Apple Slab Pie

I was immediately drawn to this recipe from Pillsbury. Apples, cinnamon and nutmeg usually means good in my mind. This reminds me of the dessert pizza a local pizza restaurant serves with their buffet. It is wonderful! This is going to be a favorite for a long, long time.

 

 

Apple Slab Pie

1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
9 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (9 medium)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Remove pie crusts from pouches. Unroll and stack crusts one on top of the other on lightly floured surface. Roll to 17x12-inch rectangle. Fit crust into 15x10x1-inch pan, pressing into corners. Fold extra pastry crust under, even with edges of pan. Crimp edges.

Mix granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice. Stir in apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture into crust-lined pan.

Bake 33 to 38 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack 45 minutes.

Mix powdered sugar and milk until well blended. Drizzle over pie. Allow glaze to set before serving, about 30 minutes.

Makes 24 servings.

Chicken Broccoli Divan

This recipe comes from the folks over at Campbell's. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up to receive the Campbell's recipes via e-mail. Some of them are simply awesome!

 

Chicken Broccoli Divan

4 cups cooked broccoli florets
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request®)
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted
                                      
Place the broccoli and chicken into a 9-inch pie plate.

Stir the soup and milk in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the broccoli and chicken. Sprinkle with the cheese. Stir the bread crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the cheese.

Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot and bubbling.

Makes 4 servings.

Lemon Curd

Have I mentioned that I love all things lemon? Yeah. I do. Okay. Maybe all things that qualify as dessert. So the February 2013 issue of Southern Living is perfect for me. And you too if you like lemon.

This recipe is a quick and easy way to do something that’s just basic. Quick? Easy? Yeah! There are also lots of lemon recipes -- and other recipes too. Not everyone likes lemon after all.

Quick & Easy Lemon Curd

Step One
Grate zest from 6 lemons to equal 2 tablespoons. Cut lemons in half; squeeze juice into a measuring cup to equal 1 cup.

Step Two
Beat ½ cup butter, softened, and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Gradually add lemon juice to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition; stir in zest. (Mixture will look curdled.) Transfer to a 3-quart microwave-safe bowl.

Step Three
Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes, stirring at 1-minute intervals. Microwave, stirring at 30-second intervals, 1 to 2 more minutes or until mixture thickens, coats the back of a spoon, and starts to mound slightly when stirred.

Step Four
Place heavy-duty plastic wrap directly on warm curd (to prevent a film from forming), and chill 4 hours or until firm. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Makes 2 cups.

Stove-Top Method
Prepare as directed through Step Two, transferring mixture to a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 14 to 16 minutes. Proceed as directed in Step Four.

Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken

I found this recipe in the February 4, 2013 issue of People magazine. It was included in an article on Paula Deen and her family and all the weight they’ve lost. This is from Bobby Deen’s new cookbook From Mama’s Table to Mine. Does anybody else feel the need to lose a few pounds?

Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken

1/3 cup 1% buttermilk
¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon hot sauce
4 (12-oz.) skinless, bone-in chicken breasts
Vegetable cooking spray
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
½ cup dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese

Whisk together buttermilk, chives, mustard and hot sauce. Add chicken to bowl; cover, refrigerate and allow to soak at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Remove chicken from buttermilk; season with salt and pepper. Combine bread crumbs and cheese in a wide, shallow bowl. Dip chicken in crumb mixture, turning well to coat. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet; spray generously with cooking spray. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until done.

Makes 4 servings, at 342 calories per serving.

Two-Potato Gratin

This recipe comes from the December 2012 issue of Cooking Light magazine. I love that it’s possible to have some wonderful comfort food without having to consume a huge amount of calories.

Two-Potato Gratin

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices (about 3 cups)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices (about 4 cups)
2 quarts no-salt-added chicken stock (such as Swanson)
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 ½ cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 thyme sprigs
¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 oz. aged Gruyere cheese, shredded (about ¾ cup)
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 oz. fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about ¼ cup)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place potatoes in a large stock pot; cover with stock. Bring mixture to a boil; cool 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully remove potatoes from pot using a slotted spoon, reserving cooking liquid. Arrange potato slices in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan; set aside. Strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl; reserve 1 cup cooking liquid. Discard solids and remaining cooking liquid.

