Zucchini Apple Pie

• 1 large zucchini (to make about 10 cups thinly sliced)
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 10-inch deep dish pie crust
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 dash salt

For crumb topping

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 cup butter

1. Peel zucchini and slice in half lengthwise.
2. Scrape out soft center and seeds, and slice to make it look like apples
   
3. Combine lemon juice and water.
4. Put sliced zucchini and lemon water into a deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer, stirring often until zucchini is limp& opaque.
5. Volume will reduce by about half.
6. Drain but do not rinse.
7. Leave over sink to continue to drain.
8. Fit pie crust to pan.
9. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg& salt.
10. Add zucchini slices to bowl and toss to mix well.
11. Put zucchini mixture in pie shell.
12. For crumb topping, mix all dry ingredients
13. Cut in butter.
14. Put all crumbs on top of pie.
15. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Quick Chili Con Carne

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced
• 2 hatch roasted green chilis (I used super mild and it was still really spicy)
  
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans (I drained them because I like thicker chili)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1-2 teaspoon chili powder (go light on this until you taste it with the chilis)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
  
• 3-4 chopped tomatoes
  
• 1 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oil in large skillet; add garlic, onion, green chilis and ground beef.
2. Stir until browned.
3. Pour off excess fat.
4. Add beans, tomato sauce, salt, tomatoes, cumin and chili powder.
5. Simmer over low heat stirring occasionally, until chili is desired thickness. (about 20 min)

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake

Caution, this recipe has been modified for high altitude. To make it at a normal altitude, add 1/4 sugar and 1/4 cup oil.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups shredded zucchini (I remove LARGE seeds and do not peel them)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix oil, applesauce, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Add zucchini.

Mix dry ingredients. Add sugar mixture. Add chocolate chips.

Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.

Bake for 45 min to an hour.

Yield: 2 loaves

Country Fried Steak and Gravy

• 1 1/2 pounds cube steak
• 1 cup + 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
  
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 eggs beaten
• 2 tablespoons EVOO per pan used
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups milk

Mix flour and spices in a shallow bowl. Lay out another bowl of beaten eggs and a third bowl of the 1.2 cup of milk. Reserve 3-6 tablespoons of the flour mixture for gravy.

Season steaks with salt and pepper. Dredge in milk, then flour, then eggs, then flour again.

Fry steaks in VERY hot oil on medium high heat for 4-5 minutes per side.

Remove steaks and add butter and reserved flour. Use a whisk to make a roux. Cook on low for a few minutes.

Slowly add 2 cups milk, increase heat to medium and stir until it thickens and boils.

Chicken Packets

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 3 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon green onions
• 2 tablespoons milk
• salt
• 2 packs crescent dough (they make it without the cuts now)
• 2 tablespoons melted buter
• Italian breadcrumbs
  

Preheat oven to 350.

Blend all ingredients through salt.

Lay out a sheet of crescent dough. Spread filling on top.

Lay out a second sheet of cresent dough on top of filling. Gently press a 1/4 inch line between each packet. Cut the middle of this line with a butter knife.

Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake for 20 min at 350.

Spicy Rigatoni Bake

• 1 tablespoon EVOO
• 2 sliced onions
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed fennel
• 1 pound HOT Italian sausage
• 2 700 mL jars of tomato basil pasta sauce
• 1 pound rigatoni
• 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
• 2 cups mozzarella
• 1/4 cup Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning

Preheat oven to 400.

Cook onion in poil for 5 min. Add garlic and fennel and reduce heat for 10 min.

Remove onion, garlic, and fennel and add sausage. Brown sausage.

Stir in sauce and vinegar. Re-add onion, garlic, and fennel. Simmer 15 min.

Cook pasta for 8 min. When draining reserve 1 cup of cooking water.

Put cooking water into sauce and stir.

Blend cheeses and toss 1/2 of the total into the pasta.

Press pasta into a 9x13 pan and a 9x9 pan, top with sauce, sprinkle with remaining cheese and top with Italian Seasoning.

Bake covered for 30-45 min at 400 degrees. Remove covering and bake 15 min more.

Calzones

Ingredients:

• 1 pack thin crust pizza dough
• 1 can pizza sauce
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan
• 1 cup ricotta
• 1 cup mozzarella
• EVOO
• Italian Seasoning
• Pepperoni
• Italian Sausage
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Any other pizza toppings

Preheat oven to 375.

Cut dough into quarters and stretch slightly. Be careful not to stretch too much.

Mix cheeses.

Top each quarter with cheese, sauce, and toppings.

Fold over and seal. Press the edges with a fork.

Brush with EVOO and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning.

Bake 15 min at 375. For crispier crust, use a pizza pan with small holes in the bottom.