QUICK AND EASY FRUIT FILLED SUGAR COOKIES

1 pkg (20-oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1/4 cup your favorite jam or jelly
Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degree.

Slice 24 (1/8-inch each) cookies from the dough. Refrigerate remaining dough. Place the slices on ungreased cookie sheets. Spread each of the slices with a half teaspoon of the jam or jelly. Spread to within 1/4-inch of the edge.

Slice the remaining cookie dough into 24 (1/4-inch) slices. Cut a design out of the center of each slice. Place these slices atop the jam or jelly covered cookies. Press edges together to seal each cookie so jam won't escape.

Bake filled cookies at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar, if desired. Allow to cool on cookie sheets for a minute. Using a thin spatula, remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 2 dozen filled cookies

Note: You can bake the designs from the centers until lightly browned, if desired. Sprinkle baked mini cookies with powdered sugar.

File Photo for reference only.

PARMESAN TURKEY BURGERS

1 lb lean ground turkey

1/3 cup grated low-fat Parmesan cheese

1 tsp chopped fresh chives or 1/2 tsp dried chives

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp fat-free Italian salad dressing

Mix all ingredients together and shape into 6 patties. Grill patties on oiled grill rack over hot coals 12-15 minutes, turning once during cooking. May be cooked in a sprayed pan until no longer pink in the center. Serve on buns with your choice of toppings.

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REUBEN SANDWICHES

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp chili sauce
12 slices rye bread, buttered
1/2 lb sliced Swiss cheese
1/2 lb sliced cooked corned beef
1 can (16-oz) sauerkraut, drained

Mix the mayonnaise and chili sauce; spread on 6 slices of the bread. Layer cheese, corned beef, then sauerkraut on the mayonnaise slices. Top the sauerkraut with the other six remaining bread slices.

Yield: 6 sandwiches

Note: Replace the mayonnaise/chili mixture with coleslaw for a different sandwich.

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QUICK AND EASY PARMESAN BREAD

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1 loaf French bread, halved lengthwise

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together the cheese, butter, and Italian seasoning. Evenly spread the cheese mixture on the cut sides of the bread. Place side by side on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Yield: 12 servings

 

File Photo for reference only.

GRILLED MINUTE STEAKS ON ONION ROLLS

8 minute steaks, 1/4-inch thick

8 onion rolls
butter
bottled blue cheese dressing
salt to taste
pepper, optional

Place the steaks on grill, 2-inches from the hot coals. Cook approximately 5 minutes, turning once. Season with salt and pepper.

Split the onion rolls and brush with butter. Place cut side down on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the rolls from grill and spread desired amount of blue cheese dressing on the cut side of one of the rolls.

To serve, place steaks on the rolls. Add any condiments you desire.

clipart for reference only - not this recipe        

ROMANOFF MEATBALLS

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 package (5.5-oz) of Noodles Romanoff
1 1/2 cups milk
2 dozen frozen meatballs
2 tsp parsley flakes
2 tbsp butter

In a large skillet, melt the first two tablespoons of butter. Remove skillet from the heat and blend in the flour and sauce mix from the Noodles Romanoff package. A whisk works well for this. Gradually stir in the milk and heat to boiling while stirring constantly. Boil, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add the meatballs and heat back to boiling. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. While the meatballs cook, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Stir the parsley flakes and butter into the noodles.

To serve, place the noodles on plate and top with the meatballs and sauce.
 

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QUICK AND EASY APPLE STUFFING

1 cup minced onion
1/2 cup minced celery
1/2 cup chopped apple
1 1/2 cups apple sauce
1 pkg (8-oz) stuffing mix
1 cup low-fat, low-salt chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp ground sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Crumbled cooked sausage, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a medium nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and celery; cook while stirring for approximately 5 minutes. Add the apple and cook while stirring for another 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the stuffing mixture into the pan. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.

Yield: 8 servings

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PORK TENDERLOIN WITH COUSCOUS

1 (1 1/4-lb) pork tenderloin

1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup apricot preserves
2 tbsp honey mustard
1 box (10-oz) couscous
1/2 cup diced dried apricots
1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds

Line broiler pan with aluminum foil.

Brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.   Place on the foil-covered broiler pan.  Broil 5 to 6-inches from the heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned, turning once.

Combine the preserves and honey mustard.  Spread the mixture over the tenderloin.  Continue broiling for another 10 minutes or longer until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 155 degrees.  Turn meat once during this time.  Remove from oven, cover with foil and let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the couscous according to the package directions.  Fluff the couscous; stir in the diced apricots and sliced almonds. 

Slice the pork and serve with the couscous.
Yield: 4 servings

Note: I have had this recipe for so many years I don't remember where I got it.

It was probably TOH or other Reiman Publication.

EASY STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Note: The strawberry mixture needs to set for an hour, so this recipe does take more time.

Filling:
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp sugar

Stir the strawberries, sugar, and vinegar together. Let the mixture stand for an hour. Stir mixture occasionally during that hour.

Cakes:
2 1/2 cups reduced-fat biscuit baking mix (ie: Bisquick)
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup fat-free plain yogurt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and biscuit baking mix. Stir the vanilla into the yogurt to combine. Add the yogurt to the ingredients in mixing bowl, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface; knead 3 to 4 times. Pat dough down to a thickness of 1/2-inch. Using a 2 1/4-inch round cutter, cut dough; redo the scraps and cut them, too. Place the shortcakes on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes at 425 degrees.

Serve while still warm, filled with the strawberry filling. Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.

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Serve while still warm, filled with the strawberry filling. Garnish with whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.

OH-SO-EASY KEY LIME PIE

4 large egg yolks (save whites for meringue, if desired)
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
3 1/2 ounces Key Lime juice
1 9-inch graham cracker pie crust or pie pastry baked just until lightly browned

In a mixing bowl combine the egg yolks with the sweetened condensed milk on low speed of electric mixer. Slowly pour in the lime juice, mixing until well blended. Pour mixture into the pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes until set. Use the egg whites to make a meringue topping or top with whipped cream. 

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BANANA SPLIT SMOOTHIE

2 medium bananas, peeled and sliced
1 can (8-oz) crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)
1 cup crushed ice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened orange juice
1 carton (8-oz) low-fat vanilla yogurt

In the container of a blender, combine the bananas, pineapple with juice, ice, sugar, and orange juice. Put the cover on the blender and process the mixture until smooth. Add the yogurt and process until blended. Serve immediately.

Garnish each cup/glass with a Maraschino cherry atop smoothie, if desired.
Yield: 4 cups

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IRISH ITALIAN STYLE SPAGHETTI

This is an old recipe from my vintage recipe collection. It is from the early 50s.

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 can (10 3/4-oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4-oz) condensed tomato soup
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp hot sauce, optional
dash of ground red pepper
1 pkg (12-oz) spaghetti pasta
Parmesan cheese for topping

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is no longer pink and onion is tender. Drain and wipe excess fat from skillet with a paper towel.

Return the meat and onion to the skillet; add the cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, pepper, and hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 20 minutes.

While sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions; drain well.

To serve, spoon the sauce over the hot spahetti and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

Yield: 6 servings