Spinach, Mushroom, & Sunflower Seed Sandwiches (Serves 4)


Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Portobello Mushrooms
2 Tbs. Sunflower Seeds or Pine Nuts
1 Tbs. Olive Oil (divided)
4 Scallions or Green Onions, trimmed and sliced
1/4 cup fresh Parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb. Fresh Spinach (stems removed), coarsely chopped

4 1/2-inch-thick slices French or Italian Bread
3/4 cup Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese, grated

Pre-heat oven to 400-F degrees.

Wipe mushrooms clean with a paper towel. Remove stems at
the base and reserve
for another recipe. Cut the mushroom caps in quarters and

remove any gills
from the caps with a small paring knife. Thinly slice the

quartered mushroom
caps.

Warm a large, dry skillet over medium heat. Add sunflower

seeds (or pine
nuts) and toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant
and golden. Remove the
seeds or nuts from the skillet and set aside.

Warm half of the olive oil in the same skillet over high
heat. Add the
prepared mushrooms, scallions, and parsley and sauté,
stirring constantly,
for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer mixture to a large
mixing bowl and set aside.

Heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet and
sauté the minced garlic
for about a minute. Add the spinach and toss until wilted

(two to four
minutes). Remove the spinach from the heat and toss with
the mushroom mixture
to combine. Stir in the reserved sunflower seeds and
adjust the seasonings.

Meanwhile, toast the bread in a toaster or the oven until

lightly browned.
Place toast on a dry baking sheet. Divide the spinach and

mushroom mixture
evenly over the toast and sprinkle with the mozzarella
cheese.

Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is just melted.
Serve immediately.

Ecstasy Cake

1 box chocolate
cake mix
1 14-oz. can Eagle
Brand sweetened condensed milk
1 12-oz jar caramel
ice cream topping
1 tub whipped
topping
4 Heath candy bars,
crushed
drinking straw

Bake the cake as
directed on the box. Cool completely. Once
cool, using the straw,
put holes all over the entire cake, make sure
to go all the way to
the bottom of the pan. Pour the can of
condensed milk over
the cake filling the holes. Repeat with jar of
caramel topping.
Spread whipped topping over top of cake.
Sprinkle Heath Bars on
top of whipped topping. Chill in refrigerator.

Servings: 30

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups mashed very ripe banana
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup maraschino cherries, diced



Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9x5 inch
loaf pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, sugar
and cinnamon. Add the walnuts, eggs, oil, banana, pineapple, vanilla,
coconut and cherries; stir just until blended. Pour batter evenly into
the prepared pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60 minutes, or until a
tooth pick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool in the
pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.


this makes a really nice and quick gift

amandalove: I'm going to try that.
--
Ten Best Sandwich Ideas - Recipes
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/808
--
more san'iches
busycooks.about.com/od/ breadrecipes/a/grilledsandwich.htm
www.belgourme
t.be/en/world_recipes/sandwich_recipes.php
http://allrecipes.com/directory/2224.asp

nobleheart: oh my gosh what interesting links you provide, the care2 site for the sandwiches turned out quite interesting i did like the recipes thank you. and i hope ya'll enjoy the recipes i sent.

amandalove: this recipe sounds great,but I'm concerned that if I try it,this might happen:
http://www.gono.com/museum2003/museum%20collect%20info/hawaiian%20punch/hp3.jpg

some fun for us recipe brats.I challenge all to find a cool halloween recipe idea.
we vote on the best one.
what shall we give the winner?
my entry:
http://a1emporium.com/index589.html

nobleheart: LOL that's wonderful :)

amandalove: This bread sounds "YUMMY GOOD" i plan on making it ...soon !

nobleheart: Awwwwwwww..this is so neat !!

nobleheart: "Brain Cell Delight"
Ingredients :
1 pk 6 oz. Blueberry Jello
1 ct. 16 oz. Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1 can 16 1/2 Blueberries in syrup draine off syrup...set aside ..
Perpare jello according to package directions . Chill untill firm .
Put cottage cheese in a bowl . Add berries to cheese , mix well ...then add the cheese mixture to the jello ...stir it together . Pour berry syrup over mixture and let it set .

Kitty Litter Cake
From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!


