Holiday Pretzel Treats

Salty pretzels combined with sweet chocoalte for these fun treats that make a yummy gift few can resist.

Ingredients
Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels
Hersey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug
M&M's candy

Instructions
*Heat the oven to 170 degrees. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hersey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.
*Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocoaltes feel soft when touched with a wooded spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.
*Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place then in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes.

*A DDVB favorite*

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Kids will have a ball making these rich treats. Although the centers are traditionally creamy, you can add graham crackers to the mix if you prefer crunchy. Makes about 7 dozen buckeyes.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups peaut butter
6 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 whole graham crackers, pulverized into crumbs (optional)
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions
*Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper; set it aside. Using a wooden spoon, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, adn graham crackers, if desired, in a large bowl. (The dough will look dry).
*Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Set them on the prepared cookie sheet and insert a toothpick into each ball. Chill them in the freezer until hard, about 30 minutes.
*Melt the chocolate chips in a heatproff bowl set atop a pot of simmering water over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat. Using the toothpick as a handle, dip the balls into the melted chocolate, leaving a small circle at the top uncovered. Place the dipped candies back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 2 hours. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

O Christmas Treat Pizza

This Christmas pizza treat will require and adult's assistance, but the kids will love trimming the "tree" with spinach and feta snowflakes.

Ingredients
1 package frozen, chopped spinach
Yellow, red, and orange bell peppers
Olive oil
Cornmeal
Pizza dough for one 12-inch round pizza
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
Feta cheese

Instructions
*Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cook the spinach, drain, and press it to squeeze out excess liquid. Set aside
*Use tiny cookie cutters to shape circles and stars from the peppers, set aside.
*Coat a 12-inch pizza pan with olive oil, then sprinkle on the cornmeal. Roll the dough into a circle and place on the pan, pushing the edges to the rim.
*Spread the tomato sauce on the dough and sprnkle on the grated Romato cheese. Top with the chopped spinah and then drizzle olive oil over the spinach. Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the spinach and arrange the pepper circles.
*Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is browned. Cut the pizza into triangular slices and then trim the crust to form a trunk. Finally top each slice with a yellow star. Makes one 12-inch pizza.

Wrap 'n' Stack Sandwich Tree

Can't decide what to bring to a tree-trimming party? Bring this edible tree. Made from mini sandwiches and trimmed with colorful vegetables. It can serve as a healthy alternative to the usual array of holiday sweets.

Ingredients
1 16-ounce can whole-berry cranberry sauce
4 large (9 or 10 inch) spinach-flour tortillas
Mayonnaise
3/4 pound thinly sliced Monterey Jack or American cheese
3/4 pound thinly sliced smoked turkey
1/2 head green-leaf lettuce
Toothpics
Red and yellow bell peppers
Cocktail onions, for garnish

Instructions
*Spoon the cranberry sauce into a food processor and pulse it briefly.
*Then lay teh tortillas on a flat working surface and lightly spread them with mayonnaise. Now your kids can top each tortilla with a layer of cheese and turkey. (Tip: When stacking ingredients, leave an inch margin along the top of the tortilla. Roll the bread toward that edge to keep the filling from falling out.)
*Spread cranberry sauce on the turkey layers adn cover them with lettuce. Snugly roll up the sandwiches, ending with the loose edges underneath.
*With a serrated knife, cut each roll-up into 1 1/4 inch wide pinwheels and insert a toothpick to hold each one together.
*On a serving platter, arrange the pinwheels in rows to create a Christmas tree. Garnish with pepper-star ornaments (cut out with a small cookie cutter) and cocktail-onion lights.

Using the Extra Surplus Out of Your Garden

Found this great entry from Our Ohio by Barbara Arnold today...thought I'd share it with everyone...

"Summer gardens are in full production mode now, but as we reap the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor, what is to be done with the surplus? When the garden yields more than enough to feed just one family, the decision should be to share, of course. What can be done to make those extra zucchinis look tastier and more appealing? Try displaying them in a basket rather than packing them into a boring grocery bag. Gift baskets are a great way to make anyone feel special and have the added benefit of leaving a good impression of the designer on the recipient."

Get the rest by clicking the link right here:

http://ourohio.org/home-gardens/gardening-basics/fall/gifts-from-the-garden/

Crumbly Apple Pie

A buttery brown sugar topping is a fabulous variation on this classic American apple pie.

45 Minutes Preparation
30 Minutes Chilling
35 Minutes Baking


Ingredients
*Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening
1/4 cup ice water
*Filling
7 medium Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or Gravenstein apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
*Topping
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation
*Place oven rack on lowest position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
*To prepare crust, in a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut shortening into flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
*Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until a dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
*On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 12-inch circle, Fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim excess dough, leaving a 1-inch overhang; make a decorative edge.
*To prepare filling, mix together all ingredients. Spoon into crust.
*To prepare topping, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, and nutmeg. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut butter into brown sugar mixture until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle apples evenly with topping.
*Bake pie until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbly, 35 minutes. If pie is overbrowning, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Healthy Apple-Walnut Muffins

Made with no added fat or sugar, these tasty muffins use fruit and buttermilk to keep them moist.

