Apple Blueberry Muffins

This recipe was created by Mommo this morning while we were hunting for the recipe for blueberry muffins. I loved these, and I really don't like blueberry muffins. They were very moist and tender. With any luck, Mommo remembered the final recipe correctly.

1 egg

1/2 c milk

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c. melted butter

1 1/2 c flour

2 t baking powder

1/2 apple, grated

1 c blueberries

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Makes one dozen.

Mozzarella, Tomato and Pesto Chicken

I just made this for my roommates. It's perfect for a takes-no-effort-but-looks-like-you-did kind of an entree!

Chicken breast (I usually halve them)
Fresh Tomato
Fresh Mozzarella
Pesto (I just use storebought)

Put chicken in a baking dish and spread pesto on the top of each chicken breast. Cook 30-40 min until done. Slice thick slices of tomato and mozzarella and stack on top of the chicken. Sprinkle some basil on the top for complete gourmet effect!

Ceasar Asparagus

From Aunt Molly (sounds yummy!):

Makes About 3 cups

Toss together; Roast:

1 lb. asparagus spears, trimmed

1 cup hearty French bread, cut into 1" cubes

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Blend:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, strained

2 T. Parmesan cheese, grated

1 t. garlic, minced

1 t. Dijon mustard

1 t. sugar

1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. anchovy paste (optional - but I think make a difference)

Drizzle in:

1/4 cup extra-virgin oil

Garnish with:

Grated Parmesan cheese

This is the best part. You get to cook the asparagus in the oven with the bread cubes. Preheat oven to 425 with a rack set in the lower third. Toss asparagus and bread cubes with oil, salt, and pepper; spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast until asparagus is cooked but still bright green and croutons are toasted, 6-8 minutes. Blend together the lemon juice, Parmesan, garlic, mustard, sugar, Worcestershire, and anchovy paste while the asparagus is roasting. Drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly. Transfer roasted asparagus and croutons to a serving platter, then drizzle with dressing to taste (you may not need all of it). Garnish with grated Parmesan before serving.

Almond Cupcakes

Very moist and tender. A variation on the recipe in "Hello Cupcake!"

cream together:

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

beat in

3 large eggs

add

2 cups flour

2 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

then mix in

1 cup milk

1 t vanilla extract

1 t almond extract

Fill 18 cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake at 350 15-20 minutes.

Greek Orzo Salad

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Greek-Orzo-Salad/Detail.aspx

One of the better orzo salads we've had; light and fresh but still full of flavor. Great side dish for potluck or company.

Maryland Crab Soup by Paula Deen

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_30329_PRINT-RECIPE-FULL-PAGE,00.html

LOVE this soup. It is still plenty 'crabby', but such a pleasant departure from a heavier chowder or bisque, like most seafood soups. Made it without the whole crabs and it was still great (though of course it would be even better with them)! I love it so much that I must remember to make some soon...not too affordable with the lump crab meat, though.

Soft lemon drops

http://www.backofthebox.com/recipes/cookies/soft-lemon-drops-g.html

Great cookie/fingercake for a morning tea, that sort of thing. Very yummy.

Beef Stew in a Pumpkin

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24229.asp

We just had this for Halloween dinner. The stew recipe was fine, though nothing above average. But it was visually interesting, seasonal and scraping the cooked pumpkin into the stew is really good. So here's the recipe, mostly for time/temp of baking the pumpking w/ stew inside--use whatever favorite beef soup/stew recipe you like. Apparently this dish is Argentine in origin and they make a stew w/ dried apricots and sweet potatoes as main ingredients. Reuel didn't like the sounds of it, so I went with a 'normal' stew.

Double Chocolate Cheesecake

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Double-Chocolate-Cheesecake-4484

Reuel's birthday cake...excellent! Hint of coffee flavor, very smooth. The water bath is tricky. But even if it leaks a little (mine did) it still is great.

Sticky Apple Cinnamon Rolls

YUM!

http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/yeast-breads/sticky-apple-cinnamon-rolls/