One of my favorite trips there in recent times, was for the Rotary International Convention - I had a glimpse into parts of the city I had never seen before. There was incredible home cooking, as people from different Rotary clubs fed us, we were able to stroll through the Aquarium after hours, sipping a glass of wine, and we were with friends who introduced us to restaurants and bars we hadn't known about.

One of the fun bars our friends took us to

Jazz band we saw while walking back to our hotel one evening

Although it wasn't Mardi Gras at that time - we have experienced many in New Orleans as my husband rode in a parade for numerous years.
A King Cake is a tasty treat, most plentiful around Mardi Gras time, and one I remember fondly from my days in Louisiana. Although you can buy them up here in Arkansas, they tend to be a little more elusive than down South, so I thought I would attempt to make one for the very first time.
The King Cake with Cream Cheese Cinnamon Filling is a simplified version, using crescent rolls for the dough, perfect to put together for a quick breakfast, snack or dessert.
However the King Cake with Bourbon and Pecans takes a little more preparation.
I planned to start it the day before Mardi Gras, but despite having been to the supermarket twice in three days, I still hadn't picked up the bread flour required in the recipe. My daughter was in a musical at school, and once we were home from that, I finally remembered the essential missing ingredient.
A final trip to the supermarket and I was ready to begin. Unfortunately, I was feeling a little weary by this time, I didn't read the recipe through thoroughly, thoughtlessly used the blender instead of the food processor and hadn't taken into account the hour and a half initial time to let the dough rise, and then the final three hours before I could put it in the refrigerator and call it a night - at 1 AM!
Although this project seemed to be doomed from the start - my cake actually turned out light and flaky and really delicious, with a perfect ratio of filling to crust.

KING CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE CINNAMON FILLING

2 (8 ounce) cans crescent rolls (I used one, but really did need the second can)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350F.
Coat a 10 inch round pizza pan or dish with cooking spray.
Separate crescent rolls at perforations, place slices around prepared pan with points in the center. About half way down from points, press the seams together.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners sugar and vanilla until creamy. Spread on dough in the center where the seams have been pressed together.
In another small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and cinnamon with a fork, until crumbly.
Sprinkle over cream cheese. Fold dough points over filling, then fold bottom of triangle over points forming a circular king cake shape.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and drizzle with icing.

ICING
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, drizzle over baked cake.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Morning News, February 2009

KING CAKE WITH BOURBON AND PECANS

FOR THE CAKE
1/3 cup milk
1 package active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
2 large egg yolks, plus 2 eggs
3 tablespoons sugar
finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the bowl
FOR THE FILLING AND GLAZE
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup bourbon
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup confectioners sugar

MAKE THE CAKE
Heat the milk in a saucepan until scalding, transfer to a food processor, add the yeast and pulse to combine. Add 1/2 cup flour and the egg yolks, process to combine. Pour the remaining 2 cups flour evenly over the yeast mixture, do not process. Put the lid on, set aside for 90 minutes.
Add the 2 whole eggs, sugar, lemon zest, salt and nutmeg to the food processor. Process to make a slightly textured dough, about 1 minute. With the machine running, slowly add the butter to make a smooth, sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 3 hours. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead briefly. Form into a ball and return to the bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
MAKE THE FILLING
Plump the raisins in the bourbon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from the heat and add the brown sugar, pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest and salt, mix until combined and set aside.
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 20 by 7 inch rectangle, with the long edge facing you. Spoon the filling in an even layer over the dough, leaving a 1 inch border along the top and bottom. Fold the bottom and then the top edge over the filling to make a tight roll, pinch to seal.
Transfer the roll seam side down to a parchment lined baking sheet, tuck one end into the other to form a ring. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until the roll doubles in size, about 2 hours.
Heat the oven to 350F. Bake the cake until firm and golden brown, about 40 minutes. Cool on a rack.
MAKE THE GLAZE
Mix 3 tablespoons water with the confectioners sugar, brush 3 tablespoons of glaze over the cake, then drizzle with the remaining glaze.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food Network Kitchens
www.foodnetwork.com › Recipes › Baking › Cakes

TRIPLE ONION DIP and ENDIVE WITH SMOKED TROUT AND HERBED CREAM CHEESE and SAUSAGE BALLS WITH APRICOT BALSAMIC DIPPING SAUCE and CHICKEN SALAD, WATERCRESS AND BACON SANDWICHES and BOURBON BROWNIES and LEMON DREAM PIE

