New England Clam Chowder

4 6.5oz cans chopped clams
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped potatoes
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups milk
2 cups light cream
3 to 4 tbsp cornstarch

1. Drain clams, reserving the juice. In a large stockpot, saute the onion in olive oil until golden brown. Add the reserved clam juice, potatoes, bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and pepper. Bring mixture to boiling and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

2. Using a spatula, mash the potatoes against the side of the pan until slightly mashed. Combine the milk, cream and cornstarch in a separate container until well blended. Add the potato mixture and stir until bubbly and thickened. Add the clams and cook until heated through.

Serves 8 to 12.

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Shepherd's Pie

3 lbs potatoes 

1.5 pounds ground beef 

1 can of corn, drained 

1 can of green beans, drained

1 jar of beef gravy 

shredded cheddar

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. Peel potatoes and cut into chunks. Boil 15-20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain. Add 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of margarine or butter, salt and pepper to taste, and mash thoroughly. Set aside. 

3. Cook ground beef in skillet breaking into small pieces until cooked thoroughly. Drain. Pour in gravy with ground beef and stir over heat until warmed through. 

4. Spread ground beef mixture into the bottom of a baking dish. Top with corn and green beans, spread evenly over ground beef. Top with mashed potatoes, making sure vegetables are completely covered. 

5. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown. 

6. Top with shredded cheddar and return to oven until melted.

Serves 4-6.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch (or 1-1/2-inch) balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes (10 to 12 minutes for 1-1/2-inch balls) or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. After 1 minute, remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Makes about 3-4 dozen cookies, depending on size.

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Tuna Cakes

2 cans (6oz each) light tuna in water, drained, flaked
1 pkg (6oz) Stove Top Stuffing for Chicken
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup mayo
2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
3/4 cup water

1. Mix tuna, stuffing mix, cheese, carrots, mayo, relish and water in a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Scoop tuna mixture, using about 1/3 cup for each cake. Gently flatten cakes using a spatula. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides, turning cakes over carefully.

Serves 6 (2 cakes each).

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Tilapia with Lemon-Butter Wine Sauce

4 teaspoons of flour, divided
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
5-6 sprigs fresh Italian parsley
1 lemon
1 1/2 pounds tilapia fillets
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1/4 cup white wine

1. Place 3 teaspoons of flour & the seasoned salt into a large zip-top plastic bag; shake to mix & set aside. Chop parsley coarsely, leaves only. Slice the lemon in half & set both halves aside.

2. Check fish for bones by pressing on the fillets with fingertips & remove. Add fish to zip-top bag; seal tightly & shake to coat. Preheat a large saute pan on medium-high heat 2-3 minutes.

3. Place 1 tablespoon butter in pan & swirl to coat. Add fish & cook 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter to center of pan. Turn fillets, using spatula, distributing butter under each fillet. Cook 3 more minutes until fish is golden & flakes easily. Place fish on serving plates.

4. Place remaining 1 tablespoon butter & 1 teaspoon flour, the wine & squeeze the juice from the lemons into the saute pan. Heat 1-2 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir parsley into sauce & serve over fish.

Serves 4.

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