Marinated Cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup white wine vinegar     

1 small jar of pimentos or 2 marinated roasted red peppers - chopped small

1 bunch of green onions - chopped

1 Tbsp. fresh basil - chopped in small ribbons

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese

1 - 8 oz. package sharp cheddar cheese  

Combine all the above ingredients except the cheeses in a jar or large measuring bowl. Let sit for a few hours so the flavors combine. Meanwhile, in a shallow dish place alternating slices of cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese in a decorative pattern. Refrigerate. About an hour or two before serving pour marinade over the cheese. Serve with premium quality crackers.  

*Some hints on how to cut and arrange the cheese in pretty rows from Sister B.  "I cut the sharp cheddar first by slicing it long ways in 3 even bars and then cutting each long bar into small slices. Do all the cheddar first. Then for the cream cheese keep it as cold as possible until ready to slice it. I put it in the freezer while I am cutting the other cheese and then do the same thing by cutting it long ways into 3 bars and then cut each one into small slices. I also find that if you cut one small slice of cream cheese and then touch the cheddar it sort of sticks to the cream cheese slice -then cut the next piece of cream cheese and touch a piece of cheddar with it and so on. I do about 3 or 4 of each and then set it on the tray. Repeat! "

(From Carrie B. and served at Maren and Jake's reception)

Garlic Chicken Pasta with Spinach

6 Tbs. olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 box (1-lb) penne pasta
5-oz. fresh spinach, chopped
1 Tbs. dried basil (or 1/2 cup fresh)
6 Tbs. lemon juice
1 cup Parmesan cheese
  
Heat olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in  a small glass bowl in the microwave for about 1 minute to blend flavors.  Pour about 1 tablespoon of the flavored oil in a skillet.  Salt and pepper chicken and cook in the oil over medium high heat until chicken is browned and juices run clear.  Add the chopped spinach and saute with the cooked chicken for 1 minute (or until just barely wilted) and remove from heat.   Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package; drain well.  Add cooked chicken/spinach to pasta, along with basil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese.  Then stir in the remainder of the flavored olive oil.  Toss lightly until all ingredients are well-combined.  Serve immediately.  Makes about 6 servings.  

(From http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com)

Cream Cheese Wontons

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14 ounce) package small wonton wrappers
3 cups vegetable oil for frying
(We added lemon juice and chili powder as well)

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, green onions, paprika and ground black pepper. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling into the won ton skin and seal corner to corner forming a triangle.  In a large skillet, heat oil to a high temperature. Fry the won tons until they are browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
 
(Our version of a recipe from allrecipes.com)

Sweet and Sour Sauce

3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Place the sugar, vinegar, water, soy sauce, ketchup and cornstarch in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Stir continuously until the mixture has thickened.
 
(From allrecipes.com)

Macaroni Cheese Deluxe

8 oz package macaroni (2 cups)
2 c. small curd cottage cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 slightly beaten egg
3/4 tsp. salt
dash pepper
2 c. sharp cheddar cheese

Cook macaroni according to directions on package, drain well.  Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt and pepper (I usually add more salt and pepper and some garlic powder).  Add cheese and mix well.  Stir in cooked macaroni.  Put into a greased 9x9 pan (double for very full 9x13).  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Towards the end of baking I usually sprinkle crushed crackers combined with melted margarine over the macaroni and bake until brown.

(From Vicki S.)

BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup ketchup 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup vinegar 3 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 Tbsp. worchester sauce 2 Tbsp. mustard onions sauteed in butter Heat together on stove, then use for whatever.  I like to do it over crockpot chicken and serve with baked potatoes or something. (From DawnSheree L.)

Dearie's Banana Cake

1 large banana pudding
4 mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cube butter

Mix and add:
1 yellow cake mix, made according to directions on package.
2 additional eggs
Lots of nuts

Mix well and put in bundt cake pan or 9x13 to make bars. Cook cake according to directions on cake mix. When cool, frost with Grandpa's Harold's frosting.

Grandpa Harold's Frosting:

1 c. milk
5 Tbsp. flour

Cook over medium-low heat until really thick and refrigerate until cool.

Cream together:
2 cubes margarine
1 c. sugar

Add cooked milk and flour and beat until smooth. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vanilla. Add nuts if desired. If frosting is too thin for the cake, add a small amount of powdered sugar or cream cheese to thicken to desired consistency. Pour over cooled cake. Double recipe for large cakes.


Alternate Banana Cake recipe:

Cream together:
1/2 c. softened butter
1 1/2 c. sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat for 3 minutes.

Add:
1/4 c. buttermilk
4 ripe bananas
Mix on high until combined and add:

2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix just until combined.

Cook at 350 for 30 minutes and frost when cool.