Onion Rings

nonstick vegetable cooking spray
1 large onion
1 1/4 cups italian style bread crumbs
1/2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 cup low fat milk
1 cup all purpose flour
3 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400'. Spray 2 large cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Cut onion into 1/2 inch slices. Seperate slices into rings
3. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and garlic. Set aside.
4. Place milk, flour and egg whites into 3 seperate small bowls. Dip each onion rin into milk, flour, eggwihte and bread crumbs (in that order).
5. Place on prepared cookie sheets and bake for 20 mintues. Turn onion rings over and bake until golden brown, about 10 mintues longer.

Southern Pulled Pork

2 tbs vegetable oil
1 pork shoulder roast
garlic salt
lemon pepper
1 bottle (12 oz) chilli sauce
3 packets (1.31 oz each) sloppy joe mix
1/2 cup beef broth
hamburger buns

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork roast with garlic salt and lemon pepper. brown on all sides. Place in a 4-5 qt slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl, combine chilli sauce, sloppy joe mix and broth. Pour over roast.

3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7-8 hours or high heat setting for 4 hours. To serve, shred pork and place on hamburger buns.

Mushroom Risotto

2 cups Arborio rice
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broh
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed golden mushroom soup
1 tsp bottled minced garlic
6 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Stir together Arborio rice, wine, vegetable broth, cream of mushroom soup, golden ushroom soup, garlic, mushrooms, salt, pepepr and dried tyme in a 4-5 qt slow cooker. Cook on high-heat setting for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.

2. Check consistency. If necessary, continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook risotto. (Rice should be al dente, not mushy) Before serving, stir in Parmesan cheese and garnish with a sprig of fresh theyme if desired.

Stuffed Crescents

1 8-oz container refrigerated crescent roll dough
6 tbs shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 shredded parmesan cheese
6 tbs onion flavored cheese spread

1. Preheat oven to 350' Lay dough for each crescent roll flat on a clean surface. Fill each of 3 rolls with 2 tbs cheddar cheese, each of 2 rolls with 3 tbs prmesan cheese, each of 3 rolls with 2 tbs ccheese spread. Roll up each crescent to enclose filling.
2. Places, seam sides down, onto a cookie sheet. bake for 20 minutes or until cooked thoroughly and golden on top. Cut each roll in half and serve hot.

Chinese Braised Short Ribs

1 large onion, sliced
4 lbs beef short ribs
lemon pepepr
garlic salt
2 tbs canola oil
2 cups beef broth
1 packet (1.1 oz) beefy onion soup mix
2 cans tomatoes with green pepper, celery and onion
2 tbs five spice powder

1. Add sliced onion to the bottom of a 4-5 qt slow cooker. Season short ribs with lemon pepepr and garlic salt. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown all sides of short ribs. Place into slow cooker on top of onion.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. Pour over the top of short ribs. Cover and ocok on low-heat setting for 9-10 hours or high heat setting for 3-4 hours.

Beef Pot Roast

1 12-oz frozen onions
1 8 oz bag frozen carrot slices
1 beef chuck roast (4 lbs) rinsed and patted dry
salt and pepper
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 can condensed cream of celery soup
1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup steak sauce

1. Add frozen onions and carrots to the bottom of a 4-5 quart slow cooker.

2. Season roast with salt and pepepr. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chuck roast on all sides, then place into slow cooker on top of onions and carrots.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together cream of celery soup, onion soup mix, beef broth and steak sauce. Pour over top of roast.

4. Cover slow cooker and cook on low-heat setting for 8-9 hours or high heat setting for 3-4 hours.

Orange Smoothie

1 can (16 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate
1 packet (1 oz) sugar free, fat free vanilla pudding mix
1 container (4 oz) orange cream yogurt
1 cup low-fat milk
3 cups ice cubes

1. Combine orange juice concentrate, pudding mix, yogurt, milk and ice cubes in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Divide between 2 glasses.

