How to make Taco Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 3 tablespoons Ketchup
• 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
• 6 cheddar cheese slices
• 6 tomato slices
• 6 flour tortillas warmed
• 2 teaspoons chili powder (optional)

Steps:

1. In medium bowl combine ground beef, taco seasoning, ketchup, and chili powder
2. Mix well and form into 12 patties
3. Sprinkle 6 of the patties with cheese
4. Use the other 6 patties to seal in the cheese so it does not leak out while cooking
5. Grill or broil burgers, for 12 minutes (flip halfway through)
6. Top with extra cheese
7. Place burger and tomato slice on tortilla
8. Fold in both sides
9. Wrap bottom of tortilla over top, and toothpick in place

Tips:

• Serve with salsa and sour cream
• Add lettuce or onion
• Use Mexican cheese
• Chop burgers in half and use hard taco shells 

Beef Stuffed Shells

*Makes 6 Servings*

Ingredients:

• 24 Pasta stuffing shells
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 14 ounces Picante sauce
• 1 cup water
• 16 ounces tomato sauce
• 8 ounces chopped green chilies
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
• French Fried onions (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cook pasta shells in unsalted water and drain
3. Brown ground beef in a large skillet 
4. Drain Fat
5. Combine picante sauce, water and tomato sauce in small bowl
6. Stir 1 cup of sauce mixture into ground beef
7. Add chilies, 1 cup of cheese, and 1 can french fried onions to meat (mix well)
8. In a ten inch round baking dish, pour half of the remaining sauce and spread evenly
9. Stuffed cooked shells with meat mixture
10. Arrange shells in baking dish
11. Pour remaining sauce over them
12. Bake 30 minutes (covered)
13. Put remaining cheese and french fried onions on top and bake an additional 5 minutes
14. Serve while hot, with tortilla chips 
15. Garnish with celery, and salsa verde if desired

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

Grilling food is very popular in the summer !

To grill corn on the cob, you have to follow these easy steps

1. Peel back corn husks, but DO NOT remove them. (leave them attached at the end)
2. Wash corn thoroughly until all corn hairs are washed away
3. Lightly salt and butter, then put husks back in place
4. Place on grill Remove when starts to crisp on the outside
5. Add more butter, it will melt nicely because the corn is so hot

How to make Potato Salad

Should make 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/6 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups cooked potatoes (cubed) Tip* Do not cook the potatoes until mushy!!
• 2 hard boiled eggs (chopped)
• 1/2 cup onion ( finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup celery (sliced thin)
• 1/2 cup sweet pickles (optional)

Steps:

1. Combine mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, onion, celery seed, and celery in a bowl
2. Mix Well
3. Add eggs, potatoes, and sweet pickles if you choose
4. Mix Lightly
5. Cover and refrigerate until served

Switch things up, potato salad is good in many different ways.

You can add crumbled bacon, or ham. 

Substitute the mustard for horseradish. 

Even replace celery with cucumber, and celery seed with dill weed.

Cooking Conversions

Dry Measurements:

1 teaspoon = 5 mL

1 tablespoon = 15 mL

1 cup = 250 mL

2 cups = 1 pint or 500 mL

4 cups = 1 quart or 1 L

Fluid Measurements:

1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons

4 fluid ounces = 1/2 cup

16 fluid ounces = 2 cups

Weight:

1 ounce = 30 grams

16 ounces = 1 pound

Oven Temperatures:

250 degrees F = 120 degrees C

300 degrees F = 150 degrees C

325 degrees F = 160 degrees C

375 degrees F = 190 degrees C

425 degrees F = 220 degrees C

A Twist on Taco Dip

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 1 container Sour Cream
• 1 bottle Catalina Dressing
• 1/2 Head of lettuce
• Small can sliced olives
• 1 Packet taco seasoning
• 1 bag Mexican cheese
• 1 bag Cheesy Doritos
• 1 lb ground hamburger
• Diced tomatoes and Beans (optional)

Steps:

Fully cook hamburger and drain fat
While meat is cooking chop up lettuce
Put lettuce, olives, cheese, and Catalina dressing in a bowl
Mix well
Add taco seasoning to cooked meat, (meat should be cooled)
You can either crumble the Doritos into the salad or serve them to be dipped
Have Sour cream on the table to be added on top

How to make Taco Dip

Ingredients:
1 can re-fried beans (16 ounces)
1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces)
1 large tomato chopped
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 cup sliced black olives
1/2 Teaspoon TABASCO
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
Tortilla chips
-- Use chopped tomatoes, and cilantro for garnish


Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine re-fried beans, 3 tablespoons tomato sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon TABASCO in a medium bowl
3. Mix well
4. Spread in 1 and 1/2 quart baking dish (evenly)
5. Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese and chopped tomatoes on top
6. In a skillet cook beef, then add chili powder
7. **Make sure beef is fully cooked**
8. Remove from heat, and drain meat (to remove excess fat)
9. Stir in the rest of the tomato sauce, olives, and spread evenly in baking dish
10. Cover with Cheddar Cheese
11. Bake 15 to 20 minutes
12. Remove from oven and top with Sour Cream and Garnish as desired
13. Serve with tortilla chips

How to make Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (Sift flour before measuring)

1/2 cup of butter

Toppings: Sugar, nuts and cherries

Steps:

1. Cream Butter
2. Add sugar gradually
3. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until light 
4. Sift flour again with baking Powder
5. Add to butter mixture, let chill for a half hour
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
7. Roll out dough very thin on a floured surface
8. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes
9. Place on non stick cookie sheet
10. Decorate with sugar, cherries, colored sprinkles, or nuts
11. Bake for ten minutes
12. ** Watch closely so the cookies don't burn, remove before fully cooked as the will continue to cook sitting on the cookie sheet
13. When fully cooked, place on cooling rack
14. Serve while still warm and chewy

Tips**

• If you wish do not decorate until after cooked and cooled, then frost and add sprinkles
•  Freeze the dough before you want to use it, if dough is left at room temperature for too long it will become extremely sticky.
• Do this activity with your children, the will have fun mixing, and decorating the cookies. And we all know they will enjoy eating them after dinner.

Homemade Corn Bread

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Steps:

1. Melt butter in a iron skillet, inside over being heated to 350 degrees
2. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
3. Beat eggs;  then add milk, and 2 tablespoons of butter from hot skillet in separate bowl
4. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients, until no clumps (makes a batter)
5. Pour this batter into the hot skillet with remaining butter
6. Bake 20-25 minutes
7. Serve when cooled. with butter

How to make German Potato Salad

Ingredients:
3 pounds Potatoes
1/2 bunch celery
1.5 red onions
1/2 pound of bacon, crumbled
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
1 and 1/2 cup of Mayo
2 tablespoons white vinegar (or cider vinegar)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tablespoon granulated sugar



Steps:

1. Cook unpeeled potatoes until tender, NOT mushy!
2. Slice thinly, trying not to make the crumble
3. Place 1 layer of potatoes in bowl and sprinkle with salt
4. Top with a layer of bacon, onion, celery and then parsley (In that order) 
5. In a separate bowl mix mayonnaise, salt, pepper, vinegar, and sugar
6. Spread a few tablespoons over the parsley layer
7. Repeat steps 3-6 until you are out of ingredients
8. Toss this salad very gently, trying not to break the potatoes
9. Chill in fridge until served

How to make Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:

2-3 large carrots sliced

2 Large potatoes Chopped

1 large onion chopped

1 to 2 lbs ground beef 

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 quart tomato juice

Steps:

1. Put celery, potatoes, carrots, ground beef, onion, salt and pepper in large pot
2. add enough water to just cover the ingredients
3. Add tomato juice
4. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook 1 hour covered
5. Stir occasionally to break up meat
6. Skim off fat from the top off broth
7. Season to taste

TIPS

** Pour over noodles for an extra boost, but remember pasta absorbs broth !
Add peas, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you think would be good

Party Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

3 cups shredded cheese
1 package cream cheese (8ounces)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Chopped Nuts
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Crackers/ Fresh Vegetables
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of onion powder

Steps:

1. Combine Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, mayo, and Worcestershire in a bowl
2. Mix Well
3. Form into ball and roll into nuts 
4. Serve with crackers or other create ides that go good with cheese

What to eat on Good Friday?

Good Friday is a day when you are not supposed to eat meat. Today's the day to eat seafood and fish, as a main course. Personally I like Salmon and shrimp, in place of any other meal. Here is a shrimp recipe to help spice up your meal Friday night.

