Jalapeno Popper Spread

INGREDIENTS
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
2 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Microwave on High until hot, about 3 minutes.

No-Fuss Overnight Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark, firmly packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon strong flavor, such as butter-rum, vanilla-butternut, etc.; or 1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups Flour
1 cup sour cream
Topping
3/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark, firmly packed
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chips (chocolate, butterscotch, cinnamon, or cappuccino), optional

DIRECTIONS
To make the cake: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and flavor, mixing until smooth.   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour alternately with the sour cream, stirring to combine. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
To make the topping: Combine the brown sugar, nuts, cinnamon, and chips (if you're using them), stirring to combine. Sprinkle the topping over the batter in the pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight.   Next morning, take the cake out of the refrigerator, and preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes, until it's golden brown on top. Remove it from the oven, and cool briefly before serving.

English Pea Salad

INGREDIENTS
4 slices bacon
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas, thawed and drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar
2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Let cool.   In a medium serving bowl, combine the bacon, peas, cheese, and eggs.
Stir in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Espresso Toffee Fudge

INGREDIENTS
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 stick butter
4 cups sugar
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
30 large marshmallows
3/4 cup toffee bits

DIRECTIONS
Lightly coat 9 by 13-inch baking pan with butter-flavored cooking spray. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, evaporated milk, and espresso powder. Stirring constantly, bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and marshmallows until blended. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle toffee chips evenly over fudge and pat lightly. Cool until set, about 3 to 4 hours. Cut into bite-sized squares.

Mocha Chip Scones

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup brewed very strong coffee
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 large eggs, lightly beaten separately
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups baking mix
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup white baking chips
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tablespoon heavy cream
White decorating sugar or sanding sugar

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a small bowl, combine coffee, cream, 1 egg, and vanilla extract; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, combine baking mix, sugar, white baking, and chocolate chips.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and work into a crumbly dough. On a lightly floured surface, form dough into a 9-inch disk (approximately 1/2-inch thick). Cut into 12 wedges and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Set aside.  In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon cream and remaining beaten egg.  Brush tops of scones with egg mixture and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter!

Scalloped Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS
Good olive oil
2 cups (1/2-inch diced) bread from a French boule, crusts removed
16 plum tomatoes, cut 1/2-inch dice (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup julienned basil leaves, lightly packed
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12 inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and stir to coat with the oil. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are evenly browned.  Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. When the bread cubes are done, add the tomato mixture and continue to cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the basil.  Pour the tomato mixture into a shallow (6 to 8 cup) baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan cheese and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is browned and the tomatoes are bubbly. Serve hot or warm.

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds strawberries, stemmed and quartered
5 tablespoons sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Whipped Cream, recipe follows

DIRECTIONS
Mix strawberries with 3 tablespoons sugar and refrigerate while juices develop, at least 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add heavy cream and mix until just combined. Place mixture in an ungreased 8-inch square pan and bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.  Remove shortcake from pan and place on a rack to cool slightly. Cut into 6 pieces and split each piece in half horizontally. Spoon some of the strawberries with their juice onto each shortcake bottom. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and then the shortcake top. Spoon more strawberries over the top and serve.

WHIPPED CREAM
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until soft peaks form, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Potato Salad

INGREDIENTS
4 lb. Yukon gold potatoes
3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and grated
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1/4 cup pickle relish
1 TBS spricy brown mustard
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
Cook potatoes in boiling water and cook 20 – 30 minutes or until fork tender; drain and cool 15 minutes.  Peel potatoes, and cut into 1-inch cubes.  Combine potatoes and eggs.  Stir together mayo and next 7 ingredients; gently stir into potato mixture.  Serve immediately, or cove and chill 12 hours.

Peach Cobbler

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 peaches, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices (6 cups)
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup baking mix
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 400°F. In 4-quart saucepan, mix 1/3 cup sugar, the cornstarch and cinnamon. Stir in peaches, water and lemon juice. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 8- or 9-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish.  In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the milk and melted butter until soft dough forms.  Drop dough by 6 tablespoonfuls onto hot peach mixture. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over dough.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with whipped cream.

