8.13.2011

Big Apple Martini recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup crushed ice
6 fluid ounces vodka
1 fluid ounce apple jack
1 dash Calvados

Directions
In a mixing glass, combine crushed ice, vodka and applejack brandy. Stir and strain into 2 chilled cocktail glasses. Top with a splash of Calvados, garnish with a lady apple and serve.

Asparagus Oregenato recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, sliced

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place asparagus in a 9x13 inch baking dish, and cover with bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Lay slices of butter on top.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cover, and bake 5 minutes more, or until browned on top.

Broccoli Stir Fry recipe.

Ingredients
3 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning

Directions
In a skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry broccoli in butter and lemon pepper until crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Bilo Walter's Easy Herb Potatoes recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 small Vidalia onions, wedged
3 large carrots, sliced diagonally
2 red potatoes, chopped

Directions
Heat a barbeque to a high heat, or preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a 9x13 inch baking dish combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic salt, rosemary, and ground black pepper. Place carrots, potatoes, and onions into the dish and toss to coat.
Bake or grill, turning occasionally, until tender (approximately 40 minutes).

Bow Tie Pasta with Tomato Tuna Sauce recipe.

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 (15 ounce) can canned beans
1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
2 cups tomato sauce
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the pasta and boil until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Toast bread crumbs in oil, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; stir in lemon zest. Remove seasoned bread crumbs from skillet and drain on paper towels.
Place the skillet back over medium heat. Add the beans, and mash. Stir in the tuna, tomato sauce, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
Toss sauce with prepared pasta; place in prepared baking dish. Top with the toasted bread crumbs and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake in preheated oven until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

Atwood's Peppered Micro-wave Jerky recipe.

Ingredients
6 tablespoons Demerara sugar
3 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon curing salt (Prague powder #1)
2 tablespoons crushed dried chile pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons garlic pepper seasoning
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon finely ground juniper berries
6 pounds beef round steak, cut into 6x1/2 inch strips

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the Demerara sugar, salt, curing salt, chile pepper, cayenne pepper, and juniper berries. Divide the mixture into 3 equal parts, and place each into its own bowl.
Mix 2 pounds of meat strips into the mixture of each bowl until evenly coated with the spice mixture. Place all of the meat lengthwise into a large glass or plastic bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3 days.
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (65 degrees C). On a large plate, arrange 6 or 8 strips of meat at a time, and place in a microwave oven. Cook for 3 minutes on HIGH. Remove meat strips to a baking sheet, and keep in the warm oven for 3 to 4 hours, or until dry. Do not over dry, jerky should be chewy, not crispy.

Apricot Almond Galette recipe.

Ingredients
10 small fresh apricots, pitted and quartered
1/3 cup white sugar
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (9 inch) refrigerated pie crust (such as Pillsbury�)
1/3 cup apricot jam, melted

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll out pie crust onto a baking sheet.
Toss the quartered apricots with the white sugar in a bowl. Mix almond meal, confectioners' sugar, and egg together in another bowl to create a paste. Spread almond paste on the center of the pie crust, leaving 1/2 inch of bare crust all around the edge. Arrange the sugared apricots over the almond paste. Fold the 1/2-inch bare edge of the crust inward over the almond paste and apricots, leaving the center of the tart uncovered. Crimp the edge down with a fork as you go around the tart.
Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Brush the melted apricot jam over the hot galette. Slice and serve.

Blake's Best Steak recipe.

Ingredients
4 (6 ounce) rib-eye steaks
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions
Preheat grill for high heat.
Rub each steak lightly with olive oil - this is to ensure that the steaks don't stick to the grill. Season with salt and pepper. Rub fresh garlic into both sides of each steak. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Place the steaks on the preheated grill, and immediately turn after 30 seconds (this first turn is to ensure that one side is seared). Place the fresh rosemary sprigs on top. Cook 7 minutes per side, to desired doneness, remembering to remove the rosemary sprigs before turning, and to replace on top of the meat after turning.