The Chase Family Foundation was formed in 2008, out of tragedy and upbringing a determination to help the hungry, elderly and abused women throughout Northwest Arkansas was fostered and strengthened.
During the first year alone, The Chase Family Foundation provided over 21,000 meals through the Ozark Food Bank and Meals on Wheels program, and they have also been responsible for providing Christmas cheer to over 500 people - taking bags full of gifts to home bound seniors, who otherwise would not have received anything. The first Christmas this was offered, not one of 120 men and women asked for a frivolous item - every single request was for a necessity, and if they had a cat or dog, a case of pet food was also delivered.
This past Christmas when my dear friend was describing this caring, compassionate and time consuming project, I offered at the very least, to deliver refreshments for the hard working folk sorting the donations and putting the bags together, and was excited and thankful to be able to contribute and help out in a small way.
In order to maintain all of this wonderful work, and to continue to provide for others, a Mardi Gras themed Fundraising event will be held Tuesday, March 4th, from 6 to 10pm, at the Springdale Country Club, with all proceeds going directly to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank -
for more information please visit chasefamilyfoundation.com/‎

TRIPLE ONION DIP

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 to 1 red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1 cup greek yogurt

Heat oven to 350F.
Heat skillet over high heat. Add olive oil, shallots, green onions, red onion and thyme. Lower heat to medium, cook, stirring occasionally until shallots are golden, about 5 minutes.
Add cream cheese and yogurt, stir until well mixed. Transfer mixture to a baking dish, bake until heated through and bubbling.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray
www.rachaelray.com/‎

ENDIVE WITH SMOKED TROUT AND HERBED CREAM CHEESE

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces smoked trout fillets, chopped
1/2 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4 heads of Belgian endive
fresh dill sprigs

Mix cream cheese, smoked trout, dill, green onions and lemon peel in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Separate endive into leaves. Place a spoonful of cream cheese mixture on the base end of each leaf. Garnish with a dill sprig. Arrange filled leaves on a plate.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, November 2003
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

SAUSAGE BALLS WITH APRICOT BALSAMIC DIPPING SAUCE

1 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup spicy brown mustard
1 1/4 pounds bulk Italian sweet sausage meat
6 ounces pork sausage
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 cup Italian bread crumbs

Heat oven to 425F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar and cook until vinegar is reduced to 2 tablespoons. Remove from heat and stir in apricot preserves and mustard and mix well. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine sausage and chopped sage. Add 2 tablespoons of the apricot-vinegar mixture to the sausage mixture. Form sausage into balls, then roll in bread crumbs.
Arrange sausage balls on prepared baking sheet. Bake, 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until sausage balls are cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then serve with apricot dipping sauce.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Arkansas Democrat Gazette, April 2010
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

CHICKEN SALAD, WATERCRESS AND BACON SANDWICHES

4 slices of applewood smoked bacon1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1/2 shallot, finely chopped
2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 to 1 1/2 pounds of chicken tenders, cooked, cut into small dice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 bread cases (roll pieces of white bread flat, cut out circles and press into a greased mini-muffin tin, bake in a 350F oven until lightly browned and crisp)
2 small plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices
16 watercress leaves

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until browned and crisp all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, then cut each slice into 4 pieces.
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, celery, shallot, minced parsley and lemon juice. Stir in the diced chicken and season the salad with salt and pepper.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of the chicken salad into each bread case, garnish with the bacon pieces, sliced tomato and watercress.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine, September 2008
www.foodandwine.com/recipes‎

BOURBON BROWNIES

1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons bourbon
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350F.
Grease an 8 by 8 inch baking pan, set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine 1/3 cup butter, sugar and water. Cook and stir over medium heat just until boiling. Remove from the heat. Add 1 cup of the chocolate chips, stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in eggs and vanilla, beating lightly with a spoon just until combined. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until edges are set and begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Using a fork, prick the warm brownies all over. Drizzle bourbon evenly over brownies, cool in pan on a wire rack.
For the Frosting: in a small mixing bowl, beat the 3 tablespoons of butter with an elector mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 2 teaspoons of the milk and vanilla. If necessary, beat in the remaining milk to reach spreading consistency.
Spread over brownies.
Enjoy!

LEMON DREAM PIE

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided use
3 eggs, divided use
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons finely grated meyer lemon peel
1/3 cup meyer lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Heat oven to 350F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat at medium speed, the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1 of the eggs until smooth. Arrange the pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the pie crust.
In the same bowl, beat 1/4 cup of the sugar, the remaining 2 eggs, corn syrup, lemon peel, lemon juice, butter and cornstarch, until well blended.
Pour over cream cheese layer. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over lemon mixture. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until filling is puffed and set. Cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, December 2002
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

BLUE CHEESE SHORTBREAD STARS WITH CREAM CHEESE CHUTNEY ROULADE

It seems almost every meal over this past month has been made up of appetizers - appetizers and cookies!!!
These Blue Cheese Shortbread Leaves are delicious, and can be cut into any shape to fit the occasion.

