Fresh Cranberry Bread

Nothing like having a fresh loaf of fruit bread for breakfast. You can grab a slice and slather it with butter or cream cheese or toast it and go from there. A cup or hot coffee or tea and you are read to enjoy the morning paper or check on your e-mail. During the holidays in November and December, I always buy and extra bag of fresh cranberries and freeze them for treat like this during the years. Fresh Cranberry Bread 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup fresh or frozen orange juice Freshly grated orange or lemon zest 1 large egg 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Mix togehter the dry ingredient. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles crumbs. Add the juice and egg to the dry ingredients and mix just to combine and moisten. Fold in the cranberries and nuts. Bake in prepared pan at 350 degrees for approximately one hour. Another way to bake it is in muffins tins using either cupcake liners or sufficient vegetable oil spray to insure you get a clean release. Reduce the baking time for the smaller breads. Feeling really creative? A drizzle of lemon or orange icing over a warm loaf or muffins never hurts!

Celery Apple Corn Salad

Our first weekend of really warm weather has let us know the heat of summer is definitely on its way. In honor of the weather, I composed a cold grilled meat salad for dinner last night. Needing a third salad for the plate, I came up with this one and wanted to share. It was surprisingly good considering the ingredients were very simple. Celery Apple Corn Salad 2 Gala apples (or your favorite!) diced 5 ribs of celery, diced 1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted and drained 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (lime is good, too) 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard 2 teaspoons cider vinegar 1 teaspoon granulated sugar Good pinch of dried Tarragon leaves 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Salt to taste Just a dash of cayenne pepper Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together to incorporate the mayonnaise and spices into the diced ingredients. Taste for seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. If you make it ahead of time, the flavor meld together even better. Goes well with slices of cold, grilled chicken or beef.

Simple Chicken

This is a meal you can put on the table within the hour if you plan ahead when you do your weekly grocery shopping. Simple ingredients, easy recipe, good food - the best combination! Simple Chicken 1 chicken cut into serving pieces Salt and freshly-ground pepper Pinch chili flakes (optional) 3 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 4 peeled garlic cloves, smashed and diced 3 tablespoons water 1 cup heavy whipping cream Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in large frying pan. Add chicken and brown until golden on both sides. Add onion, garlic, and cook until softened a bit. Add water, turn down heat, and cook approximately 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Add the chili flakes, thyme, and cream and cook gently until cream thickens a bit. Taste for seasoning and adjust. This goes well over pasta or rice along with a salad. If you have some bread on hand, it will certainly add to the meal. Garlic bread and you have a feast.