Apple Butter Spice Cake recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole bran cereal or wheat germ
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs, beaten

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray or grease one 9x13 inch pan.
Prepare the topping by mixing together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Blend together butter and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Add apple butter, vanilla, wheat germ or bran cereal. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with sour cream; mix well after each addition.
Pour 1/2 batter into pan, sprinkle 1/2 the topping over top. Pour remaining batter and top with remaining topping.
Bake for 40 minutes.

Best Tuna Melt (New Jersey Diner Style) recipe.

Ingredients
2 (6 ounce) cans solid white tuna in water, drained
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
3/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
4 slices seedless rye bread
8 slices ripe tomato
8 slices Swiss cheese
paprika, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the oven broiler.
In a bowl, mix the tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, parsley, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the rye bread slices on a baking sheet, and broil 1 minute in the preheated oven, until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and spread with the tuna salad. Place 1 cheese slice over the tuna salad on each piece of bread, layer with a tomato slice, and top with remaining cheese slices.
Return layered bread to the preheated oven, and broil 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.

All-Purpose Rub recipe.

Ingredients
4 tablespoons SPLENDA� No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
4 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 tablespoons mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch dried thyme

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the SPLENDA� Granulated Sweetener, salt, paprika, mustard, pepper, oregano and thyme.
To use: coat meat in mixture, and then grill as desired.

Banana Fudge Cake recipe.

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate fudge cake mix
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
5 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 small ripe banana, mashed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a mixing bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions, omitting 1/4 cup of the water. Beat on low speed until moistened. Add banana; beat on high for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely. In a saucepan, heat butter and water until butter is melted; set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups confectioners' sugar and cocoa. Add butter mixture, banana and vanilla; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining sugar until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost the cake.

Better Spanish Rice recipe.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 1/4 cups uncooked instant rice
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup chicken broth

Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook and stir the chopped onion until browned, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the rice, tomatoes, cilantro, and chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the rice is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.

Banana Wheat Muffins recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mayonnaise*
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Directions
In a bowl, combine the flours, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar and bananas; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

Beer Cheese Soup VI recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

Directions
In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook celery, carrots and onion in butter 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor or using an immersion blender. Return to pot over medium heat.
Toss Cheddar with flour and stir, a little at a time, into the pot, until fully incorporated and melted. Season with mustard. Stir in beer to achieve desired thickness just before serving.

Banana Nut Bread Baked in a Jar recipe.

Ingredients
2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups white sugar
2 cups mashed bananas
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease insides of 8 (1 pint) straight sided, wide mouth canning jars.
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, bananas, and water. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Add to banana mixture. Stir in nuts.
Pour mixture into greased WIDE MOUTH pint jars, filling 1/2 full of batter. Do NOT put lids on jars for baking. Be careful to keep the rims clean, wiping off any batter that gets on the rims.
Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, sterilize the lids and rings in boiling water.
As soon as cake is done, remove from oven one at a time, wipe rims of jars and put on lid and ring. Jars will seal as cakes cool. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed.
Jars should be eaten immediately or kept sealed in refrigerator for up to a week.

Auto Parts Chicken recipe.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 leek, chopped
1/2 white onion, sliced into thin wedges
4 large potatoes, chopped
2 large carrots, sliced diagonally
1 (10.75 ounce) can herb seasoned chicken broth
2/3 cup water
1 bay leaf, crushed
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water

Directions
In a large skillet, heat the butter/margarine and oil over medium heat. Lightly brown the chicken breast halves. Add the garlic, leek and onion and saute until they begin to soften. Add the potatoes and carrots, then add chicken broth, water, bay leaf, pepper and parsley. Simmer all together for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
Combine 2 tablespoons each flour and water and mix together (done easily if you shake together in a jar). Turn up heat under skillet and add flour/water mixture to thicken the juices.

Baby Guinness recipe.

