5.26.2011

Asparagus Crab Au Gratin recipe.

Ingredients
1 (10 ounce) package frozen asparagus cuts, thawed and drained
1 (6 ounce) can crabmeat - drained, flaked and cartilage removed
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup soft bread crumbs

Directions
Place asparagus in a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Top with crab and sprinkle with cheese; set aside. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Whisk in milk, mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. Pour over asparagus. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Big Soft Sugar Cookie Cakes recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup margarine
2 cups white sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 (16 ounce) can vanilla ready to spread frosting
colored candy sprinkles

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time mixing well after each. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture alternately with the milk. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Space cookies at least 3 inches apart.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. When completely cool, frost with vanilla frosting and sprinkle with candy sprinkles.

All-Day Apple Butter recipe.

Ingredients
5 1/2 pounds apples - peeled, cored and finely chopped
4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Place apples in a slow cooker. Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt; pour over apples and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally (stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent sticking). Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. If desired, stir with a wire whisk until smooth. Spoon into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Cover and refrigerate or freeze.

Bar-B-Que Sauce recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot pepper sauce, garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before brushing on your favorite meat.