Pinwheels

Dear Readers,

Summer is here! The parties have begun and if you are at a loss for what to serve as a cool appetizer, I have an idea for you. Try these out. I have had several requests to make these for various parties...from birthday parties to graduation parties. Overall they have been well received.

Pinwheels

15-16 Tortilla shells-soft shells plain or flavored
3-4 8 oz packages of cream cheese
3-4 small onions
16 oz finely shredded cheddar-jack cheese
pepper
salt
1 1/2-2 pounds ham-sliced


Chop onions in food processor, add to cream cheese and spices and mix well.
Smooth a layer of the cream cheese mix on one side of the tortilla shell.
Cover with a thin layer of shredded cheese

Add two slices ham and roll
Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight and then slice into pinwheels

Bon Appetit!

Peanut Butter Bars!

Dear Readers,

Who can resist an afternoon of cooking and baking...or making peanut butter bars. I love peanut butter! These bars are sure to delight the senses and are time friendly. If you have children, these will be the simplest joy for them to help make and eat.

Peanut Butter Bars
From my great aunt Grace

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup melted oleo

mix above ingredients in a bowl and then press into a 9x13 pan

then...

melt 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and 1/4 cup oleo

pour over the bars and chill for 2 hours

cut into squares and enjoy.

Bon Appetit!

Cheesecake Bars

Dear Readers,

When searching through the famous Nestle recipe collection cookbook, I stumbled across the most divine recipe for bars. I was hungry for the intensely sweet and smooth taste of cheesecake, so I indulged myself.

Modified from Nestle Recipe Collection

Cheesecake Bars

Cranberry Almond Squares

Dear Readers,

Spring is here in the north woods and since the weather is warmer, my taste buds have been wanting some tart cranberries. What better way to eat them than in a baked treat! This bar baked well, was easy to put together and did not have any butter!If you like cranberries, you will love this bar!

Recipe adapted from Old Fashioned Cookies

3 Cups Cranberries
1 Cup Homemade Applesauce
1 Tbls. sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup ground almonds

Combine applesauce, sugar and cranberries. If using sweetened frozen cranberries, no need to cook.  Set aside. Combine flour, oats, cinnamon and salt. Add molasses and oil and toss with a fork until mixture is in crumbles. Press 2 cups into the bottom of a greased 9x11 pan. Top with cranberry mixture (evenly spread). Combine remaining flour mixture with the almonds and sprinkle over the cranberries. Press lightly.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes

makes 24 squares


Bon Appetit!

Cookbooks

Dear Readers,

In the midst of all the hoopla in the government, I have to find something to relax me. Well, it is no surprise that it is cooking. If not cooking, then reading recipes, if not reading recipes, then buying cookbooks. I have found that there are so many wonderful little anecdotes. Today, so far I have made 8 loaves of banana bread and 24 cupcakes. I now search for some cookies to bake.

My suggestions for dealing with stress:

1. Exercise
2. go to the bookstore and buy cookbooks
3. Cook (or Bake)

Bon Appetit!

Souper Bowl!

Dear Readers,

It was a WI holiday recently.....the Superbowl! Or if you were at the party I was at it was a Souper Bowl Party!

Here are some fun pics.

Bon Appetit!

Cream Puffs

Dear Readers,

Who can resist the decadent cream puff the Julia received on her birthday in Paris? Not me! Here is a great recipe for the cream puff. I happened to take a short cut and serve it with vanilla pudding instead of the traditional custard.

Ingredients

1 cup water
4 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
4 eggs
 whipped cream, vanilla pudding or other filling

Preparation

1. heat oven to 375 degrees F

2. add water, butter and salt in heavy sauce pan and bring jut to a boil

3. remove pan from the heat and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball. Let rest 2 minutes.

4. add whole eggs one at a time, beating well. Dough should be stiff but smooth.

5. in 1/4 cup amounts, drop onto baking sheet about 3 inches apart

6. Bake about 35 minutes until puffed and golden brown


Bon Appetit!



Adapted from the WI State Fair Cream Puffs