Under Construction - August 2008

Diva: Aven

Drinks: Sara
Power Screwdriver

2 oz vodka
2 ½ oz O J
1 oz coke

serve on ice

California Screwdriver--(Flathead)

2 oz vodka
1 ½ oz Grand Marnier
2 ½ oz Club Soda
2 ½ oz OJ
Serve over Ice

Italian Screwdriver--(Philips)
1 ½ oz Vodka
3 oz OJ
2 oz Grapefruit Juice
Splash of Ginger ale
Serve over ice

For Non-alcoholic versions, simply omit alcohol.

Appetizer: Ashley
Frittata with chorizo, mushrooms and goat cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 chorizo sausage links, large diced
1 c chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ½ c chopped fresh wild mushrooms

9 large eggs
¼ c cold water
¾ tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
¼ c plus 2 T chopped fresh thyme

Heat olive oil in large nonstick broilerproof skillet over medium heat. Add chorizo and onion and sauté until onion begins to soften, about 7-8 minutes. Add garlic; continue cooking for 2-3 minutes being careful not to burn garlic. In a small skillet, lightly saute mushrooms in your choice of butter or oil or both (I use ½ and ½).

Preheat broiler. Whisk eggs, ¼ cup water, salt, and pepper in medium bowl to blend. Pour eggs into skillet with chorizo mixture. Stir 1 minute. Add ½ cup chopped thyme; stir 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low and cook without stirring until almost set, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle mushrooms on top and gently push into the top layer of the eggs. Sprinkle goat cheese on top.

Broil frittata just until firm, about 1 minute. Using spatula as aid, transfer frittata to serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons chopped thyme. Cut frittata into wedges and serve.

Salad: Brenda (Sub for Colleen)
Salad Bar

Lay out an assortment of greens, veggies and toppings, including blue cheese crumbles and few dressings. Allow each Diva to construct their perfect salad.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Chop up two cloves of garlic.
Place garlic in jar
Cover with olive oil (oil to vinegar ratio is about 2:1)
Add twice as much balsamic vinegar
Add pepper, white pepper, salt, celery salt, cumin, and oregano
SHAKE it up!
That's it. Otherwise any veggies that you like to add to your greens with some bleu cheese crumbles to top it off is great.

Zesty Creamy Salad Top

2 heaping T mayo or nayonaise
4 T lemon juice
1 T cumin
1 tsp white pepper

add more of each to taste

Soup: Lovina
Cheese Tortellini Soup with Ground Turkey Meatball’s
(a hearty workman’s soup)

For soup:

3 chopped carrots
3 stalks chopped celery (with leaves)
1 large onion chopped
2 tsp fresh thyme
2 T. olive oil
8 c. water
8 tsp vegetable bouillon or substitute water and bouillon with vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
24 oz bag frozen cheese tortellini

For meatballs:

1 ½ lbs ground turkey
2 slices whole wheat bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
parsley pesto (see below)
2 T canola oil
Parsley pesto

½ cup torn Italian parsley
½ cup pine nuts
1 T. olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper

Garnish:
Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh chopped parsley

In large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and add celery, carrots, and onion. Sauté over medium heat until the onion softens. Add fresh thyme and sauté for 2 minutes. Add water and bouillon (or vegetable broth) and salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Add cheese tortellini and boil until the tortellini float to top.

In the meantime, prepare the meatballs. Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, blend together ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, salt and pepper, and parsley pesto, using hands to mix. Heat a skillet with 2 T canola oil. Using a teaspoon, portion out meatballs about 1 inch in diameter using hands to form. Place meatballs into heated skillet and cook until browned. Turn meatballs over. After they are browned on both sides, remove from skillet and drain on paper bag or towels. Once all the meatballs have been drained after cooking, place them in a shallow baking pan and place in heated oven for 10-15 minutes to cook through.

Place soup in bowls. Top with meatballs, and garnish. Serve immediately. Serves 8-10.


Side Dish: Stacey
Asparagus, Peas and Basil

¼ c finely chopped shallots
3 T butter
2 lbs. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
10 oz. package frozen peas, thawed
1 tsp salt
¾ c fresh basil leaves, torn

Cook shallots in butter over medium heat until tender (about 4 mins.). Stir in asparagus, peas, salt, 1/2 t. pepper, then cover and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in basil and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!!

