Caramel Apple Pie on a Stick

Found this one on the Food Network site, looks like fun!

Prep Time: 15 min Inactive Prep Time: 1 min Cook Time: 10 min Level:

Easy Serves:

3 servings Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) package caramels, unwrapped

3 apples

3 cinnamon sticks

30 vanilla wafer cookies

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Heat a small saucepan over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons water and the caramels and reduce the heat to low. Stir the caramels frequently until they are completely melted.

Be careful not to burn the caramel.

While the caramels are melting, pull the stems out of the apples and cut a thin slice from the bottoms so they have a flat surface to stand on. Insert a cinnamon stick into the top of each apple.

Put the vanilla wafers into a plastic bag and coarsely crush them. Put the crumbs into a bowl and mix in the cinnamon.

Dip each apple into the melted caramel, making sure to get it completely coated. Put the coated apples onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate the caramel apples for 1 to 2 minutes to harden up the caramel. Roll them in the cinnamon-crumb mixture and enjoy!

Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil

Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil

Pomodori Secchi Sott'Olio

INGREDIENTS
14 unblemished meaty plum tomatoes, washed and dried
3 cups Colavita™ Red Wine vinegar
Two 12-ounce jars and lids, sterilized
8 fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons capers in salt, rinsed and diced
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
2 to 2 1/2 cups Colavita™ Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, as needed


Core and cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise.

Place the tomatoes cut side down in a dehydrator and dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Or place cut side down on wire racks set on baking sheets in a preheated 225ºF oven. Let dry until they have the texture of dried apricots. This may take a day or longer, depending on the size of the tomatoes.

Pour the wine vinegar into a large nonreactive saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes and blanch them for 1 minute. Remove the tomatoes with a slotted spoon and drain well. The vinegar acts as a preservative and gives added flavor to the tomatoes.

Layer the tomatoes into the sterilized jars, adding half the basil, capers, peppercorns, and salt to each jar. Slowly pour the olive oil into the jars, pressing down on the tomatoes slightly with a wooden spoon. Make sure that the tomatoes are completely submerged under the oil at all times, or they will be exposed to air and potential bacteria growth.

Cap the jars tightly and place them in a cool spot overnight. The next day, check the level of the oil and add more to the jars if the tomatoes are poking out of the oil. Check the jars two or three more times, adding more oil if necessary.

Recap the jars and store them in a cool place for 6 weeks before using. Refrigerate after opening and bring the tomatoes to room temperature before serving.

Featured on show 1903 - Preserved Eggplant and Tomatoes.

This recipe is from Mangia Pasta! by Mary Ann Esposito, published by William Morrow and Company, Inc., in 1998.

Rachel Ray’s French Onion Soup with Cheesy Croutons

Ingredients

6 medium onions
4 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 fresh bay leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
1 cup dry white wine
1 quart beef stock
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 baguette, ends trimmed, sliced into 16 rounds about an inch thick
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded
4 tablespoons good quality dry sherry, optional

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation
Heat a heavy soup pot over medium heat while thinly slicing the onions. Add butter to the pot and melt. Add onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper, and gently caramelize, stirring frequently, 30 minutes. If the onions begin to brown to quickly at edges before they caramelize, turn heat down a bit. Deglaze the pan with the wine, let reduce a minute while stirring. Add stock and Worcestershire sauce and simmer 15 minutes more.
Meanwhile, place rack in middle of oven, heat oven to 250˚F.
Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet and arrange the bread slices on it. Toast bread 15 minutes. Switch broiler on. Top the bread with lots of mounded cheese and broil 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
Ladle soup in shallow bowls and stir in a tablespoon of sherry per bowl, if using. Set 4 cheesy croutons into each bowl and serve.

Heather's Healthy Shepard's Pie

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

1 small-medium onion diced
cup of fresh broccoli crowns
1/4 canned or 1/4 fresh green beans
cup of fresh zucchini & yellow squash
4 med./large Russet potatoes peeled, cut up & washed
1/2 lb. 93% lean ground beef (or 1/2 ground turkey if you want to have less calories)
1/2 8oz. can of corn in low sodium or no sodium water
3/4 cup low fat milk
1 tbsp reduced calorie margarine
1/2 cup shredded 3 cheese (fiesta kind)
2 tsp. corn starch
2 bouillon cubes (chicken or beef)
cooking oil spray

Steam the zucchini & broccoli florets & green beans cut in half or just add the canned ones later when you add the corn.
Boil the potatoes, drain, beat with the milk & margarine, add a little salt if you want to. I put some a small amount of raw onion so the potatoes don't come out gray.
Spray skillet with cooking oil spray fry the onions after cooked set aside in bowl.
Boil 1 & 3/4 cup water add bouillon cubes use a tiny sifter shake in the corn starch & whisk it while you add it. Let it get thick like gravy remove from heat.

