Manicotti Stuffed With Spinach

	This is a wonderful Manicotti recipe, especially if you are watching your caloric intake. Prep:60min Cook:105min Servings:4	Lor

Ingredients:

10 manicotti shells
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
1 can / jar tomato sauce
a dash of hot sauce
1-1/2 cups water or half water and half reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach
1 16-oz. carton low-fat cottage cheese(no salt is necessary because it's in the cottage cheese)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
a pinch to 1/4 tsp. ground cumin (optional)
Pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray such as PAM
1-1/2 Tbsps. fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

Cook manicotti shells according to package directions, omitting salt.
Drain and set aside.
Combine next 9 ingredients.
Cover and cook sauce over low heat for approximately 1 hour.
Cook spinach according to package directions, omitting salt.
Remove spinach with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel, squeezing until almost all the moisture is squeezed out.
Combine spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and cumin in a bowl.
Stuff manicotti shells with spinach and cheese mixture and arrange in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Pour tomato sauce over manicotti.
Bake at 350° F for 45 minutes.
Garnish with parsley.

Polski Meat ,Veggies And Potatoes

	This is a recipe that my Mother-in-law sometimes made and I continue to prepare it. Prep:25min Cook:60min Servings:4	Lor

Ingredients:

8-10 inch piece of kielbasa (I use turkey kielbasa but my Mother-in-law used pork), cut into approximately 1-1/2 inch chunks
4 potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-1/2 inch chunks and boil but not completely
Note: It is not necessary to cook the potatoes but I prefer them that way. Make certain they are drained well.
3 Tbsp. olive oil but vegetable or corn oil is fine
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
* I sometimes add chopped celery.
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped / minced
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 red / orange bell pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt or 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
parsley to garnish

Directions:

Place cut pieces of kielbasa into a large frying pan and cook on medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Remove the cooked kielbasa to a plate and set aside.
Place oil in the same frying pan and heat over medium-high heat.
Add onions and potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to medium and stir in bell peppers, garlic, salt / Mrs. Dash and pepper.
Cover, and cook for10 minutes.
Return kielbasa to the frying pan, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes.
I like to garnish this meal with freshly chopped parsley.

Scottish Oat Scones

	This is a delicious Oatmeal Scone recipe from the people at Quaker® Oats! Prep:25min Cook:12min Servings:10	Lor

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter, chilled and cut into pieces
1/2 cup currants, diced dried mixed fruit, dried cranberries or dried blueberries
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Heat oven to 400°F.
Lightly grease cookie sheet.
In large bowl, combine flour, oats, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well.
Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in currants. In small bowl, combine milk and egg; blend well.
Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir with fork just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not over mix.)
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead gently 8 to 10 times.
Roll or pat dough into 8-inch circle about 1/2 inch thick.
Sprinkle with combined remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon. Cut into 10 wedges and place on cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.
Serve warm.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 220, Calories from Fat: 90, Total Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 220mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Protein: 4g

Plum Yummy Loaf

	This is a lovely loaf recipe that I often make for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Prep:30min Cook:60min Servings:12	Lor

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup applesauce
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup peeled and chopped plums
1/2 cup chopped walnuts(optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix egg, honey, sugar, milk, applesauce and vanilla.
Blend in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Fold in the plums and walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes in a preheated oven.
A toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean and that means it's done.

Eggnog Christmas Muffins

	Easy to prepare muffins. The eggnog gives these a very distinctive flavour. Prep:25min Cook:25min Servings:16	Lor

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
1-3/4 cups eggnog
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup raisins (soaked in boiling water and drained)
Note: You can always add maraschino cherries, well drained and chopped. This adds a festive appearance.
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients in lg bowl.
In another bowl, mix egg, eggnog, and oil.
Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients, just until moistened.
Fold in raisins and pecans.
Fill greased or lined muffin cups two thirds full.
Bake at 350* for 25 - 30 minutes.

