Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup apple juice or cider
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups ice

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

Pour the cooled syrup into a blender. Add the yogurt, raspberries, apple juice, vanilla, and ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth and thick.

Pour into glasses and serve.

Ingredients

• 2 whole-wheat pitas, halved and opened
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup Arugula Pesto, recipe follows
• 2 store-bought rotisserie chicken breasts, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
• 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 cup arugula

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Arrange the pita halves on a baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until warmed through.

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon zest and Arugula Pesto. Stir in the diced chicken.

To assemble the pita pockets, fill each pita half with the chicken mixture. Top with tomatoes and 1/4 cup arugula and serve.

Arugula Pesto

• 2 cups packed arugula
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the pesto, blend the arugula and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the oil until well blended. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in Parmesan and salt and pepper.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
• 12 (1/2-inch) thick slices pound cake (from 1 (10.75-ounce) loaf
• 6 fresh strawberries, hulled and very thinly sliced
• Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray

Directions

Heat a panini grill to medium according to the manufacturer's instructions. Spread the chocolate-hazelnut spread over 1 side of all of the pound cake slices. Arrange the sliced strawberries over 6 cake slices. Cover with the remaining cake slices, chocolate side down.

Spray panini grill with nonstick spray and grill each panino until the pound cake is crisp and golden and the fillings are warm, about 2 minutes. Cut each panino in half and serve.

Directions

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

6 slices whole-wheat or sourdough bread

6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

3 cups arugula

2 tomatoes, sliced

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Whisk the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and zest in a small bowl to blend. Set the mayonnaise mixture aside.

Toast the bread on a panini grill or griddle until golden brown. Spread the mayonnaise mixture over each slice of toast. Arrange the prosciutto over the toasts, dividing equally. Top with the arugula, then the tomatoes. Drizzle the oil over the sandwiches, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut the sandwiches into 3 equal pieces and serve.

Directions

3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 (6-ounce) cans tuna in olive oil, drained

1 (12-ounce) jar marinated artichokes, drained and coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (16-ounce) ciabatta bread, halved horizontally

1 tomato, diced

Puree the olives, oil, garlic, and zest in a food processor until smooth and spreadable. Blend in the mayonnaise. Toss the tuna, artichokes, lemon juice, and pepper in a medium bowl, keeping the tuna in small chunks.

Hollow out the bottom and top halves of the bread. Spread the olive puree over both cut sides of the bread. Spoon the tuna and artichoke mixture onto the bottom half of the bread. Sprinkle the tomatoes over. Cover with the bread top. Cut the sandwich crosswise into 6 pieces and serve.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds (12 to 15 count) shrimp
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup good mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (2 oranges)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon good white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup minced fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained
• 2 tablespoons small-diced red onion

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel and devein the shrimp. Place them on a sheet pan with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss together. Spread the shrimp on one layer and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, just until pink, firm and cooked through. Allow to cool for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. When the shrimp are cool, add them to the sauce and toss. Add the dill, capers, and red onion and toss well. The flavors will improve if you allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Otherwise, chill and serve at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups chopped crystallized ginger (6 ounces)
• Granulated sugar, for rolling the cookies

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and then combine the mixture with your hands. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the egg, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined.

Scoop the dough with 2 spoons or a small ice cream scoop. With your hands, roll each cookie into a 1 3/4-inch ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling on bread
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 4 ounces pancetta, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, 1 minced and 1 whole
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 pound frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannelloni beans, drained
• 1 tablespoon herbs de Provence
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (3-inch) piece Parmesan rind
• 4 to 6 ciabatta rolls, halved lengthwise or 1 loaf, sliced
• Grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, pancetta, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion is golden brown and the pancetta is crisp, about 7 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir until dissolved. Add tomatoes and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the brown bits. Add the spinach, beans, herbs, stock, bay leaf, and Parmesan rind. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Drizzle the ciabatta halves with olive oil. Toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and rub the top of the toasts with the whole garlic clove. Place the toasts in the serving bowls and ladle the soup over the toasts. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe but firm Anjou pears
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• 3 ounces coarsely crumbled sharp blue cheese such as Stilton
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup walnut halves, toasted and chopped
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 3 tablespoons port
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup good olive oil
• 6 ounces baby arugula
• Kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Peel the pears and slice them lengthwise into halves. With a small sharp paring knife and a melon baller, remove the core and seeds from each pear, leaving a round well for the filling. Trim a small slice away from the rounded sides of each pear half so that they will sit in the baking dish without wobbling. Toss the pears with some lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Arrange them, core side up, in a baking dish large enough to hold the pears snugly.

Gently toss the crumbled blue cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts together in a small bowl. Divide the mixture among the pears, mounding it on top of the indentation.

In the same small bowl, combine the apple cider, port, and brown sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the mixture over and around the pears. Bake the pears, basting occasionally with the cider mixture, for 30 minutes, or until tender. Set aside until warm or at room temperature.

Just before serving, whisk together the olive oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the basting liquid in a large bowl. Divide the arugula among 6 plates and top each with a pear half. Drizzle each pear with some of the basting liquid, sprinkle with salt, and serve warm.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bottle chutney (recommended: Cross and Blackwell Major Grey's)
• Crackers, for serving

Directions

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip until it is firm like whipped cream. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Beat on high speed until the mixture is very thick.

