Chicken Cobbler Casserole

• 6 tablespoons melted butter, divided
• 4 cups cubed sourdough rolls
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 medium-size sweet onions, sliced 
• 1 (8-ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms 
• 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup drained and chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken

Preparation

1. Toss 4 tablespoons melted butter with next 3 ingredients; set aside.
2. Sauté onions in remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat 15 minutes or until golden brown. Add mushrooms, and sauté 5 minutes.
3. Stir in wine and next 3 ingredients; cook, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until bubbly. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 9-inch square baking dish; top evenly with bread mixture.
4. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Spicy Black Bean Soup

• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3-1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1/3 cup sherry or additional vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

• In a Dutch oven, saute onion and peppers in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.
• Stir in the beans, broth, tomatoes and chopped green chilies. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Add sherry and cilantro; cook 5 minutes longer.
• Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Place half of soup in a blender; cover and process until pureed. Return to the pan and heat through. Top each serving with 2 teaspoons sour cream and 1 teaspoon cheese. Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup each).
•  Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Jalapeno Popper Spread

Ingredients

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup canned chopped green chilies
• 1/4 cup canned diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
• Sweet red and yellow pepper pieces and corn chips

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the first five ingredients until blended; spread into an ungreased 9-in. pie plate. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; top with bread crumbs. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with peppers and chips. Yield: 16 servings.

Glazed Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• GLAZE:
• 1-1/4 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, oats, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 325° for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned.
• For glaze, in a microwave, melt chips and peanut butter; stir until smooth. Pour over warm bars; spread evenly. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Yield: 4 dozen.

Cowboy Calico Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean) (or ground turkey)
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 can (16 ounces) butter beans, drained
• 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) pork and beans
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) lima beans, rinsed and drained

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
• Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine the brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar and mustard; add to meat mixture. Stir in the beans. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through. Yield: 8 servings.

Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2-1/3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ICING:
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition (batter will be thick).
• Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For icing, in a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; cool for 5-10 minutes. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

• 3 eggs
• 1c. canola oil (or half applesauce, half oil)
• 3t. vanilla
• 2c. sugar
• 2c. zucchini, grated
• 1t. lemon zest
• 3c. flour
• 1t. salt
• 1t. baking powder
• 1/4t. baking soda
• 1t. cinnamon
• 2c. fresh blueberries
For Crumble Topping:
• 1/3c. flour
• 1/3c. sugar
• 1/4c. butter, softened
• dash of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease muffin tins.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, sugar, zucchini and lemon zest until well combined. Mix in dry ingredients until incorporated. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into prepared muffin tins (I used a 1/4 measuring cup for this and filled the cups almost completely full to get the oversized muffin effect).
3. In another smaller bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter together using your fingers or a pastry blender until it is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the tops of each muffin.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until muffins are golden and baked through. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.