Shrimp with Rosemary

Ingredients:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, or double for fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup finely minced parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Lemon Juice
• 1 dozen raw jumbo shrimp
• Lemon Zest (1 tablespoon)

Steps:

1. Mix together Oil, cayenne, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, rosemary, and zest in a bowl
2. Marinate the shrimp and refrigerate for four to twenty-four hours
3. Broil Shrimp for four minutes
4. Marinate again, and continue
5. Flip shrimp over and broil for another four minutes
6. Serve right after cooked, or refrigerate to serve cold

Tip** Marinade the night before for extra flavor.

How to make Jello Eggs

What you need....

• Egg Mold
• Jello (Favorite flavors)
• Hot water
• Measuring cup with pouring spout
• Cooking spray                  

What to do....

First open the molder and spray with cooking spray so jello wont stick

Make jello as directed on box, usually will ask for hot water

Stir until fully dissolved

Do not mix flavors of jello for solid colored eggs

* you should do one flavor at a time

Pour jello mixture into measuring cup 

Make sure the egg molder is closed tightly 

Pour mixture through the top holes until egg is filled

* Just fill to the top of egg shape

Put in fridge and let set for a few hours

Use a small butter knife to gently open the mold, and remove eggs

Keep refrigerated !

Repeat for other flavors

How to color Easter eggs

First you have to hard boil the eggs, which is very easy.

1. Fill a pot with water, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and a teaspoon of salt
2. Gently put eggs into pot and bring to a boil
3. Reduce to medium heat and let cook for 15- 20 minutes

REFRIGERATE AFTER REMOVED FROM WATER FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS

When eggs are ready to be colored.....

1. Get six medium size plastic cups
2. Put 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the bottom, and add 15 drops of food coloring. (add 20 to 25 for deeper colors)
3. Add half a cup of water, and stir
4. Do this in every cup with different colors
5. Mix colors to get different shades

Get spoons, rubber bands, egg decorating kit (optional), stickers, white crayon, and paper towels.

Be sure to have your egg carton handy.

1. To start off lay newspaper or something down so you don't stain you working space
2. Wear gloves if you have them
3. Put one colored egg into a cup at a time and let sit ( the longer it sits in the color the darker the egg will be)
4. Hold egg half way in the color with a spoon or wire egg holder from kit to get more designs or patterns
5. Use the white crayon before dipping in color to draw a design
6. Use rubber bands to wrap around the egg, after the color dries and the bands are removed an interesting design will be left white. Or if dipped in another color it will look striped
7. You can use paper towel to lighten colors, and help dry them faster, be gentle though
8. There are many ways to decorate eggs and if you have kids it is important to be creative. Just have fun with it. 

After Easter is over, remove shells, wash thoroughly, and enjoy an egg salad sandwich 

How to make Deviled eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• Paprika
• Salt and Pepper
• Green olives (optional)

Steps:

1. Carefully put eggs in a pot of water ( Use a spoon to set on the bottom of the pot so they don't crack)
2. Bring water to a boil for 5 minutes, then reduce heat cover and let sit for 15 minutes
3. Carefully remove eggs and let cool, put in refrigerator until cold
4. Take out and slice in halves, remove the yolk and place egg face up on a dish
5. Put all the yolks in a bowl with mayo, mustard, salt and pepper. 
6. Mash thoroughly
7. Spoon back into the wholes, lefts in the eggs ( Or fill a plastic bag and cut the corner, like you would to frost a cake)
8. Lightly sprinkle paprika on top of eggs
9. Top with an olive if you want 

Tips:

* Add vinegar and a little salt to the water in case an egg breaks. It will help keep the white part of the egg from exiting the shell while boiling.

How to Fry French Fries out of the Bag

Frying french fries out the bag can be really easy but very dangerous if you don't pay close attention to them. When frying foods make sure your grease or oil does not get to hot because it may start a fire. oil can bubble over, or start splattering and can cause severe burns. But frying french fries is really easy, if you take the right precautions.

Things you will need

• Frozen French Fries
• Vegitable Oil
• Frying Pan
• Stove

Directions:

1. Bring oil to medium heat
2. Insert French fries into grease
3. Cook until Golden Brown
4. Remove carefully with tongs
5. Place on plate with paper towel to help absorb extra grease

If you do start a small fire, wet a wash cloth and throw it over the flames. Or pour salt over it.

