Graham Cracker-Pecan Sweet Potato Pie

Simple ingredients combine for a sumptuous holiday dessert.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup finely crushed graham crackers (about 10 squares)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 2 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes*
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash cloves
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half or light cream
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon rum extract or vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons sugar 

Directions:

1.  In a medium saucepan melt butter; stir in 3 tablespoons sugar. Add crushed crackers and pecans; toss to mix well. Spread in a 9-inch pie plate; press evenly onto bottom and up the sides. Chill about 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. For filling, in a large bowl stir together sweet potatoes, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Add 2 eggs; beat lightly with a fork just until combined. Gradually stir in half-and-half until well combined.

3. Place the graham cracker crust on the oven rack. Pour filling into pie shell. To prevent over browning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Uncover edge of pie. Bake pie 20 to 25 minutes or until the a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

4. Meanwhile, allow 3 egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and rum extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add the 6 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks (tips stand straight) and sugar dissolves (rub a small amount between two fingers; it should feel completely smooth).

5. Immediately spread meringue over hot pie filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinkage. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Chill for 3 to 6 hours before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Tip:

• *Test Kitchen Tip:

  To make mashed cooked sweet potato, drain one 17.2-ounce can whole sweet potatoes if necessary and transfer to a medium mixing bowl. Mash with potato masher or electric mixer on low speed.
  
  Measure 2 cups mashed sweet potato for pie.
  

Source: recipe.com

Southwestern Black-Eyed Pea And Corn Salad

Black-eyed peas illustrate their all-around usefulness in recipes ranging from Black-Eyed Pea Hummus or Texas Caviar Salad to Hoppin John with Grits Polenta. Black-eyed peas are great in soups, salads, sides, and main dishes, you can make them for virtually any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1   medium bell pepper
• 1   small red onion
• 2  15 1/2 ounce cans black-eyed peas
• 1  15 1/4 ounce can corn kernels, no salt added
• 3   tablespoons canola oil
• 2   tablespoons vinegar
• 1   teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4  cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

  
  

  Directions:

   

  1. Rinse and dice bell pepper, removing core and seeds. Peel and dice onion.

  2. Add the diced pepper and onion to a large serving bowl.

  3. Drain and rinse canned black-eyed peas and canned corn kernels in a colander.

  4. Add corn and peas to serving bowl.

  5. Measure and add the canola oil, vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the pea mixture. Mix well.

  6. If using cilantro, rinse and tear the leaves into smaller pieces and add to salad. Mix well before serving.

   

  Tips:

  
  

  1. Try chilling the salad and serving it over spinach or kale. For slightly varied flavor, use any type of vinegar you have on hand, such as balsamic vinegar, red or white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, etc.

   

  Source: bhg.com

Kale Salad

Take a break from the same old lettuce salad. Try this creative mix of kale, tomato, and sweet pepper tossed with a captivating Asian dressing.

Ingredients: 

• 3   cups finely chopped fresh kale leaves
• 1   plum tomato, chopped
• 1/3  cup chopped red sweet pepper
• 1/4  cup pitted ripe olives, quartered lengthwise
• 3   radishes, thinly sliced and halved if desired
• 2   green onions, sliced
• 2   tablespoons raw sunflower kernels

Asian Dressing:

• 3   tablespoons lemon juice
• 3   tablespoons water
• 2   tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2   teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2  teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4  teaspoon garlic powder

   

  Directions:

  
  

  1. In a large bowl, combine kale, tomato, sweet pepper, olives, radishes, green onions, and sunflower kernels. Toss gently to mix.

  2. Drizzle Asian Dressing over vegetables. Toss gently to coat. Makes 4 (1-cup) side-dish servings.

   

  NoteAsian Dressing: In a screw-top jar, combine lemon juice, water, reduced-sodium soy sauce, olive oil, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cover and shake well. Chill until ready to serve or for up to 1 week. Makes 1/2 cup.

   

  Source: Food.com

Salisbury Steak: 30-Minute Meal

When is a hamburger not a hamburger? When it’s a Salisbury steak, a 19th-century invention named for the doc, J.H. Salisbury, who was big on high-protein diets. Classic Salisbury steak combines ground beef with onions, bread crumbs, eggs, and various spices and herbs. It’s formed into a steak shape (not a patty), is traditionally broiled, not fried, as a burger is, and it can be served with a brown gravy or other meaty sauce.

Salisbury steak is distinctly old-school, but it remains a delicious alternative to plain old burgers. Especially when you give that old-school recipe a distinctly new-school twist. And these “superburgers” take just about a half-hour to make.

In this Asian Salisbury Steak recipe, all the basics are there, but when hoisin sauce and sherry are added, along with chopped red peppers and scallions, it becomes an irresistible nod to the East. These steaks are served on a bed of sautéd watercress, which makes them ultrahealthy.

Pasta with Baby Salisbury Steaks takes the classic broiled beef, makes each one a mini version, and combines it with pasta, tomatoes, and zucchini for a wonderfully complete one-dish dinner.

