Caprese Chicken Brushetta

Start by grilling the 8 oz. Chicken Breast and set aside.

Gather all ingredients:
1/2 C. vine-ripened tomato, diced
6 oz. fresh mozzarella, finely shredded
1/2 C. fresh basil pesto (see previous recipe)
1/4 C. butter, melted
3 t. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. fresh basil, minced (hint: sprinkle dash of salt to mince)
1 t. salt
8 oz. chicken breast, grilled
1 Lg. French baguette, sliced on a bias (21 thin slices)

Brush both sides of the bread with the melted butter. Place on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Lightly toast bread in a 350 degree pre-heated oven. Bake approximately 7 minutes.


Mix the pesto, balsamic vinegar and salt together. Then dollop a small amount on each piece of bread and spread for complete coverage.

Sprinkle diced chicken and diced tomatoes on bread and press firmly.

Then top with pinches of mozzarella cheese, pressing firmly into the bread. Sprinkle with minced basil.

Bake brushetta in a 350 degree pre-heated oven approximately 12 minutes until completely toasted and cheese is melted.

Basil Pesto

First gather all ingredients:
2 C. fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 C. shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 C. soybean salad oil
1/2 C. slivered almonds, roasted
1/4 C. fresh garlic, minced
1 T. Salt
1 T. black pepper, cracked

Combine the basil, almonds, garlic, and parmesan cheese in a food processor- pulse several times to mix ingredients.

Add salt and pepper- pulse processor while drizzling the soybean oil. Scrape sides of processor and pulse until ingredients are completely combined (like smooth paste).

Makes approximately 1 Cup.

Sharp Cheddar Sausage Balls

Place in a mixing bowl the following:
1 Lb. Wamplers "Special Blend" Sausage
1 1/2 C. Shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 1/2 C. Bisquik tm
1 T. Cracked Black Pepper
2 T. Dehydrated Onions
1 T. Salt
1/4 C. Heavy Cream

Mix well until all ingredients are combined. Then pinch a small piece of dough and roll into a ball placing onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake the Sausage Balls in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes until lightly browned. Serve immediately. Recipe makes approx. 50 quarter size sausage balls.

Bing Cherry Chutney

Place the following ingredients into a 12 Quart Stock Pot:
7 cans (15 ounce each can) Sweet Bing Cherries, pitted, drained

3 med Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 med Red Onion , diced

6 t. Fresh Ginger Root, peeled, minced
6 t. Fresh Garlic, peeled, minced
2 T. Red Chili Pepper, crushed
2 T. Salt
1 t. Cinnamon
6 C. Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 C. Apple Cider Vinegar

Bring to a boil, reduced heat to boiling simmer approximately 2 hours stirring occasionally. At that time Chutney should look like thick syrup. Refrigerate up to 30 days before use.

Chocolate Truffles

Using a glass bowl measure and pour in:

1/2 C. heavy whipping cream

Microwave for 2 minutes on high, then add:

10 ounces of (good quality) Semi- Sweet Chocolate

Stir well and microwave in 1 minutes intervals stirring well until completely melted together and smooth. Next add:

2 T. of (good quality) Brandy

Stir well and refrigerate for several hours until completely set. Using a one ounce scoop place truffle scoops onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan, then refrigerate an additional hour.

Mix together in a small bowl:

1/2 C. powdered Sugar
1/4 C. Cocoa, unsweetened
2 T. Oreo cookies, ground fine

Using your hands roll the truffle balls in the palm to round out , then drop the truffles into the Cocoa mixture, roll around , dust off , and place in a storage container.

This recipe makes 1 dozen large Chocolate Truffles. Store in an airtight container non-refrigerated for up to 48 hours.

Crab Cakes

Combine the following:
2 C. Green Onions, minced
2 C. Celery, minced
18 ounces Crabmeat
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 T. Mayo
12 ounces buttery round crackers, crushed
1 t. cayenne pepper
1 T. powdered wasabi
1 T. Old Bay seasoning tm
1 T. Salt
1 C. dry bread crumbs
First gently toss the ingredients together.



Then form into 1/2 inch thick patties. Place on a baking sheet and brush generously with butter. Bake 15 minutes in a 375 degree preheated oven.




This recipe yields approximately 2 dozen delicious cakes and should be served immediately after baking.

Great Day Brownies

These "First Fruits Great Day Brownies" are very easy to prepare! I like recipes that are consistent each time!
First start with a large mixing bowl, blend well the following:
2 sticks of butter, melted
2 C. Granulated Sugar

Then add, one ingredient at a time beating after each addition:
2 T. vanilla
4 eggs
3/4 C. Cocoa
Then mix the following in a separate bowl:
1 C. Flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
Then add to the mixer bowl. Mix well and pour 3/4 of the batter in a well greased and floured 9" x 13" brownie pan. Pour the other 1/4 of the batter into a small bowl and set aside.
For the cream cheese batter, start with a large mixing bowl. Mix the following until lump free:
10 ounces of softened cream cheese
1/2 C. Granulated sugar
then add:
2 eggs
1 T. vanilla
mix well then pour the cream cheese batter on top of the brownie batter and spread evenly.

Pour the remaining 1/4 of the brownie batter on top drizzling around creating a marbling look.


Bake these brownies in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for 35 minutes , until the cream cheese batter starts to lightly brown and the brownies are firm in the center.
Yummy! This recipe yields approximately 24 small brownies. I double the recipe and pour into a 1/2 sheet pan. This yields 24 large brownies:)