Cranberry Apple Sweet Potato Crisp

Ingredients:

• 4 cups leftover sweet potato casserole
• 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped tart apples
• 2 cups leftover cranberry orange relish
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cups oat or corn flake cereal

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a shallow casserole dish.
2. Put the leftover sweet potatoes in a bowl with the cream cheese and mix with an electric mixer (such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers) until smooth. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix again until smooth.
3. Note: If your sweet potato casserole is very sweet, you can omit the added brown sugar and cinnamon. If your sweet potatoes are unsweetened, then be sure to add these ingredients.
4. Layer the sweet potato mixture into the casserole dish, distributing evenly.
5. Sprinkle the apple pieces evenly over the top.
6. Spoon the cranberry orange relish evenly on the top.
7. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top.
8. Put the butter, flour, and brown sugar in a bowl and cut with pastry cutter or with forks until mixture is crumbly. Add the cereal flakes and toss until combined.
9. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
10. Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the crunchy topping is lightly browned.

Thick and Rich Black Bean Soup

With winter approaching what can be tastier than a thick homemade soup. For me, bean soup is always a winner and this one is no exception.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced (including the leaves)
• 1 regular carrot (not baby), peeled and diced small
• 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
• 2 cans (14 oz size) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced cooked ham (or 1/2 cup bacon, or omit meat)
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 cans (15 oz size) black beans, drained and rinsed (about 4 to 5 cups cooked beans)
• Optional: shredded Cheddar cheese and sour cream for garnish

Method:

1. Put a Dutch oven, such as a All CladDutch Oven over medium heat on stovetop.
2. Pour in oil, add onion, celery, and carrot; cook stirring for 4 minutes or until softened.
3. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
4. Add broth and bring soup just up to a slow boil.
5. Turn heat down to low heat, add ham and seasonings, and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Add black beans, stir to combine, and simmer on very low heat for 10 minutes.
7. To thicken soup, scoop out about 3 to 4 cups of soup (mostly black beans) and put in your KitchenAid 12 CupFood Processor KFP750 or your KitchenAid KHB300 Hand Blender. Blend until smooth making a puree. Add puree back to soup pot, stir to combine and serve.
8. Top with a sprinkling of cheese and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Well enjoy! I am sure all your guests will love this soup and as it is very filling you can serve a very light main course without leaving your guests starving.

Blueberries, Raspberries and Acai Berry Slushie

If you have a blender, such as a Cuisinart Smoothie Maker or one of the KitchenAid 5 Speed BlendersWith Polycarbonate Jars you will be able to make this “slushie” with ease. Ideal for the hot summer weather!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup low fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup acai berry juice
• 1 tsp wheatgerm or flaxseed
• 1 cup ice cubes

Method:

1. Put all slushie ingredients in blender, then with blender on high speed, start adding ice cubes until desired consistency.
2. Serve immediately in tall, chilled glasses.

This is a nutritious and delicious breakfast, lunch, or pick-me-up drink.

Make the most of the lovely summer fruit and enjoy this “slushie” and all the other tasty smoothies you can make that is so tasty on a hot day.

Apricot Cranberry and Wheat Berry Salad

What You Need:

• 3 C water
• 1/4 t salt, divided
• 1 C wheat berries, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 C fresh snow peas, slivered
• 1/4 C green onions, chopped
• 1/2 C dried apricots, sliced
• 1/2 C dried cranberries
• 3 T walnut oil
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1/8 t pepper

How to Make It:

1. Pour the water into a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle 1/8 t of the salt into the water.
3. Add the wheat berries to the salted water.
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
5. Pour the water and wheat berries into a large saucepan.
6. Position the pan over medium heat and bring the water to a brisk boil.
7. Place the heat on low, cover the pan and simmer for 50 minutes or until the berries are tender.
8. Drain the berries well and allow them to cool for 1 hour.
9. Place the cooled wheat berries into a bowl.
10. Fold in the chickpeas, snow peas and green onions.
11. Add the apricots and cranberries and gently mix to incorporate all the ingredients together well.
12. Place the walnut oil into a small bowl.
13. Whisk in the lemon juice until well combined.(You can use a KitchenAid KHB300Hand Blender)
14. Add the remaining salt and pepper to the bowl and continue whisking until completely combined.
15. Pour the dressing over the salad to completely cover.