Entrée: Erin
Panini Bar

Extra virgin olive oil
Prosciutto, thinly sliced
thinly sliced whole-milk mozzarella cheese and/or smoked mozzarella cheese (I love the smoked mozz!)
tomato slices
fresh basil leaves
Moscow Co-op salted French bread (yummy!)
Black olives, sliced
Fresh spinach
Brie
Roasted red bell peppers
Salt and Pepper, optional
Whatever other ingredients you can think of!


Spritz the bread sides that will be touching panini grill with olive oil. Layer prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil (and/or other toppings of your choice) over bottom of bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Place other bread slice on top.

Prepare grill (medium heat or just plug in). Grill sandwiches until bread is golden brown and cheese melts, pressing occasionally to compact, about 5 minutes per grilling session.

Dessert: Bonnie
Flat Tire Ice Cream Sandwiches

Betty Crocker oatmeal cookies
Breyers Ice Cream

Sandwich ice cream between two cookies and serve!

WildCard: Mariah
Note Books in honor of the concept De-construct, Reconstruct, Create and Inspire!!

Lottery: Tamara

Chinese - February 2007

Diva: Nicole

Drinks: Lovina
Bonzai

Half plum wine
Half Saki

Non-alcoholic

Ginger ale
Pear Nectar
Garnish with Maraschino Cherry

Appetizer: Erin
Turkey Potstickers

¼ pound ground turkey
½ tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp minced green onion
1 tsp minced water chestnuts
½ tsp soy sauce
½ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
¼ tsp salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
Vegetable oil for frying
12 wonton wrappers (3 x 3-inch size)

In a small bowl, add all the ingredients except for the egg, wrappers and oil, then mix well.
Add 1 tablespoon of the egg.
Save the rest of the egg for use later on.
Preheat oil in a deep fryer or a heavy saucepan to 375 degrees F. Use about 1-2 inches of oil, enough to cover the pot stickers.
Use a round cookie cutter or invert a small glass with a 3-inch diameter on the center of a wonton wrapper and cut around it to make a circle.
Repeat for the remaining wrappers.
Spoon 1/2 tablespoon of the turkey mixture into the center of one wrapper.
Brush a little egg around half of the edge of the wrapper and fold the wrapper over the filling.
Gather the wrapper as you seal it so that it has a crinkled edge. Repeat until all wrappers are used.
Fry the pot stickers, six at a time, in the hot oil for almost 5 minutes or until they are brown.
When bottom gets brown, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth and immediately cover.
This will steam the dumplings.
Carefully watch the dumplings and completely evaporate the broth so that the bottom gets crispy again and sticks to the pot.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve with hoisin sauce for dipping.
For a healthier version, you can try baking these on a cookie sheet in a 375 degree F oven or you can steam them in bamboo steamer


Vegetarian Pot Stickers

1 red onion, sliced
1 T minced ginger
1 c sliced shiitake mushroom
1 c white cabbage, shredded
1 c carrot, shredded
1 c chopped garlic sprouts or chives
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp sesame oil
¼ c chopped cilantro
1 package wonton skins, also called gyoza
salt
canola oil

In a wok or large saute pan, add a little oil and saute onions and ginger.
Add the mushrooms and stir.
Add the cabbage, carrots and chives.
Season.
When mixture is soft, place in colander to drain.
Add the sesame oil and cilantro when mixture is cooled.
Check for seasoning.
Using the gyoza skins, make half moon dumplings keeping the bottom flat.
In a hot non-stick pan, coat with oil and place dumplings.
When bottom gets brown, add 1/4 cup of vege broth and immediately cover.
This will steam the dumplings.
Carefully watch the dumplings and completely evaporate the broth so that the bottom gets crispy again and sticks to the pot.
Serve hot with soy sauce and vinegar for dipping.

