Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

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Ingredients

1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh sage
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
30 round wonton wrappers
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Cooking spray
1 cup fat-free milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
3 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

Preparation

Spoon pumpkin onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels, and spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into a medium bowl using a rubber spatula. Stir in breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, minced sage, pepper, and nutmeg.

Working with 1 wonton wrapper at a time (cover remaining wrappers with a damp towel to keep from drying), spoon 2 teaspoons pumpkin mixture into the center of wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with water and fold in half, pressing edges firmly with fingers to form a half-moon. Place on a large baking sheet sprinkled with cornstarch. Repeat procedure with remaining wonton wrappers and pumpkin mixture.

Fill a large Dutch oven with water; bring to a simmer. Add half of ravioli to pan (cover remaining ravioli with a damp towel to keep from drying). Cook 4 minutes or until done (do not boil), stirring gently. Remove ravioli with a slotted spoon; lightly coat with cooking spray, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining ravioli.

Combine milk and flour in a saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook for 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add butter, stirring until butter melts. Gently stir in Gorgonzola.

Place 5 ravioli in each of 6 shallow bowls, and drizzle each serving with 3 tablespoons Gorgonzola mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons hazelnuts. Serve immediately.

Laura Martin, Cooking Light

NOVEMBER 2007

Carmel Chocolate Cream Puffs

Ingredients


16 cream puffs (such as Belgian Mini Cream Puffs) from a 13.2-ounce box of frozen cream puffs 1 12.25-ounce jar caramel sauce 1 16-ounce jar hot fudge or dark-chocolate sauce Preparation

Defrost the cream puffs according to the label directions. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring 3/4 of the caramel sauce to a boil. Boil for 1 minute or until the sauce thickens into a chewy glaze. Holding a cream puff with tongs or speared on a fork, dip one side of the puff into the caramel, then place on a dessert plate. Repeat with the remaining puffs, arranging 4 on each plate. A few minutes before serving, warm the hot fudge sauce over low heat. Spoon it around the plated cream puffs. For a Valentine's Day touch, drop 3 small dollops of the remaining unboiled caramel sauce into the hot fudge sauce on each plate. With a toothpick, draw a line through the drops to form hearts (see photo).

Fake It, Don't Make It, Real Simple

FEBRUARY 2003

Slow Cooker Char Sui

Ingredients


1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 3 tablespoons ketchup 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder 2 pounds boneless Boston butt pork roast, trimmed 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth Preparation

Combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add pork to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Place pork and marinade in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove pork from slow cooker using a slotted spoon; place on a cutting board or work surface. Cover with aluminum foil; keep warm.

Add broth to sauce in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens. Shred pork with 2 forks; serve with sauce.

Holly Rudin-Braschi, Grill Power, Cooking Light

MARCH 2006

Popovers with Rasberry Butter

This is a treat. reminds me of lunch at Neiman Marcus.


Popovers

2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 c. milk, room temperature



Raspberry butter:


1 stick unsalted butter
1/4 c. raspberry preserves
2 T. powdered sugar

Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients. Combine, being sure not to over mix. Heat oven to 450. Once the oven is heated, place EMPTY popover pan (or muffin tin) into the oven to heat for 5-10 minutes. Remove and grease cups with butter. Fill 1/2 - 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 30 minutes.

Butter:

Place ingredients in mixer and beat until well combined. Return to refrigerator to help set.

Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

Directions

1. Place meat in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and pepper; pour over meat, and stir to coat meat with flour mixture. Stir in the garlic, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, and celery.
2. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 10 to 12 hours, or on High setting for 4 to 6 hours.

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs.

Ingredients

• 6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 (12 ounce) can corned beef, cut into chunks
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup beef broth
• salt to taste
• 6 large whole eggs
• hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. In a large deep skillet, over medium heat, combine the potatoes, corned beef, onion, and beef broth. Cover and simmer until potatoes are of mashing consistency, and the liquid is almost gone. Mix well, 
2. Divide Mixture into 6 ramekins or custard dishes. crack an egg on the top of each. Bake 5 minutes at 350 or until egg is set.
3. Carefully take them out of the oven. they will be hot.
4. Try serving with a dash of hot sauce.

Poached Egg and Canadian Bacon

Frisée Salad with Poached Egg and Canadian Bacon

Makes 4 servings

From WeightWatchers.com

Ingredients

• 6 cups torn frisée leaves, cleaned and dried
• Cooking spray
• 4 oz Canadian bacon, chopped
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced into rings
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 4 large eggs
• Cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Place the frisée in a large bowl; set aside.
  
• Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook until crisp, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the frisée.
  