This is truly gross looking; perfect for a Halloween party. For a picture, go to: Kitty Litter Cake.
INGREDIENTS:

18 oz. box spice cake mix
18 oz. box white cake mix
16 oz. pkg. white sandwich cookies
1 large box vanilla instant pudding mix
12-16 small tootsie rolls
1 litter box (a NEW one!)
1 plastic scoop
green food coloring
PREPARATION:

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions using 13x9" pans. Let cool completely. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions and chill until ready to assemble cake. Place sandwich cookies in a heavy duty zip lock plastic bag and hit them with a rolling pin until crumbled. Set aside 1/4 cup of the cookie crumbs. Add a few drops green food coloring to the 1/4 cup crumbs and mix with a fork.
Remove the cakes from their pans and crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. You probably won't need all of the pudding, mix gently with the cake crumbs until evenly moist. Put mixture into a NEW litter box that has been lined with plastic wrap.

Unwrap all the tootsie rolls. Place three of them in a microwavable dish and heat on LOW until soft and pliable, checking every 30 seconds. Taper the ends of the tootsie rolls, rolling them between your palms and curving slightly. Repeat with remaining tootsie rolls, heating them three at a time, and bury in cake mixture and place on top too. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top (this is for the colored granules in some brands of kitty litter).

spicieangel: grosssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!! lol But I will try a piece!!!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2-3 Tbsp. milk
1-1/2 cups flour
1/8 tsp. salt
24 cooked frozen meatballs, thawed
1/3 cup processed cheese spread
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
24 small slices mozzarella cheese
sliced pitted ripe or green olives
PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. For cream cheese pastry, combine butter and cream cheese until well mixed and beat in milk. Add flour and salt, mix well and shape into a ball. Chill at least 2 hours. Using about 1 tablespoon of dough, form into a small ball and press into miniature muffin cups to line the bottom and sides. Bake at 425 degrees 4-6 minutes until light golden brown. Cool. Makes about 24.
Combine cheese spread and cheddar cheese in a small bowl. Spoon a small amount of this mixture in the baked tart shells. Top each with a thawed meatball. Bake at 350 degrees 15 minutes until heated. Top each meatball with a piece of mozzarella cheese and place a ripe olive slice on the sour cream to create the eye. The cheese will melt and help hold the olive on the tarts. Makes 24

awwk you guys are a bunch of sick puppies....lol

amandalove:I will have to try this. This is like my Banana Nut Bread Recipe, except it don't call for the coconut and cherries.. try it sometime without the coconut and cherries. very good and moist...

Take a small pair of freshly laundered pants and roll up the cuffs a few times. Stuff the pants with wadded-up newspaper and place them in a sitting position on a large platter. Use a large, heavy can inside the waistband of the pants to keep them upright. Now place smoked turkey legs, cheese logs or summer sausages at the ends of the pant legs. Garnish the platter with lettuce leaves for a dainty touch. Now fill a medium-size bowl with dipping sauce or crackers and place it on top of the can. Use tape to secure the waistband around the edge of the bowl. Set the whole platter in the middle of the snack table and wait for the gasps!

http://htomc.dns2go.com/anim/anim/HalloweenJoke.gif
(my cat didnt see the humour in this one)
http://www.bartsystems.com/URLImageArchive/halloween-cat.jpg
(but she liked this one)
http://www.petpics.net/dp/files/1-247.jpg
http://www.weaselcircus.com/funnypics/scarecrow-moon.jpg
http://www.funny-games.biz/pictures/halloween/deadpumpkin.jpg

sorry I think I wandered a little off topic but all in fun ok back on track

this site has many halloween fun recipes,they all look good.
but it does have a popup add you have to close.

http://www.masterstech-home.com/The_Kitchen/Recipes/Recipe_Indices/Seasonal_Recipe_Indices/HalloweenRecipesIndex.html

nobleheart: whooooooooooooo hooo hooo hooo hoooo...... that is spooky.. but man.. those look fun!

Barbee: yes but what a tasty difference!!!!!!!! aren't these halloween recipes great

DIY(do it yourself)halloween special effects & tricks for families.
this page has good ideas & links re same
http://www.caryn.com/holiday/haunted-house/diy.html
---
if this interest any one re halloween DIY,see:
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=halloween+special+effects+light+DIY

Anyone have any Special Thanksgiving Recipes to share ??

satinjade: Hi there! How about cajun deep fried turkey?

