HOMEMADE CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING

 

1/3 c. low-fat mayonnaise (I use olive oil mayonnaise)

1/2 c. water
2 tbsp. vinegar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. garlic salt or powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
parsley to taste

Combine all ingredients.  Shake well.  Keep refrigerated.

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COUSCOUS CONFETTI

 1 cup vegetable broth

1 cup uncooked couscous
1 can (15-oz) rinsed and drained black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel corn (canned drained or frozen thawed)
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
5 or 6 chopped green onions
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro*
DRESSING:
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash of fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in couscous, remove from heat, cover and allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes or until all the broth is absorbed.

When broth is absorbed, fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in the black beans, corn, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.

In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, salt, and pepper with a wire whisk until well blended. Place couscous mixture into a large bowl and drizzle with the dressing, tossing to coat. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top, if using.

This is a file photo of a similar recipe.

Used for reference only.

PEANUT BUTTER CREAM CHEESE PIE

 1 pkg (8-oz) cream cheese, cut-up

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 carton (4-oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 chocolate crumb pie shell
coarsely chopped peanuts, optional
chocolate shavings for garnish, optional

In a large mixer bowl, combine cream cheese and peanut butter; beat with an electric mixer till combined. Add the powdered sugar and milk to the cream cheese mixture; beat until combined. Fold in the whipped topping. Spoon the filling into the pie shell. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and/or shaved chocolate, if desired. Cover and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving.

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SUNDAY GLAZED CARROTS

6 to 8 medium carrots

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cold water
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped, optional

Wash and cut carrots into 1/2-inch slices. Place in 1 1/2-quart casserole with butter and brown sugar. Cover and cook in the microwave for 10 minutes. Mix water and cornstarch until smooth. Stir cornstarch mixture into the carrots. Add pecans, if using. Cover and continue cooking about 5 more minutes.

Note: File Photo

TUNA MELTS

8-oz jar pasteurized process cheese spread

1/4 cup mayonnaise
12 1/2-oz can tuna, drained and flaked
8-oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
2 tbsp snipped dried chives
4 English muffins, split and toasted

Combine 1/2 cup of the process cheese spread and the mayonnaise. Stir in the tuna, water chestnuts, and chives. Spread the mixture on the English muffin halves. Place on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4-inches from the heat about 3 minutes or until heated through. Top each with a dollop of the remaining cheese spread. Broil for 30 to 60 seconds more or until the cheese spread melts.

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THE QUICKEST STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

1 frozen pound cake, thawed

1 tub (16 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pint fresh strawberries

Cut the pound cake in half horizontally. Spread half of the whipped topping on the cut side of the bottom half. Reserve 6 strawberries with the stems still attached. Thinly slice the remaining strawberries and place atop the whipped topping. Place the top half of the cake over the strawberries. Spread the top with more of the whipped topping and place the strawberries with the stems on the top as garnish.

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CHICKEN APPLE WALNUT SALAD

This recipe becomes quick and easy when you use leftover chicken, purchase a prepared rotisserie chicken or buy deli chicken thick sliced and dice.

3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 red apple, cored and diced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 or 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Large lettuce leaves, if desired

In a large bowl combine the mayonnaise and sour cream; add black pepper to suit your taste. Add the chicken, celery, and green onions. Mix to coat chicken. Toss in the apple and walnuts until coated. Serve on the lettuce leaves, if desired. Or serve on your favorite bread.

This is a file photo

SOUR CREAM CORN MUFFINS

 

1 pkg (14-oz) corn muffin mix

1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray about 18 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the muffin mix, salt, honey, and cinnamon.

In another bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, sour cream and vanilla extract. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix just until well combined.

Bake at 375 degrees 15 to 18 minutes or until browned and baked through.

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ORANGE JULIUS-STYLE DRINK

1 can (6-oz) frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 to 6 large ice cubes

Put all ingredients into a blender container. Blend approximately 30 seconds or so to a frozen drink consistency.

Yield: 6 cups

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FETTUCCINE with CREAMY ZUCCHINI SAUCE

A simple but delicious pasta dish ready in about 20 minutes.

12 oz fettuccine
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/4 lbs zucchini and/or yellow squash
1 large garlic clove
8 oz ricotta cheese
salt to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste
grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional

Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions. When draining the pasta, save 1/2 cup of the liquid. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise then cut into half-moon slices about 1/4-inch thick. Mince the garlic. Add half the zucchini to the skillet, flat side down, flat in the skillet. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes, then turn and cook the other side a minute or two. Remove to a plate. Add more oil to skillet if needed and repeat the zucchini cooking process with the other half of the squash; add the garlic. Transfer these zucchini and garlic to the plate, also. Turn off the heat then add the 1/2 cup of the pasta water and the ricotta cheese to the skillet. Stir to dislodge and browned bits of zucchini from the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to suit your taste. (It is okay if the ricotta looks a little curdled.) Pour the drained fettuccine, vegetables and any juice that has accumulated on the plate, back into the skillet. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients together. Sprinkle pasta with the Parmesan cheese, if desired.

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