Holiday Fruit Drops

1 c Shortening
2 c Brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk or water (I use buttermilk)
3 1/2 c flour
1 t Baking soda
1 t Salt
1 1/2 c broken pecan pieces
2 c halved candied cherries (16 oz)
2 c cut up dates (note, I buy whole dates and chop them,they have a better texture for this cookie than pre-chopped dates)

Mix shortening, sugar and eggs. Stir in milk. Blend dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add them to the wet mix. Stir in pecans, cherries, and dates. Chill for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 400. Place teaspoonfuls of dough on cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes (until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly).

Makes 7-8 dozen

Grace Lillevig, eBranch

Patrick's Microwave Peanut Brittle

One cup dry-roasted peanuts
One cup sugar
1/2 cup Karo Syrup
Dash of salt (optional. If you use salted peanuts don't add the salt)

Mix above well in a bowl and microwave on high 5 1/2 minutes
Remove and add in 1 tsp vanilla, and microwave for an additional 1 1/2 minutes
Mix in 1 tsp baking soda
Pour onto a cookie sheet.
Let cool until hard (about 30 minutes)

Microwave times may vary depending on the power of your microwave.

"Also, a helpful hint is to have a big pot of water on to boil to melt goop from the stirring spoon and to sink the bowl into the boiling water when you're done, to dissolve the goop more easily. Otherwise, it's really an ugly mess. "

Grace Lillevig, eBranch

Steamed Fish With Veggies

5 fillets of fish (tilapia, catfish, etc)
1 small onion -chopped
2 medium tomatoes -chopped
1 handful of cilantro -chopped
3 cloves of garlic –chopped

1. Spray pan with PAM or drizzle with a little bit of olive oil
2. Layer fish at the bottom of the pan – sprinkle salt, pepper, & paprika
3. Add the chopped onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic
4. Cover with lid and steam on low-medium heat for @ 20-30 minutes
5. Enjoy


Susana Peña / ADM

Corn Casserole

1 can whole kernel corn, drained (15 1/4 ounce)
1 can creamed-style corn (14 3/4 ounce)
1 package of corn muffin mix (recommended 8 ounce package of Jiffy Mix)
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded chedder cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn miffin mix, egg, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13 inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and top with cheese. Return to oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Optional Preparation: You can mix the cheese in with the other ingredients rather than adding it later. I prefer it this way and I cut down on the butter by half because I am adding in the cheese. I just stir in the cheese after mixing the other ingredients and bake for 45 minutes.

Got this one from Paula Dean. (although Paula's recipe didn't call for the egg)

Sandra Dies
HCPL Circulation Manager

Spinach Balls or Bars

The original recipe calls for Parmesan Cheese and Oregano. I've played with it a little and have substituted Feta and Dill and they've turned out wonderful! You can also add diced tomatoes to add a little bit of color

Ingredients:
2 - 10oz packages frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
1 medium onion chopped
2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese (or feta cheese if using dill)
4 eggs
1 medium tomato (seeded and diced) - Optional
1 1/2 tsps. dried oregano or dill (or about 2 Tbls fresh)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients together and either form into 1 inch balls or spread entire mixture in the bottom of a 13x9inch pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Can be served hot or cold and dipping in marinara sauce is always good. Also makes a nice after work snack when made ahead of time.

Easy Cheese Ball

1/4 pound Butter
1 pound cubed or grated Velveeta Cheese
1 8 oz. package Cream Cheese
1 cup chopped Pecans

Mix butter and cheeses together until smooth. Form into two cheese balls and roll in the pecans. You can also put the pecans in the cheese mixture and roll the cheese balls in chili powder.

Jackie Cundiff
FM

Broccoli Cornbread

2 Boxes Jiffy Cornbread mix (8 1/2 oz. pkg)
2 sticks of butter
1 10-oz box of frozen chopped broccoli - thawed
4 eggs
1 small carton cottage cheese
3-4 green onions chopped

Saute' onion and broccoli in butter until tender. Mix in Jiffy mix, add eggs and cottage cheese. Bake in an oiled 91/2 by 13 inch pan at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.

Jackie Cundiff
FM