Serves: 8

Serve this salad immediately or cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Wheat berries are the kernel. They do not contain the hull though. These berries are used often in salad to give it a little extra crunch. Soaking the berries in water helps to soften them. They can be purchased as a hard or soft grain and can be found in most supermarkets.

Easy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Soup Recipe In A Dutch Oven

You love entertaining, but the budget is a little tight! Is this you? Well then I have good news for you, If you have a Dutch oven, such as a All Clad Dutch Oven, you can make this tasty soup on a really tight budget and no one will even notice.

Chipotle Adobo Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients For This Dutch Oven Recipe:

• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cans (15 oz size) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cans (14 oz size) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 3 cups frozen corn
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, removed from sauce, seeded and minced
• 2 tsp adobo sauce from chipotle pepper jar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• sour cream for garnish

Method For Your Chipotle Adobo Chicken Soup Recipe In A Dutch Oven:

1. In a Dutch oven, such a a All CladDutch Oven, on medium-low heat, saute onion in oil until onions become transparent.
2. Stir in garlic and cook for just 1/2 minute.
3. Now add the next 8 ingredients.
4. Slowly bring mixture to a boil and reduce heat.
5. Simmer slowly, uncovered, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Stir in your cut up chicken and let heat through.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Sprinkle with cilantro.
9. Serve in big bowls topped with a dollop of sour cream.
10. This recipe serves about 8 people.

So, Enjoy this tasty  Chipotle Adobo Chicken Soup Recipe with your family and friends. A Dutch oven makes it so easy and cheap to make.

Apple Salsa And Summertime Chicken Recipe

Here is a tasty summertime chicken recipe. You can also make it in winter, though by grilling it on a Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler so that you do not have to go out in the cold. Very important for us here in South Africa where it is getting cold now. So never underestimate your Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler

For grilling outside I would recommend the WeberOne Touch Charcoal Grill

.

What You Need For This Recipe:

• 1/4 C dry white wine
• 1/4 C apple juice
• 1/2 tsp. lime zest, grated
• 1/2 tsp .salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 4 chicken breasts halves, boneless and skinless
• 2 C Gala apples, cored and chopped
• 1 chili pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 C onion, chopped
• 1/4 C lime juice
• salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place the wine and apple juice into a zip lock bag.
2. Add the lime zest, salt and pepper.
3. Seal and shake to combine ingredients.
4. Add the chicken breasts and reseal.
5. Turn the bag a few times to make sure the chicken is coated.
6. Place the refrigerator for at least one hour being sure to turn occasionally.
7. While the chicken marinates make the salsa.
8. Place the apples, chili pepper and onion in a large bowl.
9. Pour in the lime juice.
10. Toss to completely coat the apples, peppers and onions with the juice.
11. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss one more time.
12. Set to the side until the chicken is ready to serve.
13. Heat the grill to medium heat.
14. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade.
15. Discard the marinade.
16. Grill the chicken 5 minutes and turn.
17. Continuing grilling an additional 5 minutes or until the juice runs clear when the chicken is pierced with a fork.
18. Serve the grilled chicken with the salsa.

Serves 4

This is a great summertime meal but can also be made in the winter. Broil the chicken instead of grilling just reduce the cooking time to 3 minutes per side.

So, try this Summertime Chicken with Apple Salsa Recipe, summer or winter, you will love it. Apple is really a fruit you can enjoy the whole year round and that is why this recipe is such a good idea.

Tastier Brownies Than Ever Recipe

Everyone loves Brownies. They are easy to make and very tasty. With summer coming they are ideal to take with you on a picnic. If you have an electric stand mixer, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers or one of the Cuisinart SM-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixers, making these Brownies with this recipe is very easy.

