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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…

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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…

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…

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

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Preparation

• Martini glasses
• Small plastic skewers
• Dessert spoons

Ingredients

• One pkg of your favorite Jello Jelly powder. (Lighter colors work best)
• 1 1/4 cups champagne or sparkling wine
• 3/4 cups boiling water
• Fruit of your choice

Method

1. Completely dissolve Jello powder in 3/4 cup boiling water
2. Gently stir in 1 1/4 cups champagne or sparkling wine. .
3. Refrigerate until Jello begins to set. .
4. Place skewers of fruit onto one side of the glasses and refrigerate until Jello is completely set

Suggestions

• Lemon Jello with Blueberry skewers
• Peach Jello with Mixed Mellon skewers
• Orange Jello with Raspberry skewers
• Cherry Jello with Cherry or Pineapple skewers

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Ingredients

* 6 large multi- colored Heirloom tomatoes
* 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1/8 cup chopped fresh Oregano
* 3 tbsp grated fresh garlic
* 10-20 shrimp, depending on size (peeled and de veined)
* 2 tbsp white wine
* 6 oz Mozzarella or Provolone cheese, cubed
* Course salt and fresh cracked black pepper
* 1/4 cup shredded fresh Basil

Method

1. Cook pasta in salted water, drain and set aside. .
2. In a large bowl combine tomatoes, cheese, olive oil, oregano and salt and pepper
3. In a skillet heat a little oil and cook garlic and shrimp until shrimp turn pink. .
4. Add wine and stir for one minute. .
5. Dump over tomato mixture and stir
6. Put warm pasta into tomato mixture and mix thoroughly. .
7. Serve garnished with shredded Basil leaves.

Since starting The Country Cook though, I have had a constant string of technical problems, and have been at times unable to respond to your comments as I should have. As a matter of fact, almost all of the posting and EC drops have been done for me by family members.

As of today however, after almost a month of computer crashes, viruses and countless other obstacles, I believe that I have all of the bugs worked out.  I look forward to sharing with you as well as getting feedback from you. Thank you all again for stopping by The Country Cook.

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Crust

* store bought pizza dough
* olive oil and crushed garlic mixture

Sauce

* one 8 oz can of tomato sauce
* ½ tsp oregano
* ½ tsp basil
* ½ tsp garlic powder
* ¼ to ½ tsp chipotle chili paste
* ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Toppings

* chopped smoked ham
* chopped bacon
* sliced chorizo sausage
* sliced fresh mushrooms
* thinly sliced red onion
* grated smoked mozzarella
* grated Monterrey Jack

Method

* Roll out dough to the size you want
* Brush on olive oil and crushed garlic mixture
* Flip dough onto a pizza pan so that the oiled side is down
* Brush top side with oil and garlic mix and allow to sit for 1 hour
* Spread pizza sauce onto dough (don’t over do it)
* Spread ½ half of cheese
* Evenly distribute meats, onions and mushrooms
* Spread remaining cheese
* Bake in a very hot oven 475-500 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

Tin Foil: Crumple a piece of tin foil and use it to shine bicycle rims

Berry Baskets: Use berry baskets to foil rodents in the garden. Set the basket at the right depth in your garden, place bulb(s) inside and cover with dirt. More…