Ingredients
2 fluid ounces coffee flavored liqueur
1/2 fluid ounce Irish cream liqueur

Directions
Fill a shot glass almost to the top with coffee liqueur. Top off with Irish cream. It should float perfectly on top making the ''head'' of your shot.

Apple Ham Grilled Cheese recipe.

Ingredients
4 slices ham, chopped
1 small apple - peeled, cored and finely chopped
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 slices Cheddar cheese
4 slices bread
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons milk

Directions
Mix ham and apple with mayonnaise in a small bowl. Spread onto two slices of bread. Top each one with a slice of cheese and a second slice of bread.
Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Whisk together eggs and milk in a small bowl. Quickly dip both sides of the sandwich into the egg mixture. Fry sandwiches in pan for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Watch carefully. You want the sandwiches to be golden in color and the egg to be cooked.

Bacon Cheddar Round recipe.

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups biscuit/baking mix
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 1/3 cups milk

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the biscuit mix and sugar. Stir in cheese and bacon. Beat egg and milk; add to cheese mixture just until moistened. Pour into a greased and floured 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove sides of pan and serve warm.

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Baby Portobello Mushroom White Sauce recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8 ounce) package shredded whole milk mozzarella

Directions
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
Bring a large pot of lightly-salted water to a boil; cook the penne uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the sausage in the hot oil until crumbly and no longer pink, about 7 minutes: remove from the skillet, leaving the fat in the pan, and set aside. Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the skillet and add the mushrooms and garlic. Cook and stir until the mushrooms have browned and begun to release their liquid, about 5 minutes more. Return the sausage to the skillet and pour in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper and return to a simmer, cooking until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes more. Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir. Pour into a 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Broil in the preheated oven until the mozzarella cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.

Apple Slab Pie recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg yolks, beaten
4 tablespoons water
8 apples - peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) In a large bowl, combine flour sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix egg yolk and water together and mix into flour until it forms a ball. Roll out to fit the bottom of a 10x15 inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons flour, sugar and cinnamon. Pour filling into pie crust and dot with 2 tablespoons butter.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2/3 cup brown sugar and 2/3 cup butter. Cut in the butter until crumbly, then sprinkle over apples.
Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.

Balsamic Chicken Salad recipe.

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) bottle light balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing (such as Newman's Own� Lighten Up� Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing), divided
8 chicken tenders
1 (6 ounce) package sliced portobello mushroom caps
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
2 green onions, sliced diagonally
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup sliced fresh basil leaves

Directions
Combine 1/3 bottle of balsamic vinaigrette dressing with the chicken tenders in a bowl. Toss together sliced mushrooms with 1/3 bottle of dressing in a separate bowl. Reserve the remaining 1/3 bottle. Allow the chicken tenders and mushrooms to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven's broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
Remove the chicken tenders and mushrooms from the marinade, and drain off the excess. Broil the chicken and mushrooms until the chicken is browned and cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and mushrooms from the heat, and slice the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
To serve, divide the chopped romaine lettuce between four plates, and top each with broiled chicken and mushrooms. Sprinkle each plate with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and sliced basil leaves; serve with the remaining vinaigrette dressing.

Best Bread Machine Bread recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package bread machine yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start.

Baked Halibut Steaks recipe.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup diced zucchini
1/2 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 (6 ounce) halibut steaks
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a shallow baking dish.
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir in zucchini, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Remove saucepan from heat and mix in tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper.
Arrange halibut steaks in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Spoon equal amounts of the zucchini mixture over each steak. Top with feta cheese.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Blackberry Cobbler recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup butter or margarine, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour*
1/3 cup milk, room temperature
2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions
In a 10-in. round or oval baking dish, melt 1/2 cup butter; set aside. In a saucepan, heat sugar and water until sugar melts; set aside. Place flour in a mixing bowl; cut in remaining butter until fine crumbs form. Add milk, stirring with a fork until dough leaves sides of bowl. Turn out onto a floured surface; knead three or four times. Roll out to an 11-in. x 9-in. rectangle 1/4 in. thick. Spread berries over dough; sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll up, jelly-roll style. Cut into 1/4-in. thick slices. Carefully lay slices in baking dish over butter. Pour sugar syrup around slices (syrup will be absorbed). Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle sugar over top and bake 15 minutes more. Serve warm or cold. (*If self-rising flour is not available, use 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder.)