Better Brownies By Far Recipe

What you need for this Brownies recipe:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 tsp real vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8 big peanut butter cups, chopped up

Method for this Brownies recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and coat a 9x13 baking pan with a little butter.
2. Put 1 cup butter and bittersweet chocolate in heavy saucepan over low heat and melt, stirring and watching closely; set aside.
3. Put eggs and sugar into a bowl and mix with a beater on medium high speed until light yellow and fluffy.
4. Lower the beater speed and slowly add the chocolate mixture, then add the vanilla, keeping the beater running.
5. Continue with the beater on low speed and slowly add flour, incorporating before adding more, then sprinkle in the salt and be sure it's mixed in.
6. Stop beater, and with large spatula, fold in the chopped up peanut butter cups.
7. Transfer the mixture into your buttered baking pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven about 30 to 35 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and the edges pull away from the pan.
9. Remove from oven and let cool in pan, then cut into squares to transport to picnic or enjoy immediately.

So, make these to pack for your picnic, whether it is to the lakeside or to the beach, they will be very popular. No reason, of course, why you cannot eat these tasty Brownies at home! So, get baking for lots of tasty fun. Do not replace the butter with margarine, it will really affect the taste.

Sausage And Cheese Breakfast Biscuits Recipe

Biscuits, such as these sausage and cheese breakfast biscuits, for breakfast will always be popular. Problem is, preheating the oven can take more time than you actually have. Well, that need not be a problem any more as a table top oven, such as the Kitchenaid Convection Oven, heats up very fast and also bakes faster. Now you can have the best of both worlds, tasty fresh biscuits in a hurry.

What You Need:

• 2 C of baking mix
• 1 lb. sausage
• 2/3 C of milk
• 1 1/2 C of cheddar cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

1. Preset the oven temperature to 400 degrees.
2. Place the baking mix, sausage and milk into a mixing bowl.
3. Mix until all the ingredients are blended together well.
4. Fold the cheese into the mixture well.
5. Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Bake 18 minutes or until a light golden brown.

Makes 24 biscuits

These simple biscuits can be made with sausage, crumbled bacon or even bits of ham.

So, try this recipe and see how your family loves it. Maybe, if you are worried about the time factor, try them over a weekend first and once you fell comfortable with them you can whip them up any day. The variations that are possible makes it easy to keep them interesting, preventing your family from becoming bored with them.

Fast And Easy Orange Juice French Toast Recipe

Coming up with easy and tasty breakfast ideas is not always that easy. Baking toast is always a good idea, but using your oven is not always practical. The ideal solution is using a Cuisinart Model Tob 195 that heats up very fast and will save you a lot of time and expense.

So, have a look at this recipe for Baked Orange Juice Toast:

Baked Orange Juice Toast

What You Need:

• 1/3 C of orange juice
• 1 t orange peel, grated
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 t ground cardamom
• 1/4 C of butter
• 12 slices French bread, day old and 3/4 inch thick

How to Make It:

1. Preset the oven temperature to 450 degrees.
2. Place the juice, orange peel, eggs and cardamom together in a mixing bowl.
3. Beat with an electric mixer on low until blended together well.
4. Place the butter into a 13X9 baking dish.
5. Place the baking dish into the oven until the butter has completely melted.
6. Dip the slices of bread into the orange juice mixture until well covered allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl.
7. Place the coated bread slices into the pan with the melted butter.
8. Bake 6 minutes then turn each slice over.
9. Continue baking an additional 4 minutes or until nicely browned.

Makes 6 servings

Baking French toast in the oven takes less time because all the pieces of toast can be cooked at once. The combination of orange juice and cardamom gives this French toast a special taste everyone will enjoy.

Even to the instructions for this recipe calls for an oven, I promise you the Cuisinart Model Tob 195 will work wonders for you. Imagine your family's delight at this exceptional French toast. Why not try this recipe as a special treat next Sunday?

A Relaxing Smoothie For A Stressful Day

Are you having a very stressful day? Well, then I am convinced you can do with a tasty, relaxing smoothie. If you do not have a blender, such as the Cuisinart CBT 700, you can simply use a hand blender, such as the KitchenAid KHB300 Hand Blender.

