Peanut Butter Cookies (flourless)

After a reader asked about recipes for people with allergies, I started looking through my cookbooks to see what I could find. Here is a flourless peanut butter cookies that should fit the bill:

Peanut Butter Cookies (flourless)

1 c. peanut butter, plain or chunky (I prefer chunky)
1 c. sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients and mix well. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Press each cookie lightly with a fork - forming a criss-cross design. Bake for 10 minutes. Cookies break easily when first removed from the oven and still hot. So let them stand for a few minutes to cool before taking off the cookie sheet. Enjoy!

A Romantic Valentine's Day Meal

It's Valentine's Day again, and many of us want to prepare a romantic meal for our significant other. I've been through lots of phases in preparing romantic meals. I learned quickly that spending all day preparing an elaborate meal is counter-productive. After all that time and effort, I wasn't even hungry by the time mealtime arrived, and the sink was piled high with dirty dishes. Plus, I was too tired to enjoy the rewards of the romantic meal and atmosphere.

With that in mind, here is what I suggest for a simple, delicious and romantic meal:

Make a deliciously fresh salad with romaine lettuce hearts, shredded carrots and tomato slices. Sprinkle some blue cheese crumbles on top, and use your favorite salad dressing. Buy two good quality ribeye steaks. Season them well. I usually use garlic salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator until you're ready to grill them. Wash two baking potatoes potatoes, pierce each with a fork, spray them lightly with cooking spray, wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees until tender - about 45 minutes, depending on the size. Approximately 20 minutes before dinner time, grill the steaks - 8-10 minutes on each side.

So here's your menu: grilled ribeye steak, fresh tossed salad, baked potato. If you like bread with you meal, buy a baguette to serve. The perfect dessert for such a meal is sherbet. It provides a light and refreshing finish to the meal. Pair a good quality merlot to drink with the meal. This is a meal that can't be screwed up (unless you overcook or burn the steak). It takes little preparation - and most people love a good steak. You can substitute a premium quality salmon steak for the ribeye, if you prefer.

If you want an appetizer, buy a block of a soft cheese like Neufchatel and some sesame or whole wheat crackers. There's nothing like spreading a little cheese on a cracker and nibbling on it while sipping wine to set a romantic atmosphere for pre-dinner conversation.

Set the table with pretty placemats and consider buying a small fresh flower bouquet for the table. Then relax and enjoy the meal and conversation - and the rewards of your efforts.

Tuna Salad Supreme

One evening I was so tired I didn't feel like making dinner. So I spent about five minutes mixing up my special tuna salad. I toasted some bread slices and made sandwiches. Wow! They were tasted really good. Here's how I make tuna salad:

Carol’s Tuna Salad SUPREME!

1 can water-packed tuna

1/4 cup mayo

2 T pickle relish

1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 stalk celery - FINELY diced

salt and pepper to taste

Drain the tuna and mix well with the other ingredients.

It really is delicious. It makes a wonderful sandwich, and it’s great to put a scoop of it on top of a tossed salad. During the summer when the tomatoes are fresh and tasty, I like to stuff tomatoes with this tuna salad. I think the grated cheese makes it extra delicious!

Sausage Balls

These are really good. I've had them twice in the past few months - once for a bridal shower, and then again for a Christmas party. Both times they werre a hit and every single one was eaten.


Sausage Balls

1 lb. ground sausage

2 cups Bisquick

3/4 lbs. sharp cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients together and knead well. Form into tiny balls. Chill. Bake about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 90 balls.

Crispy Cheese Wafers

Recently when I was in Georgia visiting my mother, we had a bridal shower for one of my nieces. My mother made these Crispy Cheese Wafers for the shower, and they were delicious! As a matter of fact, I had some of them for lunch that day.

Crispy Cheese Wafers

1/2 lb. sharp cheese, shredded

2 sticks butter

2 cups flour

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp red pepper

dash of chili powder

2 cups Rice Krispies

Mix all ingredients well and make into small balls. Place on a cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Strawberry Shortcake with Custard

I love strawberry shortcake. However, I have a special twist to mine. I'm not bragging because it IS really delicious! Here’s the recipe:

Strawberry Shortcake with Custard

1 small pound cake (I just buy one from the store - a frozen Sarah Lee pound cake loaf is good, but you can always make your own, if you prefer.)

1 quart fresh strawberries

1/2 cup sugar (more or less depending on your taste)

Wash and slice the fresh strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and mix well so that the juice is drawn out of the strawberries. Put in a covered container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Custard

1 egg

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups milk

2 T corn starch

Mix the custard ingredients well in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Set aside to cool.

Putting the Strawberry Shortcake with Custard together: Place a slice of cake in a dessert dish. Spoon the strawberry mixture on top - using lots of juice to soak into the cake. Spoon custard on top. You can add a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

My mother-in-law was the first person I know who made strawberry shortcake this way. She usually baked her own pound cake. I usually buy the cake ready-made. It’s the custard that makes this recipe unique. I got this recipe for custard from my son-in-law. This is absolutely the BEST Strawberry Shortcake imaginable. The custard really makes it perfect!

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad

We had a covered dish dinner at church yesterday. One of the ladies brought a tomato-mozarella salad that was delicious. I asked what the ingredients were, and then I came up with this recipe. Here’s my version:

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad
2 tomatoes (Fresh from the garden is best!)
1 fresh mozzarella ball
2 leaves fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste

Prepare immediately before serving.
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella so that you end up with the same number of slices of each.
Layer the tomatoes and mozzarella slices (fanned out) on a serving dish, alternating the tomato slices and the mozzarella slices.
Sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Serves 2-4.