Salad: Tamara (absent)

Soup: Mariah
Hot and Sour Soup

1 ¼ c dried lily buds (day lilies)
1 ¼ c dried mushrooms ("wood ears" or "tree ears")
1 ¼ lbs. firm tofu, julienned (this will usually be 1 block or cake of tofu)
1 7/8 c pork, finely julienned (see comments for vegetarian alternative)
5 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ¼ c bamboo shoots, julienned (canned or fresh)
5 T cornstarch
1 ¼ c water
12 ½ ounces distilled white vinegar
1 ¼ tsp sugar
12 ½ ounces soy sauce (see comments)
2 ½ tsp salt
5/8 tsp garlic powder (see comments)
2 ½ tsp cayenne pepper, ground
2 ½ tsp white pepper, ground
15 c chicken broth (see comments for vegetarian version)
5 T scallions, finely chopped
5 T gingerroot, finely chopped
2 ½ tsp sesame oil (optional, made from toasted sesame seeds preferred)

Clean the dried day lilies, soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes.
Cut off the hard, tough tip of the stem and then cut the day lilies in half lengthwise.
Clean and soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes, then cut into small pieces. To clean, just wipe with a damp cloth -- don't soak or wash!
Bring the chicken broth to a boil and then add the pork (or vegetarian alternative -- see below), skimming the surface of any fat.
Cook the pork for 3-4 minutes, until the broth comes to a boil again.
Add the tofu, mushroom pieces, bamboo shoots, and day lilies.
Let the pot return to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a low boil.
Add the soy sauce, spices, vinegar, salt and sugar.
Taste the soup, adjusting the vinegar (you may need up to another ounce) for the "sour" and salt for balance.
Mix the corn starch and water to create a paste for thickening.
Add the corn starch mixture slowly, stirring constantly.
Drizzle the beaten eggs in slowly while stirring, so that you get "strings" of egg.
Turn off the heat.
Presentation -- ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with 1/2 tsp of scallion per bowl and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Comments on ingredients & substitutions:.
Dried lily pods and wood ears (also called "tree ears", "black fungus" or "Hu Bei") available in most oriental markets.
Chicken stock -- use home made or a low sodium canned variety.
Pork -- For kosher alternative, use shredded chicken or turkey; for vegetarian alternative, replace pork with a mix of fresh flavorful mushrooms, e.g., shiitake, oyster, or portobellos.
Soy sauce -- Betty uses regular soy sauce -- if using a "lite soy" variety, you may have to adjust the amount of salt to taste.
Vinegar -- the vinegar is the essence of the "sour" aspect of this soup, and distilled white vinegar gives you the highest acidity; rice vinegars, wine vinegars, apple cider vinegars, etc, will either be too dilute (not enough acidity) and not provide the required "kick" or add extraneous flavors.
Garlic -- garlic powder is preferred in this recipe, but if you choose to use cloves, leave them whole, add them only to flavor the chicken broth and remove them before adding other ingredients.
Sesame oil -- adds a shimmer and smoky flavor to the final product. Chinese sesame oil is typically from toasted seeds; Japanese is typically untoasted, so the flavor will be subtly different.

Side Dish: Sara
Chinese Green Bean Stir Fry

1/4 cup and 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2
teaspoons minced garlic
1 T and 1-1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger root
1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground
black pepper
5/8 (8 ounce) bottle black bean sauce

In a large wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in green beans; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and then stir in black bean sauce. Continue cooking until green beans are tender.

Entree: Stacey
Chinese Inspired Roast Pork Tenderloin

1 pork tenderloin (2-2 ½ pounds)
¼ c soy sauce
2 T red wine
1 T honey
1 T brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 green onions, chopped

Make marinade – pour over tenderloin, leave overnight.
Preheat oven to 350, roast for 45 minutes. Allow meat to rest for ten minutes before cutting.
Gently simmer reserved marinade until it reduces to about 2 T. Drizzle over meat.

Dessert: Ashley
Nian Gao – Baked Chinese New Year Cake

6 oz. Mochiko sweet rice flour (glutinous rice flour), plus a bit extra for sprinkling on the baking dish
1 stick of butter or 3/4 cup of vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 to 1 3/4 cup sugar--depending on if you like it sweeter
1 Tb baking soda
One can of red adzuki beans

Mix everything but the beans with an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Beat for 2 more minutes at high speed.
Sprinkle Mochiko flour over a 9"x13" baking dish that has been oiled or sprayed with Pam.
Spread half of the batter on the bottom of the baking pan Spread the red adzuki beans (you can mix some batter into the beans if they are too thick to spread).
Spread the other half of the batter over the red adzuki beans. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.
Test for doneness by inserting a chopstick (this is Chinese New Year’s Cake after all)—if it comes out clean, it is done.

