Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

SUBMITTED BY: NYCDAVE PHOTO BY: bhague

"I came up with this recipe for my niece. I combined grilled cheese sandwiches with garlic bread. Its tasty, its quick and its the perfect appetizer for friends, family and unexpected guests. Use a firm white bread for best results."

PREP TIME	8 Min
COOK TIME	7 Min
READY IN	15 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 12 slices white bread
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (24 ounce) jar vodka marinara sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven's broiler.
2. Place 6 slices of bread onto a baking sheet. Spread a small handful of the mozzarella cheese over each slice. Top with the remaining 6 slices of bread. Mix together the butter and garlic powder, brush some over the tops of the sandwiches, or spread with the back of a tablespoon. Sprinkle with dried oregano.
3. Place baking sheet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove pan from oven, flip sandwiches, and brush the other sides with butter, and sprinkle with oregano. Return to the broiler, and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
4. Cut sandwiches in half diagonally, and serve immediately with vodka sauce on the side for dipping.

Asian Beef with Snow Peas

SUBMITTED BY: Holly

"Stir-fried beef in a light gingery sauce. Serve over steamed rice or hot egg noodles."

PREP TIME	5 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	15 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 pound beef round steak, cut into thin strips
• 8 ounces snow peas

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium high heat. Stir-fry ginger and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the steak and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until evenly browned. Add the snow peas and stir-fry for an additional 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Serve immediately.

Spider Cupcakes

"These are a huge hit with kids!"

PREP TIME	1 Hr
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 30 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 pound black shoestring licorice
• 1 (16 ounce) can white frosting
• 48 pieces candy corn
• 48 cinnamon red hot candies
• 1/4 cup orange decorator sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Let cool completely.
2. Cut licorice into 3 inch sections. Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn't set before decorating, frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. Insert licorice pieces into the outer edges of the cupcakes to make the legs of the spider, 3 legs on each side (4 takes up too much space). Place two pieces of candy corn on the front of the cupcake for fangs and use two red hots as eyes. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes

Chickpea Curry

"We usually recommend preparing the beans at home, but using canned chickpeas allows for a fast, convenient dish."

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	40 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, finely chopped
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 (2 inch) sticks cinnamon, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, and fry onions until tender.
2. Stir in garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, salt, cayenne, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mix in garbanzo beans and their liquid. Continue to cook and stir until all ingredients are well blended and heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro just before serving, reserving 1 tablespoon for garnish.

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Joan

"A great combination of chocolate chips, oatmeal, and peanut butter."

PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	25 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Thin Mint Crackers

SUBMITTED BY: Kim
"Just like the Girl Scout cookies!"
SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 80 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 80 buttery round crackers
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a double boiler method, melt the chocolate coatings over hot tap water for 15 - 20 minutes. Stir . Do not cook or get water into the chocolate.
2. After it is melted, stir in a couple drops of peppermint flavor into the chocolate.
3. Dip crackers into the melted chocolate and then place onto a cold cookie sheet and put into the refrigerator to set. (A freezing tray to rest the dipped cookies will keep the bottoms neat looking.)
4. In a few minutes take them out and package in candy cups. The cookies are best kept at room temperature or a cool dry place away from any odors.