Hot Honeyed Spareribs

Nonstick vegetable cooking spray
4 lbs baby back ribs, cut into individual rib portions
garlic salt
black pepper
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 chili garlic sauce
1 cup catalina dressing
1 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat broiler. Line bottom portion of broiler pan with foil for easy cleanup. Spray top portion of broiler pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

2. eason cut ribs with garlic salt and pepper. Broil for 5 minutes. Turn and broil for an additional 5 minutes. Place browned ribs in a 4-5 qt slow cooker.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together honey, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, catalina dressing and ginger. Pour sauce mixtue over ribs. Move ribs around to make sure they are all coated. Cover and ocok on low-heat setting for 8 hours or high heat setting for 3-4 hours.

4. With tongs, remove ribs from slow cooker. Skim fat from sauce. Serve ribs with sauce on the side.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad

8 oz fresh bay shrimp
1 cup shredded carots, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen petite peas, thawed
1/2 cup frozen cut corn kernels, thawed
4 tbs champagne vinaigrette
salt and pepepr
1 firm, ripe avocado, halved and pitted

1. Toss shrimp, carrots, peas, corn, and 3 tbs of the vinaigrette in a medium bowl to coat.

2. Season shrimp salad to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Place one avocade half onto each of 2 plates. Divide shrimp salad on top of avocado halves. Drizzle remaining 1 tbs vinaigrette over avocado halves and serve.

Iced Brownie Cappuccino

2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup very strong coffee
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 tbs chocolate syrup
3 tbs semisweet chocolate morsels
frozen whipped topping, thawed
chocolate syrup

1. Combine espreso, ice cubes, condensed milk, the 1/2 cup whipped topping the 2 tbs chocolate syrup and the chocolate morsels. Blend until smooth. Divide between 2 glasses. If desired, put some whipped topping on top and top with the chocolate syrup.

Gooey Mud Pie

1 jar (11.75 oz) hot fudge topping, slightly warm
1 9 inch premade chocolate pie cruse
1 quart coffee ice cream
1 cup frozen light whipped topping, thawed
1 bottle (7.25 oz) chocolate shell topping.

Drizzle half of the warm fudge topping ove rbottom of piecrust. Spoon half of the ice cream in an even layer over fudge topping. Drizzle remaining fudge topping over ice cream. Freeze pie for 15 mintues.

Using a wooden spoon, stir remaining half of ice cream in a large bowl to loosen. Stir in 1/4 cup whipped topping. Fold in remaining whipped topping to create a mouselike texture.

Spoon mixture onto fudge-topped ice cream layer. Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour. Drizzle 1/4 of the chocolate topping over top of pie. Freeze pie 5 mintues. Repeat drizzling and freezing 3 more times. Cut pie into wedges and serve immediately.

Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 days.

Sesame Chicken Drumettes

1/3 cup teryaki sauce
1 1/2 tbs dry sherry
1 1/2 tbs toasted sesame seeds
1 1/4 lbs chicken drumettes
1 1/2 tbs barbecue sauce
1 1/2 tbs honey
1/4 tsp oriental sesame oil

1. In a large reseable plastic bag , combine teriyaki sauce, sherry, and sesame seeds. Add chicken drumettes, turning to coat. Seal bag and refrigerate at least 30 mintues or up to a day.

2. Preheat oven to 400'. Line a cookie sheet with foil Using tongs, transfer drumettes to cookie sheet. Discard marinatde. Bake until drumettes are golden brown, about 15 mintues.

3. Mix barbecue sauce, honey and sesame oil in a small bowl. Brush drumettes with honey mixture and bake 5 mintues. Turn drumettes and brush with honey mixture and bake 5 minutes longer.

Double Chocolate Walnut Bars

1 1/2 cups unsifted flour
3/4 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 plus 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 margarine or butter, melted
2 eggs
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 6-oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350'. In medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa and salt. Stir in margarine and 1 egg; mix well. spread on bottom of greased 13x9 inch baking pan. In mixer bowl, combine condensed milk, 1/4 cup four, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1 egg, vanilla and baking powder; mix well. Spoon evenly over crust. Top with chips and wanuts. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars. Garnish as desired. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Lemon Turkey Cutlets

1 1/2 lbs refrigerated boneless curkey cutlets
salt and pepper
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 egg lightly beaten
2 tbs lemon juice
1 cup italian style bread crumbs
2 tbs finely chopped onion
1/3 cup vegetable oil


1. Rinse cutlets with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle cutlets with salt and pepper.

2. Place flour in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, combine egg and lemon juice. In a third medium bowl, combine bread crumbs and onion.

