Lentil-Tomato Soup

This modification of a "Cooking Light" recipe is a longtime favorite!
I find it hearty, spicy, and
comforting.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
cayenne pepper, to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/3 cups water
2 1/3 cups dried lentils
3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken
broth (or two chicken bouillon cubes plus the
equivalent amount of water)
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the garlic;
sauté for 1 minute. Add spices and stir for a few
seconds to release their fragrance. Add water,
lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer 1 hour or until lentils are
tender.  To improve the soup's texture, puree small
portions in a blender and then stir them back into the
pot.  Add salt to taste. (Note: A batch of this soup
makes a great addition to the freezer!)

--Rae
Leavenworth, KS

No-Bake Cookies

[Editor's note: These cookies are amazing! I've never liked no-bake cookies until I tried these, and these are still the only kind I will eat!]

1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats

Mix cocoa and sugar. Add butter and milk. Heat over medium flame, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Pour in large bowl with oats and peanut butter. Stir until mixture loses shine.

--Chrissie
St. Louis, MO

New recipes!

Thanks to everyone who has sent in recipes for the holidays. Our list is expanding! Here is the new updated list!

Pepperoni Dip
Josefinas
Rum Tum Tiddy
Herb-Coated Mini Cheese Balls
Apple Kielbasa Coins
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Five Minute Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Seven Pound Fudge
Almond Biscotti
Gingerbread Biscotti
Tiger Butter
Pizza Popcorn
Tabbouleh
Gorgonzola Cherry Cheese Ball
Confetti Squares
Portugese Sweet Bread
Raspberry Ganache Cake

Raspberry Ganache Cake

Raspberry Ganache:

⅓ c. heavy cream

1 c. chocolate chips

¼ c. seedless raspberry preserves

2 tablespoon butter

In a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream to a simmer; remove pan from heat. Add the chocolate chips, preserves, and butter, shaking the pan to immerse the chocolate and as much of the preserves and butter as possible. Let stand for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the chocolate has melted. Beat the mixture with a wire whisk until smooth. Cool until thick enough to use as a glaze; or, cool completely and whip to desired spreading consistency using an electric mixer on medium speed.

For cake batter:
½ cup boiling water
⅓ cup plus 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
¼ cup whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup seedless raspberry jam (about 3‚ ounces)
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Make cake batter:
In a bowl whisk together boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth and whisk in milk, vanilla, and jam. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy and add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Into another bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt and add to egg mixture in batches alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating well after each addition.

Pour batter evenly over frosting mixture and bake in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester inserted into cake comes out clean (frosting on bottom will still be liquid). Cool cake slightly in pan on a rack, 10 to 20 minutes. Once cake has cooled completely, frost with ganache, and top with toasted walnuts, if desired.

--Chrissie
St. Louis, MO

Portugese Sweet Bread

2 envelopes yeast
½ cup warm water
¾ cup milk
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon. salt
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 c. well sifted flour

Mix yeast, water and a pinch of sugar in a small bowl and let stand until bubbly.
Put sugar, salt, milk and butter in a sauce pan. Heat until butter melts. Pour in large bowl and let cool until lukewarm. Beat eggs in small bowl until frothy. Add eggs, yeast mixture, butter mixture and three cups of the flour in an extra big bowl and beat until smooth. Add remaining four cups of flour, one at a time mixing well between each. Knead for 10 minutes. Place in buttered bowl, rolling dough so all is covered with the butter. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 2-3 hours until dough has doubled or tripled. Punch down and let stand 10 minutes. Divide in 2, put in greased pans.

Let rise two hours. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes.

--Chrissie
St. Louis, MO

Confetti Squares

This recipe can be halved – but why? – I guarantee they will all be eaten - a family favorite!

2 tubes of pillsbury crescent rolls
2 bricks of philadelphia brand cream cheese (softened to room temp)
1 c. mayo
1 envelope hidden valley ranch salad dressing mix (dry)
1 c. mild cheddar cheese (fancy shred)
celery (2-3 stalks)
scallion (about 5-7)
mushroom (about 3-5)
carrot (about 2)
red and/or yellow bell pepper (about 1 bell pepper total)
broccoli (about 1 small head – just shave the floret tops to get teeny tiny dark green “balls” )

CHOP VEGGIES VERY FINE-THIS IS SECRET #1 TO SUCCESSFUL CONFETTI SQUARES!

Unwind crescent rolls and lay out flat on a shallow 11X14 baking sheet. Pinch the perforations together and shape to fit/cover the bottom of the pan. Prick generously with a fork to prevent bubbles forming when baked per package directions (something like 375 for 11-13 minutes - just til golden brown) and let cool.

Thoroughly mix softened cream cheese, mayo, and dry ranch dressing mix. Spread mixture evenly on cooled crust. Now starting with celery and continuing in the same order that the veggies are listed- sprinkle finely chopped veggies evenly onto crust spread with cream cheese mixture.

USING THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, PRESS EACH VEGGIE LAYER GENTLY INTO THE CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE AS YOU GO - THIS IS SECRET #2 TO SUCCESSFUL CONFETTI SQUARES!

Finally, sprinkle entire dish with finely shredded mild cheddar (also gently press the cheese onto the top of veggies) and ENJOY!

--Jeannie
Kalamazoo, MI

Gorgonzola Cherry Cheese Ball

8oz. philadelphia brand cream cheese
4-8oz gorgonzola cheese
one big greedy handful of dried cherries (coarsely chopped)
4-5 green onions (finely chopped)
about a tablespoon of dried parsley
about 1/2 teaspoon lawrey's seasoned salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Soften cheeses to room temp. Mix together with fork. Stir in cherries/onions/parsley/salt. Transfer onto a sheet of waxed paper or plastic wrap, using the wrap to keep your hands clean, shape to a ball and chill.
Once firm, turn the ball out onto chopped walnuts and roll to cover. Allow cheeseball to come to room temp again before eating. Traditionally served w/ crackers - but this is also REALLY good to stuff celery ribs with!

--Jeannie
Kalamazoo, MI