Pretzels

Ingredients:
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
4 cups flour
1 egg, beaten
Salt (optional)


Directions:
1.
Preheat oven to 425º F.
2.
In a medium sized bowl, combine water, sugar and salt then sprinkle yeast on surface of water. Let stand for 10 minutes to activate yeast.
3.
Stir in flour and mix well with a wooden spoon.
4.
Place dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth. To knead dough, flatten it with your hands, fold the dough into quarters and then flatten again. Do this for about five minutes. Flour your hands and the work surface to keep the dough from sticking.
5.
Roll the dough into 12" lengths, about 1/2" thick. Form the dough strips into different shapes: the "usual pretzel shape," numbers, letters, etc. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Brush with egg or water then sprinkle lightly with salt (optional).
6.
Bake at 425º F. for 15 minutes or until golden brown

Southern BBQ Sauce Recipe

1 cup Tennessee whiskey
1 cup catsup
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) freshly squeezed
orange juice, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Combine all ingredients except 2 tablespoons of the orange juice and the cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes; stir occasionally.

Mix cornstarch with remaining 2 tablespoons of the orange juice until smooth; stir into sauce. Increase temperature to medium-high. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens. Brush sauce on grilled chicken, steak or fish during last 5 minutes of grilling.

Jalapeno Hot Sauce Recipe

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
20 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup minced onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
1 cup distilled white vinegar

In a medium glass or enamel lined sauce pan over high heat, combine oil, peppers, garlic, onion and salt; saute for 4 minutes. Add the water and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth. With the processor running, slowly add the vinegar.
Pour into a sterilized jar with a tight lid. This sauce will keep for 6 months when stored in the refrigerator.

Orange Iced Cappuccino

3/4 cup milk
1 packet Cappuccino
1/3 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup orange juice
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1. Place milk, cappuccino, ice and orange juice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into glass; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Avocado & Tomato Salad with Vinaigrette

1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley leaves

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 small jalapeños, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon Chicken Flavor Bouillon

4 medium tomatoes

2 medium ripe avocados

1. Combine bell pepper, onion, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, jalapeños, garlic and bouillon in medium bowl; stir well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Slice tomatoes or cut into wedges. Peel and slice avocados. Arrange tomato and avocado slices alternately on top of each other on large platter; drizzle with prepared dressing.

Szechwan Spicy Tangerine Chicken

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed or sliced thin

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2/3 cup chopped onion

4 green onions, cut into 1-inch lengths

5 dried chili peppers, minced

2 teaspoons Szechwan peppercorns, roasted and ground*

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

2 tablespoons fresh tangerine juice or orange juice

2 tablespoons dark soy sauce

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce*

3/4 teaspoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon Szechwan chili paste with garlic*

2 cups vegetable oil

2 tablespoons tangerine peel or orange peel cut into strips

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon sesame oil*

1. Combine chicken and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. Combine onions in small bowl.. Combine chili peppers, peppercorns and ginger in another bowl. Combine juice, soy sauce, hoisin, sugar and chili paste and mix well. Set all 3 bowls aside.
3. Heat oil in wok to 225*F (110*C). Add chicken and cook until it loses pink color. Remove chicken and drain. Pour out all but 1 tablespoon of oil.
4. Heat oil until very hot. Add chili pepper mixture and stir-fry 15 seconds. Add peel. Add combined onions and stir-fry 20 seconds. Mix in chicken. Add juice mixture and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add vinegar and stir-fry 15 seconds. Mix in sesame oil and serve with chinese noodles or rice

*Available in Asian Specialty Markets.

Sweet Potato Casserole

4 medium sweet potatoes
3/4 cup granulated artificial sweetener or sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 extra large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
2. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet; bake for 1 hour or until done. Cool to touch. Peel and mash. Reduce oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Combine sweet potatoes and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into baking dish.
4. Combine bread crumbs and remaining ingredients; sprinkle crumb mixture over top of casserole. Bake for 1 hour or until casserole is thoroughly heated.

Apple Stuffing

1 1/2 cups brown rice, uncooked
3 1/2 cups Apple Juice, divided
1 apple, diced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (thyme, rosemary, sage)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup bran
1/3 cup slivered almonds

1. Prepare rice according to package directions, using 3 1/4 cup apple juice for the liquid.
2. Cook diced apple, chopped onion, sliced celery, raisins, poultry seasoning, and pepper in butter in a large skillet until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir in the cooked brown rice, bran, slivered almonds, and remaining apple juice.
3. Use as stuffing for poultry or pork roast, or bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Fish with Pears

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 cup thinly sliced, peeled onion
1 cup thinly sliced, peeled carrot
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
2 pears, cored sliced
1 1/2 pounds bass fillets
2 tomatoes, sliced
1 lemon, sliced

1. Heat oil in large non-stick skillet. Add onion and carrots; stir to mix well. Cover and cook slowly 10 minutes.
2. Mix together dry mustard, basil and dill weed. Toss with pears. Stir into onion mixture. Add bass, tomatoes and lemon. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. Serve hot.

Beef and Sweet Onion Sandwiches

12 ounces boneless beef sirloin or top round steak, cut 1-inch thick

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Salt

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 medium sweet onion, sliced

2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers (1/2 of a 7-ounce jar, drained)

8 (1-inch-thick) slices sourdough

1 1/2 cups torn spinach or salad greens

1. Trim fat from meat. Sprinkle both sides of meat with pepper and salt; press in lightly. In a large skillet cook meat in hot oil over medium-high heat about 8 minutes or until slightly pink in center, turning once. Remove from skillet; keep warm.
2. Add onion to drippings in skillet, adding more oil if necessary. Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in mustard; remove from heat.
3. Meanwhile, cut roasted red peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips. Toast bread, if desired, and shred spinach or salad greens.
4. Just before serving, thinly slice meat into bite-size strips. To serve, top 4 bread slices with spinach or salad greens, meat strips, roasted pepper strips, onion mixture, and remaining bread slices.

