COME CELEBRATE OUR FREEDOM!
As
our country approaches the 231st anniversary of independence, we
can honor it by celebrating pride in our country and the importance of
family. Talk to your children about how blessed we are in this country
to have the freedoms we so enjoy. Help them to understand and have an
appreciation of our independence, what our freedom truly means and why
we celebrate it. Remember those continuing the fight for freedom in our
prayers.
The July 4th holiday provides an opportunity to get
together with family and friends. Times may change, but strength of family
and friends will continue to be an important facet of American life.
Ever had a July 4th meal without grilling your meat? Well,
this column is for all of us who don't own grills.
About the recipes . . . I have included a fancy French
fry recipe and an antipasto salad recipe to accompany the chicken. The
salad recipe was given to me by my friend, Kathy, with just a bit of "tweaking".
Baked potatoes and a fresh green salad would also be great sides with
this chicken dish. The Tex-Mex Sheet cake is absolutely delicious for
summer fare.
GARLIC CHEDDAR CHICKEN
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves pounded thin
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/8 tsp dried parsley
- 1/8 tsp dried oregano
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt
Preheat oven
to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; cook garlic until
tender, about 5 minutes. In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan
cheese, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano, pepper and salt.
Dip each chicken breast in the garlic butter to coat; then press into the
bread crumb mixture. Arrange coated chicken breasts in a 9"X13" baking
dish. Drizzle with any remaining butter and top with any remaining bread crumb
mixture.
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until chicken is no longer pink and
juices run clear.
Servings: 4
BACON CHEESE FRIES
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1 pkg frozen French fries (32 oz)
- Ranch salad dressing
Cook or bake French fries according to the package directions.
Place fries on a flat pan or oven-proof platter. Sprinkle with cheese, onions and bacon.
Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Serve with Ranch dressing.
Servings: 8-10
ANTIPASTO SALAD
- 24 slices pepperoni cut in half (from a 3.5 oz pkg)
- 1 can sliced black olives, drained (2.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 20 grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 bag vegetable pasta (12 oz)
- 2/3 cup diced bell pepper
- 6 sliced green onions
- 1/3 cup diced celery
- salt and pepper to taste
Cook pasta as directed on package; drain. Combine pasta, vegetables, olives, pepperoni and dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Sprinkle with cheese right before serving.
Servings: 10-12
TEX-MEX SHEET CAKE
- 1 cup confectioners sugar sifted
- 1 cup chopped pecans or toasted slivered almonds
- 1-1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 can condensed milk (14 oz) sweetened
- 1-1/4 cups butter or margarine
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbs instant coffee
- 2 cups unsifted flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup cocoa unsweetened
- 1 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven
to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, melt 1 cup butter; stir in 1/4 cup
cocoa and 1 tablespoon coffee, then water. Bring to a boil; remove from
heat, set aside.
In large mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon
and salt. Add cocoa mixture; mix well. Stir in 1/3 cup sweetened condensed
milk, eggs and vanilla. Pour into greased 15"X10" baking pan.
Baked 15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
In small saucepan, melt remaining 1/4 cup butter; stir in remaining 1/4 cup
cocoa and one tablespoon of coffee. Add remaining sweetened condensed milk;
stir in confectioners sugar and nuts. Spread on warm cake.
Servings: 20-2
Want to avoid burning?
Use Son block.
PRAY DAILY FOR OUR
MEN & WOMEN IN UNIFORM
Please direct any questions or comments you may have regarding Culinary Corner to: bethoover@aol.com.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