Chocolate Icebox Pie From Lubys

	This chocolate icebox pie is a must try. The original recipe is from Luby's 50th Anniversary Recipe Collection ~ Chocolate Houston Chronicle Dessert Pie. Cooking time includes refrigeration. Prep:15min Cook:135min Servings:8	Lor

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups milk divided
1-1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
7 Tbsp. cornstarch
6 Tbsp. water
3 egg yolks, extra-large
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 pie shell, 9-inch baked
whipped cream, sweetened for topping
chocolate curls or shavings for garnish

Directions:

Combine 2 cups milk, sugar, cocoa, and butter in a medium-size saucepan.
Bring just to a boil over medium heat.
In a medium-sized bowl, completely dissolve cornstarch in water.
Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk.
Whisk in egg yolks and vanilla until well-blended.
Gradually add egg yolk mixture to mixture in saucepan, stirring constantly with wire whisk.
Cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes or until mixture is thickened and smooth.
Add marshmallows and stir until they melt and mixture is smooth.
Pour into pie shell.
Press plastic wrap directly onto filling.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Remove plastic wrap.
Top with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate curls.
Note: Pressing plastic wrap directly onto hot pie filling prevents a tough, "skin" from forming as pie cools. Use a potato peeler to make decorative chocolate curls or shavings from a chocolate candy bar.
Source: Houston Chronicle, Nov. 13, 1996, p.5F

Tiropita Or Spanakopita

	This is an easy Greek recipe that has been passed down. It is enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish. If you add Spinach, thawed and drained this Tiropita turns into Spanakopita. So easy and so delicious! Prep:25min. Cook:30 min. Servings:16	Lor

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese and Ricotta Cheese is nice mixed with the cottage cheese
5 eggs, beaten
8 - 10 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup butter, melted
1 (16 ounce) package frozen phyllo pastry, thawed in refrigerator

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, eggs and feta cheese until well blended.
*I like to add 2 garlic cloves, minced to this mixture but it is not necessary.
Brush melted butter onto one sheet of phyllo dough at a time, and layer them in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish until you have 7 sheets.
Let the sheets rest up against the sides of the dish as well.
Spread the cheese mixture over the phyllo layers, then repeat the process with 7 more sheets, tucking in the sides around the edges.
Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes in a preheated oven, until golden brown and crisp.
Cut into squares and serve warm.
Variation:
This recipe can also be prepared by spooning the filling onto cut buttered phyllo strips and folding into repeated triangles.
Serves: 16 squares.

Chicken Tortilla Rollups

	This is an easy recipe that is open to any and all additions. Prep: 25 min. Cook: 35 min. Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 package whole wheat tortilla rounds

3 cooked chicken breasts (shredded)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Note: I like to add 1 green bell pepper and 1 onion thinly sliced and sauted to the shredded chicken breasts.
Garnish: chopped parsley, cilantro, green onions, olives, tomatoes, bell peppers, whatever you like.

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 350.
Mix the chicken and cheddar cheese together.
Place tortilla round on a flat surface.

Put the same amount of the chicken and cheese mixture on the tortilla and roll it up.
Heat soup, milk, and swiss cheese on the stove top and stir until the cheese is melted.
Put the chicken rollups in a greased/sprayed oven proof dish.
Pour the soup sauce mixture over the rolled tortillas and bake for 35min or until the tortillas are lightly browned

Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 sticks margarine
2 cups light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts/pecans

Directions:

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat.
Blend in sugar. whisk in eggs and vanilla.
Gently stir in flour mixed with baking powder and salt
Spread into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips and walnuts/pecans.
Bake in a 350F oven about 25 minutes or tested with moist crumbs attached.
Cool and cover and let stand 24 hours at room temperature before cutting

Acadian Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie From Quebec

As far as I know, this buttermilk pie recipe is from Quebec. Prep:25 minutes Cook:25 minutes Servings:6 slices

Lor

Ingredients:

1 baked pie shell
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sugar
3-1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cold buttermilk
2 egg yolks, beaten
a pinch of salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice
1-1/2 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1/4 cup sugar, you can use granulated sugar but I prefer to use brown
Note: I like to add a tablespoon or two of extra sugar.

Directions:

Bring 1 cup buttermilk to a boil.
Mix together the sugar, cornstarch and 1/2 cup buttermilk.
Add to the boiling buttermilk and cook while stirring, until it is a smooth and cream consistency.
Beat the egg yolks and add the salt, grated lemon rind and the lemon juice.
Pour into the hot cream.
Add the butter.
Cook for 2 minutes, stirring vigorously.
Cool and pour into a baked pie shell.
Top with 2 egg whites, stiffly beaten with the 1/4 cup sugar.
Bake in a 350°F oven for approximately 20-25 minutes.
Note: From early Acadians.