Makes 12 muffins
15 minutes preparation
25 minutes baking


Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 rounded teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons frozen, thawed apple juice concentrate
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons oat bran
2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (about 1 1/3 ounces)
Garnish
1 small Granny Smith apple, peeled cored, and cut into 12 thin slices


Preparation
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 12 standard size muffin pan cups or line with paper liners.
*Mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt.
*Mix together eggs, apple juice, and buttermilk.
*Stir flour mixture and oat bran into egg mixture until dry ingredients are just moistened. Do not overmix. Gently stir in chopped apples and nuts.
*Spoon batter into prepared pan, filling cups two-thirds full. Garnish each muffin with an apple slice.
*Bake muffins until lightly golden and tops spring back when pressed, 25 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool slightly. Turn muffins out onto rack to cool completely.

Bratwurst with Apples, Onion, and Sauerkraut

Oktoberfest fans, here's your dish. Wondra flour, which dissolves quickly to prevent lumps from forming, is what helps thicken the juices in this fall classic. You'll find it at the supermarket.



YIELD: Makes 6 servings



Ingredients:

1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups sauerkraut (preferably fresh), rinsed, drained, squeezed dry (from one 32-ounce jar)
1 large onion (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
3 large Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2 pounds total), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
6 whole smoked bratwurst (about 1 pound), pierced all over with skewer
4 bay leaves
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons dry vermouth
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
Pumpernickel bread or whole grain


Preparation

*Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place caraway seeds and fennel seeds in small resealable plastic bag. Crush seeds with mallet. Add flour and pepper to bag; shake to blend. Spread sauerkraut over bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of flour mixture over. Arrange onion slices over; sprinkle with half of remaining flour mixture, then lightly with salt. Spread half of apple slices over, then sprinkle with remaining flour mixture. Place bratwurst over apples, then arrange remaining apple slices around bratwurst. Tuck in bay leaves. Mix broth, vermouth, and ketchup in measuring cup. Pour broth mixture evenly over. Cover tightly with foil.
*Roast bratwurst 45 minutes. Uncover; brush with melted butter. Roast uncovered until edge of apples and sausages begin to brown, and about 25 minutes longer. Serve with bread.

Baked Chicken and Bacon-Wrapped Lady Apples

The ingredients are simple, but they add up to a main course that's incredibly hearty and satisfying. Cute little lady apples, cooked until soft and almost bursting, bring a luscious sweetness to the chicken and bacon.


YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
ACTIVE TIME: 25 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes


Ingredients

8 thin slices bacon (from a 1/2-lb package)
12 lady apples (about 1 to 2 inches in diameter)
6 chicken thighs (2lb; with skin and bones)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup unfiltered apple cider
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 sprigs fresh marjoram plus 2 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram, or to taste
1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter

Preparation

*Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
*Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, turning over once, until edges are lightly browned but bacon is still flexible (it will continue to cook in oven), 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet.
*While bacon cooks, core apples, if desired, from bottom, with pointed end of a vegetable peeler or a paring knife, leaving stems intact. Wrap a slice of bacon around each of 8 apples, securing ends of bacon by piercing with stem or suing half a wooden pick.
*Brush a 3-quart (13-by-9 inch) shallow baking dish with some bacon fat, then add apples to dish and bake, uncovered, 10 minutes.
*Meanwhile, pat chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat bacon fat in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook chicken, turning over once, until browned, about 8 minutes total. Transfer chicken with tongs to bakingdish, rearranging some of apples so that chicken fits in bottom of dish, and bake, uncovered, 5 minutes.
*While chicken bakes, pour off fat from skillet and add cider, vinegar, and marjoram sprigs to skillet. Boil. stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced by half (about 3/4 cup), about 5 minutes. Pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup, pressing on and then discarding solids. Add butter and chopped marjoram to sauce, stirring until butter is melted. Pour sauce over chicken and apples and continue to bake, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through and apples are tender, about 20 minutes more.

Sausage and Leek Soup

Ingredients

4 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), halved lengthwise, then chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
8 cups chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth (64 fluid ounces)
2 medium boiling potatoes
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup thinly sliced smoked kielbasa
2 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram
White pepper to taste

Preparation

*Wash leeks in a large bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
*Cook carrot and celery in 1/2 stick butter in a 4-5-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes.
*While stock simmers, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
*Melt remaining 1/2 stick butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups simmering stock, whisking vigorously (mixture will be thick), then whisk flour mixture into remaining stock and return to a simmer, whisking.
*Add potatoes, kielbasa, and marjoram and simmer soup, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.

Stuffed Squash Blossom Bruschetta

You'll find squash blossoms, which have a subtle squash flavor, from late spring to early fall at gourmet grocery stores, farmers' markets, or Latin food markets. They perish quickly and should be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than one day. Though the stuffed flowers are served here as an appetizer atop grilled bread, they would also make a good side dish without the bread, or you could arrange a couple of stuffed blossoms over a green salad.