Vegetable Gumbo

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tbspns broth for sautee, have more on hand to add
• 2 cups thinly sliced carrots
• 1 and 2/3 cup brown rice
• 1 thinly sliced medium zucchini - about 1 and 1/2 cups
• 1 thinly sliced yellow medium squash - same as zucchini
• 1 cup fresh or frozen yellow corn or more if you like
• 4 Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced thin
• chopped medium red bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 15 oz can of garbanzo beans
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons thyme

Cook onions and carrots in 2 tablespoons of the vegetable broth over medium to
low heat in stockpot for about five minutes - adding more broth to prevent
sticking, until onions are crisp-tender. Add brown rice and the 4 cups of
vegetable broth, simmer for 20 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and more
water if necessary, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

French Salad

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) boiled peas
200 g (7 oz) boiled carrots, diced
3 medium potatoes, cooked and diced
4-5 pickled cucumbers
1 cup low fat sour cream
300 g (10 oz) fat free mayonnaise
1 tsp prepared mustard
salt, pepper

1. Toss the peas, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers together in a bowl.
2. Mix in the sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.

Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

1 (6 to 8-pound) fresh or frozen whole turkey breast
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Rinse turkey breast in cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
2. Combine thyme, sage, pepper and garlic powder in small bowl. Loosen skin of turkey breast by lifting gently and pulling away from meat, leaving attached at neck. Use a sharp knife, if necessary to loosen connecting membrane. Rub herb mixture evenly over breast meat. Replace skin, tucking under bottom of turkey breast.
3. Place turkey breast, skin-side-up, on wire rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer into the thickest part of breast; do not let thermometer touch bone.
4. Roast uncovered until thermometer reaches 170°F., 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours. Remove from oven; let stand 20 minutes before carving.

Brown Rice Breakfast Tacos

Vegetable cooking spray
2 (4-ounce) containers egg substitute, thawed if necessary
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3 cups hot cooked brown rice
1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans, divided use
1 cup (4-ounces) shredded low-fat Monterey Jack or low-fat Cheddar cheese, divided use
12 corn tortillas, warmed
Salsa (optional)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles (optional)

1. Heat large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg substitute, chili powder and cumin; scramble until set. Stir in rice. Remove from heat; set aside.
2. Spoon 1/4 cup beans into each tortilla; top with 2 tablespoons eggs, 2 tablespoons cheese, salsa and green chiles, if desired. Top with salsa or add chiles to mixture for a spicier verson.

Beer Cheese Spread

4 cups (16-ounces) shredded low fat mild cheddar cheese
4 cups (16-ounces) shredded low fat sharp cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1 (12-ounce) can beer, at room temperature

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheeses with garlic; set aside to soften to room temperature.
2. Add the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, mustard, hot pepper sauce, and enough beer to make a spreadable mixture.
3. Place in a crock or serving dish; cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving. Serve with an assortment of crackers, chips or bagettes

Baked Tomatoes with Herbs

4 medium tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon oregano (dried)
Dash pepper
1/2 cup fat-free saltine cracker crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C).
2. Cut off tops of tomatoes; remove a little of the pulp. Place tomatoes in a shallow baking dish.
3. Stir together remaining ingredients, except crumbs. Sprinkle mixture over tops of tomatoes. Top with crumbs. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until tender.

Spinach Risotto

• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1 cup rice
• 1 tablespoon chicken flavored seasoning
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 4 ounces low fat mozzarella
  

in a medium pot, add 2 cups water, 1 cup uncooked rice, spinach and seasoning. cook according to rice instructions. when done, add mozzarella and milk. stir thoroughly and serve hot.

Greek-Style Fish Fillets

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 (14.5-ounce) cans recipe-ready diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon vegetable base or instant bouillon granules
1 pound firm white fish fillets
1 3/4 cups frozen green beans
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives, drained
Hot cooked couscous
Crumbled feta cheese

1. Heat oil in large skillet. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in tomatoes with juice and bouillon; cook, stirring occasionally, until bouillon is dissolved.
2. Place fish over sauce; spoon some sauce over fish. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
3. Distribute beans and olives over fish; cover. Cook for 5 minutes or until beans are tender. Serve with couscous. Sprinkle with cheese.

Hot Sauce Recipe

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 20 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar

In a medium glass or enamel lined sauce pan over high heat, combine oil, peppers, garlic, onion and salt; saute for 4 minutes. Add the water and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth. With the processor running, slowly add the vinegar.
Pour into a sterilized jar with a tight lid. This sauce will keep for 6 months when stored in the refrigerator.

Hawaiian Style Beef Kabobs

1 1/2 pounds beef strips
1 onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
8 ounces pineapple chunks, drained, juice reserved (canned or fresh)
18 cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat grill.
2. Thread beef, onion, bell pepper, pineapple and tomatoes alternately on skewers.
3. In a small bowl combine reserved pineapple juice, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Stir until sugar is dissolved; set aside.
4. Grill kabobs for 18 to 22 minutes, turning often, while brushing on marinade every 3 to 4 minutes.