Ingredients:

•  12   ounces 90%-lean ground beef
•  3/4  cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 3/4  cup chopped scallions
• 1/4  cup plain dry breadcrumbs
• 4   tablespoons hoisin sauce, divided
• 2   tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 3   teaspoons canola oil, divided
• 4  2 - 4  ounce bunch watercress, trimmed (16 cups)
• 1/2  cup Shao Hsing rice wine, (see Ingredient note) or dry sherry

   

  Directions: 

   

  1. Place rack in upper third of oven; preheat the broiler. Coat a broiler pan and rack with cooking spray.

  2. Gently mix beef, bell pepper, scallions, breadcrumbs, 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce and ginger in a medium bowl until just combined. Form the mixture into 4 oblong patties and place on the broiler-pan rack. Brush the tops of the patties with 1 teaspoon oil. Broil, flipping once, until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

  3. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add watercress and cook, stirring often, until just wilted, 1 to 3 minutes. Divide the watercress among 4 plates. Return the skillet to medium-high heat, add rice wine (or sherry) and the remaining 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce and stir until smooth, bubbling and slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Top the watercress with the Salisbury steaks and drizzle with the pan sauce.

   

  Tip:

   

  Ingredient Note: 

   

  Shao Hsing (or Shaoxing) is a seasoned rice wine available in most Asian specialty markets and some larger supermarkets' Asian sections.

   

  Nutrition information

   

  Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 303, Fat, total (g) 13, chol. (mg) 56, sat. fat (g) 4, carb. (g) 18, Monosaturated fat (g) 6, fiber (g) 2, pro. (g) 21, vit. A (IU) 3401, vit. C (mg) 83, sodium (mg) 392, Potassium (mg) 623, iron (mg) 3, Vegetables () 1, Other Carb () 1, Lean Meat () 1, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

   

  Source: recipe.com

  
  

Grilled Salmon With Herb Crust

Finely chopped herbs create a flavorful crust on this grilled salmon, which is low in both calories and sodium.

Ingredients:

• 12   ounces fresh or frozen skinless salmon fillets, 3/4-inch thick
• 1/3  cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano
• 1/3  cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4  cup sliced green onion
• 1   clove garlic
• 1   tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2   teaspoons olive oil
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/8  teaspoon pepper

Directions:

 

1. Thaw salmon, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Cut into two (6-ounce) pieces. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a food processor or a mini-chopper combine oregano, cilantro, green onion, garlic, lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Cover and process until chopped. (Or, use a knife to finely chop oregano, cilantro, green onion, and garlic. Transfer to a shallow bowl. Stir in lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper.) Generously coat both sides of salmon with the herb mixture.

3. Cook the salmon on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals for 6 to 8 minutes or until the salmon just begins to flake easily with a fork. To serve, cut each salmon piece in half. Makes 4 servings.

Source: bhg

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Sundae Cake

Ingredients:

• 2   cups all-purpose flour
• 2   teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4  teaspoon salt
• 3/4  cup shortening
• 1 1/2  cups sugar
• 1   tablespoon vanilla
• 1   cup whole milk
• 5   egg whites
• 1   pint chocolate ice cream, softened (see note)
• 2/3  cup finely chopped firm banana (1 small)
• 1   pint vanilla ice cream, softened*
• 1  8  ounce can crushed pineapple, well-drained
• 1   pint strawberry ice cream, softened (see note)
• 2/3  cup finely chopped strawberries
• 1  12  ounce carton frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 1/2  cup shredded coconut, toasted
•  Maraschino cherries with stems

   

  Directions:

   

  1. Grease and lightly flour two 9x1-1/2-inch round baking pans. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until combined. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beating on low to medium speed after each addition just until combined. Thoroughly wash beaters.

  3. In another large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold egg whites into beaten mixture. Pour batter into prepared pans.

  4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks. Slice each cake layer in half horizontally with a long-bladed, serrated knife.

  5. Place a 9-inch springform pan in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Place one layer of cake in the springform pan. Gently stir together chocolate ice cream and banana; spread over cake in pan. (It is okay if some ice cream runs down sides of cake.) Cover and freeze 30 minutes. Top with a second cake layer. Gently stir together vanilla ice cream and pineapple; spread atop second cake layer. Cover and freeze 30 minutes. Top with a third cake layer. Gently stir together strawberry ice cream and strawberries; spread atop third cake layer. Top with remaining cake layer. (Cake layer will rise above the top of springform pan.) Cover and freeze for 12 to 24 hours.

  6. To serve, remove cake from freezer. Remove from springform pan and place on a serving platter. Frost top and sides with dessert topping. Sprinkle with coconut and top with maraschino cherries. Let stand 20 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges. Store any remaining cake covered in the freezer. Makes 16 servings.

   

  Note

   

  To soften ice cream: Place ice cream in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes; stir with a wooden spoon until just softened and spreadable but not melted.

  
  

  
  

Peach Upside Down Cake

Serve this moist and beautiful cake for dessert at a summer cookout or barbecue. 

Ingredients:

• 1/4  cup butter
• 1/2  cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 - 2   cups sliced, pitted and peeled peaches or frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed and large slices cut in half lengthwise
• 1 1/4  cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4  teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  cup butter, softened
• 3/4  cup granulated sugar
• 1   egg
• 1   teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2  cup milk

 Directions:

 

1.Place 1/4 cup butter in an 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Warm in a 350 degrees F oven about 5 minutes or until butter is melted. (Be sure to watch carefully to avoid over browning the butter). Remove pan from oven. Add brown sugar, stirring until sugar is completely moistened. Spread sugar mixture evenly in pan. Arrange peach slices evenly over brown sugar mixture. Set aside.

2.In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in granulated sugar until well combined. Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to beaten butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Spread batter evenly over the peaches in the pan.

3.Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan; invert onto a large serving plate. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes more. Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.

 Source: Recipe.com