Brown your beef or turkey, I did it with minced garlic but you don't have to.

Put canned corn & steamed zucchini, fried onions & broccoli in a bowl pour the fat free bouillon gravy over veggies & stir.

Spray some cooking oil into a casserole dish add 1/2 the cooked meat on the bottom, then pour half of the veggie's in gravy over it. Then add(1/2) a layer of the mashed potatoes. Then sprinkle 1/2 of your shredded cheese. Then add the rest of the meat, then the veggies in gravy then your last layer of mashed potatoes & cheese.
Cook 350 degrees for 30 minutes then I turned it up to 375 for 5 minutes for top layer of cheese to be a bit more crispy but you don't have to do it like that if you don't want to of course!

For an even lower fat higher fiber version you can use a small turnip, some cubed butter squash and or acorn squash & 2 Russet potatoes instead of 4 potatoes. To make the mashed potatoes & instead of using milk when you make them mashed use fat free chicken stock or fat free beef stock.

I actually like my "new" way better then the old fashioned way with the tons of butter & gravy with fat and a ton of shredded cheese!

Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breast

Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Servings: 9


"These beautiful spiraled medallions are created by rolling bread stuffing, dried cranberries and chopped pecans in butterflied turkey breasts. Each roll is browned in butter and baked before slicing."
Ingredients:
2 boneless and skinless
turkey breasts
1 (12 ounce) package herb
-seasoned dry bread stuffing
mix 1 1/2 cups sweetened-dried
cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup pecan halves
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
1. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions, set aside and let cool.
2. With a sharp knife butterfly breasts open to lay flat (this usually takes 3 cuts, depending on the size of the breasts). Place each breast between two sheets of waxed paper and flatten with a mallet.
3. On each breast, spread prepared stuffing to 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle with most of the dried cranberries and all of the chopped pecans. Roll up "jellyroll" style, starting with the long end and roll tightly. Tuck in ends and tie in sections with string, about 4 sections around middle and one running the length of the roll to secure the ends.
4. Place the olive oil in an oven proof skillet and heat. Carefully brown rolls on all sides. Place skillet in oven, uncovered and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175

Tracy's Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

1 Large onion diced
1 stick of butter
1 quart half & half
1 pint heavy cream
1 bunch of scallions chopped small
4-6 cups of chicken stock or bouillon cubes
2 bags of Idaho Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato mix
(it thickens the soup and gives it flavor instead of a rue, or what ever you prefer)
5 pound bag of potatoes peeled and chopped into bite size pieces, boiled and put in refrigerator to harden
Cooked bacon
cheddar cheese.

Directions:

In a large pot Saute onion with the butter, add half & half, heavy cream and chicken stock/bouillon cubes (will need to add water if using them, but only half of what it calls for),some scallions, let it get to a slow boil, add mashed potato mix (both bags) and stir in well and turn down heat to just keep warm, add chopped potatoes and let mixture get hot. Pour into bowl and add cheddar cheese, chopped cooked bacon & scallions for garnish. Very simple recipe. Enjoy!!!

Tracy's Ciopinno (Fish Stew)

Ingredients:

 

3 tbls olive oil

1 large fennel bulb sliced thin

1 chopped onion

3 large chopped shallots

2 tsp salt

4-6 cloves of chopped garlic

3/4 dried red pepper flakes (add more if you like the spice)

1/4 cup tomatoe paste

1 (28 ounce) can of diced tomatoes (use the juice also)

1 1/2 cups white wine (something you would drink)

5 cups of fish stock (I have used boullion cubes)

1 bay leaf

1 pound clams cleaned

1 pound mussels cleaned & debearded

1 pound of large shrimp (peeled & deveined)

1 & 1/2 pounds of fish (I have used tilapia, halibut, salmon, etc...

whatever you like.

Just make sure it stays firm) put into 2 inch chunks.

 

Directions:

 

Heat Olive oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion, shallots, and salt, saute until the onion is soft (about 10 minutes). Add the garlic and pepper flakes, saute about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and tomatoes (with juices), wine, fish stock, and bay leaf. Cover & bring to a slow boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover & simmer for about 30 minutes. Add clams & mussels, cover & cook until they just begin to open (about 5 minutes). Add shrimp & fish, simmer gently until the fish & shrimp are cooked through and clams & mussels are completly open. Stir gently for another 5 minutes and get rid of any unopened clams or mussels. You can put this over pasta or rice. Put into Bowls and serve. ENJOY!!!

