The October 2007 Cook-Off was a big success!

Recipes:


Mexican Caviar by Maureen Williams

1 can black beans
1 can black eyed peas
1 can shoepeg (white) corn

Rinse and drain the above ingredients and put in large bowl. Add the
following ingredients and set aside:
1 med red onion chopped
1 jar pimentos, drained
2 - 6 rings of jarred jalepenos chopped (I usually use four)
1 cup chopped celery

In a small saucepan, mix the following:

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar

Warm the above ingredients until the sugar dissolves.

Pour the sugar mixture over the bean mixture and chill for 2 or more hours
in the refridgerator.
Drain the excess liquid before serving.
Serve with Fritos Scoops or Tostitos Scoops.


Apple Cider Cake by Sara Scotto


1 package spice cake mix
1 1/4 cups apple cider
1/3 c vegetable oil
3 eggs


Apple Cider Filling (recipe follows)
Apple Cider Frosting (recipe follows)


2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts


1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans


2. Combine cake mix, apple cider, oil and eggs in medium bowl. Beat at low speed until blended; beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Pour evenly into the two prepared pans.


3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until wooden toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove to rack and let cool completely.


4. Prepare filling and frosting. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Top with filling, then top with second cake layer. Frost top and side of cake with frosting. Press nuts onto side of cake.


Apple Cider Filling


1/3 c sugar
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
2/3 c apple cider
1/2 c apple butter
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine


Combine sugar and cornstarch in small saucepan. Stir in apple cider and apple butter; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and butter, cool completely. (makes about 1 1/4 cups)


Apple cider frosting


1/2 c butter or margarin, softened
1/4 c apple cider
4 cups (about one pound) confectioners' sugar


In medium bowl, beat butter and cider until creamy and well blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. (makes about 4 cups)

Butternut Bisque by Karen Godard

1 large butternut squash
2 cans of chicken broth
1/2 pint of light cream
sea salt
ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400 and roast the butternut squash cut lengthwise with seeds removed for 35 min. or until tender when pierced with a fork. Once cool, scoop out the flesh of the squash, put into a blender or food processor and pour in 2 cans of chicken broth and 1 cup of light cream; add sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Reheat and serve.

Blondies by Karen Godard

1 stick of unsalted butter melted and cooled
1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 and brush an 8-inch square baking pan with butter, line pan with a piece of parchment paper, leaving a 2 inch overhang. Butter paper.

In a large bowl, whisk butter and,sugars until smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Add flour and salt, mix until just moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup each of chocolate chips and walnuts. Spoon batter into prepared pan, then sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and walnuts on top. Bake until top is golden and toothpick comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into squares.


favorites from our March 2006 Cook-Off

Cheesy Bacon Tomatoes by Cori Griswold

INGREDIENTS:
20-30 cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 TB. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 TB. snipped parsley (or 1TB dried)
1/3 cup green onions, finely chopped
16-oz. pkg. bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

PREPARATION:
Cut the top off each cherry tomatoes, and using a melon baller or a sharp knife, carefully scoop out the seeds and pulp. Place each tomato upside down on paper towel to drain. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Stuff each cherry tomato with the bacon mixture. Chill in fridge for at least 2 hours to blend flavors. Enjoy.

Heavenly Swirl Cheesecake by Doreen McWhirter

6 honey graham crackers, crushed or use pre-boxed crumbs (about 1 cup of crumbs)
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil. Leave extra foil on all sides so that you can make "handles" to pull the dessert out of the pan when cooked.
Mix cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and the butter; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake 10 minute.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
Add sour cream; mix well.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.
Pour over crust.
Microwave jam in a microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec.
Gently drop small spoonfuls of jam over batter; cut through batter several times with knife for swirl effect.
Bake 40 minute or until center is almost set.
Cool completely.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Lift cheesecake from pan using foil handles.
Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

4 B's Restaurant Tomato Soup by Regina Jahrstorfer

Ingredients:
32 ounces Canned diced tomatoes
9 ounces Chicken broth
1 ounce Butter
2 tablespoons Sugar
1 tablespoon Chopped onion
1 pinch Baking soda
2 cups Cream


Directions:

Mix together every thing but cream, and simmer 1 hour. Heat cream in double boiler, add cream to hot tomato mixture

4 B's Restaurant is in Havre Montana.