Caramel Fondue recipe

Take a leap back to your childhood with this homemade caramel fondue. Served with skewered marshmallows, it's a first-rate camping trip brought indoors.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon rum
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup milk, warmed
¼ cup boiling water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh apples, for serving
Marshmallows, for serving

Directions:
Place sugar in a small pan; heat over medium until sugar melts and liquefies, stirring. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and rum. Set aside.
Combine egg yolks, milk, and reserved rum mixture in a double boiler over hot water; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Combine melted sugar and boiling water in a small pot; immediately add to warm milk mixture; continue stirring over low heat 20 minutes, until caramel has melted.
Remove from double boiler; stir in vanilla and transfer to a fondue pot.

Serve with apples or marshmallows on spears

Basic Fondue

Ingredients
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix together milk, Worcestershire sauce, ground dry mustard, garlic and flour. Heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir in Cheddar cheese. Continue heating until all the cheese has melted. Keep the mixture warm and melted in a fondue dish.

Bread Bowl Fondue

Bread Bowl Fondue
Ingredients
1 (1 pound) loaf round bread
8 ounces process cheese (eg. Velveeta), cubed
2 cups sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup diced fully cooked ham
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Assorted fresh vegetables

Directions
1.Cut the top fourth off the loaf of bread; set top aside. Carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Cube removed bread; set aside.

2.In a bowl, combine the process cheese, sour cream and cream cheese. Stir in the ham, green onions, chilies and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon into bread shell; replace top. Wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes or until the filling is heated through.

3.Meanwhile, toss reserved bread cubes with oil and butter. Place in a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Unwrap loaf and remove bread top; stir filling. Serve with vegetables and toasted bread cubes.

Beef Fondue with Sauces

CURRY SAUCE:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
MUSTARD SAUCE:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
ONION-HORSERADISH SAUCE:
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons water
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
FONDUE:
1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3 cups vegetable oil
Directions
1.In three separate bowls, combine the curry sauce, mustard sauce and onion-horseradish sauce ingredients. Pat meat dry with paper towels. Heat oil in a fondue pot to 375 degrees F. Use fondue forks to cook meat in oil until it reaches desired doneness. Serve with sauces.

BBQ Wings

Ingredients

8 chicken wings
pinch smoked paprika, or you could use ordinary paprika
4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
4 tablespoons plum sauce
4 tablespoons tomato ketchup
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions

Remove the wing tips and discard, then cut the wings in half at the joint. Season with salt and pepper and smoked paprika. Oil the rack of the barbecue. Barbecue the chicken wings skin side down for 8 to 10 minutes, turn and barbecue for 5 to 6 minutes until cooked through. Meanwhile, combine the hoisin and plum sauces with the tomato ketchup to make a sticky sauce. Brush the wings with the sauce, then barbecue for 1 minute. Brush again, turn and cook for another minute. Brush again, turn and cook for a further minute. Repeat this process. Cool slightly before serving.

Sizzled Citrus Shrimp

Ingredients
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic , minced
1 pound medium shrimp (30-40 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt , or to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


Directions
Combine lemon juice, wine, 2 teaspoons oil and garlic in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, tossing occasionally. Drain well, reserving marinade.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook, turning once, until barely pink, about 30 seconds per side; transfer to a plate. Add bay leaf, crushed red pepper and the reserved marinade to the pan; simmer for 4 minutes. Return the shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan; heat through. Season with salt, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Lemony Green Beans

Ingredients

1 pound green beans
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
Zest of 2 large lemons (yellow part only)
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional)
1/3 cup lightly packed grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions

For crunchy green beans, blanch them in boiling salted water for 1 minute. For softer beans, aim for 5 minutes. Either way, drain them, plunge them into ice water, and drain again thoroughly. Transfer them to a bowl.