Balsamic Bleu Cheese Salad recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups mixed baby greens
1 cup leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions
In a medium bowl, toss together the mixed greens, leaf lettuce, cheese and walnuts. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice. Pour over the salad mixture and toss well.

Beef and Barley Soup I recipe.

Ingredients
2 beef soup bones
2 tablespoons kosher salt
5 stalks celery
1 onion, quartered
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 'bouqet garni' spice balls
1/2 pound baby carrots
1/4 cup fresh parsley
11 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup barley

Directions
Place beef bones in a large size slow cooker. Add salt, celery stalks, onion, bouquets garnis, pepper, carrots, parsley and garlic. Fill slow cooker within 2 inches of the top with hot water and cook for 6 hours, covered on high heat, stirring occasionally.
Add barley and cook for 2 more hours stirring occasionally or until meat can easily be removed from bones.
Remove and discard onion, bouquets garnis, celery, and parsley.
Transfer bones to a dish and remove meat from bones, being careful not to take off cartilage or gristle. Place meat back into soup, stir, and serve.

Broccoli Chicken Delight recipe.

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package frozen broccoli, thawed
3 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup mayonnaise*
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed butter-flavored crackers

Directions
In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish, layer broccoli and chicken. In a bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry; pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese and cracker crumbs. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until heated through.

Billy Pudding for Davey recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup pearl tapioca
5 1/2 cups water
3 cups brown sugar
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt

Directions
Stir the tapioca into the water in a bowl, and allow to soak 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
Mix the soaked tapioca, brown sugar, dates, walnuts, butter, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl; transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Bake until set, about 1 hour. Serve warm.

Blueberry Streusel Muffins recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups blueberries
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, chilled

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
Stir the flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping over unbaked muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Better than Sex Cake IV recipe.

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup white sugar
2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Prepare and bake cake mix according to box directions for a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.
While the cake is baking, combine pineapple with juice and 3/4 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes until thick and syrupy, stirring occasionally. Pierce top of hot cake with fork at 1 inch intervals. Pour pineapple mixture over cake. Cool completely.
Beat pudding mix with milk until smooth. Spread pudding over cooled cake.
Whip cream until slightly thickened. Add confectioner's sugar and vanilla, and whip until soft peaks form. Spread over top of cake. Chill cake for 24 hours. Sprinkle with coconut and pecans just before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Broccoli Soup II recipe.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, and saute garlic 1 minute. Mix in broccoli, and cook 5 minutes. Pour in broth, and stir in rice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Strain the broccoli and cooked rice from the soup, and place in a blender with 1 cup of the soup liquid. Blend until smooth. Return to pot. Serve with Cheddar cheese.

Balsamic Green Bean Salad recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
Place green beans in a large saucepan. Fill with enough water to cover green beans, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 10 minutes. Drain, and let cool.
In a bowl, stir together shallots, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and oil. Pour over green beans. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve cold.

Bing Cherry Gelatin Mold recipe.

Ingredients
1 (12 fluid ounce) can cola-flavored carbonated beverage
1 (16.5 ounce) can pitted Bing cherries
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 (6 ounce) package black cherry flavored gelatin mix
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Drain pineapple. Drain the cherries and save their juice.
In a saucepan combine the reserved cherry juice with the coke. Heat until boiling then stir in the gelatin. Mix until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained pineapple, drained cherries and chopped pecans. Pour mixture into a mold sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.