YIELD: 8 servings (serving size: 2 bruschetta)



Ingredients
16 (1/2 ounce) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette
Cooking spray
2 garlic cloves
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoonchopped fresh dill
1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallots (about 1 small)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 large squash blossoms (about 3 cups)

Preparation
*Prepare grill or grill pan.

*Place bread on grill rack or grill pan coated with cooking spray; grill 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove from grill. Rub cut sides of garlic over one side of each bread slice. Set aside.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*Spoon ricotta onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spoon to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 15 minutes. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula. Stir in Parmesan and next 4 ingredients (through pepper). Gently spoon about 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture into each blossom. Gently press edges of blossoms to seal in cheese.

*Place stuffed blossoms in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top each bread slice with 1 squash blossom; serve immediately.

Watermelon Summer Salad

“Watermelon is tossed with onion, feta cheese and olives in this intriguing summer dish. Don’t be scared by the ingredients, they work together to make a very tasty and refreshing salad. Go ahead and try it – be prepared for a pleasant surprise!”

Ingredients:

¾ cup halved, thinly sliced red onion
½ cup pitted black olive halves
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 ½ quarts seeded, cubed watermelon
2 tablespoons olive oil
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. Place the onion slices in a small bowl with the lime juice. The acid of the lime will mellow the flavor of the raw onion. Let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, feta cheese, black olives, onions with the lime juice, and mint. Drizzle olive oil over it all, and toss to blend.

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Tomato, Mozzarella and Prosciutto Salad

An Italian – style salad combining the fresh flavors of ripe tomatoes, aromatic basil, and smooth mozzarella with the richness of prosciutto and the tangy flavor of balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients:

2 large ripe tomatoes
10 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 small red onion, chopped fine
1 small garlic clove, diced
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
½ pound prosciutto ham, sliced
fresh basil leaves for garnish

Dressing:

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. Cut tomatoes into medium width slices, approximately 8 slices.
2. Cut cheese into slices of similar sized widths as the tomato slices.
3. On each salad plate, or on a large serving plate, arrange the tomato and cheese slices so they alternate, laying first a slice of tomato and then a slice of cheese. As each slice of tomato is placed on the plate, add a little salt and pepper over each slice.
4. Sprinkle the onion, garlic and capers over the slices of cheese and tomatoes and then top with the sliced prosciutto ham.
5. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar and mustard. Season to taste.
6. Drizzle dressing over all the ingredients, and when ready to serve, garnish with basil.

Recipe courtesy of recipetips.com

Asparagus Roll-Ups

While contemplating a spring recipe, i was reminded that Asparagus is one of the earliest vegetables to come to life around Northwest Ohio. When i came across this recipe, i remember being served this simple and delicious treat at a luncheon that I attended a year ago in a Historic Defiance Home. Serve with a cup of soup, these roll-ups will dissapear quickly.

16 fresh Asparagus Spears
16 slices sandwich bread, crusts removed
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, softened
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 tbsp. fresh chives
1/4 cup butter melted
2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

Place Asparagus in a skillet with a small amount of water, cook until crisp and tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Flatten bread with rolling pin. Combine the cream cheese, bacon and chives; spread 1 tbsp. on each slice of bread. Top with an Asparagus spear. Roll up tightly adn place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter and sprinkle with Parmasan cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Dill Deviled Eggs

Eggs
Fresh dill
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Salt/Pepper
Paprika

Place the number of eggs desired into a pot and cover the eggs with 1 1/2" of cold water.
Partially cover the pot with a lid and bring water to boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover pot completely with lid and cook for 3o seconds. Remove from heat and let the eggs stand in hot water, still covered for 15 minutes.
Run eggs under cold water to stop cooking and for easier handling.

Peel hard boiled eggs. Slice in half. Remove egg yolks and place in small mixing bowl.
Combine, mayonnaise, mustard, fresh dill, salt and pepper to taste.
Pipe or spoon egg yolk mixture into egg white halves. Garish with paprika and fresh dill.

Alternative: If you do not have fresh dill and have dill pickles on hand, spoon a small amount of pickle juice into egg yolk mixture for dill taste. Sprinkle paprika for garnish.

Asparagus Pasta

1 16oz package of penne pasta
1 bunch of fresh asparagus
8oz fresh sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. minced garlic clove
1 cup chicken broth
3 tbsp. fresh basil
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan-Reggiano
2 tbsp. butter
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare pasta per package directions; rinse and drain.
Snap off tough ends of Asparagus and cut into 2 in. pieces.
Saute Asparagus in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 4 mins. Stir in onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook for two additional minutes.
Stir in chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 2 mins. or until asparagus is crisp tender. Stir in salt and pepper.
Toss together: pasta, asparagus mixture, basil, cheese and butter.