DIJON GREEN BEANS

1 1/2 pounds Green Beans fresh, trimmed
2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
2 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated

Place beans in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, for dressing, whisk the vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Drain beans; place in a large bowl. Add scallions. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

CRUSTLESS SPRINGTIME QUICHE

From the Kitchen of: Sara Voortmeyer

1 cup jalapeno jack cheese, shredded
¼ cup proscuitto ham
¼ cup red onion, sliced
¼ red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup asparagus, chopped
¼ cup carrot, grated
Lemon zest of a ½ of a lemon
1 teaspoon grain mustard
1 cup cream
3 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper

In a blender, combine cream, flour, mustard, eggs, and salt and pepper. Arrange all remaining ingredients in a greased pie dish and pour egg mixture over the top. Bake in a 325 degree oven for about 40-50 minutes or until set.

THAI BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small sweet red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 large Boston lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
1 bunch each mint and cilantro, leaves picked, rinsed and dried
1 lime, cut into wedges

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Crumble in beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink.

2. Add sweet pepper, scallion, ginger, garlic, pepper flakes and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat; stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil.

3. To serve, put lettuce and cilantro on a platter. Place 1/4 cup beef mixture in a piece of lettuce, top with some cucumber, mint and cilantro. Squeeze some lime on top and roll up. We love to serve with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce for dipping as well.

JULIE'S FRUIT DIP

8oz strawberry cream cheese
1 jar marshmallow cream
1/4 c powder sugar.

Mix together and serve with fruit.

LASAGNA

1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage which I prefer
1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
32 ounces cottage cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried parsley
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
9 lasagna noodles
½ cup water

In a large skillet brown the ground beef and drain. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Mix together cottage cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, eggs, half of Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. To assemble, in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly spread 3/4 cup of the sauce mixture. Cover with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1 3/4 cup of the cheese mixture, and 1/4 cup sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with 3 noodles, remaining sauce and cheese. Add water to the edges of the pan. Cover with foil. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

GERMAN PANCAKES

1 cup of milk
1 cup of flour
6 eggs
dash of salt
1/2 cup of butter
lemons
powder sugar

In a 9X13 pan throw in a stick of butter and put it in the oven that is set at 450 degrees. While that is in the oven, in a mixing bowl, mix together milk, flour, eggs, & salt. Take pan out of the oven and pour the batter into the melted butter in the 9X13 pan and put it back into the oven for 15 minutes.

Top with powder sugar and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. Makes for a quick Sunday morning breakfast!

COWBOY DELIGHT

This is a childhood favorite. It's low-key and simple; just like a cowboy.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
Seasonings
1 quart (or 2 cans) stewed tomatoes
Macaroni

Brown ground beef with onion. Season to your liking with salt, pepper, season salt, etc. Add tomatoes and simmer. Meanwhile, boil macaroni. Combine and serve.

Slurp up the nostalgia.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPY DONUTS

I saw Paula Dean's recipe for Chocolate-Dippy Donuts and had to give it a whirl (with our own touch).

You just start with canned biscuts, punch a hole in the center, fry, and top with chocolate frosting or honey butter (that was our addition). YUM.