EASY SPINACH-PARMESAN DIP

1 pkg (10-oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

1 cup mayonnaise style salad dressing
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 can (8-oz) water chestnuts, drained & chopped
1/8 tsp ground red pepper

In a medium bowl, blend the salad dressing and sour cream together. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper. Add the spinach and water chestnuts, stir to blend well. Cover and chill. Serve with assorted crackers and/or fresh vegetables.

Yield: 4 cups

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QUICK PIZZA CASSEROLE

6 oz fettucine, broken up
1 pkg (3 1/2-oz) sliced pepperoni
1 jar (15 1/2-oz) pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 can (4-oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can (2.25 oz) can sliced pitted ripe olives, drained
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Bring 8 cups of hot water to boiling. Add the fettucine, boil gently for 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Drain; return to the pan. Cut the pepperoni slices in half and add to the fettucine. Stir in the pizza sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, olives, and the Parmesan cheese. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake in a 400 degree oven about 15 minutes or until heated through.

File photo for reference only.

MARY'S BANANA MUFFINS

1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas
2 cup biscuit baking mix
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp canola oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups.

Beat the egg slightly; stir in the bananas, baking mix, sugar, milk, and oil just until moistened. Evenly divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes.

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PORK CHOP WITH CURRIED ORANGE SAUCE

4 (1 lb total) boneless center-cut loin pork chops

3/4 tsp curry powder, divided
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup orange marmalade
1 1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
nonstick cooking oil spray

In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the curry powder. Sprinkle the mixture over the pork chops.

In another small bowl, combine the remaining curry powder, orange marmalade, horseradish, vinegar, and red pepper.

Heat a skillet that is coated with nonstick cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the pork to the skillet and cook three to five minutes on each side or until the pork loses its pink color. Remove from pan and set aside to keep warm.

Add the marmalade mixture to the pan and cook for a few seconds while scraping pan to loosen the browned bits. Spoon sauce over the pork chops.

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APPLE GLAZED CHICKEN BREASTS

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup apple jelly
3 tbsp chicken broth
2 tbsp thinly sliced green onions, including tops

Preheat broiler. Line pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a small saucepan, blend the jelly and broth. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the jelly melts. Reduce the heat and add the green onions, salt and pepper; stir to mix well. Remove 1/3 of the mixture and set aside.

Put the chicken breasts on the foil lined broiler pan and brush with the apple jelly mixture. Broil for about 20 minutes or until the juices run clear. Turn frequently while cooking and baste with the jelly mixture.

Heat the reserved jelly mixture in the microwave. Drizzle over the cooked chicken before serving.

Note: This is a file photo for reference only.

MICROWAVE CHEESY SALSA DIP

1 lb Velveeta-style cheese, cubed

1 jar (8-oz) your favorite salsa
2 tbsp chopped cilantro

In a microwave-safe bowl, put the cubed cheese product and salsa. Microwave on high for about 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Stir after 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Add the cilantro; stir in to mix well. Serve dip with tortillas and/or corn chips and/or fresh veggies.

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PEANUTTY FRIED OKRA

1 cup all-purpose baking mix
1/2 cup finely chopped dry-roasted peanuts
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 lb fresh okra, cut into 1/4-inch pieces OR 1 pkg (16-oz) frozen cut okra, thawed
Peanut oil for frying

In a large bowl, stir together baking mix, chopped peanuts, salt and pepper. Add the okra, tossing to coat; gently press the mixture onto the okra.

Pour oil to 2-inches deep in a cast iron skillet or use a deep fryer. Oil should reach 375 degrees. Fry the okra in batches for about 4 minutes or until golden. Drain okra on paper towels on a cookie sheet.

Yield: 4 servings

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SWANSON'S CHICKEN VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Another recipe clipping from my late mother's shoebox collections. It is hard to read so I will type it in below the picture.

2 tbsp cornstarch

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 can (14.5-oz) Swanson's ready to serve Clear Vegetable Broth

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips

5 cups cut-up vegetables (broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, celery and green onions)

1 clove garlic, minced

Vegetable seasoned rice (see recipe on back of can)

1. Stir together cornstarch, ginger, broth and soy until smooth, set aside.

2. In skillet, over medium-high heat, in 1 tbsp. hot oil, stir-fry half of the chicken until browned. Remove, set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken.

3. In remaining tbsp hot oil, over medium-high heat, stir-fry vegetables with garlic until tender-crisp.

4. Add the reserved cornstarch mixture. Cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring often. Return chicken to skillet. Heat through, stirring often. Serve over rice.

4 servings

LINGUINE PASTA CARBONARA

 

8 oz linguine
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Cook linguine as directed on the package. Drain but do not rinse; return to the pan. Whisk together the eggs, butter, and milk; toss with the linguine. Add the remaining ingredients and heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally. Serve sprinkled with additional cheese, if desired.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

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PEACHES CHAI SHORTCAKES FROM LUCKY LEAF

• 121-ounce can LUCKY LEAF® Premium Peach Fruit Filling & Topping
• 2cups flour
• 1Tablespoon baking powder
• 1Tablespoon sugar
• 1cup buttermilk
• 8Tablespoons salted butter, softened
• 1cup heavy whipping cream
• 3Tablespoons confectioner's sugar
• 2teaspoons chai spice, divided

Heat the oven to 450°F, and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, buttermilk and melted butter, and stir just until combined.

Scoop and drop the batter into six portions onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Add the powdered sugar and 1½ teaspoons of the chai spice; whip to combine.

Pour the Lucky Leaf® Premium Peach Fruit Filling Topping into a medium bowl, and use a spoon to break the peach slices up into thirds. Microwave for 1 minute to warm it up.

To assemble the shortcakes, slice the biscuits horizontally. Place the bottom halves onto plates and scoop a generous amount of the filling onto each one. Dollop the chai whipped cream onto each shortcake before topping it with the second half of the biscuit. Sprinkle the biscuit tops with chai spice and serve.

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