Braised Beef Brisket

INGREDIENTS
1 (4 pound) beef brisket, first-cut
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Coarsely ground black pepper
3 large carrots, cut into chunks
1 onion, halved
2 celery stalks, cut into chunks
1 head garlic, cut in 1/2
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, hand-crushed
3/4 bottle dry red wine
1 bay leaves
1/4 bunch fresh thyme, leaves only
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves only
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Drizzle brisket liberally with olive oil then season the meat on both sides with salt and pepper.  Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-based pot over medium-high heat and add a 3-count of olive oil. Place the brisket in the pot and sear on both sides to form a nice brown crust. Remove from pot and set aside before adding carrots, onion and celery. Brown vegetables, then add the garlic, tomatoes, red wine, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Add the brisket back to the pot, cover and roast in the oven for 3 hours until the brisket is fork tender.  Remove the brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain out the vegetables and pour off some of the excess fat, then pour over the brisket.

Oreo Delight

INGREDIENTS
35 Oreo cookies
6 Tbsp. margarine, melted
1 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1 (12 oz.) tub Cool Whip, thawed
3 1/4 c. cold milk
2 pkg. instant Jell-O pudding
optional: more crushed Oreos or Andes Mint baking chips to sprinkle on top

DIRECTIONS
Mix crushed cookies and butter in medium bowl. Press firmly onto bottom of 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and 2 Tbsp. milk in medium bowl with wire whisk until blended. Stir in 1 1/4 c. Cook Whip. Spread over crust.  Pour 3 1/4 c. milk into bowl. Add both pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk for 2 minutes. Pour over cream cheese layer. Let stand 5 minutes. Drop remaining Cool Whip over pudding and spread. Sprinkle more crushed Oreos or Andes Mint baking chips on top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Cream Cheese

INGREDIENTS
5 pounds of red potatoes
1 block of cream cheese, room temperature (8 oz. I used light)
1 cup sour cream (I used light)
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 cup of water, reserved from boiling the potatoes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 T dried parsley
DIRECTIONS
Wash and peel the potatoes, leaving the skin on some if desired. Cut in quarters to quicken boiling time. Put the pieces into a large pot and cover completely with water.
Bring the potatoes to a boil on the stove top. Boil rapidly for 10-20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
Scoop out 1/2 cup of the water from the pot. Add the bouillon cube to the water. Drain the potatoes, and return to pot.
Open the cream cheese and put into the pot with the hot potatoes. Add sour cream. Pour in the water with the bouillon cube, also. Add the parsley and garlic powder.
Mash with a potato masher.  After smashing well, scoop the potatoes out of the pot and place into a 4 to 6 quart crockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours, or on low for 4. Can be kept on warm indefinitely.

Chicken Piccata

INGREDIENTS
2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 extra-large egg
1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
Good olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved
1/2 cup dry white wine
Sliced lemon, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.  Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.  Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.  Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.  For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel.   Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Carmel Apple Pie

INGREDIENTS
1  9 inch double pie crust
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups thinly sliced apples
2/3 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
20 caramels, halved
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
To Make Taffy: In a small bowl combine brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, and 1/3 cup flour. Mix well and set aside.
To Make Apple Filling: Place apples in a large bowl. Add white sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss until all ingredients are mixed well and apples are thoroughly coated. Spoon half of apple filling into pastry-lined deep-dish pan. Top with half of caramels and half of taffy mixture. Repeat process with remaining apple filling, caramels and taffy mixture. Place top pastry over filling and seal well (this is very important--if edges are not sealed, caramel will leak out all over). Cut steam vents and brush top crust with milk or light cream. Cover pie with foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil from pie and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until crust is golden. Serve warm.

Homemade Chocolate Frosting

INGREDIENTS
1/2 of 4 oz. (4 sections) Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate
3 tbs. butter or margarine
3 tbs. milk
1/8 tsp. salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS
In heavy saucepan, melt broken chocolate with butter, milk and salt.  Sift powdered sugar into bowl.  Add chocolate and beat thoroughly.  Add vanilla and beat until thick.  Spread over cake.