Line a 6-inch coeur a la creme mold or 6-inch sieve with a few layers of cheesecloth, allowing the excess to drape over the sides. Pour the cream mixture into the cheesecloth and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Fold the excess cheesecloth over the top of the cream. Place the mold on a plate or suspend the sieve over a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, unmold the creme upside down onto a plate and pour the chutney over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. Serve chilled with crackers.

Ingredients

• 1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
• Good olive oil
• 4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)
• 3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
• 4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
• 1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
• 3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves

Directions

Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.

Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.

Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (1-pound) box Israeli couscous (or any small pasta)
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

In a medium saucepan, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the couscous and cook until toasted and lightly browned, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Carefully add the stock, and the juice of 1 lemon, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the couscous is tender, but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the couscous.

In a large bowl, toss the cooked couscous with the remaining olive oil, remaining lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper and let cool.

Once the couscous is room temperature, add the fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and almonds. Toss to combine and serve.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 16 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 1 store-bought pound cake, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 1/2 cup creme de cassis liqueur
• 2 cups quartered strawberries (or whole blueberries or whole raspberries)
• Fresh mint leaves, chopped, for garnish

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar with the lemon juice. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

In a medium bowl, combine the cooled sugar mixture with the mascarpone cheese and the lemon zest. Using an electric mixer, whip on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.

To build the trifle, line the bottom of a trifle bowl with a layer pound cake. Brush the pound cake with some creme de cassis liqueur. Spoon a layer of the cheese mixture over the pound cake, and then a layer of berries. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of berries. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with chopped mint leaves.

Ingredients

• 2 cups lemon juice, about 12 to 15 lemons
• 2 cups Basil Simple Syrup, recipe follows
• 2 cups cold or sparkling water
• Ice
• Lemon twists, for garnish

Directions

Mix lemon juice, Basil Simple Syrup, and water together in a pitcher. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Pour over ice filled glasses and garnish with a lemon twist.

Basil Simple Syrup:

• 1 bunch fresh basil, washed and stemmed
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water

In a saucepan combine basil, sugar, and water and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 5 minutes. Cool, strain the simple syrup, and store in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
• Pinch salt
• 2 sticks butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing

Filling:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan.

Make the crust by combining the flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter to make a crumbly mixture. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. You may need to dip your fingers into a little flour or confectioners' sugar to keep the dough from sticking to your fingers. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, to make the filling, mix the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, and lemon juice. Pour this over the baked crust and bake for 25 minutes longer. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired, when the bars are done.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/8 cup honey
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 by 8 by 2-inch pan.

In a mixing bowl, beat the oil, honey, granulated sugar, and egg until well blended. Stir the cinnamon into the flour, then stir this into the egg mixture and mix well. Stir in the nuts. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let stand while you make the glaze. In a bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, mayonnaise, milk, and vanilla. Pour the glaze over the cake and spread it with a metal spatula. Let cool, then cut into bars.

Directions

Grilled Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Sandwich with Roasted Red Onion Mayo

Recipes courtesy Paula Deen, 2007

Ingredients

Sandwich:

• 2 slices (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough, multigrain or another hearty bread
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp
• 4 slices Cheddar
• 1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored, sliced thin
• Roasted Red Onion Mayo, recipe follows
• Butter

Preheat a seasoned grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Assemble this sandwich just as you would a traditional grilled cheese sandwich: spread 1 slice of bread with some Red Onion Mayo, then top with 2 slices Cheddar, the bacon, the apple slices, then 2 more slices of Cheddar, finishing with another mayo-slathered slice of bread. Butter the outsides of the bread and transfer to the hot grill. Grill about 3 minutes per side, since this sandwich is so thick. Remove to a cutting board and cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.

Roasted Red Onion Mayo:

• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the red onion, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the onion is very soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer to a food processor and buzz until finely chopped. Add the mayo and pulse until smooth and combined.

Yield: 1 serving

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Ease of preparation: easy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds smoked whitefish, skinned and boned
• 1/2 cup minced red onion
• 1/2 cup minced celery
• 1 cup good mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

• 6 bagels, sliced in thirds horizontally
• 1 pound thinly sliced smoked salmon
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• Sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions

Directions

With your hands, flake the whitefish, being careful to discard all the skin and bones. In a medium bowl, gently combine the whitefish with the red onion, celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste for seasoning.

Toast the bagel slices in a toaster. Arrange a platter with the smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomatoes, and red onions. Serve with the whitefish salad at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 quart milk
• 2 cups hot strong black coffee or 3 tablespoons instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 pint chocolate ice cream
• Whipped Cream, for garnish
• Shaved Chocolate, for garnish

Directions

In a large saucepan with wire whisk or spoon, stir together cocoa and sugar. Over medium heat, slowly add milk until well blended. Add 2 cups of hot strong black coffee while mixing constantly. Remove from heat.

Ladle into 6 (8-ounce) mugs. Top each with spoonful of ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate shavings.