Try this recipe and the rest of your day will run smoothly as we tend to handle all problems better when we are relaxed!

Relax Me Smoothie

What You Need:

• 8 herbal lemon tea bags
• 2 C boiling water
• 1 pint raspberry sherbet
• 2 C pineapple juice

How to Make It:

1. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags.
2. Cover and allow to sit 5 minutes.
3. Remove the tea bags and place the tea in the refrigerator to cool.
4. Place the sherbet and juice in the blender.
5. Add the tea.
6. Blend until smooth.

This smoothie is very relaxing. Try it on a stress filled day to unwind and help you enjoy the rest of the day.

Always make sure you have the tea in the refrigerator and you will be able to make this smoothie at a moment's notice. No use having to wait for a long time before you can actually make the smoothie you need NOW!

Baked Plum Pancakes Recipe

A pancake for breakfast is always a treat. This baked plum pancakes recipe is baked in the oven. There is only one problem, very often ovens take a very long time to preheat. To solve this problem you can use a toaster oven, such as the Cuisinart TOB 195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler Stainless, that preheats faster and normally bakes faster as well.

So, try this Baked Plum Pancakes Recipe when you next want to spoil your family a little:

What You Need:

• 1 large plum, sliced thin
• 3 T of brown sugar, divided
• 1/8 t cinnamon
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1/2 C of milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 C of flour
• 2 T butter

How to Make It:

1. Preset the oven to 425 degrees and allow the oven to preheat.
2. Place the plum slices into a large mixing bowl.
3. Sprinkle the plums with 1 T of brown sugar, the cinnamon and lemon juice and toss to coat well.
4. Place the remaining brown sugar, milk, eggs and flour into a separate bowl.
5. Whisk until all the ingredients are blended together well.
6. Place the butter into an ovenproof skillet and place the skillet in the oven.
7. When the butter has melted, remove the skillet from the oven and spread the batter evenly into the skillet.
8. Top the batter evenly with the plum mixture.
9. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.

Makes 4 servings

This quick and easy pancake can be made with peaches instead of plums if you prefer. Sprinkle the pancake with a little powered sugar just before serving.

Preparation Time: approximately 5 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

As you can see it is really fast and easy. So much easier than standing there baking individual pancakes. While your pancake is baking you can give attention to the hundreds of other things that you have to take care of in the morning.

Enjoy this Baked Plum Pancakes Recipe.

Summertime Grilled Pepper Filled Cheese Quesadillas Recipe

Summer is coming and grilling will soon be one of the benefits. If you have a griller, such as the Weber One Touch Charcoal Grill, this recipe is ideal for a perfect summer day.

If the weather is not that great, though, you may want to grill inside. Now, a gas grill is not your only option, you can also use a griddler, such as the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler, as it can be opened to convert into a contact grill.

OK, here is your Summertime Grilled Pepper Filled Cheese Quesadillas Recipe

What You Need:

• 2 bell peppers, julienned
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and julienned
• 1 sweet onion, chopped fine
• 2 T of olive oil, divided
• 1 (8 oz.) pkg. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 6 (10 in.) flour tortillas

How to Make It:

1. Spray the grill grate lightly with a non stick cooking spray.
2. Set the grill for medium hot temperature.
3. Place the both types of peppers and the onion into a mixing bowl.
4. Pour 1 T of the olive oil over the vegetables and toss to coat well.
5. Grill the vegetables, tossing frequently for 7 minutes or until tender.
6. Remove the vegetables from the grill and reduce the heat to low or spread out the coals to reduce the flame.
7. Coat the tortillas on one side with the remaining oil.
8. Spread 1/3 of the vegetable mixture onto 3 of the prepared tortillas.
9. Sprinkle the tops evenly with the cheese.
10. Place the remaining 3 tortillas over the top of the filled tortillas oil side up.
11. Press the tortillas together firmly to seal.
12. Place the tortillas onto the grill rack.
13. Grill 4 minutes, flip and continue grilling 2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Makes 3 servings

These quesadillas make a great appetizer before the big meal. If using as an appetizer you can serve up to 6 people. If you like things heated up add more jalapenos but if you're serving to children the jalapenos can be left out completely.

