Ingredients 1 cup sugar1 cup packed brown sugar1/4 cup water1/4 cup light corn syrup1 tablespoon butter1-1/2 cups pecan halves1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preparation Line two baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. In a microwave-safe 2-qt. bowl, combine the sugars, water, corn syrup and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4 minutes; stir until sugar is dissolved. Cook 1-2 minutes longer or until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage), stirring after each minute....

Ingredients 12 ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped6 teaspoons shortening, divided1/4 teaspoon green food coloring4 mint creme Oreo cookies, crushed2 packages (4.67 ounces each) mint Andes candies Preparation In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating and 4 teaspoons shortening; stir until smooth. Stir in food coloring. Pour evenly into miniature muffin cup liners. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs. In a microwave, melt mint candies and remaining shortening; stir until smooth. Pour over cookie crumbs....

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, cubed4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped4 large eggs, room temperature2 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt2 cups chopped pecans, optional2 cans (16 ounces each) vanilla frostingCandy eyes Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Line two 8-in. square baking pans with foil, letting ends extend up sides; grease foil. In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar....

Ingredients 1 pound bulk pork sausage10 slices whole wheat bread, cubed1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese6 large eggs1 cup 2% milk1 cup half-and-half cream1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1/2 teaspoon pepper Preparation In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Place bread cubes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with the sausage, mushrooms and cheeses....

Ingredients 1 pound medium fresh mushrooms, halved8 small carrots, peeled and halved lengthwise2 cups cubed peeled celery root (about 1/2 pound)2 cups cubed peeled rutabaga (about 1 medium)2 cups cubed peeled sweet potatoes (about 1 medium)2 tablespoons olive oil1/4 teaspoon salt2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved8 cups torn curly endiveVINAIGRETTE:3 tablespoons apple cider or juice2 tablespoons lemon juice2 tablespoons cider vinegar1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard1 teaspoon grated lemon zest1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1/2 cup olive oil...

Ingredients 1 package white cake mix (regular size)2 cans (16 ounces each) vanilla frostingAssorted jimmiesGreen, white and red Air Heads candiesGold pearl dust Preparation Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool completely. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with jimmies. If necessary, microwave candies on high for 3- to 5-second intervals to soften. Form green candies into champagne bottles. Cut squares from white candies to form labels; press gently onto bottles to attach....

Ingredients 1 onion 1 carrot 1 stalk celery 1 bay leaf 1 1/2 lb. octopus tentacles 1/2 lb. green beans 1 1/2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes 1 clove garlic 1 tbsp. chopped parsley 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil salt Freshly ground pepper Preparation Step 1Fill a large saucepan with water, add the onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Add the octopus and simmer over moderate heat for 1 hour, until tender....

Ingredients 2 cups milk4 eggs1/2 cup stick margarine, melted1 cup sugar1/2 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon salt Preparation In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into a greased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate until serving.

Ingredients 1 egg2 egg whites2 tablespoons finely chopped fully cooked lean ham1 green onion, thinly sliced1 tablespoon chopped sweet red pepper1 tablespoon fat-free milk2 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper1/8 teaspoon pepperDash hot pepper sauce, optional2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican cheese blend1 whole wheat tortilla (8 inches), warmed Preparation In a small bowl, whisk the egg, egg whites, ham, onion, red pepper, milk, jalapeno, pepper and pepper sauce if desired....

Ingredients 1/3 cup butter-flavored shortening1/2 cup sugar2 large eggs1/2 cup orange juice1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour3 teaspoons grated orange zest1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/8 teaspoon ground cloves2 cups shredded carrots Preparation In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Beat in orange juice. Combine the flour, orange zest, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and cloves; add to creamed mixture just until combined....

Ingredients 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, divided1-1/2 teaspoons sugar1-1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion1-1/4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup sour cream2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons 2% milk4-1/2 teaspoons butter, melted1 large egg white, lightly beaten Preparation In a small bowl, combine the flour, 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, sugar, onion, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, baking powder, baking soda and salt....

Ingredients 28 Oreo cookies1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup butter, softened1 cup confectioners’ sugar3-1/3 cups cold whole milk2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant French vanilla pudding mix1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed Preparation In a food processor or blender, process the cookies until finely crushed. Set aside 2 tablespoons of crumbs for topping. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar. In a bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes....

Ingredients 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches1 cup seedless red or green grapes1 small banana, sliced4 wooden skewers (5 to 6 inches) Preparation Cut sandwiches into 1-in. squares. Alternately thread grapes, sandwich squares and banana slices onto each skewer. Serve immediately.

Ingredients 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract2-1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar1 cup graham cracker crumbs1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips2 tablespoons shorteningConfectioners’ sugar icing and sprinkles, optional Preparation In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and cracker crumbs. Shape mixture into 16 eggs; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth....

Ingredients 1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese3/4 cup reduced-fat creamy peanut butter1 can (14 ounces) fat-free sweetened condensed milk1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 carton (12 ounces) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed2 reduced-fat graham cracker crusts (9 inches)1/4 cup chocolate syrup1/4 cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts Preparation In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in milk and vanilla until blended. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crusts....

Ingredients 1 medium zucchini, julienned1/2 cup finely chopped onion1 medium carrot, halved and thinly sliced1 tablespoon butter2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth1 cup tomato or vegetable juice1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained1/2 cup frozen corn Preparation In a large saucepan, saute the zucchini, onion and carrot in butter until tender. Add broth and tomato juice. Bring to a boil; stir in macaroni and cayenne....

Ingredients 2 packages (3 ounces each) lime gelatin1/2 cup sugar1 cup boiling water3 cups cold water1 quart noncarbonated lemon-lime drink, chilled1-1/2 quarts lemon-lime soda, chilled Preparation Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water; add cold water. Transfer to a punch bowl. Stir in lemon-lime drink and soda.

Ingredients 1-3/4 cups water1 cup quick-cooking barley2 medium limes1/4 cup olive oil1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1 tablespoon honey1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground cumin1/4 teaspoon pepper1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper1/2 cup chopped green pepper1/4 cup chopped red onion1 medium mango, peeled and chopped1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro Preparation In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in barley. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until barley is tender, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes....

Ingredients 1 pound ground beef1 medium onion, chopped1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni, quartered1/2 teaspoon salt Preparation In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until heated through....

Ingredients 1-1/3 cups pizza sauce4 submarine buns, split and toasted1-1/3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese20 slices pepperoni1 package (12 ounces) frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs, thawedItalian seasoning to taste Preparation Spread 1/3 cup pizza sauce on the bottom of each bun. Top each with 1/3 cup cheese, five slices of pepperoni and three meatballs; sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Replace tops. Wrap each sandwich in foil. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until heated through....