Eriisa: Actually Erissa.. that sounds yummy.. please share.. I have a friend who fries her turkey.. we had some the year before last.. it was excellent!!

Eriisa: I'm willing to try anything cajun! I love spicey food!!!

1 12-16 lb turkey
1 1/2 cups liquid Zatrain's Crab Boil or Zatarin's Cajun Season salt
1 lg Pot of peanut oil

1 propane cooker
1 Strainer basket
1 Deep fry thermometer
1 Injector tool

Remove turkey innards. Place turkey on a cooie sheet for drainage. Inject as many areas of the turkey as possible with 16 ounces of liquid marinade (Zatarain's Crab Boil). Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with Zatarin's Cajun Season salt. Have your peanut oil heated to 350 degrees. Plan ahead, because it takes time to heat the oil. Hang the deep-fry thermometer over the side of the pot with a bent coat hanger for easy reading of the oil temperature. Place the turkey into The strainer basket, and slowly lower the basket into the oil with something long enough to keep you a safe distance away (anything from a broom handle to a pipe) Be careful doing this. Immersion causes quite a reaction.

The oil temperature will drop, so increase the flame a bit To bring it slowly back up to 350 degrees. Cook the turkey 31/2 minutes per pound at 350 degrees. (A 12-pound turkey will take only 42 minutes to cook.) To remove the turkey, carefully find the basket handle with a coat hanger, then slip the lifting rod back under the handle to remove the basket. Let the excess oil drip into the pot. It helps if two people do this, so one person can slide the cookie sheet back under the turkey

recipe can be found at http://www.massrecipes.com/recipes/02/11/cajundeepfriedturkey260228.html

I promise it is AWESOME!

There are restaurants here that will prepare it and sell them.

Eriisa: What if'n a person cant find Zatarins rab boil or cajun seasoning? I personally have never heard of crab boil! I can fine cajun spice tho.

hmmm I think crab boil could be a great trade off for National Geographics!

than again.... you will never find RAB BOIL

Eriisa: LMAO!! too hilarious!! Crab rab what ever! lol

Here's what crab boil is......

http://www.zatarain.com/products/product.php/60/

Eriisa: That looks so awesome. I'm already lost in that website. I never knew what jambalya (sp) was until now!!
Yummy looking products!

Eriisa: Sounds very good !

LOL, where's LindaJ? I expected her to explain some of it for me! lol

Eriisa: She's not been on for a week!

satinjade: have you tried this yet? Hope it works out for you. when I lived in Denver I liked using Hungarian High Altitude All-Purpose Flour. Here they don't sell it. But your brand may or may not make a difference. I use Pilsbury here or Gold Medal.

amandalove: Yes i made it and it was so good . Plan on making it again , for the Holidays

satinjade: :) did i mention that i got the recipe from recipes.com ?

amandalove: Yes...i think ou did say that's where you got the recipe...that's a great site :)

For those who like their recipies, here you go.

___________________
Trader Vic's Tom & Jerry Sour Cream Cake

1/2 cup egg whites (approx. 4)
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup Trader Vic's Tom & Jerry Batter
6 tbsp. soft butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Frosting: Cream together
1 jar Tom & Jerry Batter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup soft butter
In a small bowl, let egg whites warm to room temperature (about 1 hour). Preheat oven to 350�. Grease well and flour two 28 x1 1/2" layer cake pans. Sift flour with baking powder, soda and salt, then set aside. At high speed, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar, beating well after each addition. Beat until soft peaks form when beater is raised and set aside. In a large bowl at high speed, cream butter with rest of sugar and Tom & Jerry Batter until light and fluffly. At low speed beat in flour mixture (in fourths) alternately with sour cream (in thirds), beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat in egg whites and vanilla just until mixture is smooth (about 1 minute). Pour into prepared pans; bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cake surface springs when gently pressed. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove to cool on wire rack. Fill and frost with frosting recipe and top with pecans.
___________________
Rum Batter Banana Nut Bread1-

3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 or 3)
1-10 oz. tub Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter
1/2 cup coarely chopped nuts
(walnuts, roasted almonds or macadamia nuts) Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add nuts and set aside. In mixing bowl, thoroughly cream 1-10oz. tub Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in mashed bananas, then flour-nut mixture, beating just until smooth. Pour into greased 9"x 5" x 3" loaf pan. Bake in 350� oven about one hour, or until done when tested. Place on rack to cool.
_______________________
Rum Batter Mince Pie