Laura’s Pumpkin Soufflé

This is a French recipe that I have translated, it turned out really well and it's perfect for using up pumpkin in this season of plenty ;)

Ingredients (for 4-6 people) :

• 500 g of pumpkin

• 100 g of grated cheese (cheddar/gruyere/comté)

• 3 eggs

• 75 g of flour

• 60 g of butter

• 1/4 of litre of milk

• Salt, pepper, nutmeg.

Preparation:

After peeling the pumpkin, cut into cubes.

Place in a saucepan with some salt, cover and leave to cook until soft, mash obtain a purée.

Simmer to reduce and thicken the purée as much as possible.

During this time prepare the béchamel.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan (as it will ultimately have to contain the whole preparation).

Add flour and stir with wooden spoon until the flour has cooked.

Take off heat and add in one go the cold milk.

Put back on the heat, allow the mixture to thicken while stirring continuously. This preparation must be very thick.

Add the pumpkin purée, pepper and some grated nutmeg.

Separate the whites from the egg yolks, beat the whites until very firm.

Take the saucepan off the heat to add the grated cheese and egg yolks, mix well.

Then add the beaten whites to the warm mixture, folding in gently.

Pour the mixture into a buttered (soufflé) dish and cook in medium oven (180°c) for about 30 mins.

Serve immediately :)

Sharon's Jam Filled Doughnut Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup plain flour or all purpose

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup sunflower oil or canola oil

3/4 cup caster sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

Topping

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1tsp cinnamon

***Optional -raspberry jam to fill

Directions:

In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder, salt nutmeg and cinnamon.

In another bowl combine thoroughly oil, sugar, egg and milk.

Add liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir only to combine.

Spoon into greased muffin tin or into muffin cases.

I put a spoonful or so of mixture then a spoonfull of jam and then topped with the mixture. It made 9 large muffins. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 mins.

Once cooked and still warm dip into hot butter and then into cinnamon and sugar mixture. They were yummy heated briefly the next day in the microwave!

Chicken with Garlic, Basil, and Parsley

Servings: 4
Ready in: 50 mins


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon dried parsley
divided
1 tablespoon dried basil
divided
4 skinless, boneless chicken
breast halves 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red
pepper flakes
2 tomatoes, sliced


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish
with cooking spray.
2. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon parsley and 1 teaspoon basil evenly over the bottom of
the baking dish. Arrange chicken breast halves in the dish, and sprinkle
evenly with garlic slices. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 2 teaspoons
parsley, remaining 2 teaspoons basil, salt, and red pepper; sprinkle over
the chicken. Top with tomato slices.
3. Bake covered in the preheated oven 25 minutes. Remove cover, and continue
baking 15 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cans (10.75 ounce) Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 cans cream of celery soup 

2 cups whole milk

4 Celery Stalks, chopped (can substitute with peas)

1 small yellow onion, chopped fine

4 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked

2 bags extra wide egg noodles

1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (I use Panko for more crunch)

4 tablespoons butter, melted

4 tablespoons butter 

1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

2 tsp chopped Parsley

Directions:

In a large pot of boiling water, boil the noodles until soft.

Drain into strainer. In the same pot throw in the butter, then sauté the celery and onion until soft. Sprinkle with Salt, Pepper, and Paprika to taste. Add in the soups and milk. Blend well over medium heat. Add in the chunks of tuna. Breaking it up into small pieces. 

When it’s blended add in the egg noodles and stir well until all the noodles are covered. Pour into a non-stick, sprayed, large glass casserole dish. 

Mix bread crumbs, cheese and parsley with melted butter and sprinkle on top.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes until browned, bubbly and crunchy on top.

Raspberry Pecan Streusel Coffeecake

Ingredients:

Streusel:
1/4 C. (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1/3 C. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 Cup crumbled Pecans (walnuts or almonds also)

Cake:
2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 C. granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 C. (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
3 eggs
1 C. dairy sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 pint Raspberries (or Blueberries)

Glaze:
1/2 C. confectioners' sugar
1 Tbs. milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 2 qt. square casserole with nonstick cooking spray. *For streusel, in small bowl, combine butter, sugar, flour and cinnamon until crumbly; add almonds; set aside.
For cake, in large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and soda. With electric mixer at low, beat until butter is distributed and mixture is almost smooth. Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla, then beat at medium speed until combined.
Pour 2/3 batter into prepared pan. Top batter with raspberries then pour remaining batter over berries. Bake in preheated oven 30-35 minutes until cake is browned on top, but still wobbly in center. Remove from oven and top with streusel. Microwave on medium high (70% power) 5-7 minutes until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean; let cake cool…. Combine glaze ingredients, drizzle on cake.

Pesto Sauce (using Basil)

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped pine nuts
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/3 cup crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup red wine
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.


Serve tossed with a hot pasta of your choice!

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped pine nuts
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/3 cup crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup red wine
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.


Serve tossed with a hot pasta of your choice!