Another alternative you have, of course, is to prepare these as a starter on the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler while you prepare your main course on the Weber One Touch Charcoal Grill.

Easy Homemade Mayonnaise

If you have a hand blender, such as the Cuisinart CSB-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender, it is very easy to do. There is no need anymore to add the oil a little bit at a time. You simply add all the ingredients to a suitable container and blend until done.

Another variation that is possible is that you add the whole egg and not only the egg yolk. This gives you a much lighter mayonnaise that is also lower in fat. So, all in all I think it is a good idea to try it. You guests will appreciate the lighter mayonnaise used in your salads and dishes.

So, here are the basic ingredients you will need: (remember you just add all of the ingredients and lend it with your Cuisinart Csb-76 Smart Stick Hand Blender until ready)

• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Pinch of red pepper
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 11/2 cup olive oil

If you are worried that the mayonnaise will be the strong, you can use only have the lemon juice and half the vinegar and add a little more if the mayonnaise is too think. In this way you are able to control the thickness of the mayonnaise as well as the taste.

Once your mayonnaise is ready you can add any herbs and other ingredients to get a tasty mayonnaise to use. Remember to keep the combination of flavors in mind when you add ingredients to your mayonnaise.

Easy And Tasty Penne Pasta and Cannellini Bean Slow Cooker Soup Recipe

For busy moms, using a slow cooker is very convenient. Using a slow cooker, such as the West Bend Slow Cooker, saves you time for many other tasks you have to do. What is even better, you can even use your slow cooker to prepare meals or dishes when you are entertaining and once again it leaves you free for the other cooking you need to do.

To give you and idea of all the lovely dishes you can make with your slow cooker, here is a Penne Pasta and Cannellini Bean Slow Cooker Soup Recipe:

What You Need:

• 2 (19 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained
• 1 (1 lb) pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 t basil
• 1/4 t garlic
• 1/4 t oregano
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 (12 oz) bottle vegetable juice cocktail
• 1 C water
• 1/2 C uncooked penne pasta

How to Make It:

1. Place the beans, mixed vegetables and tomatoes into the crock pot.
2. Sprinkle in the basil, garlic, oregano and salt.
3. Pour the vegetable juice cocktail and water into the mixture and stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on the low setting for 7 1/2 hours.
5. Stir in the uncooked pasta and increase the heat to high.
6. Recover and cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Serving Size: 6

1/2 C of the pasta may look a little skimpy but in all reality by the time it has cooked in the crock pot you will have just the right amount for your soup. If you purchase diced tomatoes with the garlic, basil and oregano added you won't need to add those spices to your soup.

As this  Penne Pasta and Cannellini Bean Slow Cooker Soup Recipe makes a very filling starter, it can be followed by a very light main course such as a chicken salad and crispy rolls.

A Little Bit Of Everything Slow Cooker Soup Recipe

What can be more welcoming on a cold winter's day than coming home to a tasty homemade soup and freshly baked homemade bread? Well it is easy to do if you have a West Bend Slow Cooker and a Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery 1-Pound-Loaf Programmable Mini Breadmaker.

The slow cooker can be set to cook your delicious little bit of everything slow cooker soup and the breadmaker has a delay timer which allow you to set it so that the bread will be ready when you get home.

To give you an idea of how easy slow cooker soups are to make, here is a recipe of A Little Bit Of Everything Slow Cooker Soup recipe:

What You Need:

• 1 T canola oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (19 oz) can minestrone soup
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained well
• 1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (11 oz) can whole kernel corn
• 1 (4 oz) can green chilies, chopped
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t onion powder

How to Make It:

1. Place the oil in your West Bend Slow Cooker's pot over medium heat.
2. Break up the ground beef into the pot and add the onions.
3. Cook 12 minutes or until the meat is completely browned.
4. Drain well and pat the excess grease off with a paper towel.
5. Pour in the minestrone soup, pinto beans, tomatoes, corn and the chilies.
6. Sprinkle in the salt, garlic and onion powder.
7. Stir from the bottom up to incorporate all the ingredients together.
8. Cover and cook on the low heat setting 6 hours.