Fortune Cookies

Fortune cookies can be tricky to make - it's important to make sure that the cookie batter is spread out evenly on the baking sheet. Instead of using the back of a wooden spoon to spread the batter, it's better to gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth as needed. Wearing cotton gloves makes it easier to handle and shape the hot cookies. This fortune cookie recipe makes about 10 cookies.

2 large egg whites
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp pure almond extract
3 T vegetable oil
8 T all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp cornstarch
¼ tsp salt
8 T granulated sugar
3 tsp water

Write fortunes on pieces of paper that are 3 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 9-X-13 inch baking sheets.
In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg white, vanilla extract, almond extract and vegetable oil until frothy, but not stiff.

Sift the flour, cornstarch, salt and sugar into a separate bowl. Stir the water into the flour mixture.
Add the flour into the egg white mixture and stir until you have a smooth batter. The batter should not be runny, but should drop easily off a wooden spoon.
Note: if you want to dye the fortune cookies, add the food coloring at this point, stirring it into the batter. For example, I used 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring to make green fortune cookies.
Place level tablespoons of batter onto the cookie sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart. Gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth and from side to side so that each tablespoon of batter forms into a circle 4 inches in diameter.

Bake until the outer 1/2-inch of each cookie turns golden brown and they are easy to remove from the baking sheet with a spatula (14 - 15 minutes).
Working quickly, remove the cookie with a spatula and flip it over in your hand. Place a fortune in the middle of a cookie. To form the fortune cookie shape, fold the cookie in half, then gently pull the edges downward over the rim of a glass, wooden spoon or the edge of a muffin tin. Place the finished cookie in the cup of the muffin tin so that it keeps its shape. Continue with the rest of the cookies.

Tips for Making Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are a lot of fun to make – it’s great writing up your own customized fortunes to put inside the cookie. Besides, homemade fortune cookies always taste better than store bought! The only drawback is that the basic recipe is not very forgiving – deviate from it a bit, and you may wind up with cookies that are impossible to fold and shape without breaking. These basic tips will help you learn how to make fortune cookies. Read them over, and then try this basic fortune cookie recipe
1.Make Up the Fortunes Ahead of Time
This will give you more time to compose the messages. The strips of paper used should be 3 to 3 1/2 inches long and no more than 1/2-inch wide.
2. Use Cold Baking Sheets
Fortune cookies tend to turn out best when you start with a cold (and greased) baking sheet. Since most recipes make more cookies than can be placed on one 9 X 13-inch baking sheet (the cookies spread out during baking), it’s best to use two baking sheets. That way, you don’t need to wait for the sheet to cool down before baking the next batch of cookies.
3. Cookie Size: Larger is Better
Many fortune cookie recipes call for making a 3-inch cookie. A cookie this size is more difficult to work with and fold than a slightly larger (3 1/2 - 4-inch) cookie. Another plus is that the larger cookie fits snugly into the cup of a muffin tin. This saves you from having to hold the cookie for several seconds after folding, to make sure it keeps its shape. My own preference is to use one level tablespoon of batter to make a 4-inch cookie.
4. Tilt the Baking Sheet to Spread the Batter
The key to making fortune cookies is a batter that is evenly spread out on the baking sheet. This can be difficult to accomplish with a wooden spoon, since the batter tends to stick to the spoon. Carefully tilting the baking sheet in all directions gives better results.
5. Start By Making Only One or Two Cookies
The instant the cookies are removed from the oven, the race begins: you have twenty seconds at most to add the fortunes, fold the cookies in half and then shape them into the standard fortune cookie shape. It’s best to start with one or two cookies – that way, you’re not feeling pressured.
6. How to Tell When the Cookies are Done
The cookies are done when approximately 1/2 inch of the outside is golden and they are easy to lift with a spatula. The middle part of the cookie remains quite light in color.
7. Wear Close Fitting Cotton Gloves
You need to work with the cookies when they first come out of the oven and are still very hot - wearing cotton gloves makes this easier.
8. Be Prepared to Work Quickly
As noted above, you only have up to twenty seconds to work with the baked cookies before they cool down and stiffen too much to be workable.
9. How to Fold and Shape the Cookies
Remove the cookie from the baking sheet with a spatula and flip it over in your hand. Lay the fortune in the middle of the cookie, and hold it there while folding the cookie in half.

