Ingredients 1 meaty ham bone1-1/3 cups dried green split peas, rinsed2 celery ribs, chopped1 large carrot, chopped1 sweet onion, chopped4 cups water1 bottle (12 ounces) light beer1 tablespoon prepared English mustard1/2 cup 2% milk1/4 cup minced fresh parsley1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1/4 teaspoon ground nutmegAdditional minced fresh parsley, optional Preparation Place ham bone in a 4-qt. slow cooker. Add peas, celery, carrot and onion. Combine water, beer and mustard; pour over vegetables....

Ingredients 6 small yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices1 large sweet onion, chopped1 garlic clove, minced1 tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon butter1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper Preparation In a large skillet, saute the squash, onion and garlic in oil and butter for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Ingredients 4 pocketless whole wheat pita breads 1/4 c. plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp. light mayonnaise 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar 2 fennel bulbs 8 radishes 6 oz. prosciutto 1 oz. sliced Manchego or Pecorino Toscano cheese (1/2 cup) Preparation Step 1Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the pita bread with 2 tablespoons of the oil....

Ingredients 2 teaspoons olive oil2 teaspoons butter1 cup thinly sliced fennel bulb1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion1 garlic clove, minced6 cups fresh baby spinach1/4 cup minced fresh basil1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper Preparation In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add fennel and onion; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir just until spinach is wilted, 4-5 minutes....

Ingredients 1 pound ground beef1 medium onion, chopped2 garlic cloves, minced1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, undrained1 can (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon dried basil1/2 teaspoon pepper1/2 teaspoon fennel seed2 cups 4% cottage cheese2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/4 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided2 large eggs1 pound lasagna noodles, cooked and drained Preparation In a skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain....

Ingredients 4 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese1/4 cup minced fresh basil3 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley3 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes1/8 teaspoon pepper1 French bread baguette (10-1/2 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch slices1/4 cup butter, softened8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced Preparation In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Spread baguette slices with butter; top each with a cheese slice....

Ingredients 4 ounces cream cheese, softened1/4 cup peanut butter1/4 cup sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 package (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)2 teaspoons chocolate syrup Preparation In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Spoon into the crust. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Cover and freeze for 4 hours or until set. Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before serving....

Ingredients 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules1 tablespoon hot water2 packages (3 ounces each) ladyfingers, split5 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), crushed and divided1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened1 cup heavy whipping cream3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar2 tablespoons creme de cacao, optional Preparation Dissolve coffee granules in hot water. Cool to room temperature; set aside. Meanwhile, line the bottom and sides of a 9-in. springform pan with ladyfingers. Set aside 1/4 cup crushed candy for topping....

Ingredients 1 cup sunflower kernels1 cup pecan halves1 cup whole salted cashews1 cup salted peanuts1 cup raisins1 cup semisweet chocolate chips1 cup creamy peanut butter or butterscotch chips1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried peaches or apples1/2 cup dried cranberries Preparation In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

Ingredients 2 lb. ripe sweet tomatoes 1 tbsp. sugar 1 clove garlic 1/4 c. finely chopped fresh basil 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper 3/4 tsp. salt 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp. white wine vinegar 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. Freshly ground pepper 1 red bell pepper 1 green bell pepper 1 cucumber 1/2 red onion Preparation Step 1To make granita: Quarter tomatoes and puree in a food processor with sugar and garlic....

Ingredients 1 package German chocolate cake mix (regular size)2/3 cup cold butter, cubed1 cup semisweet chocolate chips1 can (15 ounces) coconut-pecan frosting1/4 cup milk Preparation Place cake mix in a large bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Press 2-1/2 cups into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes; immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drop frosting by tablespoonfuls over the chips. Stir milk into the remaining crumb mixture; drop by teaspoonfuls over top....

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, cubed1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup molasses2 teaspoons white vinegar1 egg, lightly beaten3 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon saltREINDEER DECORATIONS:Ganache Icing (see below), green decorating icing, colored sprinkles, Tiny White Mighty Mint candies and red M&M’s MinisELF DECORATIONS:Ganache Icing (see below), white and black decorating icings, red and green Fruit Roll-Ups, holly berry quins, AirHeads Xtremes Sour Belt candies, red jimmies and yellow M&M’s MinisSANTA DECORATIONS:Canned vanilla frosting, vanilla frosting tinted with red food coloring, black decorating icing, red-colored sugar, red nonpareils, snowflake sprinkles, white large dot quins, black licorice twists, white sugar pearls and yellow diamond-shaped sprinkles...

Ingredients 2 pounds fresh baby carrots1/2 cup butter, cubed1/2 cup packed brown sugar2 envelopes ranch salad dressing mixMinced fresh parsley, optional Preparation Place carrots in a saucepan; add 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside. In the same pan, combine the butter, brown sugar and salad dressing mix until blended. Add carrots. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until glazed....

Ingredients 24 baby portobello mushrooms (about 1 pound), stems removed1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese1/2 cup chopped drained roasted sweet red peppersPepper to taste4 teaspoons olive oilChopped fresh parsley Preparation Preheat oven to 375°. Place mushroom caps in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Fill each with 1 teaspoon cheese; top each with 1 teaspoon red pepper. Sprinkle with pepper; drizzle with oil. Bake 15-18 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Sprinkle with parsley....

Ingredients 1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni1 pound ground beef1 large onion, chopped1 garlic clove, minced1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce1/2 cup water1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon pepper1 large egg, lightly beaten1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseSAUCE:1/4 cup butter1/4 cup all-purpose flour1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon3 cups 2% milk2 large eggs, lightly beaten1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese Preparation Cook macaroni according to package directions. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink....

Ingredients 1 pound cooked medium shrimp3 cups cooked or canned crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed1 small onion, chopped1 celery rib, thinly sliced1/2 cup mayonnaise2 teaspoons seafood seasoning1 teaspoon lemon juice1/2 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepperLeaf lettuce, optional1 hard-boiled large egg, sliced, optional Preparation In a large bowl, combine shrimp, crab, onion and celery. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, lemon juice, salt and pepper; add to the shrimp mixture and mix gently....

Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened1/4 cup sugar2 cups all-purpose flour Preparation In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Gradually add flour and mix well. (Dough will be crumbly). Shape into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, press dough to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut out with a floured 1-in. diamond-shaped cookie cutter; place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick each cookie with a fork. Reroll scraps if desired....

Ingredients 1 pound lean ground chicken1 medium onion, chopped2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles1 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon pepper1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken brothOptional toppings: Reduced-fat sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh cilantro Preparation In a large saucepan, cook chicken and onion over medium-high heat until chicken is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking up chicken into crumbles....

Ingredients 2 bacon strips2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted1/4 cup sour cream2 medium fresh mushrooms, sliced Preparation On a microwave-safe plate, microwave bacon until cooked but not crisp. Drain on paper towel. Wrap a strip of bacon around each piece of chicken. Place in a 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the soup, sour cream and mushrooms; pour over chicken....

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon sugar1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup shortening, cold1 egg, lightly beaten3 tablespoons cold water1 tablespoon white vinegarFILLING:1-1/3 cups sugar2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca2 tablespoons cornstarch5 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed1 tablespoon butterTOPPING:1 tablespoon 2% milk1 tablespoon sugarVanilla ice cream, optional Preparation In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine the egg, water and vinegar; stir into flour mixture just until moistened....