Serving Size: 8

This great soup is made up of things everyone has in their pantry and refrigerator. Try adding a few of your own ideas such as canned green beans, peas or carrots to see if you can come up with you very own "a little bit of everything soup recipe."

This is the ideal soup for the busy mom who will be playing taxi driver all day. You can set your West Bend Slow Cooker, set your Zojirushi BB-HAC10 Home Bakery 1-Pound-Loaf Programmable Mini Breadmaker and do what you have to do and come home to your fully cooked meal.

Bean And Sausage Bake In Your Dutch Oven

If you have a Dutch oven, such as the All Clad Dutch Oven 5.5, you will love all the one pot meals you can make with them. What is even better, you do not have to watch the pot as much as when you are cooking on the stove. So, you can do other things while dinner is taking care of itself.

This Bean And Sausage Bake only takes a little more than half and hour to make and it is surprisingly tasty. So, here is your recipe:

Bean And Sausage Bake In Your Dutch Oven

What You Need:

• 1 onion, halved and sliced thin
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 (14 oz.) cans of Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 t dried thyme
• 1 t celery seeds
• 1/2 t of salt
• 1/4 t of pepper
• 6 (1 ½ lbs.) sausage links
• 1 zucchini, sliced thin
• 2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, drained

How to Make It:

1. Set the oven temperature to 450 degrees allowing the oven to preheat.
2. Spray the lid, sides and bottom of a cast iron Dutch oven with a non stick cooking spray.
3. Scatter the onions over the bottom of the pan.
4. Scatter the garlic over the onions.
5. Place the beans into the pan and spread them out into a smooth layer.
6. Sprinkle the beans with the thyme, celery seeds, salt and pepper
7. Lay the sausage links in a single layer over the beans.
8. Add the zucchini and tomatoes.
9. Cover the pan and bake 35 minutes or until the beans are tender the sausage is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

Any type of pork sausage links works well in this dish but if you want to make it a low fat dish use turkey sausage instead. 5 or 6 fresh tomatoes, chopped may be used in place of the canned tomatoes if you prefer.

I personally serve this dish with rice and a mixed salad. Of course, fresh home baked bread will also be very tasty, so if you have a breadmaker, such as a Cuisinart Cbk 100 Programmable Breadmaker, you can serve it with fresh crusty bread and it will be a real treat. So, try this Beans and Sausage Bake and see how tasty it is.

Delicate Crumpets Recipe

For a lazy weekend breakfast these delicate crumpets are always a hit. If you have an electric stand mixer, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, making these will be a breeze.

Delicate Crumpets Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons dry corn meal (not corn flour) you will find these in stores with Mexican supplies) in South Africa: mealie meal
• 2/3 cup of yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarb
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon oil

Method:

1. Break the egg into the milk and beat the mixture until it is light and frothy
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients whilst beating all the time
3. Add the oil and beat until well mixed
4. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a hot griddle and when it is brown on the one side turn and brown on the other side.

These crumpets are a little different from the normal and really worth the trouble if you can get hold of all the ingredients. Try this delicate crumpets recipe and see how your family loves it.

Pumpkin Cake Custard

You do not have to think about tasty pumpkin dishes for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin is tasty all year long, so if you have an electric stand mixer, such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, try this recipe as this mixer makes it very easy.

What You Need:

• 1 1/2 C cake flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 TBSP cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ginger
• 1/8 tsp. cloves
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. salt, divided
• 1/2 C dark brown sugar, packed firm
• 1/2 C white sugar
• 1/2 C + 2 TBSP grape seed oil
• 1 3/4 C pumpkin puree, divided
• 2 lg. eggs + 8 lg. egg yolks
• 1 1/4 C whole milk
• 1/2 C maple syrup

How to Make It:

