Ingredients 3/4 cup sugar3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca2 tablespoons lemon juice2 tablespoons butter1 teaspoon grated lemon zest1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt6 large ripe pears, peeled and sliced2 sheets refrigerated pie crust1 tablespoon 2% milk Preparation In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Add pears; toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Roll out one pie crust to fit a 9-in. pie plate; transfer to pie plate....

Ingredients 1 cup butter, cubed4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped2 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract4 large eggs1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup chopped pecansFROSTING:1/4 cup butter, cubed2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped3 cups confectioners’ sugar5 to 6 tablespoons milk1 teaspoon vanilla extractRed, white and blue decorating icing Preparation In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition....

Ingredients 2 pounds potato gnocchi3 tablespoons butter, divided1 tablespoon plus 1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour1-1/2 cups whole milk1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseDash ground nutmeg1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushroomsMinced fresh parsley, optional Preparation Cook gnocchi according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened....

Ingredients 1 beef flank steak (about 1 pound)1 envelope onion soup mix1/4 cup canola oil1/4 cup lime juice1/4 cup water2 garlic cloves, minced1 teaspoon grated lime zest1 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon dried oregano1/4 teaspoon pepper1 medium onion, thinly slicedGreen, sweet red and/or yellow peppers, julienned1 tablespoon canola oil8 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmedSour cream and lime wedges, optional Preparation In a large shallow dish, combine the first nine ingredients; add steak....

Ingredients 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) apricot halves, undrained4 bone-in pork loin chops (3/4 inch thick)1 tablespoon butter1 tablespoon cornstarch2 tablespoons cold waterSalt and pepper to taste Preparation Place apricots in a food processor or blender; cover and process until coarsely chopped. In a large skillet, brown pork chops in butter over medium-high heat. Add apricots. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 7-10 minutes or until meat juices run clear....

Ingredients 1 package (3 ounces) ramen noodles1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded1 package (16 ounces) coleslaw mix6 green onions, finely chopped1 cup reduced-fat Asian toasted sesame salad dressing Preparation Discard seasoning packet from noodles or save for another use. Break noodles into small pieces; place in a large bowl. Add chicken, coleslaw mix and green onions. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat.

Ingredients 1 package spice cake mix (regular size)1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided Preparation In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pumpkin; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Fold in 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack....

Ingredients 12 oz. spaghetti 3 tbsp. butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 c. dry white wine Juice of 2 lemons, plus zest of 1 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Fresh parsley, for garnish Preparation Step 1In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, and return to pot....

Ingredients 4 slices Italian or French bread (1 inch thick)2 tablespoons olive oil, divided2 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped2 to 3 green onions, sliced2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheeseLettuce leaves3 tablespoons red wine vinegar1 garlic clove, minced1/4 teaspoon dried basil Preparation Brush both sides of bread with 1 tablespoon oil. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned....

Ingredients 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened 1 c. granulated sugar 1 c. packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter Preparation Step 1In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Step 2Using a stand or hand mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until very fluffy, 2 minutes....

Ingredients 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 4 cups)4 cups thinly sliced onions (about 4 large)4 cups thinly sliced cucumber (about 3 medium)2 medium sweet red pepper, cut into strips2 medium green peppers, cut into strips8 quarts ice water1 cup canning salt2-1/2 cups sugar2-1/2 cups white vinegar1 teaspoon celery seed3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Preparation Place cauliflower, onions, cucumbers and peppers in a large bowl. In another large bowl, mix ice water and salt; pour over vegetables....

Ingredients 1 medium tomato, finely chopped1 small onion, finely chopped1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro2 tablespoons canola oil, divided1 large sweet pepper, halved and seeded1 large onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese8 pita pocket halvesOptional: Guacamole and sour cream Preparation Preheat oven to 325°. For salsa, combine first 4 ingredients; stir in 1 tablespoon oil....

Ingredients 4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon sugar2 teaspoons salt1-3/4 cups shortening1 egg1/2 cup cold water1 tablespoon cider vinegar Preparation In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Whisk the egg, water and vinegar; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide into four portions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion of dough to fit a 9-in....

Ingredients 1-1/2 cups chopped dates1 cup water1/2 cup sugar2 teaspoons orange juice2 teaspoons grated orange zest1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut1/2 cup ground nutsDOUGH:1 cup butter, softened1 cup sugar1/2 cup packed brown sugar3 large eggs, room temperature1/2 teaspoon almond extract1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon saltConfectioners’ sugar, optional Preparation In a small saucepan, combine the first 5 ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring constantly....

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, softened4 garlic cloves, minced1/4 teaspoon dried oregano1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, halved lengthwise3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Preparation In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic and oregano; spread on cut sides of bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Slice and serve hot.

Ingredients 1-1/2 ounces whiskey3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice1 ounce honey liqueurGinger beer Preparation Combine whiskey, lemon juice and honey in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into a cocktail glass; top with a splash of ginger beer.

Ingredients 6 ounces cream cheese, softened1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk15 drops green food coloring24 chocolate-covered mint cookies, divided2 cups whipped topping1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches) Preparation In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in milk until smooth. Beat in the food coloring. Coarsely crush 16 cookies; stir into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into the crust. Cover and freeze overnight....

Ingredients 1 large sweet onion (14 ounces)1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or oregano2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary1/2 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepper1 tablespoon butter, melted Preparation With a sharp knife, slice 1/2 in. off top of onion; peel onion. Cut into 12-16 wedges to within 1/2 in. of root end. Place onion on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square). Open wedges slightly; sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper....