Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Warm Winter Lemon Cake

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups cold milk
1-1/4 cups water
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar


Directions:
HEAT oven to 350ºF.

PREPARE cake batter as directed on package; pour into greased 13x9-inch baking dish.

BEAT dry pudding mixes, granulated sugar, milk and water with whisk 2 min.; pour over batter in dish. Place baking dish on baking sheet. (Baking sheet will catch any sauce that might bubble over sides of dish as dessert bakes.)

BAKE 55 min. to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 min. (Sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.) Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

Tasty Tuna Casserole

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup milk
1 can (5 oz.) tuna, drained
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
1 green onion, sliced
1 cup crushed potato chips


Directions:
HEAT oven to 350°F.

PREPARE Dinner as directed on package. Stir in soup, milk, tuna, peppers and onions.

SPOON into 2-qt. casserole; top with crushed chips.

BAKE 30 min. or until heated through.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Baked Macaroni and Cheddar

INGREDIENTS:
1 large bunch broccoli, cut into bite-size florets and stalks peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pound whole wheat elbow pasta
2-1/2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (about 3)
3 tablespoons flour
3-1/2 cups low-fat milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
12 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
6 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, smashed
3 tablespoons bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS:
Fill a large pot with enough water to reach a depth of 2 inches and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 1 minute; drain and rinse with cold water. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and add the broccoli in an even layer.

Fill the same pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain.

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°. In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the flour for 1 minute. Whisk in 1 cup milk until thickened, then whisk in 1 cup more. Whisk the cornstarch into the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, then whisk the mixture into the pot. Simmer, whisking, until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar and 4 tablespoons parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the pasta. Spoon the mixture over the broccoli.

In a small heatproof bowl, combine the garlic and remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter; microwave at high power until melted, about 20 seconds. Stir in the bread crumbs, the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Discard the garlic, then sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on the pasta. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Creamy Shells with Tomatoes and White Beans

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound jumbo pasta shells
6 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 cup heavy cream
2-1/2 pounds tomatoes, finely chopped
One 16-ounce can navy beans or other small white beans, rinsed
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup snipped chives
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.

In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes. Add the cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved pasta, the tomatoes and beans and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Toss with the 1/2 cup parmesan and chives, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Pass more parmesan at the table.

Corn and Kielbasa Chowder

INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces kielbasa, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon butter
One 14.5-ounce can chicken broth
1 large baking potato (about 12 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup half-and-half
One 1-pound bag frozen corn, thawed
Salt and pepper
Chopped fresh dill, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Heat a deep skillet or a wide 4- to 6-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add the onions and butter to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add the broth and potato and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and simmer until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the half-and-half and corn and cook, stirring, until heated through.

Using a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup chowder until smooth. Stir the puree back into the chowder along with the browned kielbasa and season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the dill.

Not Your Mama's Tuna Salad

INGREDIENTS:
1 tub (1 cup) store-bought pesto sauce, such as Buitoni brand
Juice of 1 lemon
Two 6-ounce cans water-packed tuna, drained
4 scallions, cut into thin strips with kitchen scissors or chopped
1 jarred whole roasted red pepper, cut into small pieces with kitchen scissors or chopped
Handful of grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 pound medium shell pasta—cooked al dente, rinsed under cold water and drained well Salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Place the pesto in a large bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Add the tuna and flake it with a fork. Add the scallions, roasted red pepper, tomatoes and pasta, and toss the salad to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper

Blueberry Banana Salad

Ingredients
2 cups sliced firm bananas
1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons flaked coconut
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the bananas, blueberries, oranges, marshmallows and coconut. Gently fold in the sour cream. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 6 servings.