1. Place the oven temperature on 350 degrees and allow the oven to heat while preparing the cake.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Place the flour into a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the baking soda and baking powder and toss to combine.
5. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and 1/2 tsp. salt.
6. Toss to make sure all the dry ingredients are combined together well.
7. Place the both sugars together in a separate bowl.
8. Add the oil and 1 C of the pumpkin puree to the sugar.
9. Beat with an electric mixer such as one of the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers, on medium speed 2 minutes.
10. Continue beating on low speed while adding the flour mixture.
11. Continue beating until the flour mixture is completely moistened.
12. Add one whole egg and beat well to combine.
13. Add the second egg and continue beating until thoroughly combined.
14. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
15. Bake 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
16. Remove and cool completely.
17. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
18. Whisk together the remaining 3/4C puree and the milk in a large mixing bowl.
19. Add the remaining salt, maple syrup and egg yolks to the mixture.
20. Continue to whisk the ingredients together until all the ingredients are incorporated together.
21. Break the cooled cake into small pieces and place the pieces into 8 oven safe custard cups.
22. Pour the custard mixture over the top of the cake pieces.
23. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the cake has completely absorbed the liquid.
24. Place the custard cups in a large baking pan.
25. Fill the baking pan with very hot water to where it reaches half way up the custard cups.
26. Cover the pan with foil making sure the foil fits tightly over the pan.
27. Bake 32 minutes or until set.

8 Servings

These custard cups remind you of old fashion bread pudding with a pumpkin twist. Fix them instead of the tradition bread pudding as a dessert with your Thanksgiving feast.

You will really surprise your family and friends with this exciting recipe. You can even experiment and use other fruit purees and see how that comes out. Apple sauce comes to mind.

Cool off with These Summertime Goodies When It’s Hot

Cool off with These Summertime Goodies When It’s Hot

During summer you can get some of the best fruit and veggies of the year. I love all the summer fruit and veggies such as plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, summer squash, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, carrots, corn and so on. Raw fuir and veggies makes the ideal summer snack or dessert.

It is easy to grab a handful of grapes or strawberries as a snack on a hot summer’s day, or chop up some crisp, raw vegetables to enjoy with a creamy dip. There so many cool, summer recipes using your favorite fruits and veggies and so I thought I’d share some here.

Berry Fool: 

Easy to make but oh so yummy to eat. Your guests will be wowed with this delicious, summery dessert and your family will love it too.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups strawberries or 3 cups blackberries, blueberries or raspberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Preparation:

1. Gently rinse berries.
2. Hull strawberries if using.
3. Set aside a few berries for garnish, if you like.
4. In a medium bowl gently toss berries with sugar and lemon juice.
5. Let sit for 20 min.
6. Put berry mixture in a suitable container and blend with a hand blender, such as a KitchenAid KHB300 Hand Blender, until smooth or simply use a large fork to mash them a bit.
7. Set aside.
8. In a large bowl beat cream until soft peaks form.
9. Gently fold berry mixture into cream until evenly distributed.
10. Spoon into serving dishes, top with reserved berries for garnish, if you like, and serve immediately or keep chilled up to 1 hour.

So cool, fruity and delicious; a perfect treat all summer long.
Here’s a summertime treat perfect for kids:

Jell-O Ice Cream

What you need:

• 3-ounce package of your favorite flavor Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups of your favorite flavor of ice cream or sherbet

What to do:

1. Completely dissolve Jell-O in boiling water.
2. Stir for 2 minutes. Add ice cream or sherbet by the spoonful, stirring until melted. Pour into individual dessert glasses or serving bowl.
3. Chill until set, about 30 minutes.
4. Garnish as desired with colorful berries.

Another flavor combination that makes a scrumptious summer treat sure to please any child or hubby is Vanilla Ice Cream and Orange flavored gelatin. This would be like an Orange Julius or Dreamsicle.

Come up with your own flavor combinations - let your taste buds be your guide.

Berry Fruity Shake, a summertime treat everyone will love to cool off with and is oh so easy to make.

What you need:

• 4 1/2 cups ice cubes
• 2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 cups of your favorite berries, like blue, black and raspberry
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What to do:

1. Fill the blender, such as one of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blenders with Polycarbonate Jars, 3/4 full of ice cubes.
2. Pour in the milk, sugar, berries and vanilla. Blend until smooth.

