Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary

2 lbs potatoes, cut in half or fourths
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Coat 10" x 15" baking dish with cooking spray.
Stir together oil, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper in large bowl.  Add potatoes.  Toss well until coated.  Spread evenly in baking dish.
Bake 30 - 35 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are fork-tender and golden brown.

Supper Veggie Toss

If you're looking for a way to make veggies more appealing to your family, why not try this?

1 lb broccoli florets
1 lb cauliflower florets
1/2 lb trimmed green beans
1 /2 lb sliced carrots
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

Steam veggies in steamer basket until tender crisp.
Drain well.
Pour vegetables mixture into a large serving bowl.
Pour Italian salad dressing over veggies and stir lightly to mix.
Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan Cheese.

Amaretto Cake with Cinnamon Swirl

1 pkg white cake mix
1 (4-serving size) white chocolate instant pudding mix
8 oz sour cream
4 eggs (lightly beaten)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup amaretto (or 1/2 cup water plus 1 tsp almond extract)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Generously grease a 10" fluted tube pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, eggs, 1/2 cup water, oil and amaretto.  Beat with mixer on low speed to combine.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed.  Spoon half the batter into pan.  Evenly sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon sugar over the batter.  Spoon remaining batter on cinnamon mixture.

Bake about 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Remove from pan.  Place on rack over waxed paper.

Using a wooden skewer, poke several holes in cake.  Prepare glaze; spoon over cake.

Glaze
In small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 Tbsp butter.  Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes.

Bacon Potato Cakes

Now, this is comfort food . . .

1lb bacon
2 lbs potatoes (peeled and quartered)
3 Tbsp milk
1/4 cup butter
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 Tbsp fresh chives (chopped)
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Sour Cream
Fresh chives for garnish

Bake the bacon at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.  The bacon should be cooked, but not crisp.

Place potatoes in a large stock pot.  Cover with water.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 10 - 15 minutes.  Drain well.

In a small pan, combine the milk, butter, and garlic.  Heat until butter is melted.  In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat potatoes at low speed until mashed.  Add the milk mixture; beat until smooth.  Beat in the 3 Tbsp chives, thyme, salt and pepper.  Cool slightly.

Divide potatoes into 8 equal portions; shape into cakes.  Wrap each cake in two slices of bacon.  Crisscross them over the top and tuck the bottoms underneath.  Place seam-side down on foil-lined baking sheet.  Bake in 425 degree oven until bacon is crisp, about 15 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes .

Top each potato cake with a dollop of sour cream and garnish with chopped chives.

Lemon-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

This week seems to be all about the veggies . . . yesterday green beans . . . today sweet potatoes.

6 medium sweet potatoes (4 lbs)
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
3 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp finely shredded lemon peel

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large pot, place potatoes with enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 - 12 minutes or just until potatoes are tender, but not soft.  (Potatoes should be tender on outside, but resistant in center when pierced with tip of a paring knife.)  Drain potatoes; cool.

Meanwhile in a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water, the sugars, and salt.  Bring to boiling, stirring just until sugars are dissolved.  Simmer 8 minutes; remove from heat.  Stir in lemon juice, grated nutmeg, and 2 Tbsp butter..

Butter a large shallow glass or ceramic baking dish with remaining butter.  Peel potatoes; cut crosswise into 3/4" thick slices.  Arrange slices in a single layer in baking dish.  Pour lemon syrup over.  Bake in preheated oven 40 - 50 minutes, basting occasionally, until potatoes are well-glazed and begin to caramelize on edges.  Remove from oven; cool slightly before serving.  Serve hot or warm garnished with lemon peel.

Parsleyed Green Beans

Love green beans, but looking for a twist?  Give this recipe a try.  It's sure to be a family favorite!

1 1/2 lbs green beans (washed and trimmed)
3 Tbsp butter
2 tsp fresh garlic finely chopped with a pinch of salt
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Fill a large pot with water; bring to a rolling boil.  Add 1 Tbsp salt and the beans.  Cook, uncovered, for 5 - 8 minutes or until tender but still vibrant green and slightly resistant to the bite.  Drain beans; immediately submerge in bowl of lightly salted ice water to stop cooking and set color.  When thoroughly chilled, drain well.  (Beans can be prepared to this point 1 day ahead and refrigerated.)

In a wide skillet heat butter over medium-high heat until hot and foaming.  Add beans.  Cook, tossing often, until heated through.  Sprinkle with garlic and parley, a generous amount of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.  Cook 1 minute longer, tossing frequently to distribute flavorings and avoid burning the garlic.  Sprinkle with additional parsley.  Serve immediately.

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

2 cups stale bread cubes (French bread is best)
4 cups milk, scalded
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 tsp vanilla

For Whiskey Sauce

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp butter
1 or 2 jiggers bourbon whiskey

Soak bread in milk for 5 minutes.  Add sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Pour into 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Bake in pan of hot water for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

To make whiskey sauce, cook first three  ingredients until dissolved.  Remove from heat and add whiskey.  Serve over bread pudding.  Best served warm.

Serves: 4 - 5

Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp  baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2  cups butter
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 pkgs (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.  In large mixer beat sugars and butter until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat at low speed until well combined.  Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by Tbsp onto lined baking sheets, about 2" apart.  Bake in 375 degree oven until edges are lightly browned, about 9 - 10 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute.  Cool completely on wire rack.

Grandma's French Onion Soup

4 Tbsp butter
4 cup slice white onions
3 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp cooking sherry
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 dash dried thyme
1 cup soft croutons
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Melt butter in large skillet over low heat.  Add onions and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add beef broth, water, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and thyme to pot.  Increase heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 4 minutes.  Divide into bowls.  Top with croutons, then mozzarella.  Broil until cheese melts and begins to brown.

Apricot Pork with Garlic Green Beans

This dish is so good, and so simple!

1 Tbsp olive oil
4   1/2" thick pork chops
Salt and pepper
4 apricots (pitted and cut into wedges)
2 Tbsp honey
3 garlic cloves (sliced)
1 lb green beans, trimmed

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat; lower heat to medium.  Lightly sprinkle chops with salt and pepper.  Cook chops in hot oil for 5 minutes, turning once.  Add apricots, honey, and garlic to chops in skillet; cover and cook 5 - 7 minutes or until apricots are tender and pork is slightly pink in center.

Meanwhile, in a 4-quart saucepan, bring water to a boil.  Add green beans and cook for about six minutes.  .  Drain well.

To serve, spoon cooking juices from skillet over pork, apricots, and beans.