More The Merrier Orange, Fig & Walnut Bars

PREP:  10 Minutes  BAKE:  25-30 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 package Orange Supreme Cake Mix (18 1/4 ounces)

1 jar Fig Preserves (10 ounces)

1/2 Corn Oil

1 Egg

2 cups chopped Walnuts

Other Items Needed:

Large Bowl

Mixer or Hand Mixer

Cooking Spray

13-in. x 9-in. Baking Pan

Toothpick (optional)

Wire Rack (optional)

A Holiday Favorite 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, COMBINE the Cake Mix, Preserves, Oil & Egg.
• BEAT on low speed until blended.

 

• STIR in Walnuts (Batter will be thick).

 

• SPREAD into a greased 13-in x 9-in Baking Pan.

 

• BAKE for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• COOL on wire rack.
• CUT into bars.

 

MAKES:  2 Dozen

 

 

* Don't breeze past this one... this was a favorite out of all the desserts I've presented to my coworkers.  What else says the holidays like figs?!

 

 

 

dévorer!   

Apple Orchard Pork Roast

 

PREP:  25 Minutes   BAKE:  1-1/2 Hours   STANDING:  10 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 boneless Whole Pork Roast (3-4 pounds)

*4 teaspoons + 4 tablespoons Minced Garlic

1 teaspoon Salt

6 fresh Sage Leaves

3 fresh Rosemary Sprigs

3 teaspoons Ground Thyme

3 Tart Apples (cut into wedges)

1 Large Sweet Onion (cut into chunks)

1/4 cup Butter

1-2/3 cups Sparkling Apple Cider (divided)

1 tablespoon Soy Sauce

1/4 cup Sour Cream

Other Items Needed:

13-in x 9-in Baking Dish

Meat Thermometer

Basting Brush

Serving Platter

Small Saucepan

Whisk

The Perfect Cold Weather Dish!

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• PLACE Roast in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
• RUB with 4 teaspoons of Minced Garlic & SPRINKLE with Salt & Pepper.
• TOP with Sage, Rosemary & Thyme.

 

• ARRANGE the Apples, Onions & 4 tablespoons of Minced Garlic around Roast.
• DOT with Butter.

 

• COMBINE 1 cup Sparkling Apple Cider & Soy Sauce.

 

• POUR over top.

 

• BAKE, uncovered, for 1-1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
• BASTING occasionally with pan juices.
• REMOVE the Roast, Apples & Onions to a serving platter.
• KEEP warm.
• Let STAND for 10 minutes before slicing.
• MEANWHILE, skim fat from pan juices.
• TRANSFER juices to a small saucepan.
• ADD 2/3 cup of Cider.
• BRING to a boil.
• REMOVE from the heat.
• WHISK in Sour Cream until smooth.
• SERVE with Pork Roast.

 

MAKES:  8 Servings & 1 Cup of Sauce

   

 * I believe that there is no such thing as too much garlic!  You can alter the amount you use based on your taste level for it.  Garlic has many health benefits, such as, controlling cholesterol, it's an antioxidant & a blood-clot deterrent.  So, eat up!

dévorer!

 

Baked Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

PREP/TOTAL TIME:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Whole Wheat Flour

3 cups 2% Milk

*4 small Potatoes (baked, peeled & coarsely mashed)

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese (divided)

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1/2 cup Organic Sour Cream

1/2 cup thinly sliced Green Onions (divided)

Other Items Needed:

Large Saucepan

Whisk

Saucepan Lid

Time for Some Comfort Food!

 

• In a large saucepan, WHISK Flour & Milk until smooth.
• BRING to a boil.
• COOK & STIR for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• STIR in the Potatoes, 1/3 cup Cheese, Salt & Pepper.
• COOK over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until Cheese is melted.
• REMOVE from the heat.
• STIR in Sour Cream & 1/4 cup of Onions until blended.
• COVER & COOK over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until heated through (do not boil).

 

• GARNISH with remaining Cheese & Onions.

 

MAKES:  4 Servings

* I baked my potatoes by doing the following:  

• Wash potatoes thoroughly with a stiff bristle brush.
• Poke each potato with a fork at least 10 times.
• Brush each potato with cooking oil.
• Sprinkle each with salt.
• Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

    

dévorer!

Apple, Blue Cheese & Spinach Salad

PREP/TOTAL TIME:  20 Minutes

Ingredients:

*4 cups Baby Spinach

4 small Granny Smith Apples

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar

1 tablespoon Honey

1 tablespoon Organic Mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon Mustard Seed (toasted)

1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/8 teaspoon coarsely Ground Pepper

1 cup Crumbled Blue Cheese

3/4 cup Walnut Halves (toasted)

1/2 Golden Raisins

Other Items Needed:

Salad Bowl

Small Bowl

Whisk

Lets Put Together One Yummmmy Salad!

• In a salad bowl, COMBINE the Spinach & Apples.

 

• In a small bowl, WHISK the Oil, Vinegar, Honey, Mayonnaise, Mustard Seed, Ground Mustard, Salt & Pepper.
• DRIZZLE over Salad & TOSS to coat.
• SPRINKLE with Cheese, Walnuts & Raisins.

 

• SERVE immediately.

MAKES:  9 Servings

* You can replace the Baby Spinach with torn Bibb or Boston Lettuce.  Baby Spinach is my favorite, because it can easily go with a variety of ingredients!  It's low calorie & fat free!

dévorer! 

   

Beer and Brats Nachos

PREP:  20 Minutes  COOK:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

2 packages fully-cooked Beef Brats - sliced (14 ounces)

2-1/4 cups frozen Pepper Stir-Fry

3 cups shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2-1/2 teaspoons Whole Wheat Flour

1 cup chopped Red Onion (about a half)

1 tablespoon Extra Light Olive Oil

1 tablespoon Minced Garlic

*3/4 cup Beer 

1 bag Multi-Grain Tortilla Scoops (12 ounces)

Other Items Needed:

Large Skillet

Large Bowl

Large Serving Platter

Quick & Easy Party Pleaser

• In a large skillet, SAUTE the Beef Brats for 1 minute.
• ADD Pepper Stir-Fry.
• COOK 3-5 minutes longer or until the vegetables are tender.

• SET aside and KEEP Warm.
• In a large bowl, COMBINE Cheese & Flour.
• In the skillet, SAUTE the Onion in Oil until tender.
• ADD Garlic & COOK 1 minute longer.
• STIR in the Beer.
• HEAT over medium heat until bubbles form around the sides of the pan.
• REDUCE heat to medium-low add handful of Cheese Mixture.
• STIR constantly, using a figure-eight motion, until almost completely melt between additions.

• ARRANGE the Tortilla Chips on a large serving platter.
• SPOON Cheese Mixture over the Chips.
• TOP with the Brats Mixture.
• SERVE immediately.

MAKES:  12 Servings

* You can use any type of Beer.  I used Bud Select because that's what I had in the refrigerator.  If beer isn't your thing, you can substitute with Beef Broth.

dévorer!