BLUE CHEESE SHORTBREAD LEAVES WITH CREAM CHEESE CHUTNEY ROULADE

SHORTBREAD
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup walnuts, finely chopped
ROULADE
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese
1/3 cup chutney of your choice
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

TO MAKE THE SHORTBREAD
Blend the blue cheese and butter in a processor until creamy. Add flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Pocess until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add walnuts and process just until moist clumps form. Gather dough into a ball. Flatten into a disk. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate utnil firm, about an hour.
Heat oven to 325F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough between sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4 inch thickness. Remove top sheet. Use a cookie cutter to cut out star shapes. Transfer stars to prepared baking sheets. Gather dough scraps and reroll, cut out additional stars.
Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer stars to rack and cool.
TO MAKE THE ROULADE
Using a rolling pin, flatten cream cheese between sheets of plastic wrap, roll into 10 by 8 inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of plastic wrap. Spread 1/3 cup chutney atop cream cheese rectangle, leaving a 1 inch plain border. Sprinkle chutney with 2 tablespoons of greeen onions. Using plastic as an aid, and starting at 1 long side, roll up cream cheese, jelly roll style, into log. Gently. Wrap roulade tightly with plastic, refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
Place roulade on a platter, surround with shortbread stars and top with black pepper, sliced green onions or extra chutney.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, November 2002
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

TRAVEL TUESDAY - FAIRFIELD BAY, ARKANSAS - HOT CHICKEN DIP and CRAB MORNAY

We have a wonderful Thanksgiving Tradition, a beautiful legacy inherited from my husbands parents. They had time share properties, and would book multiple condos for the Thanksgiving week - one per family. It is perfect, as every one has their own space, and being somewhere neutral, means no individual has all the stress of hosting.
Although our group doesn't always go to Fairfield Bay, we have spent the last few years there. It is a retirement community that contains, among other things, a bowling alley, ice cream store, a golf course - and offers a schedule of the upcoming weeks activities on arrival - such as Open Pickleball Play and Ukranian Egg Decorating. The Ozark Folk Center and Blanchard Springs Caverns are close by, and we have found some gorgeous hiking areas. But part of the appeal of Fairfield Bay is the limited amount of activities  - we do a lot of relaxing, and the cousins love to play and make their own fun where ever they are.
I love our mealtime schedule, we fend for ourselves and any one who happens to be in reach, at breakfast and lunch, and each family takes an evening to cook. I am always so excited to see what everyone is going to prepare - and was especially curious to see what spread WE were going to lay out this year, as we accidentally left our ice chest, full of the dinner we had planned to serve, languishing in the garage at home. Thankfully our house sitters rescued it - and told us it was the best pork they had ever eaten. I did manage to find the ingredients for the appetizers - so we at least had Hot Chicken Dip and Crab Mornay.
We all cook and contribute to the Thanksgiving Day feast, and I love that, apart from a couple of dishes that have become staples over the years, our family is always open and willing to try new recipes. Each year brings a new method of cooking the turkey, different ways to prepare the stuffing and side dishes, and a changing array of desserts.
I must admit, I used to look at the beautifully set Thanksgiving tables in glossy magazines with longing and envy, but now I wouldn't have our Holiday any other way. Plain white condo crockery, paper napkins, the enormous amount of excitement and chaos with 18 people all trying to get a plate of food in a tiny kitchen, comfortable clothing and wonderful conversation - all adds to our particular, unique, wonderfully special day.

HOT CHICKEN DIP

Heat oven to 350F. Place 2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened, and 1 (10 ounce) can of cream of chicken soup in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Stir in 1 (12.5 ounce) can of chicken breast in water, drained and flaked, 1/3 cup coarsely chopped jarred pickled sliced jalapeño peppers, and 1 tablespoon of pickled jalapeno pepper juice from a jar. Spoon into a lightly greased 8 inch baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is browned and bubbly.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, March 2013
www.southernliving.com/food/‎

CRAB MORNAY

1/2 cup butter
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups cream
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
2 tablespoons sherry
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 pound crabmeat
1/2 cup chopped parsley

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, add onions, and saute 3 minutes or until tender. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Add cream and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and sauce begins to bubble. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese until smooth. Stir in sherry, salt and pepper. Gently fold in crabmeat and parsley.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, December 2013
www.southernliving.com/food/‎

FUNNY CAKE and VANILLA CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I was rushing to meet friends for lunch, a lovely birthday celebration for lovely ladies. I stopped by a local bakery to pick up petit fours for them, and because I wasn't sure I would have time to bake or make a snack for my kids and their friends after school, I also purchased cake pops and adorable football themed cookies.
As it happened, there was plenty of time to mix up this Funny Cake and settle it into the oven to cook, while the kids were happily playing and entertaining each other.