Still holding the folded cookie in both hands, between your thumb and index fingers, pull the ends down over the rim of a glass or a muffin tin, or the handle of a wooden spoon, until the ends meet. The opened side of the fortune cookie should be facing upward, towards you.

Lottery: Michelle

Moroccan - October 2006

Diva: Lovina

Drinks: Tiffany
Moroccan Cocktail

2 oz. Vodka
½ oz. cardamom-infused simple syrup*
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. pomegranate juice

*Cardamom Simple Syrup - Bring 1 cup of water and a 1⁄4 cup of whole cardamom to a boil. Stir in 2 cups of sugar - stir until fully dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool; keep in the refrigerator for 3 days, then remove the cardamom.

Sharbat (Apple Milk Drink)
2 Red apples
2 T Sugar
2 tsp Rosewater (scant teaspoons)
2 c Cold rice, soy or regular milk
Shaved ice

Peel and cube the apples. Place in the blender jar with sugar, perfumed water and milk. Whirl at high speed 15 seconds. Serve, with shaved ice if desired, in small glasses. Yield: 2 to 4 servings.

Appetizer: Stacey
Moroccan Meatballs

3 T red or green curry paste
½ c coconut milk
¾ lb. ground turkey
¾ lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced and sautéed
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 c bread crumbs
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp nutmeg
pinch of cayenne
salt and pepper

Stir curry paste and coconut milk together, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients, adding only enough breadcrumbs to make the meat less sticky. Shape into small balls. Coat each ball with curry-coconut mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees until sizzling and lightly browned (about 15-20 mins). Serve warm with rice or make extra curry coconut mixture for a dipping sauce. Makes 30 meat balls.

Salad: Nicole
Eggplant Salad

2 eggplants (2 lbs total)
1 tsp salt
3 T olive oil
1 T butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 T minced red sweet bell peppers
¼ tsp cayenne, to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
1 T dry sherry

Dressing
2 T olive oil
2 T lemon juice
3 dashes black pepper, to taste

Garnish
4 T sliced black olives
2 T golden raisins
1 T dried currants
2 tsp, chopped fresh parsley

Peel the uncooked eggplants, then cut into 1x3-inch (approx) slices.
Lay on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with the salt, and allow to “sweat" and drain for 30 minutes.

Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.

Heat oil and butter in a skillet and fry the slices until both sides are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Set cooked slices on paper towels to drain of excess oil.

Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and mix with the garlic, bell pepper, cayenne, and cumin.
Return eggplant to the skillet, add 1 Tbsp sherry and sauté on low until liquids have evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Transfer to the serving bowl, sprinkle with the dressing ingredients, and let cool.
When ready to serve, toss the salad, garnish with black olives, golden raisins, currants, and parsley.

Makes 6-8 servings

Soup: Ashley
Moroccan Chickpea Soup

1 ½ c dried chickpeas
8 c water
1 (35-oz) can whole tomatoes, drained
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 small celery rib (including leaves), finely chopped
3 T unsalted butter
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp cinnamon
2/3 c chopped fresh cilantro
4 c vegetable broth (preferably organic) or chicken broth
1 c lentils
½ c chopped fresh parsley

Prepare chickpeas: Soak chickpeas in water to cover by 2 inches 8 to 12 hours. Drain chickpeas and rinse well. Transfer to a large saucepan and add 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. Cool chickpeas and drain, reserving cooking liquid. You should have about 2 ½ cups liquid (if not, add more water). Coarsely purée tomatoes in a food processor. Cook onion and celery in butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add turmeric, pepper, and cinnamon and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Stir in tomato purée, 1/3 cup cilantro, chickpeas with reserved liquid, vegetable broth, and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Stir in parsley, remaining 1/3 cup cilantro, and salt to taste.

