Slice of Life

SPICED TOASTED PECANS

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
2 1/2 cups pecan halves (10 oz)

CHOCOLATE AND STAWBERRY FILLED FRENCH TOAST

2 (1-inch thick) diagonal slices of day-old French bread

1 1/2 ounces miniature chocolate chips

1/4 cup strawberry preserves

2 tablespoons softened cream cheese

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup milk

Grated zest of 1 orange

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash cinnamon

FRIED ICE CREAM

Yes, Fried Ice Cream sounds like an oxymoron BUT, this popular Mexican recipe really works and is the perfect combination of hot, cold and delicious.

1 pint ice cream, any flavor

1 loaf sliced white bread

6 to 8 cups oil, for frying

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Optional: chocolate or fudge sauce

Place a plate or sheet pan in the freezer and let it chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.

ONE BOWL COFFEE BROWNIES

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, broken into pieces

3/4 cup unsalted butter

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons instant coffee

1 cup flour

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts or hazelnuts

APRICOT MACAROON BARS

For Crust:3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened1 cup sugar2 eggs1/4 teaspoon almond extract1 1/2 cups flour1 cup coconut

For Filling:1 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped 1 cup water1/2 cup packed brown sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/3 cup toasted coconut

SIMPLE CALZONE

One batch frozen pizza dough

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 cup chopped/grated Mozzarella

1 cup grated Parmesan

Salt and pepper

Your choice of filling ingredients: 1 chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped red pepper, 1 cup sliced mushrooms or 1 cup chopped cooked spinach.

Knead your dough on a floured surface for a few seconds, divide it into two pieces, form them into balls, and let them rest for 20 minutes under a towel.

BUTTERMILK LEMON MUFFINS

YAMS IN ORANGE SHELLS

BEER BATTER CHICKEN STRIPS

Serve these barbecue sauce or sweet and sour sauce.

1 egg

3/4 cup beer

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

black pepper

3 chicken breast halves; skinless, boneless cut into strips

1 1/4 cups oil