SALMON APPETIZER

TUNA SALAD - APPETIZER PLATTER

CHICKEN MUSHROOM CROISSANT CASSEROLE

HAM ROLLS

INGREDIENTS:
sliced cooked ham,
cheese spread (cream cheese, feta cheese, butter and chopped onion)
Swiss cheese,
red, yellow and orange chopped bell peppers

FRUIT ALMOND CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
1 box white cake mix,
3 eggs,
1/2 cup vegetable oil,
3/4 cup water,
1 teaspoon almond extract,
1/2 teaspoon rum extract,
1 teaspoon orange zest,
2 cups mix dried fruits (apples,dates,papaya,raisins, golden raisins) and sliced almonds,
1 tablespoon powder sugar for dusting;
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly butter and flour the baking dish, set aside. In a mixing bowl beat cake mix, eggs, oil and water; add vanilla, rum, orange zest and dried fruits + almonds. Mix well. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. (normally is for 30 to 35 minutes but additional 10 minutes will give the cake a better look and texture...)

Let cool, dust with powder sugar, slice and serve!
Enjoy!

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHIPS BUNDT CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
1 box yellow cake mix,
3 eggs,
1/2 cup vegetable oil,
1/2 cup water,
1/4 cup orange juice,
1 tablespoon orange zest,
1/2 teaspoon rum extract,
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract,
1/2 cup chocolate chips,
1/3 cup white chocolate melts (optional);
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter (or spray) and flour the bundt dish , set aside. In a mixing bowl beat cake mix, eggs, water, oil, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla and rum; add chocolate chips and mix well with a spoon. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30, 35 minutes or until golden brown. For decoration, use chocolate melts or powder sugar.

CRISPY MUSHROOM AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN LEGS

CHICKEN WITH PASTA AND TOMATO SAUCE

CHICKEN WITH RICE AND VEGETABLES

CHOCOLATE CANDY - GIFT BOX

INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup butter,
1/3 cup powder sugar,
2 tablespoons golden raisins,
2 tablespoons chopped dates,
2 tablespoons pine nuts,
2 tablespoons chopped candied papaya,
2 tablespoons slivered almonds,
2 tablespoons cookie crumbs,
2 tablespoons heavy cream,
6 oz. milk chocolate,
1 oz. lavender chocolate melts;
1 teaspoon rum extract,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract:
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the butter in a small pan and heat gently until melted. Add the sugar, stir until dissolved, then bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the golden raisins, dates, pine nuts, papaya, almonds and cookie crumbs. Mix well, then add the cream, vanilla and rum extract.
2.Place one spoon of the mixture onto a baking sheets or any flat surface; makes about 1.1/2 dz; refrigerate until firm.
3.Melt the chocolate; spread 1 teaspoon of chocolate onto parchment paper 1 inch apart; place the fruit and nut cookie flat side down on the chocolate; spread 1/2 spoon melted chocolate on top; garnish with a big golden raisin.
4.Melt lavender chocolate in a sandwich bag; snip of one corner and decorate the candies.
5.Refrigerate until firm and until serve.
(p.s. I made this "Gift Box" as a present for one of my friend's birthday party)

CHICKEN FAJITA IN TACO SHELL

I really wanted to make some burritos and I end up making these yummy tacos. The ingredients are:
2 cooked and chopped chicken breast,(2 halves)
1 medium sliced onion,
1 sliced red bell pepper,
1 sliced green bell pepper,
2 minced garlic gloves,
1/2 teaspoon red crushed pepper,
1 teaspoon taco seasoning,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1 tablespoon olive oil,
1 cup sour cream,
taco shells;
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil; stir fry onion, garlic and peppers for 2 minutes on high heat; add seasonings (taco seasoning, salt and crushed pepper) stir in chicken and cook for additional 2 minutes; turn of heat. Spoon chicken mixture into taco shells and top with sour cream; serve warm!

GREAT GRAPE PIE

INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs,
1 cup sugar,
1 cup flour,
1 cup sour cream,
2 cups seedless grapes,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel,
1/3 teaspoon salt,
1 teaspoon baking powder,
1 tablespoon butter;
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375F. Butter baking dish (9 in. round ) and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using electric mixer,beat eggs on high speed for 1, 2 minutes; add sugar, vanilla, baking powder, lemon peel, salt and sour cream; beat on medium speed for 1,2 minutes.
Add flour and mix until well incorporate. Stir in grapes using a spatula. Pour the mixture into the butter prepared dish and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until nice and golden brown. Let cool before removing from pan and before slicing it. Dust with powder sugar.
(p.s. this is my own recipe that I just came up with today and I LOVE IT!!!)

DILL BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Recipe from Kevin at Closet Cooking
Thank you Kevin!

Dill Buttermilk Biscuits

(makes about 8 biscuits)

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter (frozen, grated)
3 tablespoons dill (chopped)
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Directions:
1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
2. Mix in the butter and toss until coated in flour.
3. Add the dill and just enough buttermilk to form a sticky dough.
4. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and form a disc about 1 inch thick.
5. Cut the biscuits out of the dough and place on a baking sheet.
6. Brush the melted butter on top of the biscuits.
7. Bake in a preheated 425F oven until golden brown, about 18-20 minutes.
p.s. I just add some mozzarella cheese on top before baking!

LIME MOUSSE VANILLA CUPCAKES