Chocolate Mousse

1 1/2 cup cold skim milk
1 4 oz. pkg chocolate pudding mix
2 cup thawed Cool Whip topping
Chill mixing bowl for 20 minutes. Beat together cold milk and pudding mix in chilled bowl with wire whisk until mixture thickens. Stir in thawed whipped topping.
Whip until mixture is blended and turns to a light brown color.
Refrigerate until [...]

Low Fat Black Bean Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1-2 cloves garlic minced
2-4 Tbsp cilantro (1/4 cup)
juice of one lemon
salt and pepper to taste
dash of tabasco sauce
2 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp fresh parsely
Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse til smooth (does not have to be completely smooth)
*Vary tabasco and/or garlic for [...]

Minestrone Soup

1 pound sausage
1 onion chopped
2 carrots sliced
2 stalks of celery chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1  28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2  8oz. can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 quart water
 
Cook sausage and drain.   All the above together with sausage and simmer two to three hours. 
1  16oz.  garbanzo [...]

Chicken in Tarragon Cream Sauce with Rice and Walnuts

1 package white and wild rice (Uncle Ben’s) cooked to package directions
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
salt and pepper
4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried tarragon
1/2 cup heavy cream, half-and-half or sour cream
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
Preheat oil in skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken [...]

Chili Biscuits

2 cup  flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup  milk
1 can or 1 1/2 cups leftover chili
In a medium bowl, stir flour, baking powder and salt.  Cut in shortening till mixture is coarse crumbs.  Add milk all at once and stir until moistened.  Divide the dough between 12 ungreased muffin cups.  Push dough [...]

Baked Bean Bread

2 C sugar
1/2 C oil (or 1/4 oil and 1/4 applesauce)
3 egg whites
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 can pork and beans mashed in blender until smooth
2 C flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Heat oven to 325 and grease 2 loaf pans (or muffin tins)
Mix sugar, oil, eggs, egg whites, bean and [...]

Kumquat Refrigerator Pie

From the Kumquatgrowers at www.kumquatgrowers.com
1 baked pie crust, 9 “
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping
2/3 cup pureed Kumquats
1 can condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
Beat condensed milk and whipped topping. Add lemon juice and beat until thickened. Add pureed kumquats, pour in pie shell and chill in refrigerator for several hours.

Kumquat Puree Preparation
Wash fruit, [...]

Star Fruit Chicken Rice

2 Tbsps olive oil
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
2 tsp garlic, crushed
6 medium star fruit
1 cup heavy cream (OR 1/4 cup heavy cream and 3/4 skim milk!)
Minced cilantro for garnish
4 cups brown rice, cooked 
4 pounds chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
salt, pepper and paprika to taste
In a medium pan, heat olive oil.
Sauté [...]

Five a Day Fruit Salad

Five a Day Fruit Salad 
1 large orange, peeled and sectioned
1 pear, cubed
2 bananas, sliced
1 cup grapes
1/2 cup prunes, sliced
1/3 cup toasted walnuts
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Combine yogurt and spices.  Toss with fruit and stir in walnuts.

Holiday Fudge

If you didn’t know better, you’d think all I do is talk about food!  Here’s the “secret ingredient fudge” recipe from Food for Thought
1 12oz. can evaporated milk
2 sticks of butter
3 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 7oz. jar marshmallow creme
1/2 pkg. (6oz.) chocolate chips semi sweet chocolate chips (or milk, or mint!)
1 large (6oz.) Symphony bar [...]