4 cups peeled and finely chopped apples
4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 cup rum
1/8 cup brandy
1 cup raisins
1 cup water
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1-10 oz. tub Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter In a large mixing bowl combine spices, apples, raisins and vinegar. Stir mixture well. In a large sauce pot, place 1 cup of water and Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter and heat until melted. Add apple mixture and simmer 30-40 minutes or until quite thick - stir frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Preheat oven to 425�. Pour mince filling into a 9" pie shell. Sprinkle rum and brandy over mixture, cover with pie crust and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until filling is bubbly and crust is golden brown.
Hot Buttered Rum Batter
__________________________
Chocolate Chip Cookies2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1-10 oz. tub
Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs (beaten)
1-12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chococlate morsels
optional: 1 cup chopped nuts
(walnuts, roasted almonds or macadamia nuts) Preheat oven to 375�. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt, then set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine Hot Buttered Rum Batter, butter, sugar and vanilla (when combining the above, mix batter slowly and add butter piece by piece alternately with the sugar). Beat until creamy. Add slightly beaten eggs. Gradually add the flour mixture. Drop by rounded measuring tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375� for 10-11 minutes or until golden. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
You may substitute sweet butter and delete the salt, or use no salt with salted butter if you wish.
_______________________
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter or margarine (softened)
1-10 oz. tub Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 cups uncooked old fashioned oats
1-12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chococlate morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
(walnuts, roasted almonds or macadamia nuts) Preheat oven to 375�. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt, then set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine Hot Buttered Rum Batter, butter, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add the flour mixture. Stir in oats, chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by level measuring tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375� for 7-8 minutes for chewier cookies or 9-10 minutes for crispier cookies. Makes about 4 dozen cookies. NOTE: For a tasty variation, substitute butterscotch morsels for the semi-sweet chocolate morsels.
_____________________
Raw Apple Cookies

1 cup chopped apples
1 jar Trader Vic's Tom & Jerry Batter
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 egg slightly beaten
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 tsp. vanilla extract Cream batter and the butter, egg, vanilla and apples. Add dry ingredients, walnuts and raisins. Bake at 350�F for 12 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.
_________________________
The Trader's Pear Pie

Make pastry for a 9" pie. Line 9" pie pan with pastry crust. Use pre-prepared pie shell if you wish.
6-7 cups sliced pared fresh pears
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/2 cup Trader Vic's Tom & Jerry Batter
1 tbsp. light rum
1 tbsp. melted butter
Mix well the batter, rum, butter and eggs in mixing bowl. Then pour over the fresh sliced pears in uncooked pie shell. Cook in oven for 35 to 40 minutes at 375�F. Remove from oven when crust is golden and pears are cooked. Allow to cool before slicing.
________________________
Rum Batter Apple Pie
Make pastry for two-crust 9" pie.
Line 9" pie pan with bottom crust.
6-7 cups of sliced pared apples
3/4 cup flour
1-10 oz. tub Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter
Heat oven to 425�. In a small bowl cut flour into Trader Vic's Hot Buttered Rum Batter with fork or pastry blender until particles are the size of peas. Mix lightly through apples and heap up in pastry-lined pie pan. Cover with top crust which has slits cut in it, then seal and flute. Bake 50 minutes or until crust is nicely browned. Best served warm, topped with ice cream.

Hannelore: thank you! i tasted the sour cream cake before years ago and i had never been able to get the recipe, i wasn't sure of it until i read your copy and it opened a door in my whittle bitty brain lol.

amandalove: hey girlie girl.. Hannelore sent me a whole book on breads to bake in my bread maker.. she has some awesome recipes.. :)

Wow, I haven't used my bread maker in forever! Hmmm sounds like time to pull it out.....

http://www.chefpaul.com/turducken.html

ScarletRose: well, that loaf of Squash Bread you sent over sure made a hit with the family this T-day Thankyou. make more...lol

amandalove: I've heard of doing this but haven't ever run across a recipe, thanks :)

amandalove: you will definately get more here soon.. I have 2 more squash's to cook up.. and they actually will make up oodles and oodles.. hehe