Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

                     This recipe makes a delicious hot appetizer that's always the hit of the party. You can't go wrong with a classic stuffed mushroom.

12-15 servings

• 12 to 15 large fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 ounces bulk Italian sausage 
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1. Remove stems from the mushrooms.
2. Chop stems finely and set mushroom caps aside.
3. Place stems in paper towels and squeeze to remove any liquid.
4. In a large skillet, heat 1½ tablespoons butter and cook stems and onion until tender.
5. Add the lemon juice, basil, salt and pepper and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated, cool.
6. In a large bowl, combine the mushroom mixture, sausage and parsley.
7. Stuff reserved mushroom caps, combine crumbs and cheese and sprinkle over tops.
8. Dot each mushroom with the remaining butter.
9. Place in a greased baking pan and bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, basting occasionally with pan juices.
10. Serve hot.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Chicken Parmigiana

 

2 servings

• 1 can "15 ounces" tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves "4 ounces each"
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 slices mozzarella cheese

1. In a small saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg.
4. In an another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
5. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with crumb mixture.
6. In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170F.
7. Top with mozzarella cheese, cover and cook 3-4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
8. Serve with tomato sauce.

Note - Substitute 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce for the                            homemade sauce in this recipe. Serve the chicken over angel hair             pasta for a quick, satisfying meal.

BON APPÉTIT

Spinach Phyllo Pie

 

                    This flaky phyllo pie has an excellent mix of flavors. It's a lightened-up version of that beloved Greek classic, spanakopita.

6 servings

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 packages "10 ounces each" frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• ½ cup cottage cheese
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dill weed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 10 sheets phyllo dough "14 inches x 9 inches"
• Butter-flavored cooking spray
• 3 large tomatoes, sliced

1. In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients, set aside.
2. Spritz one sheet of phyllo dough with butter-flavored cooking spray.
3. Place in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray, allowing one end of dough to hang over edge of dish.
4. Repeat with four more phyllo sheets,staggering the overhanging phyllo around edges of dish.
5. Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap or damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
6. Spoon a third of the spinach mixture into crust.
7. Layer with half of the tomatoes, another third of the spinach mixture, remaining tomatoes and remaining spinach mixture.
8. Spritz and layer remaining phyllo dough as before.
9. Gently fold ends of dough over filling and toward center of baking dish, spritz with butter-flavored cooking spray.
10. Cover edges with foil and bake at 350F for 55-60 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160F.
11. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.

BON APPÉTIT

Breakfast in Bread

 

                    Making this delicious bread is very easy and a nice change of pace from sweet quick breads. It's a never-fail treat that you will enjoy.

1 loaf

• 6 eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup diced fully cooked ham
• 1 cup each shredded Monteray Jack, Swiss and sharp cheddar cheese

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy, stir in milk.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt, gradually add to egg mixture and mix well.
3. Stir in bacon, ham and cheese.
4. Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
6. Serve warm.

BON APPÉTIT

Savory Apple-Chicken Sausage

 

                    These easy-to-make sausage patties taste great and make an elegant brunch dish. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a crowd, and the sausage freezes well whether it's cooked or raw.

8 patties

• 1 large tart apple, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound ground chicken

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients ; mix well.
2. Shape into eight 3-in. patties.
3. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook patties over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 165F and juices run clear.

BON APPÉTIT

Ranch Turkey Wraps

 

                These hand-held sandwiches make a nice lunch or quick dinner on the go. A great thing about wraps is that, like sandwiches, you can customize each one to suit your taste

4 servings

• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup prepared ranch salad dressing
• 4 flour tortillas "10 inches", warmed
• ¾ pounds sliced deli turkey
• 8 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced

1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and salad dressing until smooth.
2. Spread over tortillas ; Layer with turkey, cheese, avocado and tomato.
3. Roll up tightly ; cut in half.

BON APPÉTIT

Sweet and Spicy Jalapeno Poppers

 

                    There's no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon-wrapped poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Everyone will love them.

1 dozen

• 6 jalapeno peppers
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 bacon strips, halved widthwise
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili seasoning

1. Cut jalapenos in half widthwise and remove seeds ; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, beat cheeses until blend ; spoon into pepper halves.
3. Wrap a half-strip of bacon around each pepper half.
4. Combine brown sugar and chili seasoning ; coat peppers with sugar mixture.
5. Place in a greased 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking pan.
6. Bake at 350F "180C" for 18-20 minutes or until bacon is firm.

BON APPÉTIT