Recipe of the Day: Caramel Popcorn

Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients
3 packages (3-1/2 ounces each) microwave popcorn
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup salted roasted almonds
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pecan halves

Directions
Pop popcorn according to manufacturer’s directions. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the peanuts, almonds, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, peanut butter and molasses. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 5 minutes.

Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture will foam). In a very large bowl, combine popcorn and pecans. Add hot syrup mixture and toss to coat. Spread onto greased baking sheets.

Bake at 250° for 1 hour or until dry, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from pans to waxed paper to cool. Break into clusters. Store in airtight containers or plastic bags. Yield: 6 quarts.

Recipe found here: Caramel Popcorn

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Recipe of the Day: Black Widow Dip

Black Widow Dip

Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Pita chips or assorted vegetables

Directions
In a food processor, combine the first eight ingredients; cover and process until blended.

Serve with pita chips or vegetables. Yield: 1-3/4 cups.

Recipe found here: Black Widow Dip

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Recipe of the Day: Caramel Apple Trifle *National Dessert Month*

Caramel Apple Trifle

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups chopped peeled tart Apples (about 5 medium)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 jar (12-1/4 ounces) Marzetti’s® Caramel Dip, divided
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 loaves (10-3/4 ounces each) frozen pound cake, thawed and cut into 1-inch cubes
Additional apple pie spice, optional

Instructions
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the apples, walnuts, brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice. Cook and stir for 8-10 minutes or until apples are tender.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup caramel topping and remaining apple pie spice. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping.

In a 3-1/2-qt. trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer a third of the cake cubes, cream cheese mixture and apple mixture. Repeat layers twice. Garnish with remaining whipped topping and drizzle with remaining caramel topping. Sprinkle with additional apple pie spice if desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 14 servings.

Recipe found here: Caramel Apple Trifle

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Recipe of the Day: White Chocolate Pound Cake with Chocolate Sauce *National Chocolate Day*

White Chocolate Pound Cake with Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients
4 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 Eggland’s Best Eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

CHOCOLATE ORANGE SAUCE:
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine white chocolate and water; cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; cool slightly.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in white chocolate mixture. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, in a small heavy saucepan, combine the whipping cream, sugar, semisweet chocolate and 2 tablespoon butter over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook 4-5 minutes longer or until sauce thickens slightly, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat. Stir in the orange peel, orange juice, vanilla and remaining butter. Serve warm with cake. Yield: 16 servings.

TO MAKE AHEAD: Cake and chocolate sauce can be prepared a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate sauce. Store cake in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature. Reheat sauce over low when ready to serve.

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Recipe of the Day: Spiced Potatoes *National Potato Month*

Spiced Potatoes

Ingredients
6 to 8 medium unpeeled red potatoes, sliced
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions
Place potatoes in an ungreased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Mix butter, oregano, garlic and red pepper flakes; pour over potatoes.

Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring every 10 minutes. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Recipe found here: Spiced Potatoes

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Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Torte *National Dessert Month*

Pumpkin Torte

Ingredients
1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin, divided
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup Marzetti’s® Caramel Dip
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin, milk, eggs, oil and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and remaining pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a fourth of the filling. Repeat layers three times. Drizzle with caramel topping; sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Recipe found here: Pumpkin Torte

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Recipe of the Day: Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 tablespoon California Olive Ranch® Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 tomato flour tortillas (10 inches)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
Guacamole, sour cream, salsa and sliced ripe olives, optional

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the vegetables, oil and cumin; toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Reduce heat to 350°.

Divide vegetable mixture evenly between two tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with remaining tortillas. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Cut each quesadilla into six wedges. Garnish with guacamole, sour cream, salsa and olives if desired. Yield: 1 dozen.

Recipe found here: Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

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