ORANGE-CARAMEL ICE CREAM SAUCE

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp orange extract
butter pecan ice cream
orange spirals, optional

in a saucepan, cook & stir brown sugar & cream over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes or until mixture is reduced by half. remove from heat. stir in milk & orange extract. cover & refrigerate. just before serving, warm over low heat. serve over ice cream. garnish with orange spirals if desired.

makes 1 1/3 cups

CHOCOLATE DESSERT CUPS

6 squares (1 oz each) semisweet chocolate
1 tsp shortening

cut out four 6" circles from waxed paper; place on a baking sheet. in a microwave, melt chocolate & shortening; stir until smooth. pour 2 tbs melted chocolate into the center of each circle; spread chocolate to within 1" of edge. refrigerate for 3-4 minutes or until chocolate does not spread when handled.

drape circles, waxed paper side down, over inverted 6 oz custard cups or small bowls. shape edges if desired. chill for 10 minutes. carefully peel waxed paper from chocolate cups.

4 servings

VEGGIE SAUSAGE STRATA

2 lbs bulk italian sausage
2 med green peppers, coarsely chopped
1 med onion, chopped
8 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp salt
2 tsp white pepper
2 tsp ground mustard
12 slices bread, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
2 cups (8 oz) shredded swiss cheese
2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1 med zucchini, cut into 1/4" slices

in a lg skillet, cook the sausage, green peppers & onion over med heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. in a lg bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt, pepper & mustard. stir in the sausage mixture, bread, spinach, cheese & zucchini. transfer to a greased 13"x9"x2" baking dish. cover & refrigerate overnight.

remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. cover & bake at 350° for 40 minutes. uncover; bake 40-45 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

10-12 servings

SAUCES & SEASONINGS

REDUCE THE POWER OF GARLIC & ONIONS - Sometimes you don't want a strong garlic or onion taste. Get a milder flavor by sauteeing them in butter or olive oil for a few minutes prior to adding them to other foods. This will release their natural sweetness & give a wonderful flavor.

FOOD FACTS

One bushel of corn produces enough corn syrup to sweeten 324 cans of cola.

FOOD FACTS

Research shows that only 43% of homemade dinners served in the U.S. include vegetables.

HAM & CHEESE FRITTATA

1 cup diced fully cooked ham
1/2 cup diced sweet red OR green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/4 tsp pepper
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

in a lg ovenproof skillet coated with pam, saute the ham, red pepper & onion until ham is lightly browned & veggies are tender.

in a bowl, combine the eggs, cottage cheese & pepper; pour over ham mixture. as eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. when the eggs are almost set, broil 4"-6" from the heat for 1 minute or until top is set. top with tomatoes & cheddar cheese. broil 1 minute longer or until cheese is melted.

6 servings