Avocado Olive Salad recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons capers
1 clove garlic, minced
2 small limes, juiced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
20 black olives, thinly sliced
4 avocados - peeled, pitted and diced

Directions
In a large bowl, mix the capers, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Gently toss in the olives and avocados until coated. Cover, and chill 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

Bird's Nests II recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups chow mein noodles
2 cups crushed cornflakes cereal
16 (1 ounce) squares white chocolate
1/3 cup chocolate covered raisins

Directions
Place a sheet of waxed paper or foil on a large cookie sheet. In a large bowl, combine the noodles and the cereal and set aside.
Melt white chocolate or vanilla candy-coating in a double boiler over hot water (or in the microwave). Remove from heat and pour over noodles and cereal.
To form nests, mound 2 tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. With the back of a teaspoon, make an indentation in the center of each mound. Press 3 or 4 candies in the center of each "nest". Allow to set at room temperature until firm.

Basic Sweet Dough recipe.

Ingredients
8 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups cold water
2 (0.6 ounce) cakes compressed fresh yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup white sugar
4 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons melted shortening

Directions
Scald milk in a medium saucepan. Add cold water to scalded milk. Remove 1/4 cup liquid; mix yeast into liquid when cooled to lukewarm. To liquid in saucepan, add salt, sugar, shortening, and eggs. Add dissolved yeast to saucepan. Mix well.
Sift and measure the flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the flour, and pour the liquids into the well. Stir with a large wooden spoon until liquid disappears.
With one hand, mix dough in bowl using swinging rotary motion. Gradually form dough into smooth ball, then knead in bowl for 2 minutes. Brush top with melted shortening. Cover, and allow dough to rise at room temperature for 2 hours. Do not set bowl on radiator or in hot place. Keep away from draughts. Allow dough to rise until doubled in bulk.
Punch down dough. Use dough for any sweet bread recipe.

Beef Pot Roast recipe.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 pounds boneless chuck roast
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Heat a heavy Dutch oven on top of the stove over medium high heat. Add oil, and sear meat in the center of the pan for 4 minutes. Turn meat over with tongs; sear all sides for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove meat from pan. Arrange onion, garlic, and 1 bay leaf in the bottom of the pan, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return meat to pan, place remaining bay leaf on top of meat, and cover.
Cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove roast to a platter to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice, and top with onions and gravy.

Blackberry-Chocolate Chip Pie recipe.

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) package pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups blackberries
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place one of the pie crusts into the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate.
In a bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Gently stir in the blackberries and chocolate chips. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Transfer to the pie crust in the pie plate. Place remaining pie crust over the top, and secure to the bottom crust by pressing with a fork, or fluting with your fingers.
Bake 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until top is golden brown. Cool slightly before slicing.

Baked Slow Cooker Chicken recipe.

Ingredients
1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Wad three pieces of aluminum foil into 3 to 4 inch balls, and place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with the salt, pepper and paprika, and place in the slow cooker on top of the crumbled aluminum foil.
Set the slow cooker to High for 1 hour, then turn down to Low for about 8 to 10 hours, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Banana Bread - Quick Bread for Machines recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise

Directions
Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine.
Select the Dough setting, and press Start. Mix the bread for 3 to 5 minutes until the bananas are mashed and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to push the dough from the sides of the bread pan. When 3 to 5 minutes have passed on the clock display, press Stop. Do not continue mixing. Smooth out the top of the loaf with the rubber spatula.
Select the Bake setting, and press Start. The Bake cycle time may vary with machines, but should be about 50 minutes. To test the bread for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center top. Remove the toothpick. If the bread is done, the toothpick will come out clean. If there is dough on the toothpick, reset the machine on Bake and continue to bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Test again with the toothpick to assure the bread is completely baked. Remove the pan from the machine, but allow the bread to remain in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the bread to cool completely on a wire rack.

Asian Beef Skewers recipe.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons sherry
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon barbeque sauce
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
skewers

Directions
In a small bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, sherry, soy sauce, barbeque sauce, green onions, garlic, and ginger.
Cut flank steak across grain on a diagonal into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices in a 1 gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour hoisin sauce mixture over slices, and mix well. Refrigerate 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Discard marinade, and thread steak on skewers.
Oil the grill grate. Grill skewers 3 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.