Homemade Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients: (makes 2-3 Sandwiches)

• 1 small can Tomato Paste
• Chili powder
• Half an Onion (Finely Chopped)
• Half a green pepper (Finely Chopped)
• Small pack Ground Beef
• Hot Sauce ( for an OPTIONAL twist)
• 1/2 cup of ketchup
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Pack of hamburger Buns
• Cup of water

Steps:

1. Saute pepper and onion in light oil for 5 minutes ( just lightly, not until brown)
2. Put pasta sauce, water, onion, and green pepper in a sauce pan on medium heat
3. Do not bring to a boil
4. In separate skillet cook hamburger until almost done
5. Drain grease, and add to saucepan
6. Stir in Ketchup
7. Cook covered for five minutes, it should make a meat sauce
8. Add more water for thinner consistency
9. Sprinkle chili powder, salt and pepper into sauce
10. Serve on hamburger buns with sweet potato fries

How do you make Risotto?

Ingredients:
6 cups of Chicken Broth (heated)
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (Separate two tablespoons until the end of recipe)
2 cups Arborio Rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese



Steps:

1. Heat 4 tablespoons butter in saucepan
2. Add onions, cook until translucent
3. Add rice
4. Slowly stir in white wine (Continue stirring until full absorbed)
5. Add chicken broth, very slowly (Stir constantly until rice is cooked)
6. Add cheese and remaining tablespoons of butter

* You can steam up some mushrooms and add them if you like

How to make Cacio e Pepe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound or spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons of black pepper
• 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese ( or 1 and 3/4 Pecorino and skip next ingredient)
• 3/4 cup grated Cacio de Roma 

Steps:

1. Boil pasta until al dente in saucepan (continue on to other steps while this one is in process)
2. Heat oil in a skillet
3. Add pepper until fragrant
4. Add 3/4 cup of pasta water to oil
5. Bring to a boil
6. Use Tongs** to transfer pasta into oil skillet
7. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese on pasta
8. Toss until creamy
9. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cup of heavy cream
• 6 Tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 pound of pasta (angel hair, Spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, of any other pasta you like)
• Spices: Parsley, nutmeg, white pepper, shallots, lemon zest

Steps:

1. Get a sauce pan and combine heavy cream and butter
2. Put over medium heat until bubbling
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese (and any other white cheese of your choice)
4. Season to your liking
5. While making sauce, bring a separate pot of water to boil
6. Slowly stir in pasta, and cook until desired softness
7. Drain noodles thoroughly
8. Pour a little Alfredo sauce into the cooked noodles so they don't stick together
9. When serving pour sauce over noodles on plate and use parsley as a garnish

Alfredo is very good with chicken in it, you can grill, boil, bake, or steam the chicken. Cut into strips and stir into sauce. Or crumble on top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Quesidillas

Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts
• Shredded Cheese of your choice
• Olives
• Tomatoes
• Sour Cream
• Salsa
• Tortilla shells (soft)
• Butter

Steps:

1. Bake chicken breasts after marinating them in mexican spices or sazon
2. Cut chicken into thin strips
3. Heat up a skillet big enough to fit a tortilla shell
4. Put a little butter in the pan until melted
5. Lay down a tortilla and put ingredients desired on it
6. Top with another tortilla, until bottom is browned
7. Flip Carefully, cook until cheese is melted
8. Repeat untill all quesidillas are made
9. Cut into triangles
10. Serve with sour cream and salsa

Tortilla chips are a good appetizer for this meal
Use shredded lettuce as a garnish*

Fruit Dip

Ingredients:
Bar of cream cheese
Small container of Fluff
Mashed fruit

Stir all ingredients together and put in a topped container
Refrigerate for at least one hour
Serve with fresh fruit

Delicious, sweet party appetizer

Fruit, Yogurt and Granola

This is a very healthy snack, or even a good breafast.

1. Pick your favorite fruit and chop up into small bite size pieces
2. Put yogurt of your choice in a bowl and stir in fruit
3. Top with a crunchy whole wheat granola and extra fruit

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• Bag of shrimp
• Stick of butter
• Garlic
• Bowtie Pasta

Steps:

1. Sautee shrimp in butter and add garlic
2. It should create a garlic sauce and the shrimp should be thoroughly cooked
3. Boil water and cook pasta as desired
4. Pour shrimp and juice over pasta

 ENJOY

Add Broccli or Zucchini for a vegitable

Southwestern Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:
Large Potatoes
Salsa
Corn
Sour Cream
Salt
Butter
Milk
Mexican Cheese
Olive oil


Steps:

1.      Wash the potatoes thoroughly

2.      Use a fork to stab a straight line across the potatoes

3.      Lightly coat each potato with oil

4.      Bake on 375 until browning on the outside.

5.      Cut in half on the dotted line made by the fork

6.      Scoop out the inside of the potato

7.      Mix salsa, corn, salt, butter, and milk in a bowl with insides of potatoes. (mash)

8.      Refill the potato skins and top with Mexican cheese, bake 10 minutes

9.      Top with sour cream if desired

How to make Mashed Potatoes

There are many different mashed potatoes recipes. It is a very simple side dish, but can be very plain. There are many extra ingredients you can add to spice up the potatoes.