3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, dip cutlets into flour, then egg mixture, and then bread crumb mixture. Place cutlets in hot oil and cook until brown, about 3 mintues on each side.

Caramel Popcorn

nonstick vegetable cookign spray
3 bags (2.85 oz each) microwave popcorn (no salt or butter)
1 stick butter
1 cup golden brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 300'. Spray 2 large cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Microwave popcorn according to package instructions. Place the popcorn into a very large bowl or roasting pan. Set aside.
3. In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stir butter, sugar, and corn syrup until butter is melted and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook 4 mintues withou stirring. Remove from heat and add baking soda to caramel sauce (mixture will foam).
4. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over popcorn. Using 2 wooden spoons, toss popcorn to coat evenly with caramel sauce(popcorn will defate somewhat).
5. Spread caramel corn in an even layer on each prepared cookie sheet. Bake until caramel corn is almost crisp, stirring every 15 minutes, for a total of 45 minutes. (rotate pans halfway through baking.)
6. using a metal spatula, loosen caramel corn from cookie sheets. Cool caramel corn completely.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Apple Slaw

3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tbs dry ranch salad dressing mix
1 package (8 oz) shredded cabbage and carrots
3 green apples, cored and diced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
salt and pepper

1. Whisk sour cream, sugar, vinegar, and ranch seasoning in a large bowl to blend.

2. Add cabbage mixture, apples and green onions. Toss to coat.

3. Season to taste with salt and pepepr. Cover tightly and chill 20 mintues or up to 4 hours. Serve cold.

Chicken with White Wine Sauce

24 pearl onions, peeled
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
4 strips thick sliced bacon
4 lbs meaty chicken pieces
salt and pepper
1 can (103/4 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 cup dr white wine
2 tsp italian seasoning
2 tsp bottled minced garlic

1. Add pearl onions and sliced mushrooms to to a 4-5 qt slow cooker.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crispy. Reserve bacon for garnish. Discard all but 2 tbs of bacon fat. Season cut-up chicken with salt and pepepr. Over medium-high heat, brown chicken pieces on all sides in bacon fat. Place browned chicken into slow cooker.

3.In a medium bow, stir together cream of chicken soup, white wine, italian seasoning and garlic. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 hours or high-heat setting for 3-4 hours.

4. If desired, remove skin from chicken. Ladle with white wine sauce and garnish with crumbled bacon.

Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
2 tbs butter
8 white button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup canned chicken broth
1/4 cup dijon mustard
2 tbs deli style brown mustard
1 tomato, diced
1/4 cup frozen cut corn kernels, thawed
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives


1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until just brown, about 4 mintues per side. transfer chicken to plate.

2. Add mushrooms to the same skillet and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Whisk in soup, broth and mustards. Bring sauce to a simmer.

3. Return chicken to skillet and submerge into sauce completely. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until soup bubbles thickly and chicken is cooked through, about 10 mintues.

4. Transfer chicken to plates and spooon sauce ove rthe top. Sprinkle with tomato, corn and chives. Serve hot.

Strawberry Nirvana Smoothie

1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana, peeled and cut in large chunks
1 cup strawerry-banana juice blend
3 tbs powdered nonfat dry milk
ice
whey protein powder
fresh strawberries and banana slices for garnish

1. Add strawberries, banana, strawberry-banana juice, powdered ilk, ice, and why protein (if wanted) to blender. Cover and blend on high speed until well blended. Add enough ice to make mixture of smoothie consistency. Top each drink with strawberry and banana slices

Curried Bow Tie Salad

3/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp curry powder
2 cans (8 oz each) pineapple chunks, drained
1 ripe avacado, peeled, pitted and sliced
1 medium red apple, cored and sliced
8 oz bow tie pasts
salt

1. In a large bowl, mix sour cream and curry powder to blend. Fold in pineapple, avocado, and apple.

2. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 mintues. Drain. Rinse pasta under cold water to cool, then let drain well. Fold pasta into sour cream mixture. Refrigerate until cold, about 15 mintues. Season salad to taste with salt and serve.