My Recipe Collection

Basmati Rice Pudding with Oranges

Using condensed milk gives this pudding a creamy consistency.

Serves 6 to 8
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 20 to 25 minutes

3/4 cup basmati rice or any long-grain white rice
3 large navel oranges
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
4 cups fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
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In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, boil 2 cups of water. Add the rice, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the water has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, finely grate 1 teaspoon of zest from one of the oranges and juice it; reserve the juice. With a sharp knife, peel the remaining 2 oranges, removing the pith. Cut sections between the membranes. Set aside.

When the rice is tender, add 1/2 cup of the orange juice, orange zest, vanilla bean, evaporated milk, condensed milk and sugar. Cook over medium heat, uncovered, stirring frequently until it has a creamy consistency, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and divide the rice mixture among bowls to serve warm, or cover and refrigerate to serve chilled. At serving time, garnish each portion with a few orange sections, pistachios and pomegranate seeds, if desired.

Grapefruit Dessert Sauce

Add segments from 2 grapefruits to saucepan with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Cook on medium-high heat for 30 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 whole clove. Serve 2 tablespoons over angel food cake, ice cream or a citrus sorbet.

Blueberry Cheesecake Parfaits

Make these quickie parfaits with any combination fruit, including peaches, strawberries and kiwi!

Time: 10 minutes + chilling time
Servings: 4

4 oz Neufchâtel cheese, softened
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 gingersnaps, crushed (2-3 tablespoons)
1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen and thawed blueberries
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1. Combine cheese and sour cream in bowl of electric mixer and beat on high speed until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Reserve 4 teaspoons of the mixture and set aside. (You should have 1 cup for the parfaits.)

2. Fill each of 4 small parfait glasses or champagne flutes with layers, starting with 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture, then some cookie crumbs, and then a layer of blueberries. Repeat the pattern once more using the remaining cheese mixture, crumbs and blueberries. Finish by dabbing 1 teaspoon of the reserved cheese mixture on top of each parfait. Use any extra berries and crumbs to garnish, if desired. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Almond Cake in a Crust
by Merrijo T. Dean

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use a pastry blender to cut 1/2 cup cold butter, cut up, into flour mixture until pieces are pea-size. Stir together 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water. Sprinkle over flour mixture; toss with fork to combine (mixture will be crumbly). Press crumb mixture on bottom and up sides of greased 9×2-inch round cake pan or springform pan. Spread 1/4 cup peach, strawberry or raspberry preserves over bottom crust; set aside. For batter, in a large bowl combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In small bowl combine 2 egg yolks, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup cooking oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined; set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl beat 3 egg whites and 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold egg whites into batter. Pour into crumb-lined pan.

3. Bake about 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched and a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack. Place cake on serving plate, crust side down. Spread top with 1/4 cup peach, strawberry or raspberry preserves. Arrange 2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned cut up peaches, strawberries or raspberries, drained, atop cake. Heat 1/4 cup peach, strawberry or raspberry preserves over low heat until melted. Drizzle over fruit atop cake. Serve with sweetened whipped cream. Makes 8 servings.

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Prep: 15 minutes plus refrigerating
Bake: 1 hour 5 minutes
Serves: 16

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
5 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
12 caramels
32 pecan halves
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Mix crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla until well blended. Add sour cream, mix well. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.

Bake at 325°F for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until center is almost set. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Place caramels and 1 tablespoon water in microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute or until caramels are completely melted when stirred. Place pecan halves on cheesecake; drizzle caramel over cheesecake.

Double Raisin Bread Pudding
by Sun-Maid

6 slices cinnamon swirl raisin bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
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Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for glass dish). Butter a 1-quart baking dish. Combine bread cubes and raisins in baking dish. Combine milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; blend well. Pour over bread and raisins. Let stand 5 minutes. Bake, uncovered, for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve warm or cool with ice cream or cream. Or serve with Spirited Sauce:

Spirited Sauce

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup dark rum, brandy or apple juice

Apricots with Yogurt and Honey
by Prevention

Any seasonal fruit would work here.

1 cup low-fat plain Greek-style yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 fresh apricots, halved lengthwise
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Whisk together yogurt, honey and vanilla extract in small bowl. Spoon over apricots and serve.

Cranapple Meringue Pie
by Karo
Prep time: 60 minutes
Bake time: 10 to 12 minutes
Yield: 1 pie

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cooking apples, peeled, cut in 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons cold water
1 9-inch baked pie crust
2 egg whites
1/4 cup light corn syrup
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Combine sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, water and cinnamon in saucepan. Add apples. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Add cranberries and cook 10 minutes longer or until cranberry skins pop. Mix cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth. Add to cranberry mixture. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Cool to room temperature. Spoon into pie crust.

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Beat egg whites in a small bowl with mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup corn syrup; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Pipe meringue in lattice fashion over cranberry mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Raisin Walnut Pie
by Karo
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 40 to 50 minutes
Yield: 1 pie

3 eggs
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 9-inch unbaked pie crust
Prepared caramel topping, optional
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Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat eggs slightly with a fork in a medium bowl. Add brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter and vanilla; stir until well blended. Add raisins and walnuts; stir. Pour into pie crust. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool. Drizzle with caramel topping, if desired.

Lemon Chiffon Pie
by Karo
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours total
Yield: 1 pie

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup cold water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 drops yellow food coloring, iptional
2 cups (about 4 ounces) nondairy whipped topping, thawed
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
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Pour lemon juice and water into a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over juice mixture; let sit 5 minutes. Add sugar; bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in lemon peel, corn syrup and food coloring. Chill until slightly thickened, about 45 minutes, or until consistency of pudding, stirring occasionally. Fold whipped topping into gelatin mixture. Pour into pie crust. Chill until served.

Pomegranate Chiffon Pie: Replace lemon juice and water with 1 cup pomegranate juice. Omit food coloring.

Orange Chiffon Pie: Replace lemon juice and water with 1 cup orange juice. Replace lemon peel with orange peel. Add 1 drop red food coloring, if desired.