In a small skillet over low heat, sauté the garlic in the olive oil just until fragrant, about 1 minute (do not let it brown). Pour the mixture over the green beans and add the lemon zest, parsley, cheese, and salt and pepper, tossing everything together. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Pork Kabobs

Ingredients

2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice , (about 1 medium orange)
3 garlic cloves,, smashed
2 tablespoons olive oil, (extra virgin)

1 green apple, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
bamboo or metal skewers
1 pinch salt and pepper

Directions

Measure vinegar, brown sugar, orange juice, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper into a large zip-top bag. Seal and shake to combine.
Cut pork chops into 1 1/2 inch cubes and add to the bag, seal and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to one day.
Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes.
Remove pork from the marinade, and place the marinade, minus the garlic, in a small saucepan. Heat the marinade to boiling and boil until slightly thickened and reduced by half, about 5-7 minutes. Reserve.
Skewer the pork, along with the apples and onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Heat a grill pan (or your broiler) to medium high.
Drizzle pan with a little oil to keep the skewers from sticking.
Place the skewers on the pan and grill for 4 minutes.
Turn them a quarter of the way around and grill another 4 minutes.
Finish grilling the remaining two sides for 4 minutes each, grilling the skewers for a total of 16 minutes. If using your broiler, broil for about 10 minutes total, flipping once.
Do not overcook the pork, or it will become tough.

Margarita Chicken

Ingredients
zest from one lime
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons tequila, optional
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 teaspoon chile powder
pinch salt and pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, 6-8
Directions
Place all ingredients, except for the chicken, in a gallon-sized zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight. Coat grill pan (or grill) with cooking spray. Heat pan (or grill) to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately.

Homemade Root Beer

Ingredients

6 cups white sugar
3 1/3 gallons cold water
1 (2 ounce) bottle root beer extract
4 pounds dry ice

Directions

In a large cooler, mix together the sugar and water, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Stir in the root beer extract. Carefully place the dry ice into the cooler, and cover loosely with the lid. Do not secure the lid, as pressure may build up.

Let the mixture brew for about an hour before serving. Leftover root beer can be stored in one gallon milk jugs.

Serves 64

Here is another recipe from my sister-in-law!

Macaroni & Chick Pea Salad

Ingredients
Dressing:
1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Salad:
8 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni
2/3 cup fresh green peas
2/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 lower-sodium bacon slices or turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled



Directions
To prepare dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. Cover and chill.

To prepare salad, cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; add peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain; rinse with cold water. Drain. Combine the dressing, pasta and the remaining salad ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Chicken Stuffed with Golden Onions & Fontina

Ingredients
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary , divided
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2/3 cup shredded fontina cheese , preferably aged
(I think I will use mozzarella cheese)4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), trimmed of fat
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour


Recipe Directions
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon rosemary; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool; stir in fontina.
Meanwhile, cut a horizontal slit along the thin, long edge of each chicken breast half, nearly through to the opposite side. Stuff each breast with 1/4 cup of the onion-cheese mixture.
Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Add wine and the remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Whisk broth and flour in a bowl until smooth; add to the pan, reduce heat to low and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and coat with the sauce. Cook, covered, until the chicken is just cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce.

Wok-Seared Chicken Tenders with Asparagus & Pistachios

Ingredients
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus , tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound chicken tenders (see Ingredient Note), cut into bite-size pieces
4 scallions , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon oyster-flavored sauce
1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce (see Ingredient Note)
1/4 cup shelled salted pistachios , coarsely chopped

Directions
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add asparagus; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add chicken; cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Stir in scallions, ginger, oyster sauce and chile-garlic sauce; cook, stirring, until the chicken is juicy and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in pistachios and serve immediately.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients1
(8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 3/4 cups water, divided
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 drops orange food color
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
2 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions

1.In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and orange food coloring. Heat to boiling. Turn off heat. Combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water; slowly stir into saucepan. Continue stirring until mixture thickens.

2.Combine flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, white pepper, and egg. Add 1 1/2 cups water gradually to make a thick batter. Stir to blend thoroughly. Add chicken pieces, and stir until chicken is well coated.

3.Heat oil in skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in hot oil 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels.

4.When ready to serve, layer green peppers, pineapple chunks, and cooked chicken pieces on a platter. Pour hot sweet and sour sauce over top.

Strawberry and Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients

2 slices fresh pineapple, each 1/2 inch thick, patted dry
1 cup whole strawberries (about 5 ounces), diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 medium lemon


Try over Chicken!!