Chess Squares

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup butter, melted

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 lb. box confectioners sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 Combine cake mix, 1 egg and butter.  Press into 9 x 13 pan.

 Combine softened cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and 3 eggs.  Pour over cake mixture.

 Bake 35-40 minutes.

Chocolate-covered Matzo

4 unsalted matzo boards
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light-brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and lightly grease.

Arrange matzo to fit on sheet, breaking boards as necessary.

Combine butter and brown sugar in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until boiling.  Boil for 3 minutes.

Pour butter mixture over matzo  (I add a bit of salt here) and place baking sheet in oven. Turn the oven temp down to 350 degrees and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle chips over.  Let stand 5 minutes then spread the melted chips.

Chop almonds and sprinkle on top of chocolate.  Chill in refrigerator until set.  Break into pieces when cooled.

Multigrain Side Dish

Use any or all of the following grains and cook according to their directions:

quinoa
pink or red rice
wild rice
faro

For 4 cups of cooked grains (2 cups uncooked):

Cool the cooked grains on a cookie sheet to prevent further cooking.
Sauté 1 sliced onion in some olive oil. Set aside.

Prepare uncooked ingredients by combining:
  grated zest and juice from 1 orange
  2 tsp lemon juice
  1/3 cup olive oil
  4 green onions, thinly sliced
  3/4 cups dried apricots, coarsely chopped
  1/3 cup shelled and toasted pistachio nuts
  salt & pepper

To serve combine the cooked grains, cooled onion and uncooked ingredients in a large serving bowl.
Serves 6

Marinated Turkey Breast

Place following ingredients into a blender and process for 1-2 minutes.
4 TBS mint leaves
4 TBS flat parsley leaves
4 TBS cilantro leaves
1 clove garlic, peeled
4 TBS lemon juice
4 TBS olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Place 1/2 small organic turkey breast (2 1/4 lbs) in a gallon plastic bag and pour marinade over and seal. Massage marinade into breast and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Remove turkey from marinade and reserve the marinade for later. Place breast on cookie sheet (with small sides) and roast as follows:
425 degrees - 15 minutes
400 degrees- 15 minutes
350 degrees- 30-45 minutes

Place the reserved marinade into a saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes, until reduced by half. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

When turkey is done, remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.  Slice thinly and serve with warm sauce.  Serves 6.

Can all be served cold or room temperature if preferred.  You could also substitute lamb for the turkey but don't need to cook quite as long.

Skillet Rolls

Ingredients for 12 rolls
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed  Shopping List
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
Add to Shopping List3 tablespoons sugar
Add to Shopping List3/4 teaspoon salt
Add to Shopping List1 cup water
Add to Shopping List2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
Add to Shopping List4 tablespoons butter, divided

Directions

Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixer bowl. Heat water, oil and 2 tablespoons butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F). Add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 7 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; shape into balls. Place in a greased 10-inch iron skillet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and brush over rolls.

Bake in preheated 375 degrees F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan; brush with any remaining butter, if desired. Serve warm.

Half Recipe…

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
Add to Shopping List1 (.25 ounce) envelope Fleischmann's(R) RapidRise Yeast
Add to Shopping List1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
Add to Shopping 1/4 teaspoon salt  to Shopping List
1/2 cup water dd to Shopping List
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
Add to Shopping List2 tablespoons butter, divided

 

Ginger Ale Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Melt in a 9x13 casserole dish:
1/2 c butter  (1 stick)

Mix together:
4 c Bisquick
1 c sour cream
1 c ginger ale

Pat out the dough and make 12 rounds.
(dough will be sticky)
Place dough in the melted butter and bake 12-15 min.

I usually make half a recipe for 4-6 people.

Chilled Avocado and Melon Soup

 

For the soup:

3 c peeled and diced ripe honeydew melon (about 1/2 melon)

3 c cold water (or more as needed)

2 ripe avocados (about 2 cups pulp)

1/2 c heavy cream

1 tsp ground cumin

3 TBS fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground pepper

2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

2 TBS chopped fresh mint

Combine the melon, water, avocados, heavy cream, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper in a blender and puree until smooth; thin the mixture with more water as needed. Stir in the scallions and mint, and set in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day; taste for salt, pepper and lemon juice after refrigerating (and before serving).

 

For the salad:
 

6 ounces lump crabmeat, shredded (about 1 cup)

3/4 c fresh sweet corn kernels (from 1 ear)

1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, seeded and finely diced

2 TBS fresh lime juice (about 1 lime), or more as needed

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/2 c cilantro leaves, washed and patted dry

2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil

Combine the crab, corn, Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, lime juice, sugar, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl; let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, giving it a gentle toss or two during that time. Stir in the cilantro and oil; taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Divide the soup among individual bowls. Spoon equal portions of the crab-corn mixture onto the center of each bowl. Serve right away