RECIPE

Ranch Style Deviled Eggs

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

Make this a day ahead. You will have enough to do the day of the party. Place eggs in large saucepan with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Cover. Remove from heat and let stand until cool. Drain cooking water and cover eggs with cold water. Peel eggs and halve lengthwise. Transfer cooked egg yolks to mixing bowl. Set eggs whites aside on large platter ...

Spice Spritz

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

Have you ever tasted a Spice Spritz cookie? Try this one, it has an autumn flavor. In large bowl with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Next, at low speed, beat in egg and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in flour and pumpkin pie spice just until blended.

Autumn Fruit Salad

Autumn Fruit Salad Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

This salad tastes best when the fruits are fresh, so make it September to December. There are so many good fruit salads. Add this one to your recipe box. Wash and core apples and pears. Do not peel. Cut into 1 inch chunks. Slice banana in 1/2 inch pieces. Wash grapes and cut in half. Combine fruit in salad bowl. Mix yogurt with spices and cider. Pour over fruit and stir to coat evenly. Chill before serving.

Tuna Florentine

A can of tuna is the beginning of a number of tasty recipes. You should have all the ingredients for this tasty entree in your pantry.
Add a some spinach and tomatoes and you have a new and tasty dish. Melt margarine in saucepan, Cook onions until tender over medium heat. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings. Simmer uncovered over low heat for about 20 minutes. Crumble tuna and add to mixture with the cooked noodles.

Quick Coq Au Vin

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

This French way of preparing chicken can be a challenge, but this recipe makes quick work of making this delicious French entree. In shallow dish, combine flour, dried thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Coat the chicken thighs in mixture, shaking off excess. In Dutch oven, heat chopped bacon over medium heat until bacon is crisp. Add coated chicken thighs ans cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and keep warm.

Star Chicken Breasts

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

I name this recipe a star when I was cooking at the Hickory Star Restaurant on Norris Lake. I hope you like it. The sour cream gives it an especially rich flavor. There aren't many ingredients. I hope you like it. Combine garlic, sour cream, lemon juice, salt and paprika for a marinade. Place chicken in large bowl. Pour marinade over chicken. Cover bowl.

Shrimp Mushroom Alfredo

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

Chicken Alfredo is great, but so is this dish with the shrimp. Don't buy raw shrimp you have to fuss with. Instead use a bag of frozen cooked salad shrimp. the only prep needed is cutting off their tails. Over medium heat, heat olive oil and garlic in skillet until starting to be bubbly. Add thawed shrimp (tails removed), cooked until heated through. Add mushrooms, tossing to combine. add chicken broth and the softened cream cheese. Simmer and stir until a smooth sauce emerges. Add grated Parmesan cheese and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Curried Corn Chowder

When fresh corn is in season this is a good soup for a rainy day. In large pot, stir together the celery sou. 4 cups corn, curry powder and 2 cups water. Over medium heat , bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low. Cook until flavors blend, 10 minutes. Serve topped with remaining corn. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, tomato and parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Banana oatmeal cookies

Do you have bananas hanging out on your kitchen counter? Are they a lovely shade of yellow flecked with brown? Those bananas are ready for these cookies. Bake 'em! Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and mashed bananas well. Add flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Stir in quick oats and chocolate chips or chopped nuts.

Picking up stones

Don't ask any of my three children, Tom, Anne and Elizabeth, if they want to go pick up stones. Why? Because they have already done more thantrheir share. I have never purchased stone to lay up a wall, etc.,not with so many stones out there just waiting for me to grab. Fieldstone makes a good wall. there are so many different shapes, colors and sizes. If the stone doesn't fit, it can be hammered down to size.

Pimiento cheese deviled eggs

There are many ways to flavor deviled eggs. Some have pimiento cheese as an ingredient. Yes, this one does, too. Place eggs in large saucepan. Cover with 2 inch of water. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Heat over medium low heat until lightly bubbling, Cover, turn off heat and let stand until cool. Drain and cover with cold water. Carefully peel eggs and rinse in cold water. Cut eggs in half lengthwise.

Berry Spinach Salad

Berry Spinach Salad

In a large bowl, toss together baby spinach, blackberries, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, green onion, and walnuts
-Place berries in the refrigerator, unwashed, because excessive moisture can make them mold quickly.
-Spinach should be loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
-Store cherry tomatoes on the counter at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Wash just before eating.

Fresh Tomato Salad

Fresh tomatoes in the summertime are a treat. The winter hothouse ones are pretty but lack flavor. This is a summertime salad, place prepared vegetables in large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients and mix well. Pour over vegetables and lightly toss. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve on lettuce leaves.

Salmon Loaf

Art work of salmon with a fishing rod.

A can of salmon on your pantry shelf is always a good beginning for a tasty meal. Drain salmon. Remove skin and bones. Flake salmon with a fork. Add softened cream cheese, lemon juice, onion, salt and liquid smoke. Stir well. chill mixture, covered, several hours or overnight. Then shape salmon mixture into a log. Combine pecans and parsley. Stir well. Roll salmon log in pecan mixture. Place on serving plate and chill for several hours. Makes a 10 inch log. Serve with assorted crackers.

Bacon Hasg Brown Bake

In large bowl combine first 7 ingredients. Transfer mixture to greased 9 inch pie plate
Drizzle with butter. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 F. until lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

French Toast Deluxe

Artwork by Shirley McMurtrie

In shallow dish, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Then preheat a well greased griddle over medium heat. Dip bread in egg batter mixture, letting it soak in for a few seconds on each side. Cook on griddle until golden brown on both sides. Serve with butter and maple syrup plus any desired toppings. Makes 4 servings. Recipe can be doubled.

Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Preheat oven to 400 F. arrange asparagus in greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. In small bowl combine half and half, softened cream cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.Pour over asparagus. Top with mozzarella cheese, cashews and Parmesan cheese. Bake until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove dish to wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

Down Home Baked Beans

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon and drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet. Cook chopped sweet onions in drippings over medium heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir into skillet the beans, brown sugar, ketchup and cooked bacon. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan. Bake uncovered, until heated through and bubbly, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Morning Glory Muffins

Arrange two racks evenly spaced in oven. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two muffin pans with paper muffin liners. In large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add carrots, apple, pineapple, pecans coconut and raisins. Stir together. In medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir just until combined.

Chicken Noodle and Corn Chowder

Canned soup to the rescue again. This makes a quick and tasty lunch. Over medium heat, saute onions in margarine until soft but not browned. Stir in chicken noodle soup, water, cream style corn, evaporated milk and pepper. Heat not quite to a boil. Sprinkle each serving with chopped chives.

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