Almond Cheesecake Bars

PREP:  20 Minutes   BAKE:  35 Minutes + Cooling

Ingredients:

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1-1/4 cup Butter (softened - divided)

2 cups of Confectioners' Sugar (divided)

1 package of Neufchatel Cheese (softened)

1/2 cup Sugar

2 teaspoons Almond Extract (divided)

2 Eggs (lightly beaten)

5 teaspoons Milk

Other Items Needed:

2 Medium Bowls

Cooking Spray

13-inch x 9-inch Glass Baking Dish

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer

Wire Rack (optional)

Forget the Chocolate and Go For This Yummy Almond Dessert!

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• COMBINE the Flour, 1 cup of Butter & 1/2 cup Confectioners' Sugar.
• PRESS onto the bottom of a greased glass baking dish.

 

• BAKE for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
• For the filling, in a bowl, BEAT the Neufchatel Cheese, Sugar & 1 teaspoon of Almond Extract until smooth.
• ADD Eggs.
• BEAT on low speed, just until combined.

 

• POUR over crust.
• BAKE for 15-20 minutes or until center is almost set.

 

• COOL on a wire rack.
• COMBINE 1-1/2 cups Confectioners' Sugar, 1/4 cup Butter, 1 teaspoon Almond Extract & 5 teaspoons of Milk until smooth.
• SPREAD over Bars.

 

• STORE in the refrigerator.

MAKES:  35 Bars

dévorer!   

 

Basil Polenta with Ratatouille

PREP: 25 Minutes CHILLING:30 Minutes COOK: 40 Minutes

Ingredients:

4 cups Water

1 teaspoon Salt (divided)

1 cup Yellow Self-Rising Cornmeal

1/2 cup Minced Basil

1 medium Eggplant (peeled & cut into 1/2-inch cubes)

1 medium Onion (halved & sliced)

1 medium Yellow Pepper (*julienned)

5 tablespoons Olive Oil (divided)

4 tablespoons Minced Garlic

1 can diced Spicy Tomatoes (14-1/2 ounces - drained)

1 teaspoon Dried Oregano

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

Other Items Needed:

Large Heavy Saucepan

Whisk

Wooden Spoon

8-inch Square Baking Dish

Cooking Spray

Large Skillet

A Healthy Recipe That is Sure to Keep You Full!

• In a large heavy saucepan, bring Water & 1/2 teaspoon Salt to a boil.
• REDUCE heat to a gentle boil.
• Slowly, WHISK in Cornmeal.
• COOK & STIR with a wooden spoon for 15-20 minutes or until Polenta is thickened & pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan.
• STIR in Basil.

• SPREAD into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.

 

• REFRIGERATE for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, SAUTE the Eggplant, Onion & Yellow Pepper in 2 tablespoons of Oil until crisp-tender.
• ADD Garlic.
• COOK 1 minute longer.

 

• STIR in the Tomatoes, Oregano, Pepper & 1/2 teaspoon of Salt.
• COOK & STIR over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until Vegetables are tender.

 

• CUT Polenta into 4 squares.
• In a Large Skillet, COOK Polenta in 3 tablespoons of Oil in batches for 7-8 minutes on each side.
• SERVE with Ratatouille.

 

 

MAKES:  4 Servings

* To Julienne means to cut into long, thin strips.

dévorer!   

All-American Turkey Bacon Cheeseburgers

PREP/TOTAL TIME:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Minced Onion

2 tablespoons Ketchup

4 tablespoons Minced Garlic

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 teaspoon Reduced Sodium Worcestershire Sauce

1 teaspoon A1 Steak Sauce

1/4 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1 pound Extra Lean Ground Beef

4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese

4 Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns, split (toasted if you'd like)

8 cooked Turkey Bacon Strips

Dill Pickle Chips

Mustard

Other Items Needed:

Large Bowl

13-in. x 9-in. Glass Baking Dish

Meat Thermometer

America's Favorite Cookout Dish!

• In a large bowl, COMBINE the first 7 ingredients.

 

• CRUMBLE Beef over Mixture & MIX well.

 

• SHAPE into four patties & place in glass baking dish.

 

• *Broil 3 inches from the heat for 4-7 minutes on each side OR until a thermometer reads 160 degrees & juices run clear.
• TOP with Cheese.
• *Broil until Cheese is melted.
• SERVE on Buns with Bacon, Pickles, Mustard and any other toppings your prefer.

 

 

MAKES:  4 Servings

* If you prefer, Grill Burgers, covered, over medium heat.   

dévorer!

Balsamic Roasted Sausage & Grapes with Spaghetti

PREP:  15 Minutes  BAKE:  30 Minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 pound Mild Italian Sausage Links

3/4 pound Hot Italian Sausage Links

3 cups Seedless Red Grapes

1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

2 tablespoons Water

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

1 package Whole Grain Spaghetti (13.25 ounces)

1/2 cup prepared Pesto

2 cups Fresh Baby Spinach

2 cups Spring Mix Salad Greens

Other Items Needed:

Cooking Spray

13-inch x 9-inch Baking Dish

Small Bowl

Meat Thermometer (optional)

Medium Pot

Colander

Large Bowl

Come on... Try Something Different Today!

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• PLACE Sausage Links & Grapes in a greased 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish.

 

• In a small bowl, COMBINE the Vinegar, Oil & Water.

 

• POUR over Sausages.
• SPRINKLE with Salt & Pepper.

 

• BAKE for 20 minutes.
• TURN Sausages.
• BAKE 10-15 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer inserted in Sausages reads 160 degrees.
• Meanwhile in a medium sized pot, COOK Spaghetti according to package directions.
• DRAIN in colander, reserving 1/2 cup of Pasta Water.
• CUT Sausages into 1/2-inch slices.
• In a large bowl, COMBINE Spaghetti, reserved Pasta Water & Pesto.
• TOSS to coat.

 

• ADD the Sausage, Spinach, Salad Greens & Grapes with pan juices.
• TOSS to combine.
• SERVE immediately.

  

Makes:  8 Servings

 

 

This dish is the perfect blend of sweet & spicy.  Mix up your weekly schedule with this one; your family is sure to love it!

 

 

dévorer! 

Two-Chip Chocolate Chippers

PREP:  20 Minutes  BAKE:  10 Minutes per Batch

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Butter (softened)

1/2 cup Stick Margarine (softened)

3/4 cup packed Brown Sugar

1/4 cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1-1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2-1/4 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 package Instant French Vanilla Pudding (3.4 ounces)

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1-1/2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1-1/2 cups Milk Chocolate Chips

1-1/2 cups Chopped Pecans

Other Items Needed:

2 Large Bowls

Hand Mixer (or stand mixer)

1 Tablespoon

Baking Sheets

Glass (optional)

Wire Racks (optional)

Easy Steps To Bake Everyone's Favorite Cookie...

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In large bowl, CREAM the Butter, Margarine & Sugars until light & fluffy.

 

• BEAT in Eggs & Vanilla.

 

• In a large bowl COMBINE the Flour, Pudding & Baking Soda.

 

• Gradually ADD to creamed mixture & MIX well.

 

• STIR in Chocolate Chips & Pecans.

 

• DROP by rounded tablespoons 1-inch apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
• FLATTEN slightly with a glass.
• BAKE for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• REMOVE to wire racks.  

 

MAKES:  5 Dozen

 

 

I made these simple, but delicious cookies for an office Christmas Cookie Exchange.  They were a BIG hit and I didn't have to spend hours in the kitchen!

 

 

 dévorer!