Appetizing Recipes

Tangy Honey Glazed Ham

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
• 1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 large orange, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan.
2. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Bake ham in preheated oven uncovered for 2 hours. Remove ham from oven, and brush with glaze. Bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, brushing ham with glaze every 10 minutes.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Ricotta Cheese

INGREDIENTS

• 3 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Pierce potatoes with a fork and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and cool until potatoes can be handled, about 20 minutes.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet.
3. Meanwhile, place olive oil in small skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook and stir until softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
4. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out pulp, leaving a thin shell. Set shells aside. Place pulp into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add ricotta, salt, pepper, ginger, and sugar to the blender; blend until smooth.
5. Return potato mixture to a bowl; stir in shallots, Parmesan cheese, and sage. Spoon mixture back into potato skins. Place potatoes on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.

Tasty Green Bean Casserole

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen whole green beans, thawed
• 4 slices bacon
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup canned French fried onions

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Fry bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan, and place over medium heat. Add the onions and bell pepper; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the wine, scraping all of the bits of bacon from the bottom of the pan.
3. Mix in the butter, milk, soup, and soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the green beans and bacon until evenly coated. Fold in cheese, then transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with French fried onions.
4. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until heated through, and sauce is bubbly.

White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.