The Country Cook

This chickpea salad is delicious served warm or cold, and is so simple to make.

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Ingredients

* 2 19oz cans of chickpeas (rinsed well)
* 1 tbs sesame oil
* 1 bunch chopped scallions (green onions)
* 1 tbs shredded fresh Ginger
* 1 large orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped
* 1 small can mandarin orange segments (drained )
* 2 tbsp light soy sauce
* 2 tbsp rice or white wine vinegar
* 2-3 garlic cloves
* ½ cup sliced toasted almonds or walnuts
* fresh coriander

Method

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan and cook garlic and ginger for approx. 2 minutes.
2. Add peppers and chickpeas and cook until peppers begin to brown.
3. Transfer to a large bowl and add nuts and orange segments.
4. Pour soy sauce and vinegar over the mixture until completely coated.
5. Sprinkle with chopped coriander and scallions.

Note: The chickpeas in this recipe can be substituted with any bean you prefer.

Check Out These Vegetarian Recipes…

Simple and delicious, this is a great dessert after a hot summertime meal.

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Ingredients

• ½ cup Mandarin orange segments, chopped
• 4 oz softened Cream Cheese
• 3-4 tbsp Orange liqueur
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract

Method

• Cream the cheese, sugar, liqueur and vanilla until smooth with an electric mixer
• Stir in Mandarin pieces
• Serve on a platter of mixed fresh fruit pieces

Note: This dip is best served at room temperature. If it is to be served with fruits such as apples or bananas, cut them just before serving so that they don`t turn brown.

Put Some Vitamin C Into Your Recipes…

You will not find a Mac and Cheese like this in a little blue box. The Asiago in this recipe makes it especially rich and tasty.

Ingredients

* 1 lb Penne pasta (or similar)
* 2 tbsp Butter or Margarine
* 1 1/2 tbsp Flour
* 1 cup Water
* 1 cup Milk ( you can use 2 cups of milk instead of using water)
* 3/4 cup Asiago cheese
* 2/3 cup Sharp White Cheddar cheese
* 1 cup Grated Mozzarella cheese
* 1/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
* 1/3 cup White Wine (optional)
* 1/4 - 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
* 1/8 tsp Nutmeg

Method

1. Boil Penne until just tender (not too soft as you will be baking it)
2. Melt butter over medium heat; add flour and stir aprox. 1 minute
3. Add milk and water slowly, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes
4. Stir in Asiago, cheddar and mozzarella a little at a time
5. Stir until melted
6. Turn off heat and add the wine, cayenne and nutmeg
7. Combine the cooked pasta and sauce and pour into a casserole dish
8. Mix the bread crumbs and Romano/ Parmesan cheese together and sprinkle over top
9. Cover and bake in a preheated 350* oven for 20 minutes
10. Remove cover and bake  for an additional 5-10 minutes or until bubbly and brown

More Mac and Cheese Recipes…

I have always said that I don`t cook…I CREATE, and someone finally agreed with me.

Jewels at Creative Corner  just awarded me with  The Creative Corner Award for Blogs with a Creative Side. What an honor for my new blog to be recognized in such a nice way. 

Here are the RULES!

1. If you receive the award from me, know that this is truly based on my opinion only and I am just a fellow blogger. Take it as a compliment from me that I feel your blog is worth reading. Keep up the good work!  2. To except the award, please pass this award on to those blogs you feel deserve it. Give them the uplift to keep writing. You can give out 1 award or 20, the number is up to you.  3. Post the rules on your blog, as well as what the “Creative Corner Award”  so viewers will understand what they are viewing. 4. If you can upload the image, do and post it to every blogger you give the award too. 5. Enjoy, have fun, and keep this going.

 I would like to pass the award on to  Ask Ms Recipe because I truly enjoy her blog.  Thanks again to Jewels

As most of you already know, those of us with Today.com blogs must remove our Entrecard widgets from our blogs.

I must admit that when I first read the announcement, I was a little ticked off. My blog was mistakenly deleted when it was only 3 days old, and I had just won a two week battle with Entrecard to have it put back on. My traffic soared after I was reinstated.

However, I have decided to take the advise of the good folks at Today, and look at the removal of EC in a positive light, and find alternate ways to gain readers. The first approach I decided to take was a blog exchange.

If anyone is interested in exchanging links, just leave your Blog Name and URL and I`ll be glad to add you to my list, if you are willing to reciprocate.

Happy Blogging

The Country Cook