FUNNY CAKE

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup cold water
Frosting - recipe to follow

Heat oven to 350F.
Place a sifter in an 8-inch square baking pan. Add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to sifter and sift into pan.
Using a mixing spoon, make three wells in the dry flour mixture. Add vanilla to one well, add the vegetable oil to another well, and add the vinegar to the third well. Pour the cold water over the mixture, distributing it evenly. Stir gently until no lumps remain. Bake cake for 35 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from the pan.
Cool in pan on a wire rack. Once cool, spread the frosting on the cake and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, September 2011
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

VANILLA CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla paste
2 cups confectioners sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, with an electric mixer. Add vanilla paste and confectioners sugar and beat until smooth and spreadable.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, May 2009
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

PUMPKIN PATCH DIPPERS and AUTUMN LEAVES WITH PEANUT BUTTER DIP

Here are a couple of fun Fall ideas for the kids - although to be honest, I enjoyed them too!! I made the Pumpkin Patch Dippers and Autumn Leaves with Peanut Butter Dip for an after school refreshment, as a cheerful, lighthearted way to greet the kids when they came home with their friends.

PUMPKIN PATCH DIPPERS

Peel a large carrot and cut it into 1/4 inch thick coins. Slide a piece of parsley onto a toothpick, then skewer each coin. Thread a sliced green onion stem onto each toothpick. Serve the "pumpkins" in a plate of hummus.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Family Fun, October 2012
www.parents.com/familyfun-magazine/‎

AUTUMN LEAVES WITH PEANUT BUTTER DIP

LEAVES
Heat oven to 400F.
Use a cookie cutter to make leaf shapes, spritz them with cooking spray, and sprinkle with raw sugar.
Bake for 3 to 4 minutes.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Parents Magazine, October 2009
www.parents.com/recipes/‎

PEANUT BUTTER DIP
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1/2 of an 8 ounce container of whipped topping
1/4 cup apple butter
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

Mix all ingredients together.
Enjoy!

GLAZED MEATLOAF and LUSCIOUS POTATO CASSEROLE and PEAS WITH SPRING ONIONS AND MINT

A friend recently had surgery, and I offered to bring her and her family dinner. She requested meatloaf, and I baked brownies to finish off the meal.

GLAZED MEATLOAF

750 grams of ground beef
1 1/2 cups of fresh breadcrumbs (I didn't add these the second time I made this dish, and I liked it better without)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
GLAZE
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce

Heat oven to 375F.
Grease a loaf pan.
Combine all meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl, mix well.
Press herbed ground beef mixture evenly into prepared pan.
Bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until firm.
Drain away any fat, stand meatloaf in pan for 10 minutes, turn onto an oven tray. Combine all glaze ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Brush glaze over meatloaf, bake for about 10 minutes, or until well browned.
Allow meatloaf to stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Australian Womens Weekly, October 1991
aww.ninemsn.com/recipe-search/‎

LUSCIOUS POTATO CASSEROLE

1/4 cup butter
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons salt
pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 package of frozen hash browns
2 cups shredded cheese
2 tablespoons butter

Melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat, stir until melted.
Remove from the heat, stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, green onion, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Add hash browns and shredded cheese, mixing gently. Pour into a buttered 2 quart casserole dish, dot with 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake at 350F for 50 minutes.
Enjoy! Please share recipedoodle with your family and friends!

Recipe adapted from The Morning News, June 2006

PEAS WITH SPRING ONIONS AND MINT

4 cups of frozen peas
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 spring onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick
salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
freshly ground black pepper

In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the peas until they are just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
In the same saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, cover and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in the peas, cover and cook until heated through, 1 minute. Stir in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove from the heat. Stir in the mint, season with salt and pepper and serve.
Enjoy! Please share recipedoodle with your family and friends!

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine, April 2012
www.foodandwine.com/‎

ZUCCHINI CORN BREAD WITH SPICED NUTS and GOLDEN ZUCCHINI CAKE WITH APRICOTS AND RAISINS and ZUCCHINI OLIVE OIL AND PISTACHIO MADELEINES

This was some of the most delicious, moist corn bread I have ever had.