• Place the skillet back over medium heat and swirl in the olive oil. Add the shallots; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the mustard and Worcestershire sauce; scrape up any browned bits in the skillet for a few seconds. Pour in the vinegar; bring to a full simmer.
  
• Pour this shallot-laced dressing over the frisée and Canadian bacon, scraping everything out of the skillet and into the bowl. Toss well and divide among 4 plates.
  
• Fill a large high-sided skillet or sauteuse pan halfway with water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low so the water barely simmers. Crack an egg into a small ramekin or custard cup, then slip the egg into the water. Repeat that with the other 3 eggs in separate spots in the water. Cook for 5 minutes undisturbed. Pick up 1 poached egg at a time with a slotted spoon, draining off any excess water and set it on top of a salad. Sprinkle the salads with cracked black pepper to taste.
  
• Serving size: 1 1/2 cups salad and 1 poached egg

Classic Pean Pie

1 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen** deep-dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 350°F.


Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie crust.

Bake on center rack of oven for 60 to 70 minutes (see tips for doneness, below). Cool for 2 hours on wire rack before serving.

**To use prepared frozen pie crust: Place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet.

RECIPE TIPS: Pie is done when center reaches 200°F. Tap center surface of pie lightly - it should spring back when done. For easy clean up, spray pie pan with cooking spray before placing pie crust in pan. If pie crust is overbrowning, cover edges with foil.

High Altitude Adjustments: Reduce sugar to 2/3 cup and increase butter to 3 tablespoons. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Chicken Satay with Rice

Ingredients


2 cup quick-cooking brown rice, cooked according to package directions
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon peanut or olive oil
1 cup peanut sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce or to taste

Directions

Prepare rice according to manufacturers instructions.

Skewer strips of chicken on bamboo or metal skewers. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add chicken skewers and cook 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through, turning frequently.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine peanut sauce, hoisin sauce, and hot sauce. Set pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes, until sauce reduces slightly.

Serve chicken with peanut sauce on the side for dipping and brown rice.

Dream Coffees

GINGERBREAD LATTE
Ingredients


2 fluid ounces espresso coffee
2 tablespoons gingerbread flavored syrup
1/2 cup milk, steamed
1/8 cup whipped cream
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

Directions

1.In a coffee mug, combine espresso coffee with flavored syrup. Pour in steamed milk. Top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla powder.



MOCHA COFFEE
 
Ingredients

1 cup hot brewed coffee
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1.Pour hot coffee into a mug. Stir in cocoa, sugar and milk.


COFFEE EGGNOG PUNCH


Ingredients
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons coffee ice cream
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons eggnog
1/4 cup hot strongly brewed coffee
1 tablespoon frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions

1.Scoop the ice cream into a pan over low heat. Stir in the eggnog and coffee; and heat until warm, about 3 minutes. Pour into glass or ceramic mug. Top with 1 tablespoon whipped topping and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze (recipe follows)

Directions


PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

FOR GLAZE:

COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.

.

Swiss steak

ngredients


1/3 cup flour
1 pound round steak
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 cups hot water
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups Sour Cream

Directions

Pound flour into meat, tenderizing the steak. Sauté onion in oil until yellow, remove and reserve. Brown meat on both sides in same pan. Add water, bay leaf and salt. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2- 2 1/2 hours or until tender. Remove cover last half hour of cooking to evaporate some of the moisture. Remove steak to casserole dish or platter. Drain liquid through strainer into saucepan. Remove 1/2 cup of liquid. Add sour cream to remaining liquid and blend thoroughly with onions. Serve steak with gravy poured on top.
 
 
Serve with Mashed Potatoes.

Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese by Ina Garten

Ingredients

• 3 ripe but firm Anjou pears
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• 3 ounces coarsely crumbled sharp blue cheese such as Stilton
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup walnut halves, toasted and chopped
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 3 tablespoons port
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 6 ounces baby arugula
• Kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Peel the pears and slice them lengthwise into halves. With a small sharp paring knife and a melon baller, remove the core and seeds from each pear, leaving a round well for the filling. Trim a small slice away from the rounded sides of each pear half so that they will sit in the baking dish without wobbling. Toss the pears with some lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Arrange them, core side up, in a baking dish large enough to hold the pears snugly.

Gently toss the crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts together in a small bowl. Divide the mixture among the pears, mounding it on top of the indentation.

In the same small bowl, combine the apple cider, port, and brown sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the mixture over and around the pears. Bake the pears, basting occasionally with the cider mixture, for 30 minutes, or until tender. Set aside until warm or at room temperature.

Just before serving, whisk together the olive oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the basting liquid in a large bowl. Divide the arugula among 6 plates and top each with a pear half. Drizzle each pear with some of the basting liquid, sprinkle with salt, and serve warm.