LABOR DAY RECIPES

Grilled Corn on the Cob


Ingredients:
12 medium ears sweet corn
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup minced fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Soak corn in cold water for 1 hour. Drain and pat dry.
Meanwhile in a small bowl, beat the butter and sugar; spread over corn.
On a shallow plate, combine the cilantro, salt and pepper. Roll corn in mixture until lightly coated.
Wrap each ear in heavy-duty foil. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 25-30 minutes or until the corn is tender, turning occasionally. Yield: 12 servings.





Crispy Fried Chicken

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons garlic salt
1 tablespoon paprika
3 teaspoons pepper, divided
2-1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 broiler/fryer chickens (3-1/2 to 4 pounds each), cut up
Oil for deep-fat frying
Directions:
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2-2/3 cups flour, garlic salt, paprika, 2-1/2 teaspoons pepper and poultry seasoning. In a shallow bowl, beat eggs and water; add salt and remaining flour and pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then place in the bag, a few pieces at a time, and shake until coated.
In a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry chicken, several pieces at a time, for 5-6 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy and juices run clear. Drain on paper towels. Yield: 8 servings.

Spinach Lasagna

Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cartons (15 ounces each) fat-free ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 egg white
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce

Directions:

Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse in cold water; drain well.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta cheese, egg, egg white, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, garlic, basil, pepper and nutmeg. Combine mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
In a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer three noodles, 3/4 cup tomato sauce, 1 cup spinach mixture and 3/4 cup cheese mixture. Repeat layers three times.
Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 45-50 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
1 medium tomato, cut into wedges
1 small sweet red pepper, julienned
1 small green pepper, julienned
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives

DRESSING:

2/3 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to package direction's rinse in cold water and drain. Place in a large serving bowl; add the tomato, peppers, feta cheese and olives.
In a blender, combine the dressing ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Toss before serving. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Coffee Delight

5 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
5 cubes ice

In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, instant coffee and ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Orange Slice Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped orange slices candy

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the oats, coconut and candy orange slices. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.