Kentucky Bourbon Balls

1 stick butter, softened
1 (1 lb) box powdered sugar
1 C chopped pecans
4 Tbs bourbon (Maker's Mark)
4 oz semisweet chocolate
4 oz bitter chocolate

One day ahead, cram butter and sugar.  Add chopped pecans, mixing well.  Add bourbon and quickly shape into balls using about 1 tsp of mixture for each ball.  Refrigerate overnight.
Next day, melt the chocolates in a double boiler until chocolate has a smooth consistency.  Dip chilled bourbon balls into chocolate.  Place candy on wax paper in refrigerator to harden.  Yields 4 dozen.

Vegetable Chili

1 Tb.olive oil 1 Large onion, coarsely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch chunks 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks 1/4 tsp. chili powder salt/pepper 1 can (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes in juice 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup chopped cilantro lime wedge In a dutch oven or saucepan with lid, heat oil over med. heat. Add onion and garlic and cook stirring occasionally, until tender, 5-7 min. Add squash, bell pepper, and chile powder; season with salt/pepper...cook stirring 1 min. Add 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer until veggies are crisp-tender, about 7 min. Stir in tomatoes and their juice, breaking them up with a spoon; add chickpeas, black beans, 1/4 cup cilantro and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, partially cover and cook until lightly thickened about 20 min. Season with salt/ pepper. Stir in remaining cilantro...YUM!

Lil ' Cheddar Meat loaves

3/4 c milk
1 egg
1 c cheddar cheese
1/2 c quick oats
1/2 c chopped onion
1t salt
1lb ground beef
Mix together and make into round loaves (almost tennis ball size)

Sauce
1/3 c ketsup
1/4 c. Brown sugar
1t mustard
Spoon over loaves before cooking 45 mins at 350

Chicken Casserole

6 chicken breast cooked and broken into bite size pieces/shredded ( I boil the breast)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 8 oz ctn sour cream
1 1/2 stacks ritz cracker crumbs
1 1/2 sticks butter melted

Mix chicken, soups and sour cream. Place in 9x13. Top with cracker crumbs and pour the melted butter over the crumbs. Cover when cooking. 350 degrees. 30 mins if warm. Can freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator and cook 50 mins. I don't put the crackers/butter on until I cook the dish.

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

s2 pounds haricots verts (tiny green beans), trimmed
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound shallots, halved lengthwise and peeled
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Preparation

1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.
2. Melt butter and brown sugar with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add shallots, and sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar, and sauté 10 minutes or until shallots are golden brown and tender.
3. Increase heat to medium-high; add green beans, and sauté 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Southern Living
NOVEMBER 2011

Star Telegram Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 c minus 2 T cake flour
1 2/3 c. flour
1 1/4 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. plus 2 T. sugar
2 large eggs
2 t. vanilla
1 1/4 lbs chocolate chips
sea salt for sprinkling

Sift dry ingredients; set aside. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars for five minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Reduce speed to low; add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate pieces. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet 6 dough balls at a time for 9 minutes at 350 degrees. (Cookie balls may be sprinkled with sea salt just before baking) Allow cookies to cool on pan for 1 minute and remove to cookie rack to cool completely.
For chocolate I did 1 pkg of semisweet chocolate chips and one bar of bittersweet chocolate cut up in small pieces.

Fish Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Crema

Crema:
1/4 c. Thinly sliced green Onions
1/4 c. Chopped fresh cilantro
3T. Fat-free mayo.
3T. Reduced-fat free sour cream
1 t. Grated lime rind
1 1/2 t. Fresh lime juice
1/4 t. Salt
1 garlic clove, minced

Tacos:
1 t. Ground cumin
1 t. Ground coriander
1/2 t. Smoked paprika
1/4 t. Ground red pepper
1/8 t. Salt
1/8 t. Garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs. Red snapper fillets
Cooking spray
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2 c. Shredded cabbage

Preheat oven to 425

To prepare crema, combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.

To prepare tacos, combine cumin and next 5 ingredients (through garlic powder) in a small bowl; sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides fish. Place fish on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425 for 9 mins or until done. Place fish in a bowl; break into pieces with a fork. Heat tortillas according to package directions. Divide fish evenly among tortillas; top with 1/4 cup cabbage and 1 T. Crema.