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oil to pan. Sprinkle flour over oil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Combine milk and 1 cup reserved cooking liquid. Gradually pour milk mixture into flour mixture in pan, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add thyme springs to pan. Bring mixture to a boil; cook 4 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, reserving sauce; discard solids. Stir ½ teaspoon salt, pepper and Gruyere cheese into sauce.

Spread ½ cup sauce in bottom of a broiler-safe 1-quart ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange a single, flat layer of sweet potato and then baking potato slices over sauce. Over flat layer, alternate baking potato and sweet potato slices, in shingle-like fashion. Sprinkle evenly with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon chives, and chopped thyme; pour remaining sauce over potato mixture. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.

Remove gratin from oven. Preheat broiler to high.

Place gratin in oven. Broil gratin 3 minutes or until browned. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon chives.

Makes 8 servings, at 218 calories per

Classic Cole Slaw

Okay. I’ll admit it. I don’t like Cole Slaw. I just don’t. I know it’s not real Southern of me but it just is the way it is. That said, most folks in my world love it. And sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. That means preparing a food because other people like it.

Classic Cole Slaw

1 cup BEST FOODS Real, Light or Cholesterol Free Reduced Calorie Mayonnaise
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
½ cup thinly sliced green pepper

Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Chill.

Makes 6 cups.

New West Chicken Salad

This recipe comes from the folks over at Best Foods. I found it on one of those little recipe cards. It was likely originally in a magazine. I hope you enjoy it.

New West Chicken Salad

¾ cup BEST FOODS Real, Light or Cholesterol Free Reduced Calorie Mayonnaise
½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 ½ cups red seedless grapes
1 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup sliced green onions
½ cup broken walnuts

Combine mayonnaise, ground ginger and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Chill. If desired, garnish with additional walnuts.

Makes 5 ½ cups.

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

Is there anything better than chocolate and cheesecake -- together? I love cheesecake. Always have. This cheesecake is just luscious. Love those folks over at HERSHEY’S. They come up with some wonderful recipes.

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

Chocolate Crumb Crust (recipe follows)
2 cups (12 oz. package) HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz.) can EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Prepare Chocolate Crumb Crust. Set aside.

In heavy saucepan, over very low heat, melt chips, stirring constantly. In large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add melted chips and remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 5 minutes or until center is set. Cool; chill. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes one 9-inch cheesecake.

Chocolate Crumb Crust

In medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs, ½ cup powdered sugar, /2 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa and 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine. Press firmly on bottom of 9-inch spring form pan.

Italian Style Meatloaf

This recipe comes from the folks over at Del Monte. It was on an ad I tore out of a magazine years ago. I believe the year was 1990. You thought I was kidding, right? Nope. Just another one of those recipes I collected and fully intended to try. But even if I’d remembered it, I never would have found it. Now I have. Sounds pretty good to me. What do you think?

Italian Style Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground beef
6 oz. hot Italian sausage or spicy bulk sausage
1 can (14 ½ oz.) Del Monte Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped green pepper
1 egg, beaten

In large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Place in 4 ½ x 8-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Drain.

Makes 6 servings.

Tuna Salad with a Twist

Okay. I’ll admit it. I’ve never even thought about putting lime juice in a tuna salad. Never. But I like the idea so I think I’m going to give it a try. Of course, my version won’t have the cucumber in it but that’s just my personal taste buds speaking. This recipe come from the folks over at Best Foods.

Tuna Salad with a Twist

¾ cup BEST FOODS Real, Light or Cholesterol Free Reduced Calorie Mayonnaise
3 tablespoons lime juice
½ teaspoon grated lime peel
2 cans (6 ½ oz. each) tuna, drained and flaked
1 medium red pepper, cubed
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seed and chopped
1/3 cup sliced green onions

Combine mayonnaise, lime juice and grated lime peel. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Chill.