When thinking of cool, summertime treats use your imagination and help your family stay cool, using all the wonderful and tasty summer fruit and veggies. Fruit is tasty and healthy and it is nature’s own goodness!

Exceptional Ruben Sandwich On The Grill Recipe

Making this tasty Ruben sandwich on the grill results in a very tasty sandwich. This is not your everyday Ruben sandwich recipe, the combination of ingredients will have your family guests come back for more, so make enough!

For the chopping it will be a good idea to use a food processor, such as one of the KitchenAid 700-Watt 12-Cup Food Processors.

Not Your Everyday Ruben Recipe

What You Need:

• 1/4 C ketchup
• 1/4 C mayonnaise
• 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. celery seed
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 3 C cabbage, shredded
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped fine
• 1/4 C mayonnaise
• 2 tsp. white wine vinegar
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• Corned beef (1 1/2 lb) sliced thin
• 12 slices rye bread
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 6 slices Swiss cheese

How to Make It:

1. Place the ketchup, 1/4 C mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl and whisk being sure the sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Add the celery seed, paprika and cayenne, stir until mixed well and set aside.
3. Place the cabbage and onion in a large bowl and toss.
4. In a separate bowl whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt together.
5. Pour the mixture over the cabbage and onions and stir well.
6. Heat the grill to medium high.
7. Place the slices of corned beef on the grill and cook 30 seconds or just long enough to heat them through.
8. Butter one side of each piece of rye bread.
9. Spread the dressing mixture on the other side of each slice of bread.
10. Place a slice of cheese on 6 pieces of the bread on the dressing side.
11. Place all the bread slices on the grill butter side down and toast about 45 seconds or until lightly brown and the cheese is just beginning to melt.
12. Place the corn beef slices on top of the cheese.
13. Add the cabbage mixture and top with the other slice of bread.

This is not your typical Ruben sandwich. The combination of these ingredients together will keep them coming back for more.

Potato and Ham Breakfast With Cheese Recipe

Potatoes and ham are always a good combination for breakfast. This dish is made even tastier by the addition of cheese, which is also a winner on its own. Try this cheesy potato and ham breakfast recipe the next time you want to serve something special for breakfast.

To take care of the chopping, dicing and slicing you can use a food processor, such as one of the KitchenAid 700-Watt 12-Cup Food Processors.

Cheesy Potato and Ham Breakfast

What You Need:

• 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/4 C of onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 2 tbsp of water
• 1 C of cooked lean ham, diced
• 3 C of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1/2 C of reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 C of skim milk
• 1/4 tsp of salt

How to Make It:

1. Allow the oven to preheat to 350 degrees.
2. Place the apple into an ovenproof skillet.
3. Add the onion, sage and water and place over medium heat.
4. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until tender.
5. Stir in the potatoes and ham.
6. Cook the mixture for 10 minutes or until heated through.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and quickly sprinkle half of the cheese over the top.
8. Break the eggs into a mixing bowl.
9. Add the milk and salt and whisk until blended well.
10. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and ham but do not stir.
11. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
12. Bake for 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 6 servings

When sautéing the apples and onions or even with other vegetables or meat use water, broth or even unsweetened fruit juice instead of oil or butter for a healthier addition to your meals.

Exceptional Hard Boiled Egg Mayonnaise Recipe

Making your own salad dressings is always a good idea. A tasty mayonnaise can make all the difference to a dish and if you have a food processor, such as the Cuisinart Custom Pro 11 Cup Stainless Steel Food Processor, making it is easy.

So, why not spoil your family and friends with this tasty mayonnaise that is just that little bit different. It has the added benefit that you do not have to use pasteurized eggs, as you have to do with normal mayonnaise, as you are using a hard boiled egg.

Hard Boiled Egg Mayonnaise Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 TBSP lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp prepared mustard
• 1 hard boiled egg
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method:

1. Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse until well blended and smooth.
2. If you prefer, you can also just chop the boiled egg very small and blend ingredients together with a fork or whisk.
3. Keep refrigerated in jar with tight lid.
4. Be sure to chill thoroughly before you use.