ZUCCHINI CORN BREAD WITH SPICED NUTS

1 cup flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup spiced mixed nuts, finely chopped
1/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 (14.75 ounce) can of cream style corn
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped onion

Heat oven to 300F.
Grease a 13 by 9 inch baking pan, set aside.
In a large bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, nuts, sugar, baking powder and salt, set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, and applesauce. Stir in the corn, zucchini, cheese and onion. Add butter mixture all at once to cornmeal mixture. Stir just until moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
Serve warm.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, March 2012
www.bhg.com/recipes/

This cake was delicious - rich and moist - and filled with fruit and spice. The cream cheese frosting wasn't too sweet and complimented the cake perfectly.
I stored the cake in the refrigerator, and it was even better the following day and even the one after that.

GOLDEN ZUCCHINI CAKE WITH APRICOTS AND RAISINS

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup finely diced dried apricots
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup shredded zucchini

Heat oven to 350F.
Spray an 8 by 8 inch pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and baking powder. In a small bowl, stir together apricots, raisins and 1/4 cup of the flour mixture until fruit is well coated.
In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla until blended. At low speed, slowly beat in flour mixture until blended, stir in apricot mixture and zucchini. Pour batter into pan, bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

FROSTING
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
dash salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat cream cheese, butter and salt at medium speed until blended and smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until smooth and creamy.
Spread frosting over cooled cake.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Pleasures, August 2002
www.cookingclub.com/recipes.aspx

This was a fun and unique way to cook with zucchini.

ZUCCHINI OLIVE OIL AND PISTACHIO MADELEINES

1/2 cup grated zucchini

1/4 cup creme fraiche

grated zest of 1 lemon

1/3 cup olive oil

1 egg

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup parmesan, grated

1/4 cup pistachios, chopped

Wrap grated zucchini in paper towels.

Heat oven to 375F.

In an electric mixer, beat creme fraiche, lemon zest, oil and egg on medium speed until uniform consistency is reached.

Sift flour, baking powder, pepper and salt together. Shift mixer to low speed and add dry ingredients to egg mixture, a third at a time, scraping bottom of the mixing bowl between each addition.

With mixer still on low speed, add parmesan and drained zucchini and mix until well incorporated.

Pipe batter into a madeleine mold and garnish with chopped pistachios. Bake until tops are golden brown, 8 to 12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Wall Street Journal, June 2012

www.wallstreetjournal.com/

SMOKED TROUT HORSERADISH DIP and OATCAKES and EDAMAME BRUSCHETTA and CREAMY LEMON NUT BARS

We just had what I call a wild and wonderful weekend of entertaining - we had friends over 4 days in a row - lots of fun cooking, excellent company and great conversation.
The fabulous ladies from book club helped get the festivities started. We met on Thursday night, and chatted, divulged, expressed, articulated, gabbed, shared, laughed long and laughed hard and even managed to talk about the book for about 3 minutes. It is an incredible group, and I very much look forward to our gatherings every month. My intention was to keep the menu light and fresh, with an eye to spring.

SMOKED TROUT HORSERADISH DIP

11.25 ounces of smoked trout
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream (I used reduced fat mayo and sour cream with good results)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons horseradish, or to taste

Discard skin and any bones from trout. Stir mayonnaise, sour cream, dill and horseradish together. Gently mix in trout and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with bread.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from epicurious
www.epicurious.com › recipes & menus

 OATCAKES

110 grams of rolled oats
3/4 cup wholemeal flour
1/2 cup self-rising flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
110 grams of butter, chopped
1 large egg, beaten

Heat oven to 190 C.
Process oats to a fine but still grainy consistency. Mix with flours, brown sugar and salt. Rub in butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Lightly mix in egg and turn on to a surface dusted with flour. Knead briefly and shape into a ball. Roll out to 5mm thick and cut into rounds. Bake on trays 20 minutes. Cool.
Serve with assorted cheeses.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from New Zealand House and Garden
www.nzhouseandgarden.co.nz/entertaining.asp

EDAMAME BRUSCHETTA

Cut a baguette into slices, toast. In a food processor, blend 12 tablespoons of shelled edamame, 8 tablespoons of grated parmesan, 8 basil leaves, 2 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of sherry vinegar, until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top each with chopped red bell pepper, and basil leaves.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Self Magazine
www.self.com/fooddiet/recipes

CREAMY LEMON NUT BARS

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour, divided
1/3 cup pecans, chopped
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350F.
Line a 13 by 9 inch baking pan with foil, spray with cooking spray.
Mix butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups of the flour and pecans. Press dough firmly on bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes.
Beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until well blended. Add remaining 1/4 cup flour and eggs, beat until blended.
Stir in lemon juice and peel. Pour over baked crust in pan. Bake 30 minutes or until set. Remove from oven, cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into bars.
Enjoy!