Makes 4 cups.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo

This recipe comes from Easy to Bake, Easy to Make. I think. It’s one of those recipe cards I saved. I probably got it in the mail when someone was trying to sell me something I didn’t buy.

I do love the helpful hints that are included. For example, be sure to use whipping cream and don’t substitute milk. The fat content in the whipping cream helps keep the sauce from separating and give it a rich flavor.

The card also says you can substitute butter for olive oil if you prefer a butter-flavored sauce. Either way sounds good to me.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo

¼ cup all-purpose flour
6 boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves (about 4 oz. each)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 ½ cups whipping cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place flour is a shallow dish or pie plate. Sprinkle chicken with salt; coat with flour. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add chicken; cook, turning once, until golden, 2-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet. Place in a 13-x-9-inch baking dish.

Heat remaining olive oil in same skillet over medium heat until hot. Add garlic and onion; cook until garlic is fragrant and onion is tender, 1-2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; add whipping cream, Parmesan and pepper. Cook until sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Spoon sauce over chicken in dish.

Bake chicken until an instead-read thermometer inserted in center of chicken registers 180 degrees, 8-12 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

Makes 6 servings.

Mini Cheese and Onion Pastries

This is another wonderful recipe from the folks over at Pillsbury.What a perfect appetizer! Easy, but the result looks like you put forth a lot of time and effort.

 Mini Cheese and Onion Pastries

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz.)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
2 cans (8 oz. each) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
2 teaspoons oil
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In small bowl. combine cheese and onion. Mix well.

Separate dough into 16 triangles; cut each in half diagonally to make 32 triangles. Place rounded teaspoon of cheese mixture on center of each triangle. Bring corners to center over filling, overlapping ends; press gently to seal. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Brush each lightly with oil. Sprinkle with dill.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Makes 32 servings.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

This recipe comes from the folks at BEST FOODS, who make the most wonderful mayonnaise. This salad is perfect for when you need a salad that’s just a little bit above the rest.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

1 cup BEST FOODS Real, Light or Cholesterol Free Reduced Calorie Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups twist macaroni, cooked, drained
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
½ cup chopped green pepper
½ cup sliced ripe olives

Combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover. Chill.

Makes 3 cups.

Easy Pasta Primavera

This recipe comes from the folks at Campbell's. Some time ago I signed up for their recipes to be e-mailed to me. I love this! That way I don't have to remember to check out what's new. And they always seem to know what I need -- quick and easy.

 

Easy Pasta Primavera

 
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 3/4 cups Swanson® Natural Goodness® Chicken Broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups broccoli florets
2 medium carrots, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 medium tomato, diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 of a 1-pound package thin spaghetti, cooked and drained (about 4 cups)
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Stir the cornstarch and 3/4 cup broth in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth.

Heat the remaining broth, oregano, garlic powder, broccoli, carrots and onion in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat to a booil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir the cornstarch mixture in the saucepan. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens. Stir in the tomato. Add the spaghetti and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the cheese.

Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars

This recipe is in the February 2013 of Woman’s Day magazine. You know the one I’m talking about. It has Paula Deen on the cover. But this isn’t a Paula Deen recipe, though she has a few in the magazine.

This recipe comes from Annie Abdai up in Calgary, Alberta. It’s in the section where readers can share recipes. And you know how I feel about shared recipes. They’re some of the best. Can’t wait to give it a try!

Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon molasses
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment, leaving a 3-inch overhang on two sides.

Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and 6 tablespoons butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, mixing until fully incorporated. Using floured fingers, press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake until set and golden brown at the edges, 15 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine the condensed milk, corn syrup, molasses and 5 tablespoons butter. Stirring occasionally, bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Gently simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened and pale golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and salt. Immediately spread the mixture over the crust. Refrigerate until set, 30 to 45 minutes.

Lace the chocolate and the remaining tablespoon butter in a microwave-safe bowl; cook on HIGH until beginning to melt, 30 seconds. Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth. Spread over caramel and refrigerate until it is set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Makes 64.

White Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse

Over the holidays I developed a rather unfortunate love of peppermint flavored milkshakes at Arby’s. I’m not even a huge milkshake fan. It’s just that one night the picture looked good and I ordered one. And I was hooked.

This recipe comes from the December 2012/January 2013 issue of Coastal Living magazine. It looks absolutely wonderful. What a great dessert for the holidays or for Valentine’s Day or for, well, anytime you can find an excuse for an absolutely luscious dessert.

White Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse

1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, divided
12 oz. white chocolate, chopped
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Garnish: crushed peppermint candies

Heat ¾ cup cream in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat, and add chocolate, stirring until melted. Stir in peppermint extract. Cool completely.

Beat remaining ¾ cup cream until firm peaks form. Fold chocolate mixture gently into whipped cream mixture. Spoon mousse into 8 (3-oz.) cups or glasses. Garnish, if desired. Chill until ready to serve.

Makes 8 servings.

Lemon Bundt Cake

The hunt was on. At least for me. My parents have a dear friend who growns the largest lemons I think I’ve ever seen. And he shares them. Which is a very, very good thing.

What are we going to do with all these lemons, came the question. Make a cake, came my reply. Okay. Simple lemon cake recipe. No time for a gazillion layers and complicated frosting? No problem. Try this one.

This recipe comes from the March 2006 Good Housekeeping magazine. It was from the Gothic Café in Belfast. Seriously. That’s what it says. Can’t wait to taste it for myself. My mouth is already watering!

Lemon Bundt Cake

Cake
3 lemons
3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

Frosting
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan.

Cake
From lemons, grate 2 tablespoons peel and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice. Mix flour, salt and baking soda.

In bowl, with mixer on low speed, blend sugar and butter. On high, beat 3 minutes. On low, beat in eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in peel and juice. Spoon into pan.

Bake 60 to 70 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then invert onto rack.

Frosting
In bowl, with mixer on low speed, blend sugar, butter and cream cheese. Beat in juice and vanilla. On high, beat until fluffy.

Spread over cake

Makes 16 servings, at 450 calories per serving.

Enchiladas Acapulco

This recipe comes from a clipped advertisement for VELVEETA Mexican Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread. I have no idea how long ago, those probably 10 plus years. I have a habit of clipping recipes, putting them aside, and fully intending to get back to them. And then I misplace them or they get buried under still more recipes. That’s one reason I’m determined to get them uploaded so that all of us can find them when we’re looking for something special, specific, or just an old favorite.

Enchiladas Acapulco

1 lb. ground beef
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
¾ cup chopped green pepper
1 83/4-oz. can kidney beans, drained
½ lb. VELVEETA Mexican Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread, cubed
8 6-inch tortillas
Oil
½ cup chopped tomato

Brown meat; drain. Add tomato sauce and ½ cup peppers. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans and ¾ lb. process cheese spread. Continue cooking until cheese spread is melted.

Dip tortillas in hot oil; drain. Fill each tortilla with ¼ cup meat mixture; roll up. Place, seam side down, in 12-x-8-inch baking dish. Top with remaining meat mixture; cover.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top with remaining process cheese spread. Continue baking uncovered 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese spread is melted. Top with remaining peppers and tomatoes.

Makes 4 servings.

Ghirardelli Signature Hot Fudge Sauce

I found this recipe on the inside over of a bar of Ghirardelli chocolate. The perfect chocolate sauce from folks who really know how to do chocolate. It would be perfect over ice cream or chocolate fudge cake.

Ghirardelli Signature Hot Fudge Sauce

1 bar (4 oz.) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar, broken into pieces
4 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup water
¼ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a heavy saucepan, combine the chocolate, butter, sugar, water and light corn syrup. Stir the mixture continuously over medium heat until the completely melted and smooth. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and continue simmering for 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Store covered in the refrigerator.

To reheat, place in a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium 6 to 8 minutes, stirring after the first 5 minutes.

Makes 2 cups.

Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan

This recipe comes from Ragu. It's on one of those recipe cards you get in the mail when somebody is trying to sell you something. It's another one of those labeled Easy to Bake, Easy to Make.

