BLUE CHEESE BURGERS

1 beaten egg

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 tsp prepared mustard
1/8 tsp pepper
dash of garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
6 hamburger buns, split
olive oil

In a medium bowl combine the egg and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the breadcrumbs, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the ground beef and mix well. Divide the mixture into 12 patties about 1/4-inch thick. Place about 2 tablespoons of the blue cheese atop 6 of the patties. Spread to within 1/2-inch of edges. Top with remaining patties. Press meat around edges to seal well.

Place patties on a grill of medium-hot coals and grill for about 14-15 minutes, turning once during cooking.

To prepare buns, brush insides with olive oil. Place on grill to heat until toasted. Serve patties on buns with your choice of condiments.

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QUICK AND EASY MIXED BERRY TART

 

1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry

1 egg, beaten
1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar
8-oz cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar + more for sprinkling, if desired
2 tsp grated orange zest
3 cups assorted berries ie strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
1/3 cup melted apple jelly

On a floured surface, roll out the sheet of pastry to a 14" x 11" rectangle. Fold the edges over to form an 11" x 7" rectangle. Prick the inside of the rectangle with the tines of a fork. Brush the beaten egg over the edges and sprinkle with the granulated sugar. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown; cool.

Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest together and spread the mixture over the center of the crust. Combine the berries with the melted apple jelly and spoon over the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

 

file photo for reference only

PARMESAN POTATO CHIPS

 

3 OR 4 small baking potatoes

2 tsp margarine, melted
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dash of black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Scrub potatoes and slice in thin slices. You should have about 2 cups of sliced potatoes. Arrange slices in a thin layer in a lightly greased 15 x 10-inch baking pan. Brush with the melted margarine. Sprinkle the cheese and pepper over potato slices. Bake, uncovered, in a 450-degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are brown and crisp.

Yield: 4 servings.

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STRAWBERRY CHEESE PIE

I recently ran across this old Eagle Brand Milk ad/recipe. Have you ever made this? I must admit, I have not. However, I have never tasted an Eagle Brand Milk recipe that wasn't delicious. This pie goes together quickly but does need to chill about 3 hours making it a great make-ahead recipe.

QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN FAJITAS WITH CREAM CHEESE

  

1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
3 tbsp canola oil
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 small onion, sliced into rings
2 garlic cloves, minced
8-oz container soft cream cheese with herb and garlic
16 (6-in size) flour tortillas, warmed
Your favorite salsa, optional

Sauté half of the chicken strips in 1 tablespoon of the canola oil until cooked through and tender; remove from the skillet. Repeat with another tablespoon of the oil and the other half of the chicken.

Sauté the bell peppers, onion, and garlic in the last tablespoon of the oil until crisp tender. Add the chicken back to the skillet and mix well.

Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese over each warmed tortilla. Place about 1/2 cup of the chicken/vegetable mixture in the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and place on serving plates. Serve with the salsa, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings of two fajitas each.

This is a file photo.

TINY HAM FILLED TOMATOES

 

1 pint cherry tomatoes

2 tbsp sour cream
1 can (4.5-oz) deviled ham
2 tbsp horseradish

Wash tomatoes, thinly slice off tops, remove some pulp and dry tomatoes with paper towels. In a small bowl combine the sour cream and horseradish; add the deviled ham. Stir mixture to blend well. Stuff the tomatoes with the ham mixture and refrigerate until serving time.

 Note: This is a file photo.

ORZO CHICKEN SOUP

 

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tbsp butter
3 cans (14 1/2-oz each) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup uncooked orzo
1/4 tsp pepper
minced fresh parsley*

Melt the butter in a large saucepan; add onion and saute until tender. Add one can of the chicken broth, celery and carrot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the chicken, orzo, pepper, and the other two cans of chicken broth; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until orzo and veggies are tender. Sprinkle with the parsley.

*Substitute cilantro if you want a little spice.

Photo Courtesy of Betty Crocker

Rocky Road Popcorn

 6 cups popped popcorn

6 cups miniature marshmallows, divided
1/4 cup butter
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup peanuts

Place popcorn in a large heat-proof bowl.

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together 4 cups of the marshmallows and the butter until melted and completely smooth. Watch and stir to keep from burning. Pour over the popcorn immediately and stir until all popcorn is coated. Cool to lukewarm.

Mix in the chocolate chips, peanuts, and remaining marshmallows.

Cool completely and enjoy!

Note: This is a Six Sisters' Stuff recipe

Frozen Creamy Strawberry Mini Pies

Note: This is a quick and easy recipe. It does, however, need to freeze for about 4 hours.

8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg (3.4-oz) vanilla flavor instant pudding mix
1 1/2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping
20 vanilla wafer cookies, coarsely broken into pieces
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup strawberry ice cream topping

Beat cream cheese until creamy in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Gradually beat in the milk. Add the dry pudding mix and beat 2 minutes. Stir in the whipped topping, vanilla wafers, and strawberries. Swirl in the ice cream topping.

Spoon filling mixture into 12 paper-lined muffin tins. Freeze 4 hours. Remove paper liners before serving.

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PARTY APPETIZERS OR SNACK FOR KIDS

Break graham crackers into squares so they are "kid-sized". Top with peanut butter. Sprinkle some miniature semisweet chocolate chips over the peanut butter. (Adult kids like these, too!) Kids also enjoy adding the chips to their crackers to decorate them.

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