Mexicali Pork Chop Casserole

Ingredients
Spray nonstick skillet
1 lg. onion, halved & thin sliced
1/2 med. green pepper, chopped*
1/2 med. red pepper, chopped*
1 can low sodium tomatoes, drained & chopped
1 c. frozen whole kernel corn, thawed & drained
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram, crumbled
4 lean pork chops, trimmed of ALL fat

Preparation:
Quick and Easy *May use 1 green pepper, red adds color. Oven at 350 degrees. 1. Saute onion and peppers and cook about 5 minutes, uncovered. Add tomatoes, corn and marjoram, raise heat and cook uncovered 5 minutes longer. Pour into 1 1/2 quart casserole.
2. In same skillet cook pork chops 2 minutes on each side. Lay chops on top of vegetable mixture.
3. Cover with foil and bake 12-15 minutes or until chops are done.

Sugar Free Rice Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 c. uncooked rice
1 c. water
1/2 c. raisins
2 1/2 c. skim milk
3 lg. beaten eggs
Artificial sweetener to equal 1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

Preparation:
In large saucepan, bring rice and water to a boil. Stir, cover, then simmer until rice is tender and liquid absorbed – about 15 minutes. Turn rice into 1 1/2-quart casserole. Stir in raisins; set aside. In saucepan, scald milk; gradually add eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Pour over rice mixture. Set casserole in pan containing 1 inch of water and bake at 350 degrees for 65 to 70 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

Southern Smothered Chicken

Ingredients
2 – 2 1/2 lb. chicken, cut up or 4 chicken breasts
1 stick margarine
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Boiling water
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt & Pepper

Preparation:
Place chicken in baking pan 2″ deep after seasoning and dusting generously with flour. Do not let pieces touch. Pour lemon juice and sauce into a measuring cup and finish filling with hot water. Pour around chicken. Add hot water to come half way up but not to cover. Dot with butter and bake at 300 degrees 1 to 1 1/2 hours, basting occasionally. This can be cooked ahead and reheated. It browns nicely, is crisp on outside but so tender on inside. Serves 4

Balkan Vegetable Stew

Ingredients
1/4 c. oil
2 med. onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. vegetable broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each thyme and basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 carrots, sliced thin
1 sm. zucchini, sliced thin
Toasted Walnut Sauce
4 med. potatoes, diced
2 c. cut green beans
1 sm. eggplant, cubed and unpeeled

Preparation:
In medium saucepan in hot oil saute onions and garlic 3 minutes. Add broth, salt, thyme, basil and pepper. Combine remaining ingredients except Sauce in large casserole (shred cabbage coarse). Bring broth mixture to boil and pour over vegetables. Cover; bake in preheated oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve hot or cold with Toasted Walnut Sauce. Make 6 servings. Per serving: 263 cal., 9 g pro., 39 grams car., 9 g fat, 3 mg. chol. Soak bread in water to cover until well saturated. In heavy skillet over medium heat, cook walnuts 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted. Drain bread, squeeze dry. In blender or food processor grind walnuts fine. Add bread, salt, pepper and half milk. Continue whirling until smooth. Gradually add remaining milk to give thick yet smooth, pourable sauce. Good served with green salad, hot rolls.

Ray’s Smothered Chicken

Ingredients
1/3 c. all purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 to 3 lb. fryer chicken cut up
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 med. onion, sliced
1 1/2 c. water

Preparation:
Combine flour, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture. Heat oil in large heavy skillet. Brown chicken on all sides. Remove from skillet. Brown remaining flour mixture in oil until golden brown. Stirring constantly. Slowly stir in water. Return chicken to skillet. Add onion, cover and cook over low heat until done. About 25 to 30 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.

Anise Liqueur

Ingredients
1 lemon
3 c. granulated sugar
2 c. water
1 1/3 c. vodka
1 1/4 c. basic sugar syrup, (No. 1,2,3)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. anise extract
Yellow food coloring

Preparation:
Pare very finely the bright-colored rind from the lemon (no white). Blot peel on paper toweling to remove any excess oil. Combine sugar, water and peel in a large saucepan, heat to boiling, stirring often. Lower heat, simmer for 5 minutes. Strain syrup into a glass container. Cool to room temperature before preparing liqueurs. Combine vodka, sugar, syrup, vanilla and anise extract in a 4 cup screw-top jar. Stir in just enough yellow food coloring to tint liquid a pale yellow. Close jar. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 1 week to age. Yield: about 1 1/4 pints.