I was intrigued because it seems so easy and it requires things I normally have on hand. That’s a big plus in my kitchen, how about yours?

Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 ½ lbs.)
1 egg, slightly beaten
¾ cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 jar (26 to 28 oz.) RAGU Old World Style Pasta Sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dip chicken in egg, then bread crumbs, coating well.

In 13-x-9-inch glass baking dish, arrange chicken. Bake uncovered 20 minutes.

Pour Ragu Pasta Sauce over chicken, then top with cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Makes 4 servings.

Hershey's Best Loved Chocolate Cheesecake

This is another wonderful recipe from the folks over at HERSHEY. One of must have in stock at all times items is HERSHEY’S Cocoa. There are just so many things you can make it with, this cheesecake being one of them.

A wonderful tip came with this recipe: to check if the cheesecake is done, jiggle the pan gently. It it’s set except for a small area in the center, then it’s done.

Hershey’s Best Loved Chocolate Cheesecake

Quick Chocolate Crumb Crust (recipe follows)
3 packages cream cheese, softened
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 container (8 oz.) dairy sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Quick Chocolate Drizzle (recipe follows)

Prepare Quick Chocolate Crumb Crust.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Beat cream cheese and sugar until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; beat until blended. Beat in cocoa and flour. Add eggs, one at a time; beat just until blended. Pour into crust.

Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees; continue baking 40 minutes. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen cake from sides of pan. Cool completely; remove side of pan.

Prepare Quick Chocolate Drizzle. Drizzle over top.

Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings.

Quick Chocolate Crumb Crust
Combine 1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs and ¼ cup (½ stick) butter or margarine. Press onto bottom of 9-inch spring form pan.

Makes 1 9-inch crust.

Quick Chocolate Drizzle
Place ½ cup HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and 2 tablespoons shortening (do NOT use butter, margarine, spread or oil) in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 30 seconds. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted.

Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip

This recipe probably came in the mail as an enticement to make a purchase. I kept the recipe card but didn’t make the purchase. Oh well. It looks like it came from Easy to Bake, Easy to Make.

The Baker’s Corner suggests serving this dip with crackers strong enough for scooping or toasted slices of sourdough bread. The sourdough would be my favorite. It’s just perfect for a hot, creamy dip like this one.

Also, I’ll probably pass on the water chestnuts. But that’s a personal choice. I hope you enjoy it, whichever way you go.

Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip

2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup chopped onion (about ¼ medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups half-and-half
2 packages (9-oz each) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 can (8 oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 package (1 oz) dry vegetable soup mix
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is crisp-tender and garlic is fragrant, 2-3 minutes.

Stir in flour; cook and stir an additional minute. Add half-and-half and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 2 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in chopped spinach, water chestnuts, Cheddar and vegetable soup mix. Spoon dip into a 1-quart casserole or gratin dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Bake dip until it is bubbly and cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve warm.

Makes 8 servings.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This recipe comes from a 2006 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. It was apparently submitted by reader Sharon Brenneman of Lima, Ohio.

I’m sure I tore it out of the magazine and kept it because I love Chicken Cordon Bleu. Or, at least, I used to. Many, many years ago this was my favorite dish at a wonderful ocean-side restaurant in California. Alas, the restaurant closed when the owners lost their lease. It was a sad day for many of us because the restaurant was usually filled with customers.

I’m looking forward to trying this casserole. Quick and easy works for me these days. How about for you?

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

1 lb. baby red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 lb. chicken-breast tenders
1 bag (12-oz.) broccoli florets
1 can (10 ¾-oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
8 oz. cooked ham in 1 piece, cut into ½-inch chunks
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, in microwave-safe large bowl, place potatoes and 2 tablespoons water. Cover bowl with waxed paper and microwave on HIGH 3 to 4 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender, stirring once.

Add chicken and all remaining ingredients to potatoes and toss to mix well. Transfer mixture to a 13-x-9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Bake casserole, uncovered, 5o to 55 minutes or until chicken loses its pink color throughout and cheese begins to brown.

Makes 6 main-dish servings, at 375 calories each.