In small saucepan place dried fruit and a small amount of water to cover. Cook on medium to low until almost all water is gone and fruit is tender. You have to watch and ensure that a bit of water remains in the pan. When tender, take off burner and cool. <

With a small knife remove the hard bit of stem at the tip of each fig. Place the figs in a small saucepan with the rum and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pan, reduce heat to simmer and continue cooking until figs are tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside. Grease botton and side

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 9-inch springform pan. Microwave 1 cup morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on high (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Beat 3/4 c

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place melted margarine in small bowl. In another small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Stir jelly until smooth. Seal tip of large baster with foil. Remove rubber bulb. Spoon jelly into baster; replace bulb. Bake

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place melted butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Stir jelly until smooth. Seal tip of large baster with foil. Remove rubber bulb. Spoon jelly into baster; replace bupound Bake biscui

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Place the brie on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until softened and warm. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low; add the brown sugar and stir occasionally unt

Mix gelatin and hot water in a small bowl and stir until the gelatin thickens. Add the food color to a small amount of the scar goop, if you want the scar to be "fresh." Use a wooden craft stick or your fingertip to apply the "scar" to your skin. Dust with a small amount of baby powder until it

Heat morsels and 3/4 cup peanut butter in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth; remove from heat. Add sugar; stir vigorously until smooth. Place cereal in large bowl. Add 1 cup melted chocolate mixture; stir to coat well. Place on ungreased baking

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake baking pans with paper cupcake liners. In small mixing bowl, use electric mixer to combine cream cheese, egg and sugar. Blend in 2 drops yellow food coloring and 1 drop red food coloring, adding more coloring if necessary to reach desired sh

Beat the egg white lightly and blend with a small amount of powdered sugar and a few drops of peppermint extract. Mix until you get a fine dry paste. Using your hands, knead the paste adding small amounts of sugar until the paste will absorb it. Separate a small quantity to make the irises, addi

Melt the butter or margarine in a small pan over low heat, being careful not to burn it. Place the franks on a broiling pan and carefully brush them with melted butter. Broil the franks until they are evenly browned, turning them 2 or 3 times. While the franks are cooking, combine the

Cook potatoes in a small amount of boiling water 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Set aside, and keep warm. Trim off large leaves of broccoli. Remove tough ends of lower stalks and wash broccoli thoroughly; cut flowerets and stems into bite sized pieces. Cook broccoli in a small amount of boil

Break chocolate into small pieces. Combine it with the cream in the top of a double boiler over simmering hot water (not boiling). Stir the chocolate and cream constantly until chocolate has melted and ganache is smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool. When the ganache has cooled, stir

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse the pasta under cold running water until cool and drain thoroughly. Preheat oven to 350F. In small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tbsp of the milk until the cornstarch is dissolved. Heat the remaining milk and the chicken

Cut broccoli into small florets, peel the stalks and cut into cubes. Cut tofu into small cubes and spring onions into 2-cm (1-inch) pieces. Cut garlic into very small pieces. Mix soy sauce with sake/sherry and vegan sugar. Heat a wok or large

In a big soup pot and on big flame, fry the onions in olive oil. After they are golden put in the water. Add all the other vegetables (including the garlic), except for the tomatoes (or tomato paste). They need to be added after the beans are soft. After

Pork Fajita Pitas2 tablespoons red wine vinegar2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce2 tablespoons water3/8 teaspoon salt3/8 teaspoon black pepper4 small garlic cloves15 ounces extra lean extra tender pork center loin c4 small Roma tomatoes, blanched/seeded1/4

Southwestern Wraps1 to 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced (optional)1/3 cup fresh lime juice2 tablespoons light brown sugar2 tablespoons vegetable oil1 1/2 teaspoons finely snipped fresh cilantro    leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro1/2 teaspoon

Kentucky Fried Chicken Honey BBQ Wings1 1/4 cups catsup1/3 cup white vinegar1/4 cup molasses1/4 cup honey1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon onion powder1/4 teaspoon chili powder6 to 8 cups vegetable oil20 chicken wing pieces

Three Flavor Fries6 large baking potatoes, scrubbed (about 3 pound)Nonstick cooking sprayPreheat oven to 500 degrees F.Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Place each half, cut side down, on cutting board and cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick shoestrings. Place slices in a

Velvet Valentine Salad1 small box lemon gelatin4 cups hot water, divided1 pound marshmallows1 small can crushed pineapple8 ounces cream cheese1 cup Miracle Whip1/2 cup cream, whipped1 small box raspberry gelatinDissolve lemon gelatin in 1 cup hot water.

