Bacon and Corn Tart

I found this recipe in Cooking Light and decided to try it out for a work potluck lunch. It was a big hit!

You will need:

• 2 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped
• 2 c fresh corn kernels
• 1/2 c scallions, chopped
• 1 c low-fat milk
• 1/4 c shredded cheese, divided (recipe calls for Parmesan; I used Romano)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 can (10-oz) refrigerated pizza dough

Then you will…

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray the bottom of a 10 1/2 inch round removable bottom tart pan with cooking spray.
2. Cook bacon slices in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until bacon is lightly browned.
3. Add corn and onions, saute 3 minutes. Place the corn mixture in a large bowl.
4. Add the milk, half of the cheese, salt, pepper, egg whites, and egg; stir until well blended.
5. Unroll dough onto lightly floured surface and let rest 5 minutes.
6. Pat dough into bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet lined with foil.
7. Pour bacon mixture into the dough and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
8. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until set. Cool tart in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack.

Applesauce Raisin Cake

On one of my last visits to my brother, we decided to make dessert out of the ingredients in his apartment. We came up with this delicious applesauce raisin cake and topped it with a cream cheese frosting. You could dust with just powdered sugar or add your favorite frosting.

 

You will need:

• 1/2 c margarine, softened
• 1 c applesauce, scant
• 1 c sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 1/4 c flour
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 3/4 t cinnamon
• 1/4 t ground cloves
• 1/4 t nutmeg
• 1/2 c raisins

Then you will…

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with tinfoil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the margarine, sugar, applesauce and egg until smooth.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and raisins; stir into the applesauce mixture.
4. Spread into the prepared baking dish.
5. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until golden and a toothpick in the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool on a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Garbanzo “Nuts”

These are an interesting substitute for popcorn or real nuts as a movie snack, because they are very crunchy. There are many variations on this recipe online. You should play with it until you find a spice mixture that excites you! Taste test one or two before removing from the oven to make sure they are crispy enough for you.

You will need:

• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t cumin
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/4 t chili powder
• 1 can (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed and patted dry to remove excess water
• 1 T fresh lime juice
• 1 T olive oil

Then you will…

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika and chili powder.
3. In a large bowl, toss garbanzo beans with the lime juice, olive oil, and spices.
4. Spread the garbanzo beans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies

This recipe comes from Gourmet and has been one that’s intrigued me for several years. I finally had an opportunity to make them for a friend’s potluck dinner and, oh my, are these addictive. I strongly encourage that you make a double batch! Also, I used low-fat cream cheese and still really like them.

You will need:

• 1 1/8 c all-purpose flour
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 c plus 2 T packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 c plus 2 T granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1 c coarsely grated carrots (2 medium)
• 1 scant c walnuts (3 ounces), chopped
• 1/2 c raisins (2 1/2 ounces)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 c honey

 

Then you will…

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in a bowl until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and raisins; then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.
4. Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets (careful! they spread) and bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total. Cool cookies on sheets on racks 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.
5. While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and honey in a food processor until smooth.
6. Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in between.

Kasespaetzle

Spaetzle is a German noodle, and it’s one of my favorites. This recipe comes from way back in my mom’s family. I’ve adapted it a bit to add in some herbs, and I used a spaetzle maker to create the actual noodle shapes. Below you will find the no-gadgetry version!

You will need:

• 3 c flour
• 1 t salt
• 1 T oregano
• 1 T basil
• 2 t garlic powder
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 4 T butter, melted
• 1/2 c cold water mixed with 1/4 c milk
• 1-2 T butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 c shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Then you will…

1. Sift flour and salt together. Stir in the herbs.  Beat in eggs.  Add melted butter.
2. Add enough of the water/milk mixture to make a heavy dough.
3. Let ‘rest’ for ½ hour with plate over the top of the bowl at room temperature.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Put the dough on a wet breadboard (use cold water).  Wet a sharp knife with boiling water while cutting the dough.
6. Cut into small pieces of dough and drop into the boiling water.
7. Boil 6 to 8 minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon.
8. As each batch is completed, put it into the prepared pan. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Dot with some of the butter cubes and sprinkle with cheese. Keep warm in the oven.