CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE CHIP, OAT COOKIES

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick oats, raw
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degree.

Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a small saucepan and set aside.

Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy; add the melted chocolate, egg, and vanilla extract. 

Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl; add to the chocolate mixture blending together well.  Stir in the remaining cup of chocolate chips. 

Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees 8 to 10 minutes or just until set.  Do not overbake these cookies; the centers will still look soft when cookies are done baking.  Cool for a minute on the cookie sheets then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.  Store in a tightly covered container.

Yield: 3 dozen cookies of  97 calories each.

File photo of this cookie.

CHEESEBURGER WITH TOMATOES & GREEN CHILIES

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

6 slices your favorite cheese
6 multi-grain buns, toasted if desired
1 can (10-oz) diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained

Shape beef into 6 patties.

Grill 7 to 9 minutes per side or until done to 160 degrees.  Top with cheese slices and continue to grill until cheese starts to melt.

Place burgers on bottom half of buns and top with the tomatoes & chilies then the top half of the buns.

NOTE: Burgers can be cooked in a skillet on the stovetop on medium heat until done as above.  Continue as directed above.

File Photo

HAM-IT-UP CRESCENT SNACKS

1 can (8-oz) crescent rolls

4 thin slices ham (approx 4" x 7")
4 tsp prepared mustard
1 cup shredded Swiss (or your choice) cheese
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp melted butter for brushing

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Unroll crescent dough into 4 rectangles.  Press perforations to seal.  Place a ham slice on each rectangle and spread each with 1 teaspoon of the mustard.  Sprinkle the cheese over the ham and mustard. 

Starting at the shortest side, roll up and press edges together to seal.  Brush lightly with the melted butter and coat the rolls with the sesame seeds.  Cut each roll into 5 equal slices and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned.

Yield: 20 appetizers or snacks

File Photo

SHRIMP QUINOA SALAD

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup water
1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled, cooked
2 1/2 cups snow peas, steamed, cut large ones in half
1 tsp minced fresh dill weed
2 tbsps minced fresh chives
3 tbsps fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp white-wine vinegar
2 tsps olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 dill sprigs for garnish, if desired

Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and hold under cold running water until the water runs from strainer clear.  This will take about a minute; drain well.

In a small saucepan bring the water to a boil and stir in the quinoa.  Turn heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed the water and is tender.  Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

Fluff the quinoa again and place in a serving bowl.  Add the cooked shrimp, steamed snow peas, dill and chives; gently toss together well.

In a cup, combine the juices, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper; pour over the salad.  Toss gently to coat well. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

file photo

CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME

2 cups (12-oz pkg) milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup light cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
whipped cream for garnish, optional

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, pour the chocolate chips and the cream together.  Microwave on high for 1 minute, just until the chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.  Stir in the vanilla.
Pour into 6 to 8 demitasse cups or tiny dessert dishes.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

To serve, top with a dab of whipped cream, if desired.

Note: This is a recipe I got from HERSHEY'S.

SOUR CREAM APPLE TART

5 tbsp unsalted butter

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
1 1/3 cups reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 large eggs*
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups coarsely chopped firm apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter; stir in the cracker crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon until well blended.

Press mixture firmly onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; remove from oven and set aside to cool.

In large mixer bowl, combine the sour cream, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of the flour.  Beat mixture at medium speed until well blended.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended.  Using a large silicone spatula, gently stir in the chopped apples; place mixture over the prepared crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or just until the center is set.

Before serving, cut into 12 equal slices and make the following topping:

Preheat broiler.

Combine the remaining cinnamon, sugar, and flour together in a small bowl.  Cut in the remaining butter with a pastry blender until mixture is coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle evenly over the tart.

Broil 3 to 4 minutes until topping is a golden brown.

This is the file photo.

Let stand about 15 minutes before serving.

*May substitute 1/2 cup egg substitute if desired.