Berry Pie

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash salt
1/3 cup water
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved (or sliced, if large)
1 cup fresh raspberries
3/4 cup fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
Pastry for a double-crust pie (9 inches)

Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom crust; trim pastry even with edge.

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon desired, salt and water; stir until smooth. Add the blueberries and bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Set aside to cool slightly.

Gently fold the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and lemon juice into the blueberry mixture. Pour into pastry; dot with butter. Roll out remaining pastry; make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute edges.

Bake pie at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 8 servings.

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Sweet & Spicy Grilled Chicken

2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

Combine the first five ingredients; rub over chicken. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack.

Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.

To test for doneness, pierce one of the chicken breasts in the thinkest part. If juice runs clear, it is done. If the juice has any pink in it, cook a little longer.

Yield: 6 servings.

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Frito Pie

1 can (15 ounces) chili with or without beans
2 individual packages (1-1/2 ounces each) Fritos corn chips
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups chopped lettuce
1 small tomato, chopped
1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
2 tablespoons sour cream

Heat chili – either on the stove or in the microwave. Divide corn chips between two plates; top with chili. Layer with cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa, olives and sour cream. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings.

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Peach Bread Pudding

9 leftover dinner rolls
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
21 ounce can peach pie filling

Cut rolls into 1/2 inch cubes. Place cubes in a sprayed 8-inch square baking pan.

In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, almond extract and 1 cup peach pie filling. Mix well. Pour over roll cubes. Press down with a spoon to make sure all of the roll cubes are covered with egg mixture; let soak for 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F 30-40 minutes.

Heat remaining pie filling and serve over warm pudding.

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Coconut French Toast

12 eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
14 slices bread
1 package (7 ounces) flaked coconut
Maple syrup

In a large bowl, beat eggs; add milk, sugar and cinnamon. Dip bread in egg mixture until both sides are coated. Coat both sides with coconut. Place on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 475° for 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with syrup. Yield: 7 servings.

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Berry French Toast Casserole

1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cubed
6 egg whites
3 eggs
1-3/4 cups low-fat milk
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (12 ounces) frozen unsweetened mixed berries
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Place bread cubes in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the egg whites, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Thirty minutes before baking, remove the berries from the freezer and set aside, and remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Bake, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, cut butter into brown sugar until crumbly. Sprinkle berries and brown sugar mixture over French toast. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Yield: 8 servings.

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Berry Smoothie

1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 medium ripe banana, sliced and frozen
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately. Yield: 3 servings.

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Chicken Salad with Pasta

1 (12.5 oz) can white chicken, drained and shredded
8 oz. cooked spiral pasta
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cup fresh mixed berries (strawberries, grapes, blueberries, etc.)
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1 cup creamy poppy seed dressing
Fresh spinach leaves
Toasted pecans

Toss first six ingredients together. Serve salad over spinach leaves and garnish with pecans.

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Irish Lamb Chop Stew

8 small lamb chops
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
parsley, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary
1 lb. potatoes (3 to 4 medium)
2 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large leek, sliced thin
12 small white onions
1-1/2 C. diced celery
1-1/2 C. peas
fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Season chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in saucepan wide enough to hold all chops in a single layer. Brown on both sides. Spoon off any melted fat and add enough water to cover chops. Bring to a boil and add parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns, thyme and rosemary enclosed in cheesecloth. Lower heat and simmer. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and shape into bite sized rounds. Chop trimmings from potatoes into small pieces. Add potatoes, trimmings, cabbage, onion, well-rinsed leek, white onions and celery to chops and liquid. Simmer 20 minutes then add peas. Add a little more water if needed during cooking. Simmer 10 minutes more or until potatoes are tender. Add more seasoning, if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Irish Potato Casserole

8 medium Irish or white potatoes, thinly sliced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 onion, sliced
1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 1/2 cups milk

Place half of potatoes in lightly greased 12×8 inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; add half the sliced onions. Combine soup and milk; pour over onion and potatoes. Top with remaining onion and potatoes; cover with remaining soup mixture. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave at high temperature for 20-25 minutes. Rotate dish 1/2 turn after 10 minutes. Let stand, covered, 3-5 minutes.

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