Side Dish: Michelle
Moroccan Rice Pilaf

1 tsp safflower oil
½ c finely chopped onion
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 c brown rice
1½ c vegetable stock or water
¼ c raisins
salt to taste
black pepper
¼ c sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small ovenproof pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent but not brown. Add the paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and stir. Add the rice and stir to coat evenly with butter. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the stock and the raisins and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the stock comes to a boil, cover the pot and place in the oven for 25 minutes. Add the salt, pepper and almonds and fluff with a fork.

Entree: Erin
Marinated Shrimp Kabobs

1 lb. lg. fresh shrimp
1 (8 oz.) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, undrained
2 T. sesame oil
2 T. soy sauce
¼ tsp white pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground ginger
6 onions
6 cherry tomatoes
1 green pepper, 1 inch pieces
Hot cooked rice, optional

Put and devein shrimp, leaving tails on. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Combine pineapple juice and next 5 ingredients in shallow dish. Mix well. Add shrimp and toss. Marinate in refrigerator at least 1 hour stirring occasionally.

Cook onions in boiling water to cover 4 to 5 minutes or just until crisp tender and drain. Put all on kabobs alternating vegetables and shrimp. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side, basting frequently. Serves 6.

Dessert: Tamara
M’hanncha

M'hanncha (The Snake) is a lovely dessert that can be served hot or cold. It is a traditional Moroccan dish.

150g chopped almonds
75g granulated sugar
1 T butter, melted
2 tsp orange flower water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
8 sheets phyllo pastry
butter
Ground cinnamon
icing sugar

Put the Sugar, butter, orange flower water, almonds and cinnamon in a blender until the mixture is smooth.
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and place each lengthways down the side of one piece of phyllo pastry. Roll the pastry around the mixture. The finished thing should resemble a Sausage shape.
Coil it into a kind of snail's shell then set aside and cover with a damp tea towel. Repeat this with all 8 pieces.
Heat the butter in a large pan and then fry the pastries until they are browned on both sides.
Sprinkle the pastries with cinnamon and icing sugar and serve. They can be left to cool if you wish to eat them cold.

WildCard: Mariah (absent)

Lottery: Sara

Urban Cowgirl/Sophisticated Southern – February 2006

Diva: Stacey

Drinks: Tamara
Southern Peach

Peach Schnapps
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice

Mix and serve with orange wedges.

Appetizer: Nicole
Meatballs

Nonstick cooking spray
1 slightly beaten egg
8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and finely crumbled (about ½ cup)
½ c fine dry bread crumbs
½ c snipped fresh basil
¼ c plain yogurt or dairy sour cream
½ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp salt
2 pound uncooked ground turkey

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two 15x10x1-inch baking pans or large baking sheets with foil. Lightly coat foil with nonstick spray; set aside.
In a large bowl combine egg, bacon, bread crumbs, basil, yogurt, pepper, and salt. Add ground turkey; mix well. Shape into 75 one-inch meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each). Place on pans.
Bake on separate oven racks for 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink. Serve with sauce or skewered. Makes 25 (three-meatball) servings.
I served these with the Alfred sauce but some of the other options sound good too!
Alfredo Sauce: In a saucepan combine one 16-oz. jar purchased Alfredo sauce and ¼ cup milk. Heat through. Stir in 8 slices crisp-cooked, crumbled bacon (about ½ cup). Season to taste with pepper. Sprinkle sauce with ½ cup snipped fresh basil.
Sweet and Sour Chili Sauce: In a saucepan combine one 10-oz. bottle sweet-and-sour sauce; 1/3 cup mango nectar; 1 tsp. chili powder; 1 large clove garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp. finely shredded lime peel; and 1/4 tsp. salt. Heat through over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Peach Sauce: In a saucepan melt 2 Tbsp. butter. Add 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes or until onion is tender and pecans are toasted. Stir in 2 Tbsp. yellow mustard and 2 Tbsp. molasses. Add 3 cups coarsely chopped fresh or thawed frozen peaches. heat through. Just before serving, stir in 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh parsley.