Skins or NO skins?

First you have to decide whether you want potato skins in them. If you do, then bake or boil the potatoes until soft. If not then you have to peel the potatoes first.







Whipped or Mashed?

You can mash the potatoes many different ways. There are many electronic mixers now a days, and metal potato mashers. But in a new kitchen, for college students and other people without certain tools you can simply use a drinking cup. (Turn the cup over and put your hand in it.)

If you do have an electronic mixer you can have whipped potatoes which are more airy and light.



Lumps or NO lumps?

Some people like their potatoes with lumps, others like the smooth and creamy, the more you mash the creamier the potatoes will get.

Ingredients:  This will make a simple mashed potato

Butter

Salt

Milk

*Add all three ingredients as you are mashing.

Optional Ingredients: The first four just add while mashing

·         Chives

·         Bacon

·         Garlic

·         Salsa

·         Bake with Cheddar cheese

·         Top with Sour Cream

My Personal Favorites!

1.       Cheesy Bacon Potatoes

2.       Chive Potatoes topped with sour cream

3.       South Western Potatoes ( with corn,  salsa and topped with sour cream)

4.       Garlic Potatoes

Whole Wheat Honey Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 lb. butter melted
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1-2 cups unbleached white flour

Steps:

1. Stir honey, melted butter, and salt together in large mixing bowl
2. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of water; then add to large mixing bowl
3. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and whole wheat flour * should make an airy; spongey mixture
4. *Beat well by hand*
5. Cover and let rise 1 hour
6. Stir in white flour until dough is soft (not sticky)
7. Knead dough on a flourered surface
8. Let rise until double in size
9. Shape into two loaves of bread
10. Put in geased pans and cover
11. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
12. Let dough rise again until doubled
13. Bake 35 to 45 minutes

Cool before serving

Simple Pie Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3-4 tablespoons of water

1. Mix all ingredients together carefully
2. Do NOT over knead the dough
3. Refrigerate 20 minutes
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
5. Roll into thin sheet and mold to pie dish
6. Bake 20 minutes or untile golden brown

Tips*
Use wax paper over dough when rolling
Spray pan with non-stick spray
Fill after completely cooled !

Danish Puff

First Set of Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 stick margarine
• 2 tablespoons water

1. Mix together as you would a pie crust, and separate into two even halves.
2. Put each half in a cookie sheet
3. *Put wax paper over each so the rolling pin does not stick to the dough*
4. Roll into 3" by 12" sheets

Second Set of Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 tsp. almond flavoring
• 1 cup flour
• 3 eggs

1. In a saucepan bring water and butter to a boil
2. add 1 tsp. of almond flavoring
3. REMOVE from heat
4. add flour; mix until thick
5. Then add the 3 eggs *ONE AT A TIME*
6. Spread on top of other mixture

Bake at 350 dgrees for 1 hour

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1-2 teaspoons of margarine
• 2-3 cups of confectionary sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milke
• 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring

1. Mix together all ingredients
2. Frost danish when cool !
3. Top with nut of your choice (Suggestion: almonds or walnuts)

Three Step Treat

Peanut Butter Raisin Chews

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of peanut butter
• 1 cup powdered milk
• 1/2 cup honey or molasses or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup raisins

OPTIONAL EXTRA INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup cocunut
• 1/2 cup crushed cereal, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds

Steps:

1. Stir together all ingredients
2. Roll into balls
3. Put in fridge or freezer ( until desired texture )

* Balls put in freezer will be chewier*

You can also make oatmeal raisin chews, and many other kinds !

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell

1 (16oz) can pumpkin (about two cups)

1 (14oz) sweetened condensed milk ( NOT EVAPORATED MILK!!)

2 eggs

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Combine all ingredients (except pastry shell) and mix well

Pour into pasty shell bake 15 minutes

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees

Continue baking 35 to 40 minutes

Let cool before serving

* Top with whipped cream, or garnish however desired

How to make Italian Bread

Ingredients:

6 or 7 cups of flour

2 tsp of salty

2 1/2 cups luke warm water

2 packages dry yeast

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl

* add a little less flour then called for and add the rest if needed

Knead for ten minutes, until smooth

Pour 1/4 cup olive oil over dough, knead until no longer sticky, usually will take 3 to 5 minutes.

Cover dough with clean towel and allow to rise until double in size

Shape the dough how you want it and preheat over to 425 degrees

Brush top of bread with water, or beaten egg yolks

Bake for 10 minutes at 425, the for 30 minutes at 375, or until slightly browned.

If tapped on the bottom it should sound hollow when done.

Place on a rack to cool off.

Ideas: If you wish to spice things up or add a twist to this delicious bread...

Add just a little bit of finely chopped fresh chives to the dough.

Just before removing fromv the oven shred jalepeno chedder jack cheese on top.

How to ... Fondue

This is a great party snack and is perfect for all guests.

There is certainly many different types of fondue some for vegaterians, there is soy based cheeses for vegans, chocolate lovers, meat lovers. First you need to find out what kind of crowd will be present at your get together.

Then you should pick what you want to dip into the fondue.

Whether its fresh fruit chopped and ready to plunge into a delicious chocolate suace. Vegitables ready to be covered in a spicy cheese dip. Or sliced meat combined with the perfect flavor of chicken fondue.

Chocolate Fondue

19 oz bar of milk chocolate broken

2 tbsp honey

1/2 cup of light cream

1/4 finely chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla

Heat honey and cream in fondue pot, or on stove if one is not available. Stir in chocolate slowly stirring constantly until a sauce is made or all chocolate is melted. Stir in pecans and vanilla.

Dipping ideas !

Cake Squares

Brownies

ANY FRUIT

Marshmellos

Be Creative

Cheese Fondue

1/2 pound of swiss cheese

1/2 pound of other cheese (recommend Gruyere)

2 tbsp Corn Starch

1 cup dry white wine

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Nutmeg

Very finely chopped green peppers

1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Shred cheese and mix with corn starch.

On medium heat combine with wine and lemon juice. Heat thourougly before SLOWLY adding the cheeses. after the cheese is melted add nutmeg and dry mustard to flavor. If desired add finely chopped peppers to spice it up. If you wish to have a gralic taste, before adding wine and lemon juice coat the pan with a little garlic.

If it will go fast pour into a bread bowl for decoration, but if kept away from heat it will not stay liquid for long.

Dipping Ideas !

Cubed French Bread

Vegitables (peppers are really good)

Chicken

Cubed ham

Apple Fondue

13 oz package of cream cheese

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

3/4 cup grated swiss cheese

1 tbsp flour

1/2 cup White wine

1/8 tsp Garlic Salt

Dash of Cayenne pepper

1 cup of water

Pour one cup of water into fondue pot base. Cut cream cheese into cubes. Mix all cheese with flour.

Plug the pot into outlet and pour wine into the fondue pot, heat until bubbles slightly, dont boil.

Very SLOWLY stir in Cheeses little at a time and constantly stir untill all cheese is melted. Beat with fork if any clumps, occur. Stir in garlic and cayenne pepper.

* Use Apples and pears for dippers

How to Beat Egg Whites

Beating egg whites is simple.

A few tips before we begin: Let eggs stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes

Use a stainless steel bowl, and beaters

It is easiest to use an egg separator but is not impossible to do without

First you have to make sure no water or other substance are in your mixing bowl, or on your beaters.

It is important to keep your egg whites away from anything that can keep them from foaming. ( Make sure no egg yolks have made there way into your whites.)

When you start to beat the eggs use a low setting until a foam like substance appears. Then you can increase the speed but dont beat the too much or they will dry up.

Some recipes are going to ask to beat until peaks form, to test this simply lift the beaters out of the egg whites and see if the eggs stand straight up or in other word form peaks.

If adding to another mixture, remember to gently fold in directly after finishing.

Voila ! Perfectly beat egg whites

How to make Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

1/2 Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

3 Eggs (separated)

1 tsp of Vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 cup Chopped Pecans

Steps:

Melt the chocolate chips over hot water

Beat egg yolks and add vanilla and salt, blend this mixture into the melted chocolate

Then Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form

Beat sugar into egg whites for 30 seconds

Fold in chocolate mixture and add Pecans if you wish

Dish into small bowls and top with anything you desire

Recommended: chocolate shavings, whipped topping and fresh strawberries.