Ingredients 2 smoked ham hocks1 package (16 ounces) dried green split peas4 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices1 medium onion, chopped1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced3 garlic cloves, minced8 cups water1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon pepper Preparation In a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 6-8 hours. Remove meat from bones when cool enough to handle; cut ham into small pieces and return to slow cooker....

Ingredients 2 lb. center-cut salmon fillet 3/4 tsp. salt fresh-ground black pepper 1 bunch watercress 4 tbsp. unsalted butter 3/4 tsp. lemon juice Preparation Step 1In a large pot, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil. Put the fish in a large steamer basket, skin-side down; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pile the watercress on top. Sprinkle with another 1/4 teaspoon salt.Step 2Put the steamer basket with the fish over the boiling water and cover....

Ingredients 3 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb (1/2 inch)1/4 cup sugar3 tablespoons water1 cup strawberry yogurt1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce1/4 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries2 drops red food coloring, optional8 freezer pop molds or 8 paper cups (3 ounces each) and wooden pop sticks Preparation Place rhubarb, sugar and water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thick and blended, 10-15 minutes. Remove 3/4 cup mixture to a bowl; cool completely....

Ingredients 1/2 pound sea scallops1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms1/2 cup chopped green onions1 tablespoon butter1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce with mushroomsHot cooked angel hair pasta Preparation In a large skillet, saute the scallops, mushrooms and onions in butter for 4-6 minutes or until scallops are firm and opaque. Stir in Alfredo sauce. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Serve with pasta.

Ingredients 2-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained1/2 teaspoon salt16 tostada shells2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blendOptional: Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapenos and fresh cilantro Preparation Place chicken in a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle with taco seasoning; top with diced tomatoes and green chiles. Cook, covered, on low until a thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165°, 3-4 hours....

Ingredients 6 bone-in chicken breast halves (12 ounces each), skin removed1 teaspoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt1/4 teaspoon pepper2 tablespoons butter1/4 cup water3 tablespoons lemon juice2 garlic cloves, minced1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules2 teaspoons minced fresh parsleyHot cooked rice Preparation Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine the oregano, seasoned salt and pepper; rub over chicken. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in butter; transfer to a 5-qt....

Ingredients 1 bottle (14 ounces) ketchup1 large onion, chopped3/4 cup packed brown sugar3/4 cup cider vinegar1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices3 bay leaves1 boneless beef chuck roast or rump roast (3 to 4 pounds)4 cups water1-1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (about 30 cookies)2 tablespoons cornstarch1/4 cup cold water Preparation Mix first six ingredients. Place roast in a 5-qt. slow cooker; add water. Pour ketchup mixture over top. Add cookie crumbs. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 6-8 hours....

Ingredients 6 radishes or 24 assorted crackers1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt4 ounces smoked salmon or lox, cut into bite-size pieces3 tablespoons drained capers3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion Preparation Cut each radish crosswise into 4 slices; arrange on a platter. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon yogurt over each slice; top with salmon and remaining yogurt. Sprinkle half of the appetizers with capers; sprinkle remaining appetizers with onion. Refrigerate leftovers.

Ingredients 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained and finely chopped1/3 cup mayonnaiseAssorted crackers Preparation Combine cheese, pimientos and mayonnaise. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with crackers.

Ingredients 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries1-3/4 cups sugar1/2 cup water1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground allspice1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon ground ginger1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Preparation In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until the berries pop and mixture is thickened, about 30 minutes. Cool. Transfer to a serving bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Ingredients 1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed1 tablespoon butter1/8 teaspoon celery seed1/8 teaspoon ground ginger1/8 teaspoon ground mustardDash salt Preparation Place green beans in a steamer basket; place in a small saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. In a large skillet, melt butter. Add the green beans, celery seed, ginger, mustard and salt; heat through.

Ingredients 2 large sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces each)1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground cumin1/4 teaspoon dried thyme1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/8 teaspoon pepper1/4 cup canola oil1 pound ground beef1/4 cup dried minced onion1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt6 slices American cheese12 dinner rolls, split24 pimiento-stuffed olive slices Preparation Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle position. Preheat oven to 400°. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1/4-in. julienne strips. Place in a greased 15x10x1-in....

Ingredients 4 tbsp. olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1 1/2 lb. tomatoes (about 3) 3 sprigs plus 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano 3/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper 1 1/2 lb. sirloin steak Preparation Step 1In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, oregano sprigs or dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper....

Ingredients 6 ounces cream cheese, softened3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 1-inch slices10 large eggs2/3 cup half-and-half cream or heavy whipping cream1 teaspoon vanilla extractSTRAWBERRY SAUCE:4 cups sliced fresh strawberries1/2 cup sugar2 tablespoons waterMaple syrup, optional Preparation In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, strawberries and confectioners’ sugar until blended. Spread about 2 tablespoons on one side of half the bread slices; top with remaining bread....

Ingredients 3 cups uncooked instant brown rice2 teaspoons canola oil6 boneless pork loin chops (6 ounces each)1 small onion, sliced1 cup canned diced tomatoes1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1/8 teaspoon dried basil1/8 teaspoon dried oregano2 tablespoons all-purpose flour1/2 cup water Preparation Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown pork chops on both sides; remove from pan....

Ingredients 1 pound uncooked sweet Italian turkey sausage links, roughly chopped3 medium sweet red peppers, seeded and sliced 1 large onion, halved and sliced1 tablespoon olive oil6 hot dog buns, split6 slices provolone cheese Preparation Preheat oven to 375°. Place sausage pieces in a 15x10x1-in. sheet pan, arranging peppers and onion around sausage. Drizzle olive oil over sausage and vegetables; bake, stirring mixture after 15 minutes, until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, 30-35 minutes....

Ingredients 2 cups water16 sea scallops (about 2 pounds)1 teaspoon salt1-1/2 cups thinly sliced fresh mushrooms2 shallots, finely chopped1/4 cup butter, cubedSAUCE:2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons all-purpose flour3/4 cup 2% milk2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese2 tablespoons sherry1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon lemon juice1/4 teaspoon pepper1/8 teaspoon grated lemon zest8 scallop shells1/3 cup dry bread crumbs2 tablespoons butter, melted Preparation Place water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add scallops and poach, uncovered, 6 minutes or until firm and opaque....

Ingredients 1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened1/3 cup mayonnaise2 teaspoons sugar1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper3 cans (6 ounces each) lump crabmeat, drained1/2 pound frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed12 green onions, finely chopped Preparation Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper and cayenne....

Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil1 large onion, thinly sliced1 tablespoon ground cinnamon1 tablespoon paprika2 teaspoons ground cumin2 garlic cloves, minced1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper1 can (14-1/2 ounces) whole plum tomatoes, undrained1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1 loaf (1 pound) frozen pizza dough, thawed6 large eggs1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese Preparation Preheat oven to 400°. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 4-5 minutes....

Ingredients 2 medium eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 medium onion, chopped1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained12 garlic cloves, sliced1/2 cup dry red wine3 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons red wine vinegar4 teaspoons capers, undrained5 bay leaves1-1/2 teaspoons salt1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepperFrench bread baguette slices, toastedOptional: Fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts and additional olive oil Preparation Place first 11 ingredients in a 6-qt. slow cooker (do not stir). Cook, covered, on high for 3 hours....