Salad: Ashley
Greens with cornbread croutons and choice of ranch dressing or buttermilk bacon dressing

Bowl of mixed greens

Cornbread croutons:
I used Jiffy cornbread mix. Prepare cornbread according todirections. Cool, cut into small cubes and toast in oven until golden brown

Ranch dressing:
¾ c plain yogurt
½ c mayonaise
2 T powdered cultured buttermilk
2 T finely chopped fresh parsley
2 T finely chopped celery leaves
1 ½ tsp fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
¾ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp fresh dillweed
1 clove garlic, minced
fresh ground black pepper to taste


Whisk first 3 ingredients in large bowl. Mix in remaining ingredients.
Cover and chill at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

Buttermilk Bacon:
¾ c plain yogurt
½ c mayonaise
3 T powdered cultured buttermilk
2 T finely chopped parsley
1 ½ tsp fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
¾ tsp onion powder
1 clove garlic, minced
3-4 sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
fresh ground black pepper to taste

Soup: Tiffany
Creamy Corn Chowder

6 red potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 c whole kernel corn
½ c green bell pepper, chopped
½ c sweet onion, chopped
1 T red pepper flakes
2 c vegetable broth
1 (12 ounce) package low-fat, firm silken tofu
salt to taste

Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 30 minutes; drain.

To the potatoes add corn, bell pepper, onion, red pepper flakes and vegetable broth. Boil for about 15 minutes; remove from heat.

In a food processor or blender puree all but 1 1/2 cups of the vegetable and broth mixture with the tofu. Process in batches if necessary. Combine the pureed mixture with the remaining 1 1/2 cups vegetable and broth mixture, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes; do not boil. Season with salt to taste.

Side Dish: Erin
Creamed Spinach

2 pounds fresh spinach, washed and tough stems removed
2 T unsalted butter
½ c finely chopped shallots
1 tsp minced garlic
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ c heavy cream

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Drain in a fine mesh strainer, pressing with a large spoon to release as much water as possible. Finely chop and set aside.

Melt the butter in medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, just until the liquid is released. Add the cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and cook until the cream is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Entree: Mariah
Crunchy Lemon Catfish

3 T Duke’s canola oil, divided
4 (4-oz) catfish fillets
¼ c oat bran
¼ c yellow cornmeal
1 tsp Sauer’s thyme leaves
1 tsp grated lemon peel
½ tsp Sauer’s paprika
¼ tsp salt or to taste

Brush an aluminum foil-lined 12x8x2 inch baking pan with 1 T oil. Brush both sides of fillets with remaining oil. To prepare breading mixture, combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Dredge fish fillets in breading mixture, coating each well. Arrange in the baking pan. Bake in a pre-heated hot oven (425 F) for 10 minutes, turning fish fillets over halfway through cooking time. Bake until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Do not overcook as fish will become tough.

Dessert: Michelle
Almond Peach Cake

1 ½ c finely ground almonds
2/3 c unbleached white flour
¼ t salt
6 egg yolks
3 T amaretto
¼ t vanilla
13 c sugar
6 egg whites
1 t cream of tartar
1/3 c sugar
Peaches
Whipped cream

Preheat the oven to 325. Butter and flour a 10-in Bundt pan
Stir together almonds, flour salt, set aside. Beat the egg yolks at high speed for about 6 mins until they are thick and lightly colored. Add the Amaretto and vanilla. Gradually add 1/3 c of sugar beating until it is dissolved. Set this mixture aside.

Wash and dry beaters thoroughly. In a large bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 c sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold yolk mixture into the white. Then gently fold in the flour mixture, 1/3 at a time.

Pour the batter into the bundt pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert the pan onto a plate. After about 30 minutes, loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with a knife and remove the pan.

Serve topped with peaches and whipped cream.

I think I just made the whipped cream with heavy whipping cream, sugar, and a dash of the amaretto, whipping with the egg beaters until it was the consistency I wanted it to be.

WildCard: Lovina
Gourmet Cheesy Grits

1 quart milk
½ c butter
1 c uncooked grits
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground white pepper
1 egg
4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
½ c grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Bring milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Add ½ c butter and grits. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is the consistency of oatmeal (about 5 minutes). Remove grits from heat. Add salt, pepper, and egg, beating until well combined. Add Gruyere cheese. Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.