Raspberry Chocolate Indulgence1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips, divided 2 teaspoons raspberry flavoring, divided 1 cup butter 2 cups granulated sugar, divided 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon bakin

Hazelnut Meringue HeartsMakes 36 cookies 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts, shelled 3/4 cup powdered sugar, divided 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 3 large egg whites 3/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine sugar, or    

Valentine BarkAny assortment of Valentine`s candy can be used in this recipe with great results message hearts, cream filled chocolate hearts and small cinnamon hearts.1 pound white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, or milk chocolate 2 cups assorted Valentine`s Day candyp

Kahlua White Chocolate Valentine Cake(6 servings)uWhite Chocolate Ganache/u1 3/4 cups whipping cream 3 1/2 ounces chopped white chocolate 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extractuCake/u 2 ounces white chocolate 1/2 cup whipping cream 1 1/3 cups sifted cake flour

Bourbon and Mustard Glazed Turkey1 whole turkey (14 pound) with giblets1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste12 cups Cornbread Dressing3/4 cup bourbon1/4 cup Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard1/4 cup brown sugar, packed3 ta

Marzipan PumpkinsYields 15 mini pumpkins.1 (7 ounce) box marzipan* 1 tube yellow food coloring 1 tube red food coloringFew drops vegetable oilA few wooden picksKnead a small amount of food coloring into marzipan. You will use approximately 1 part red to 2 pa

Pork Tamales in Banana Leaves (Tamales con Puerco)1 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1/2 inch cubes3 cups water1 small white onion, halved2 cloves garlic1 pound fresh tomatillos, husks removedBoiling water3 fresh poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and d

Traditional Tamales1 (6 pound) beef rump roast1 (6 pound) pork roast12 pounds masa*1 pound whole red chiles, mild or hotLard or Crisco®GarlicCuminFlourSalt and pepperBaking powder1 pound dried corn husksNOTE: The chiles are the dried ones th

Caldo Tlalpeno1 dried chipotle chile2 tablespoons vegetable oil2 or 3 Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped1 small onion, peeled and quartered1 clove garlic, peeled1/2 cup cold water6 whole skinless chicken thighs1 potato, peeled and cut into bite size pieces1 ch

San Diego Fish TacosWhile visiting San Diego a number of years ago I fell in love with fish tacos, that city`s signature dish. Cabbage makes a crunchy and nutritious alternative to the iceberg lettuce normally used in tacos. Like most tacos, this one is a little messy to eat, so have plenty of na

Shrimp EnchiladasYield: 4 servings1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 cup (1 small) chopped onion 1 cup (1 small) chopped green bell pepper 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 1/4 cups (10 ounce can) enchilada sauce    with green chiles and inion, divided

Carne Asada Tacos8 corn tortillas1 teaspoon vegetable oil6 ounces flank steak, well trimmed, cut lengthwise in half3/4 teaspoon garlic salt2 small tomatoes, diced1/2 small onion, diced1/2 avocado, dicedChopped fresh cilantroHot sauceWrap tortillas i

Broiled Chicken with Chile Butter (Pechugas con Chile)1/3 cup Chile Butter3 whole chicken breasts, split, bonedFresh cilantro sprigsPrepare Chile Butter.Cut Chile Butter crosswise into 1/8 inch thick slices. Carefully loosen skin at 1 end of each chicken piece; inse

Jalapeno Mustard1/3 cup Colman`s dry mustard1/3 cup cider vinegar 2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds2 eggs1/2 cup beer or water2 tablespoons minced pickled jalape?os, plus    2 tablespoons jalape?o pickling liquid1 1/2 tablespoons molassesbr

CremaCrema is the traditional garnish for many Mexican foods. In the United States, sour cream is often used as a substitute. Prepare Crema 24 hours in advance. It can either be spooned over or  piped onto the top of soups and other dishes in various designs, such as cacti, zigzags,

Chicken Taco Casserole1 package small corn tortillas 3 tablespoons butter 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 3 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk 1 small jar green taco sauce 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 cups cooked diced chicken 1 small can chopped green chile peppers

3 Ring Adventure SoupSource: Chef Karen Hinrichs, Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus 13News Lunchbreak Tuesday, March 6, 20012 quarts vegetable stock9 ounces noodles, fresh or frozen8 ounces frozen mixed vegetables1 small zucchini, cut chunky1 small yellow squa